Can You Save Karma in Black Ops 2? A Deep Dive into the Choices and Consequences
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Yes, you absolutely can save Karma in Call of Duty: Black Ops II, but it’s not as straightforward as simply making one specific choice. Her fate is intertwined with multiple decisions you make throughout the game, particularly concerning the characters Farid and Harper. Achieving her survival requires a careful balance of actions and understanding how your choices influence the narrative. Let’s break down the crucial steps and factors involved in ensuring Karma’s safety.
The Importance of Farid and Defalco
Karma’s survival is most directly tied to the events on the USS Obama and the presence of Farid and DeFalco during the attack. There are two primary ways Karma’s life can play out during this crucial mission:
Scenario 1: Farid and DeFalco Are Both Present
If you have managed to keep both Farid and DeFalco alive up to this point, things take a specific turn. DeFalco will incapacitate Karma by knocking her unconscious before Farid has a chance to shoot her. Following this, Farid, under Menendez’s manipulation, will then attempt to kill DeFalco and will be successful. This is a non-ideal outcome, although karma is alive.
Scenario 2: Saving Karma in Second Chance
The alternative scenario is that if you saved Karma in Second Chance, this outcome ensures DeFalco knocks Karma out before she can be shot. She survives the confrontation on the USS Obama. This is the optimal way to ensure her survival.
The Crucial Role of Harper and Farid’s Fate
The fate of Harper is another significant factor that ripples through the narrative and affects who is present on the USS Obama.
The Sacrifice of Farid
If you choose to let Harper live during the mission “Achilles’ Veil”, Farid will die. Salazar executes him. This ensures Farid will not be present during the attack on the USS Obama. While this might seem like it makes saving Karma harder, it doesn’t directly affect whether Karma is saved at the USS Obama.
Killing Harper: A Necessary Sacrifice?
The seemingly harsh decision to kill Harper in “Achilles’ Veil” has implications for Farid. If you do not kill Harper, Farid’s cover will be blown when you meet Menendez at the Citadel, and he is subsequently captured. By making this sacrifice, Farid lives and can play the critical role on the USS Obama. The choice, therefore, is not about directly saving or sacrificing Karma at this point, but it does ultimately determine if Farid is there to attempt an attack on DeFalco. This attack will allow DeFalco to instead incapacitate Karma and save her.
The USS Obama and the Domino Effect
The culmination of these decisions leads to the pivotal events at the USS Obama. If you’ve made the correct choices, Karma will survive the attack. Ultimately, the survival of Karma impacts the ending, as a living Karma plays a role in saving the USS Obama from complete destruction by activating the defense systems.
The Best Ending and its Connection to Karma
The “best” ending in Black Ops 2 is achieved by capturing, not killing, Menendez during the “Judgement Day” mission. Karma’s survival is important to the end, and her fate is directly related to achieving a positive outcome for the overall story. Her role in the defense of the USS Obama is crucial. If you captured Menendez, this also avoids the “worst” ending where a global insurrection is triggered.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What happens if Farid dies?
If Farid dies, usually at the hands of Salazar after letting Harper live, he will not be present at the USS Obama. While it doesn’t directly prevent Karma from surviving on the ship, this does prevent him from attacking DeFalco, which ultimately leads to DeFalco knocking out Karma instead. This is not an ideal outcome.
2. Is it better to kill or save Harper in Achilles’ Veil?
The short answer is it is better to kill Harper if your aim is to get the best possible outcome. Killing Harper allows Farid to stay alive and be present at the USS Obama. This provides a path for Karma to live, if you saved her during Second Chance.
3. Can you capture DeFalco in Black Ops 2?
Yes, you can capture DeFalco. If you successfully reach the hangar exit in the mission “Colossus” before he escapes, you can confront and kill DeFalco and his two companions.
4. How many endings does Black Ops 2 have?
Black Ops II has multiple endings, with eight being a commonly cited number. These endings range from positive to the worst possible scenarios and are determined by the choices players make throughout the campaign.
5. How do you prevent Harper’s face from getting burned?
To prevent Harper’s face from being burned during the car chase, Mason needs to drive on the right side of the road. This is a purely cosmetic change, but it can be important for those seeking the best possible outcomes. This does not impact if Harper will live or not.
6. Which Black Ops 2 ending is considered canon?
The canon ending is the one where Menendez is captured and not killed. If Menendez is killed, he triggers a global insurrection. This is the worst ending and sets the stage for Call of Duty: Black Ops III.
7. What happens to Salazar if you kill Harper?
If you choose to kill Harper in “Achilles’ Veil,” Salazar will be taken into custody and will not be seen again. If you also complete all Strike Force missions, Salazar will survive in custody.
8. How do you get the best ending in Black Ops 2?
To get the best ending, you need to capture Menendez in “Judgement Day.” This ensures that he doesn’t launch the global insurrection. Additionally, saving Karma and completing other optional objectives contributes to a more positive overall outcome.
9. Can you save Mason in Black Ops 2?
Yes, you can save Mason by shooting him in the leg during one of the later story segments. If you do it right, he will survive the bullet wound.
10. What happens if you shoot Menendez instead of Harper?
If you choose to shoot Menendez, Farid will be killed. Harper will be spared, but you will lose communication with Harper.
11. What happens if DeFalco lives?
If DeFalco survives the mission “Colossus,” he will appear again in “Achilles’ Veil,” and will be present on the USS Obama. This is a good thing for those who are looking to save Karma.
12. How do you save the USS Obama?
If you’ve made the correct choices, especially regarding Karma‘s survival, Briggs will reactivate the defense system of the USS Obama. This will trigger the SDC to send assistance and save both the ship and those on board.
13. Should Farid shoot Harper?
No, Farid should not shoot Harper. While Farid will die either way, if you kill Harper in “Achilles’ Veil,” Farid will have a better death. He will instead sacrifice himself to try to stop DeFalco on the USS Obama and protect Karma.
14. What is the worst ending in Black Ops 2?
The worst ending is the “Pyrrhic Victory,” which involves Menendez being killed, triggering the global insurrection, and failing several key objectives. The “worst” ending often results in a burning of the White House.
15. Is Black Ops 2 still considered canon?
Yes, Black Ops 2 remains a canon part of the Black Ops narrative. It provides two distinct story paths while remaining an important part of the overarching storyline.
By understanding these intricate connections, you can navigate the difficult choices presented in Black Ops 2 and ensure the survival of Karma and achieve a positive conclusion to the story. Your actions truly have significant consequences.