Can You Take Aldrich Alive in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War?
The question of whether Robert Aldrich can be taken alive in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is a popular one among players, and the answer hinges on your actions during the campaign’s side mission, Operation Chaos. Directly put, Yes, you can take Aldrich alive. The fate of Aldrich is determined by choices made during this mission and, crucially, whether you gather all the necessary evidence to properly decrypt the floppy disk.
The Significance of Operation Chaos
Operation Chaos is not a mandatory part of the main story, but it has significant implications for the game’s narrative. It tasks you with tracking down and eliminating Robert Aldrich, a former CIA officer who has become a mole, aiding the Soviets in establishing a spy network within the United States. This mission becomes available after completing Fracture Jaw and returning to the safehouse for the East Berlin Briefing. It’s worth noting that while you can start the mission early, it’s recommended to undertake it after Redlight, Greenlight, ensuring you’ve collected all relevant evidence.
Evidence Gathering for Optimal Outcome
To achieve the desired outcome of taking Aldrich alive, you must gather three crucial pieces of evidence hidden throughout earlier missions. This evidence is key to decrypting a floppy disk that contains crucial information about Aldrich. The evidence locations aren’t particularly difficult to find if you’re thorough in your explorations. Without these, you may still attempt the mission, but will not get the option to spare Aldrich.
Decrypting the Floppy Disk
The floppy disk decryption puzzle requires you to rearrange a set of letters: N, M, D, I, A, S, O. These letters correspond to the names on the Numbers Station Broadcast, yielding “Madison”, which then leads to a numerical code of 0629. The correct decryption of the floppy disk is pivotal to your options within Operation Chaos. Without it, you will be forced into a scenario where the outcome is not your choice.
The Choices that Matter
The key choice regarding Aldrich’s fate occurs towards the end of Operation Chaos. If you have successfully decrypted the floppy disk, you will be presented with the option to either eliminate Aldrich or leave him alive. Choosing to leave him alive allows him to continue his spy ring, which, while not ideal from a purely “good guy” perspective, is an option that is specifically available. If you have not decrypted the floppy, the CIA will be prompted to execute Aldrich without your input.
Detailed Gameplay for Saving Aldrich
To be clear, there’s no single action in Operation Chaos that results in Aldrich being taken alive. The accumulation of the evidence and correct decryption is what’s important. Successfully completing the floppy disk puzzle is the only gate to being able to choose whether or not Aldrich lives.
- Collect the Evidence: Take the time to thoroughly search and gather the required evidence from previous missions. This is essential.
- Solve the Puzzle: Decipher the floppy disk using the correct code, “0629.”
- Make the Choice: Once you reach the final confrontation with Aldrich during Operation Chaos, you will have the opportunity to choose his fate. If the floppy is correctly deciphered, you will get the option to spare him. If not, this is not an option.
The Consequence of Your Decision
Choosing to let Aldrich live will have narrative consequences, though they are not immediately apparent. Aldrich continues to run his spy ring, which implies a broader impact on the storyline, even if it isn’t directly shown. Choosing to kill him will cripple Perseus’ network, the opposing faction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that provide further insight into Operation Chaos and the decisions it entails:
1. Is Operation Chaos a side mission?
Yes, Operation Chaos is a side mission in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. It’s an optional mission you can undertake after completing Fracture Jaw but does not directly affect the main storyline.
2. What is the evidence needed for Operation Chaos?
You need to locate three pieces of evidence before you start the Operation Chaos side mission. These are found in earlier missions. Successfully obtaining these allows you to decrypt the floppy disk, which in turn allows for specific choices during the mission.
3. What is the code for the floppy disk in Operation Chaos?
The code for the floppy disk is 0629. You must decipher the code by using the letters N, M, D, I, A, S, and O from the floppy disk, which translates to “Madison,” and the corresponding number for “Madison” from the Numbers Station Broadcast.
4. What mission is after Fracture Jaw?
After completing Fracture Jaw and returning to the safehouse for the East Berlin Briefing, you can unlock Operation Chaos. This is a side mission and can be started before the main mission at this point.
5. Can you play Operation Chaos without decrypting the disk?
Yes, you can play Operation Chaos without decrypting the disk. However, without decryption, you will be unable to take Aldrich alive. You will still complete the mission, but with a less favorable outcome.
6. When is the best time to play Operation Chaos?
It is recommended to play Operation Chaos after Redlight, Greenlight to ensure you have gathered all the necessary evidence for the best outcome.
7. Who are the suspects in Operation Red Circus?
The suspects in Operation Red Circus are known by code names: Bearded Lady, Strong Man, and Juggler. Identifying them requires paying attention to the details about gender and travel history found in the evidence.
8. Who is the Bearded Lady in Operation Red Circus?
The Bearded Lady is identified as Jim Kreeger based on his travel details. He was in Cambridge, England, on 10/23/80, and Krakow, Poland, on 10/04/80.
9. Who is the Strong Man in Operation Red Circus?
The Strong Man is identified as Calvin Dunn, who was in Barcelona, Spain, on 1/09/80 and Dijon, France, on 9/04/80.
10. What happens if you get the wrong suspects in Operation Red Circus?
Getting the suspects wrong in Operation Red Circus does not impact the mission itself. However, getting them right results in some unique dialogue after the mission.
11. How do you know if you got the right suspects in Operation Red Circus?
After eliminating the suspects in Operation Red Circus, if you chose the correct suspects, some unique dialogue will play at the end of the mission.
12. How do you decode Red Circus?
You combine the red letters from the clues to make the name of a city, then use the Number Station Broadcast to find the corresponding code and enter this in the decryption screen.
13. Is Richter a traitor in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War?
Yes, Lukas Richter is a traitor in the game. He is a CIA asset turned mole for the KGB.
14. Can you save Greta in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War?
Yes, you can save Greta. The best way to do this is by killing Lucas. She does not play any further part in the story regardless of whether she lives or dies.
15. Who should you secure Park or Lazar?
The consensus is that the canonical choice is to save Park, as she is a selectable operator in the multiplayer story, which takes place after the campaign.
Conclusion
In summary, while it may not be immediately obvious, you can indeed choose to take Robert Aldrich alive in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. The key lies in your willingness to explore, gather the necessary evidence, decrypt the floppy disk, and make the right decision when presented with the opportunity during Operation Chaos. The decision to let Aldrich live or be eliminated is entirely up to you, but it requires deliberate effort and strategy on your part. The narrative implications are not monumental, but the choice is yours to make.