Can You Play as Aiden Pearce in Watch Dogs: Legion Main Campaign? The Definitive Answer
Yes, you absolutely can play as Aiden Pearce in the main campaign of Watch Dogs: Legion, but there’s a crucial catch: you need to own the Watch Dogs: Legion Season Pass. Once you’ve acquired the Season Pass and completed the necessary steps (recruiting him to your team), you can freely switch to Aiden and experience the entirety of London’s story through the eyes of the original Watch Dogs protagonist. This adds a fascinating layer of familiarity and a fresh perspective to the game’s unique “play as anyone” mechanic.
Unlocking Aiden Pearce: A Step-by-Step Guide
So, how exactly do you get Aiden Pearce on your team and running around virtual London? Here’s the breakdown:
- Purchase the Watch Dogs: Legion Season Pass: This is the key. Without it, Aiden (and the other Season Pass operatives) will remain locked.
- Start or continue your Watch Dogs: Legion game: Once the Season Pass is active, the content will integrate into your game.
- Engage with the Bloodline DLC content: The Season Pass grants access to the Bloodline DLC, which is where you’ll first encounter Aiden and Wrench. While some might assume you need to complete the entire Bloodline DLC, that isn’t the case to get Aiden into the main game. Thillainathan made clear that, “Aiden can replay the full game and will have a dedicated DLC with Wrench. You don’t need to finish the DLC to play as Aiden in the single player story.”
- Recruit Aiden to DedSec: After engaging with the content mentioned above, you’ll gain the ability to recruit Aiden to your DedSec team in the main Watch Dogs: Legion campaign.
- Switch to Aiden: Once recruited, Aiden Pearce becomes a fully playable operative like any other member of your DedSec cell. You can switch to him at any time using the team management screen.
Aiden’s Unique Skillset: More Than Just a Familiar Face
It’s not just about nostalgia; Aiden brings his unique skillset to the table, making him a valuable asset to your team. He’s not just a reskin of another operative. He has specific skills that set him apart:
- System Crash: This allows Aiden to disable electronic devices in a large area, providing a tactical advantage in combat or stealth situations.
- Focus: A returning ability from the original Watch Dogs, Focus slows down time, allowing for precision aiming and strategic maneuvers.
- Gun Kata: Aiden’s proficiency with firearms is reflected in his Gun Kata ability, which improves his accuracy and damage output with pistols.
- Hacking Skills: As the original hacker protagonist, Aiden’s hacking abilities are naturally top-tier, allowing him to manipulate the environment and enemy devices with ease.
These unique abilities make Aiden a powerful and versatile operative, capable of handling a wide range of missions and challenges.
Enhancing the Watch Dogs: Legion Experience
Adding Aiden Pearce to the main campaign isn’t just a superficial addition; it significantly enriches the Watch Dogs: Legion experience.
- Nostalgia Factor: For long-time fans of the series, playing as Aiden in a new setting provides a welcome dose of nostalgia.
- Alternative Playstyle: Aiden’s skillset encourages a more aggressive and direct approach compared to some other operatives, offering a different way to tackle missions.
- Story Integration: While Aiden’s presence doesn’t fundamentally alter the main storyline, his interactions with the world and other characters offer new perspectives and insights.
Ultimately, being able to play as Aiden Pearce is a major selling point for the Season Pass and adds considerable replay value to Watch Dogs: Legion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing as Aiden Pearce in Watch Dogs: Legion, designed to provide comprehensive answers and address any lingering uncertainties:
- Do I need to complete the Bloodline DLC to unlock Aiden for the main game? No, you don’t need to finish the Bloodline DLC. As stated by developers, you can recruit Aiden to your DedSec team in the main Watch Dogs: Legion campaign without completing the DLC.
- Can I play as Aiden Pearce online with friends? Yes, Aiden Pearce is playable in both the single-player campaign and the online multiplayer mode.
- Does Aiden Pearce have his own unique story in the main campaign? While Aiden doesn’t have a separate storyline in the main campaign, his presence adds flavor and his dialogue reflects his past experiences.
- Are there any special missions specifically for Aiden Pearce in the main campaign? No, there aren’t any missions exclusive to Aiden in the main campaign. However, his unique skills can be used to approach any mission differently.
- How does Aiden Pearce’s age affect his abilities or gameplay? Aiden’s age doesn’t significantly impact his gameplay, but it is reflected in his appearance and some of his dialogue.
- Can I customize Aiden Pearce’s appearance? Yes, you can customize Aiden’s clothing and appearance just like any other operative in Watch Dogs: Legion.
- Is Aiden Pearce considered a premium operative, meaning he can be permanently lost if he dies? Yes. Like all operatives in Permadeath Mode, Aiden can be permanently lost if you select that option in the settings.
- Does Aiden Pearce interact with other characters from the Watch Dogs universe in Legion? He does interact with Wrench in the Bloodline DLC. Marcus Holloway also appears via voice cameos.
- What happens if I don’t like Aiden Pearce’s playstyle? Can I dismiss him from my team? Yes, you can dismiss Aiden from your team if you prefer not to play as him. However, you would need to recruit him again to play as him.
- Is the Watch Dogs: Legion Season Pass worth it just for Aiden Pearce? Whether the Season Pass is worth it depends on your personal preferences. If you’re a big fan of Aiden Pearce and the Watch Dogs universe, it’s likely worth the investment.
- Besides Aiden Pearce, what other content does the Season Pass include? The Season Pass includes the Bloodline DLC, three other unique operatives (Wrench, Mina, and Darcy), extra DedSec missions, and a copy of the original Watch Dogs: Complete Edition.
- Does Aiden Pearce have any unique weapons or gadgets? While he doesn’t have exclusive weapons, his Gun Kata skill makes him particularly effective with pistols.
- How does Aiden Pearce’s moral compass align with DedSec’s goals in Legion? Aiden’s motivations are often more personal than DedSec’s broader goals, but he generally aligns with their fight against oppression and corruption.
- Where can I purchase the Watch Dogs: Legion Season Pass? The Season Pass is available for purchase on all platforms where Watch Dogs: Legion is sold, including PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, and Ubisoft Store.
- Can I play as other characters from previous Watch Dogs games in Legion? Only Aiden Pearce, Wrench, Mina and Darcy are available as playable characters through the Season Pass. Marcus Holloway does feature in the game as a cameo character.
Continuing the Conversation about Gaming and Learning
The inclusion of beloved characters like Aiden Pearce demonstrates the power of video games to connect with players on an emotional level. The Games Learning Society explores these connections and investigates how games can be used as tools for education and personal growth. You can learn more about their research and initiatives at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Final Thoughts: Embrace the Vigilante in London
Being able to play as Aiden Pearce in Watch Dogs: Legion is a fantastic addition for fans of the series. His unique skills, combined with the game’s “play as anyone” mechanic, create a compelling and customizable experience. So, grab the Season Pass, recruit Aiden, and experience London through the eyes of the Vigilante himself.