The famous sniper standoff with The End in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is one of the series’ most iconic moments. It can also be one of its longest battles in the game, going on for hours if you play it the traditional way. But there’s a sneaky easter egg that lets you dispatch The End before the standoff even happens, which unlocks the “The Early End” trophy or achievement.
This shortcut changes your playthrough entirely, but it has some of its own trade-offs. Below, you’ll find how to trigger this early kill and what you’ll be missing out on if you want to skip the entire fight.
Killing The End Early
The opportunity to kill The End comes shortly after killing The Pain. During the cutscene at Ponizovje Warehouse Docks, The End is glimpsed for a moment or two being wheeled onto the docks in his chair. After the cutscene ends, Snake takes over once more, and The End is revealed only for a moment before one of the guards escorts him in.
If you equip a sniper rifle and fire at him at this point, you can kill him prior to the boss fight even taking place. He will not die by one hit—repeatedly hitting him is required—but he will explode just like other Cobra Unit members upon death. The game also rewards you with the Early End trophy or achievement at this point, which informs you that you’ve changed Snake’s mission significantly.
It is very much advised that you save your game before attempting this. Time is tight, and not getting your shots in could have you reloading.
Getting the SVD Sniper Rifle
To even attempt this, you will need to have a sniper rifle. Your best option is the SVD, which you can get before reaching the warehouse. After dealing with The Pain, you’ll come to a river that is being searched by hovercraft-patrolling guards. The river divides into two paths here.
Going right will lead you to the docks of the warehouse and to the cutscene with The End. Instead, head left via Ponizovje West. There you will find a storage building that contains useful supplies, including the SVD sniper rifle. The land is not well guarded, but reinforcements will arrive in hovercrafts if you ring the alarm bell, so stealth and patience pay off. With the SVD, you’ll be set to catch your shot when The End appears at the docks.
Consequences of Skipping the Battle
Killing The End prematurely has a lasting impact on your gameplay. When you eventually reach Sokrovenno, the area where the sniper showdown would otherwise occur, The End will not be present. What this does is allow you to explore freely without the stress of being chased constantly over the jungle landscape. The story continues as it would have afterward, leading you straight to the notorious ladder sequence.
But avoiding the fight has a price. Evading the duel excludes you from receiving two of The End’s unique rewards: the Moss Camo, which boosts stamina recovery, and the Mosin Nagant, a tranquilizer sniper rifle that is invaluable for non-lethal playthroughs. Players interested in collecting or who want the full experience of Snake Eater may want to fight The End the traditional way, even if the battle is a marathon.
