Can I Crucify Benny in Fallout: New Vegas? A Comprehensive Guide
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Yes, you absolutely can crucify Benny in Fallout: New Vegas. This grim fate awaits him should you choose to side against him and deliver him into the hands of Caesar’s Legion. It’s a stark and memorable moment, showcasing the brutal justice system of the Legion and offering a particularly decisive resolution to your conflict with the charming, yet treacherous, Benny. However, choosing this path comes with consequences, impacting quests, relationships, and even your access to certain items. Let’s delve into the details and explore the ramifications of this impactful decision.
The Crucifixion of Benny: A Choice with Consequences
The option to crucify Benny becomes available after you reach Caesar’s Fort, having progressed through the main questline and encountered Benny again following the events at The Tops Casino in New Vegas. If you choose to align yourself with Caesar, he will offer you the opportunity to deal with Benny yourself. This opens up several possibilities, including allowing the Legion to handle him. Opting for crucifixion results in Benny being displayed outside the Fort as a warning to others.
Pros of Crucifying Benny
- Satisfying Revenge: For players who feel betrayed by Benny’s actions, this offers a definitive and arguably fitting punishment.
- Legion Approval: Handing Benny over to the Legion solidifies your standing with them and can be crucial for completing their questline.
- Moral Choice (Debatable): Depending on your character’s morality, delivering a betrayer to justice may align with their principles.
Cons of Crucifying Benny
- Loss of Maria: By choosing to crucify Benny, you lose the opportunity to loot Maria, his unique 9mm pistol. This is a highly sought-after weapon, especially for pistol-focused builds.
- Quest Implications: Crucifying Benny can lock you out of certain quest outcomes and alternative solutions to the main story.
- Missed Dialogue and Encounters: You’ll miss out on potential interactions and information that could be gleaned from Benny if he were to live (however briefly).
Alternatives to Crucifixion
Before making your decision, consider these alternative fates for Benny:
- Killing Benny Yourself: You can kill Benny at several points in the game, including in his suite at The Tops or during his encounter at the Fort. This allows you to loot Maria.
- Letting Benny Escape: You can choose to let Benny escape from Caesar’s tent. However, this will turn Caesar and his guards hostile.
- Working With Benny (Briefly): You can initially agree to work with Benny in his suite. He’ll betray you and flee to the Fort, where he’ll ultimately be captured by the Legion. This buys you some time and XP.
The Crucial Decision: Loot or Legacy?
Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to crucify Benny rests on your personal playstyle and priorities. If you value revenge, Legion favor, and a clear resolution, then crucifixion might be the way to go. However, if you prioritize acquiring Maria, exploring all quest options, and gathering as much information as possible, then you might want to consider alternative fates for the smooth-talking Benny.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Benny and Crucifixion
H3 1. Do you get Maria if you crucify Benny?
No, you cannot directly obtain Maria if you choose to crucify Benny. The opportunity to loot his body for the weapon is lost when he’s delivered to the Legion for crucifixion.
H3 2. Is there any way to save Benny from crucifixion?
Yes, but doing so will have consequences. You can free Benny from Caesar’s tent, but this will immediately turn Caesar and his Praetorian Guard hostile, leading to a difficult fight.
H3 3. Does it matter how Benny dies in terms of rewards?
Yes, it matters. Killing Benny yourself, particularly before he’s crucified, allows you to loot Maria. Crucifying him means you won’t get the weapon.
H3 4. What happens if you let Benny live?
If you allow Benny to escape, he’ll disappear from the game, preventing you from continuing the Legion questline. You can let him go by untying him, but remember that Caesar and his guard will become hostile.
H3 5. Where does Benny get crucified?
Benny is crucified outside The Fort, the main base of operations for Caesar’s Legion. His crucified body serves as a warning to others.
H3 6. Can you get the chip without killing Benny?
Yes, you can obtain a platinum chip without killing Benny. If you go directly to The Fort without encountering Benny at the Tops, Caesar will give you a Platinum Chip, allowing you to progress the story without eliminating Benny early on.
H3 7. Why did Benny shoot the Courier?
Benny shot the Courier to steal Mr. House’s platinum chip, which the Courier was carrying. He intended to use the chip to take control of New Vegas for himself.
H3 8. What happens if you forgive Benny at The Tops?
If you forgive Benny in the presidential suite at The Tops, he will betray you, sending hired thugs after you and then escaping to The Fort. You will gain 1200XP.
H3 9. How do you get Maria after Benny is crucified?
You generally cannot retrieve Maria after Benny is crucified. The weapon is lost unless you obtained it earlier through pickpocketing (before the crucifixion) or by killing him yourself.
H3 10. How to free Benny without fighting Caesar?
Freeing Benny without fighting Caesar is extremely difficult. You will need high sneak skill and stealth boys to sneak and take out all the guards and Caesar without being detected.
H3 11. Is Caesar’s Legion evil?
Caesar’s Legion is generally considered an antagonistic faction due to their brutal methods, reliance on slavery, and oppressive regime. Their ideology clashes significantly with the values of freedom and democracy.
H3 12. Does killing Mr. House give bad karma?
Yes, killing Mr. House results in a loss of karma. You will receive -50 karma for killing or disabling Mr. House.
H3 13. Can you romance Benny in Fallout: New Vegas?
No, you cannot romance Benny in Fallout: New Vegas. There are options to sleep with him, which requires using the “Black Widow” perk if playing as a female character.
H3 14. What is Maria?
Maria is Benny’s unique 9mm pistol, characterized by its customized appearance and higher stats compared to standard 9mm pistols. Obtaining it is a primary reason players may choose to kill Benny instead of crucifying him.
H3 15. Why does Benny shoot New Vegas in the opening cinematic?
Benny isn’t shooting New Vegas in the opening. He shot the Courier to steal Mr. House’s chip. He needs what the Courier is carrying, and the Courier is in his way. He’ll step on anyone to get to the top.
Further exploration of the impact of game choices on player learning and engagement can be found at Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org.