While it may not look like it sometimes, but Stalker 2 is a pretty open-ended game in terms of its story. The game’s main missions, side quests, and even meeting NPCs in The Zone is opened ended.
How you interact with them is up to you, sometimes you make friends out of them other times they’ll become your enemies. Of course, you’ll also have to make life and death choices in some cases like the Squint.
To kill or help Squint is one of the choices you’ll come across in Stalker 2 during the main mission A Needle in a Haystack.
Squint is an NPC you can meet at the windmill at the mission location on your map. He is the guy with the short hair and beard. Here’s what he looks like:
Option 1: Helping Squint and its Outcome
If you choose to help Squint, select the dialogue option “What’s your escape plan?” This will initiate a side quest called “Piece of Cake.”
You will then have to head into a nearby cave to get the artifact for Squint. The cave contains a Bloodsucker enemy and acid anomalies so prepare beforehand if you need to. I suggest getting rid of broken weapons at Ragman and invest that money toward useful items.
When you come back with the artifact, Squint will give you the Ward Sensors. However, he has no further quests or rewards for you.
Outcome: If you help Squint it aligns with the Independent Stalker ideology which will positively influence your standing with neutral factions like Richter’s group.
Option 2: Killing Squint and its Outcome
If helping Squint is not something you want to do, then you can choose to attack Squint. When you attack and kill him you can loot his body right away.
Killing him blocks access to the “Piece of Cake” side quest. However, you can still find the artifact in the cave later if you choose to explore it independently.
Outcome: Besides the sensors, you can loot additional items from Squint’s body which makes this route more rewarding in terms of loot. There are no significant long-term consequences for killing Squint; other characters do not express concern over his fate.
I think option 2 is the best choice if your goal is loot.
At first, I decided to back Squint. It felt like the right move-giving a jerk a second shot, sticking with his mission, and slogging through that acid cave stuffed with a blood-sucker just to grab the Mold artifact for him.
When I walked back in, I figured I’d get at least a nod. Maybe sincere thanks, a fair payment, or even a tiny cutscene that hinted he was turning over a new leaf.
Instead, he snatched the artifact, tossed me the Ward Sensors, and barely mumbled a word. No, thanks, no smile, nothing that mattered.
He handed over the quest log and stayed quiet, so I put a bullet in his head.
| Aspect | Help Squint | Kill Squint |
|---|---|---|
| Ward Sensors | Obtained after helping or optionally killing him later | Looted immediately from his body |
| Artifact (Mold) | Retrieved by completing his side quest | Can still be collected later if you explore the cave |
| Side Quest | Unlocks “Piece of Cake” quest with extra dialogue and gameplay | Quest is skipped entirely |
| Faction Reputation | Improves standing with Richter and the independent faction | Neutral or minor loss in narrative tone |
| Time & Risk | Longer route involving combat with a Bloodsucker | Quick solution with little resistance |
| Loot | Get artifact, sensors, and possible bonus rewards | Immediate access to sensors and Squint’s gear |
| Narrative Impact | May affect minor future dialogue and endings | Little to no long-term consequence |
