Completing side quests in The Outer Worlds 2 is a really effective method to gain different items. Most of them are pretty straightforward, unlike the “Pinching the Pupa” side quest.
The quest will require you to retrieve a Zyranium Mantisaur Pupa from Trooper Wentworth at Fort Endurance. But after getting it, you will be met with two choices. You can either give it to Biologist Bradford or Trooper Wentworth.
Can’t decide which one to pick? Worry not, as this The Outer Worlds 2 guide will take you through the outcomes of both decisions.
| Factor | Biologist Bradford | Trooper Wentworth |
|---|---|---|
| Reputation Gain | +3 (Auntie’s Choice) | +1 (Auntie’s Choice) |
| Rewards | Same | Same |
| Long-Term Consequences | Possible story/ending impact | Safer choice, no fallout |
| Ethical Alignment | Scientific curiosity, risk-taking | Precautionary, moral restraint |
If You Give the Pupa to Biologist Bradford
Before you decide on anything, you need to know which decision will benefit you the most. Upon offering the Zyranium Mantisaur Pupa to Biologist Bradford, you will get the following rewards:
- Cleo’s The Hunt Unique Shotgun
- 1500 Bit Cartidges
- 1 Reputation with Auntie’s Choice.
Getting the extra rewards from Biologist Bradford isn’t that easy, as you need to have Speech Level 5. That’s not all, you also need to pick the “You’ll have to do better than simply matching his offer if you want me to choose you” dialogue option when you start the “Pinching the Pupa” side quest with Trooper Wentworth at Fort Endurance.
Give the Pupa to Biologist Bradford, and she will tell you about how Zyranium is the cause of Mantisaurs’ destruction. She will claim that the Pupa will greatly help her in her career as a Biologist at Fort Endurance. After that, Fort Endurance will be attacked by a Mantisaur horde.
Defeat them using Cleo’s The Hunt Shotgun, pretty unique as it shoots slugs instead of shotgun shells. Effective at a higher distance and against armor.
This will complete the quest, and you will get the rewards.
If You Give the Pupa to Trooper Wentworth
If you give the Pupa to Trooper Wentworth, you will get the same rewards:
- Cleo’s The Hunt Unique Shotgun
- 1500 Bit Cartridges
- 1 Reputation with Auntie’s Choice.
What’s the difference? Well, Trooper Wentworth claims that the Zyranium Mantisaur Pupa is for Chief Executive Wotjek, a senior Mantisaur working at Fort Endurance as a Strategic Ingestment Executive. After giving him the Pupa, Wentworth will say that the Mantisaur regime can now take shape. But guess what? Instead of giving it to the Chief, he eats it, revealing his true colors.
After that, a horde of Mantisaurs will attack Ford Endurance. Defeat them, and the “Pinching the Pupa” quest in The Outer Worlds 2 will come to an end.
Pro Tip: Save your game before turning in the quest you can see both outcomes without replaying large sections.
Whom Should I Give the Pupa to in The Outer Worlds 2?
What’s the best option? It actually doesn’t matter that much, as in both cases, you get Cleo’s The Hunt Unique Shotgun. However, I recommend you give it to Biologist Bradford instead of Trooper Wentworth, as she will put it to great use. On top of that, you will also gain 3 Reputation with Aunties’ Choice instead of one.
If you’re looking for maximum short-term rewards and like a bit of narrative risk, give the Pupa to Biologist Bradford. If you prefer a clean conscience and a more stable story path, give it to Trooper Wentworth, you’ll still walk away with the same weapon and cash, just with less corporate favor.
And that’s all for this The Outer Worlds 2 guide on whom to give the Zyranium Mantisaur Pupa. If you were confused about which option to pick, this guide was all you needed.
