The Rat Catcher is a narrative quest mission for Stalker 2: Stories Untold. The mission is more about the choices and information gathering than just fighting. The objectives are comparatively very easy, but are followed by some conversations that add to the understanding of the upcoming events.
This guide will walk with you step-by-step through the whole quest – what to do and what to say, what to be aware of.
Meeting the Scoutmaster
First, you need to go to the marker that denotes this is a quest area. When you get there, there is an old scout master who is being harassed by mutants all around him. Get rid of the mutants, then talk to the scout master.
In addition, he will inquire about how you found this place and what made you decide to come here. In order to facilitate the flow of conversation, you will have to compliment him on his fighting skills, considering his age, and tell him that Banzai sold his stock.
You can then grill him on what made him leave the camp when Skull came for you. The Scoutmaster tells the boy that he requires some alone time where he can clear his head.
Investigating the ScoutMaster’s Stash
Analyse the dialogue, and subsequently, follow the Scoutmaster to the cache. When he inquires again about the amplifier, “maybe” is the safest answer. It will satisfy his curiosity and result in a benevolent payoff.
He hands you the key to the stash, giving you a chance to investigate its contents. In the stash, you can find Scoutmaster’s uniform and his old PDA. Right after you acquire the key to the stash, there is a dialogue between Scoutmaster and the Surgeon that reveals some details about his life in the past as a mercenary and his choices in the Zone.
Returning to Fairytale
After finishing the conversation, additional questions can be put to the Scoutmaster. He goes on to reveal that he had dealt with Skull during the Call of Pripyat incident, but had avoided talking about it since he only wanted to survive.
Now that the secret is out, it is finally time to get back to “Fairytale”.
The Emission Event and Medulin’s Shelter
Throughout your return journey, you will encounter an Emission Trigger. Head on to the shelter as soon as possible and speak with Medulin inside. To achieve more dialogue for you to hear, have him drunk and just keep talking to him.
Wait in the shelter until the Emission event has passed. Then, you are free to go out and continue your quest.
Uncovering Rascal’s Cache
Now, head over to the warehouse in Fairytale. Scale up to the rooftop by using a ladder. Be certain that you do not miss out on any electrical anomaly that is scattered on top of it. Moreover, you can identify Rascal’s hide near the end of this rooftop.
Then move downwards towards the second floor and inside. One of the rooms contains Rascal’s stash, and the code for the lock is 2909. It contains a door key, Rascal’s note, first aid kits, and guns.
Dealing with Rascal and Banz
Talk to Rascal after looting the cache and show him the messages you have gathered. He will admit that he has been working together with Skull in return for the delivery of certain goods. Your next location will be Banzai, but he’s trapped in a different location.
In order to reach him, you must gain access to the roof and proceed through the air vents. Once you are in, you will hear noisy machinery in operation. Switch it off and proceed with Banzai, who reveals that he’s told Skull about you.
Final Fight & Quest Completion
If the Final Fight is where the conversation ends, the mercenaries begin attacking the area where the player is. They have to clean the area before moving on to the camp, where they talk one-on-one with each person.
Your Scoutmaster informs you that a new wave of mercenaries from the land of Skull is on its way, and now you must decide which region of the camp to prepare for defence. Protecting the north-west region is obviously the most prudent choice since the region is not fortified.
With this decision made, one can now say that the side quest, The Rat Catcher, is completed, which has essentially led to the start of big events happening in Stalker 2: Stories Untold.
