Understanding and Navigating Sigurd’s Loyalty in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

So, you’re thinking about testing the limits of your relationship with Sigurd in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla? Maybe you’re curious about the consequences, or perhaps you’re aiming for a specific ending. The short answer is: you “betray” Sigurd by making choices throughout the game that undermine his authority and question his judgment. These choices accumulate, and if you rack up enough “strikes,” Sigurd will ultimately leave England, leading to one of the less desirable endings. Let’s delve deeper into how this mechanic works and explore the implications of your decisions.

Defining “Betrayal” in Valhalla: It’s About More Than Just Combat

It’s crucial to understand that “betraying” Sigurd isn’t about a singular, dramatic act of treachery. It’s a gradual erosion of trust and respect built upon a series of smaller, seemingly insignificant decisions. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla cleverly weaves these choices into the narrative, forcing you to consider the impact of your actions on your relationship with your clan leader.

The Five Key Choices Affecting Sigurd’s Loyalty

The game explicitly tracks five specific choices that influence Sigurd’s perception of Eivor. Accumulating three or more negative choices (or “strikes”) will trigger his departure from England during the final mission, “A Brother’s Keeper”. Here’s a breakdown of those key decisions:

1. Taking or Leaving the Treasure: After a successful raid, you’ll often have the option to take all the loot for yourself or leave some for the clan. Selfishly taking all the treasure is viewed negatively by Sigurd, as it demonstrates a lack of consideration for the community. The good option is to leave treasure for the clan.

2. Romancing Randvi: Randvi is Sigurd’s wife. Pursuing a romantic relationship with her before Sigurd and Randvi officially separate is a major transgression. While the game allows it, it deeply offends Sigurd and significantly damages your standing with him. Do not romance Randvi until after she and Sigurd have officially separated to maintain a positive relationship with Sigurd.

3. The Fulke Mission (Responding to Sigurd): During the arc involving Fulke, Sigurd will make decisions. When given the chance, avoid questioning his decisions too much, and support him in the Fulke arc.

4. The Fight with Dag: Inevitably, you’ll clash with Dag, a member of your clan. When Dag challenges you to a fight and is defeated, you’ll have the option of giving him his axe to allow him to die with honor, or refusing him that right. Giving Dag his axe demonstrates respect for Viking tradition and earns you points with Sigurd.

5. The Argument in the Longhouse: After Sigurd returns from his ordeal, two NPCs will have a disagreement in the longhouse. Siding with Sigurd in this argument reinforces his authority and demonstrates your loyalty.

The “Negation” Choice: A Last-Minute Redemption

Even if you’ve accumulated three negative choices throughout the game, there’s a small glimmer of hope for redemption. During the final conversation of the game, a particular choice can “negate” one of your previous mistakes. This gives you a single opportunity to sway Sigurd’s opinion and potentially keep him in England, even if you’ve been playing fast and loose with his trust. Choose wisely!

Consequences of Betrayal: The “Bad” Ending

The primary consequence of “betraying” Sigurd is that he will leave England during the final mission, “A Brother’s Keeper.” This is generally considered the “bad” ending, as it signifies a fractured clan and a diminished future for your settlement. Without Sigurd’s leadership and guidance, the Raven Clan struggles to thrive.

Why These Choices Matter: It’s About Sigurd’s Ego

The reason these choices are so impactful isn’t necessarily about morality in the traditional sense. Instead, it’s about Sigurd’s perception of your respect for his authority and leadership. Sigurd has a fragile ego, fueled by visions and a belief in his own destiny. When you contradict him, challenge his decisions, or undermine his position within the clan, you directly threaten that ego, leading to resentment and ultimately, his departure.

Playing the Long Game: Weighing the Costs

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to “betray” Sigurd is up to you. There are no inherently “right” or “wrong” choices in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. The game encourages you to make decisions based on your own values and playstyle, even if those decisions lead to undesirable outcomes. The GamesLearningSociety.org website is a great resource for learning more about how games use choices and consequences to influence player experience. However, understanding the mechanics allows you to make informed decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Sigurd and Betrayal:

1. Can I still get the “good” ending if I accidentally made one “bad” choice?

Yes! You can still achieve the good ending if you’ve made one or even two “bad” choices. Just ensure that you make the right choices in the remaining key decisions and take advantage of the “negation” option at the end of the game if necessary.

2. What happens if I romance Randvi after she and Sigurd separate?

Romancing Randvi after she and Sigurd have officially separated does not negatively impact your relationship with Sigurd. At that point, both are free to move on.

3. Does punching Sigurd affect my relationship with him?

Yes! While the article mentions punching Sigurd, it’s generally advisable to avoid punching Sigurd (or Basim) when the option arises. Punching Sigurd displays disrespect and likely contributes to a negative standing with him.

4. Is it possible to completely repair my relationship with Sigurd if I’ve made several mistakes?

It is difficult, but the final choice negation offers a chance to sway the outcome. Beyond this, the game doesn’t offer explicit “repair” options for damaged relationships. Focus on making amends through subsequent actions where possible.

5. How do I know if I’m on track for the “bad” ending?

The game does not provide a definitive “loyalty meter” for Sigurd. You’ll need to keep track of your choices and actions and assess their potential impact on your relationship with him.

6. Does siding with Sigurd in every decision automatically guarantee the “good” ending?

Not necessarily. While consistently siding with Sigurd makes the “good” ending more likely, it’s crucial to consider the context and potential consequences of each choice. Blindly following Sigurd without considering the implications can sometimes lead to unintended consequences.

7. Is there any way to see the different endings without playing the entire game multiple times?

Saving your game at strategic points before making critical decisions can allow you to explore different outcomes without replaying the entire game from scratch.

8. How does the “negation” choice work in detail?

The specific dialogue option that triggers the “negation” is context-dependent and tied to Sigurd’s final evaluation of Eivor’s leadership. It essentially provides an opportunity for Eivor to demonstrate understanding and acceptance of Sigurd’s perspective.

9. Does the order in which I make these choices matter?

No, the order does not affect anything. The cumulative effect of three negative choices determines the ending.

10. Does my overall settlement level affect Sigurd’s loyalty?

While a thriving settlement can contribute to a positive atmosphere within the clan, it does not directly impact Sigurd’s loyalty. His loyalty is primarily determined by the five key choices mentioned earlier.

11. What if I accidentally make the wrong choice? Can I reload an earlier save?

Yes, reloading an earlier save is a viable option if you regret a particular choice and want to change the outcome. Just be sure to save your game frequently to avoid losing too much progress.

12. Are there any other characters whose loyalty is affected by my choices?

Yes, other characters are affected by Eivor’s choices, although the impact is usually not as game-changing as the Sigurd ending. Pay attention to character dialogue.

13. Does completing side quests and activities affect my relationship with Sigurd?

Generally, no. The critical factors are the specified 5 decisions, and all others affect Eivor’s general path through the story, but not the ending.

14. Can I change the difficulty level during the game?

Yes, you can adjust the difficulty level at any time without affecting your relationship with Sigurd. The difficulty setting only impacts combat and gameplay mechanics, not narrative outcomes.

15. Is it possible to get a “neutral” ending where Sigurd neither stays nor leaves?

No, there are no “neutral” endings with Sigurd. He will either stay in England or leave, depending on your accumulated choices.

Navigating the complexities of relationships and loyalty is a key element of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. Understanding the mechanics behind Sigurd’s loyalty allows you to make informed decisions and shape the narrative according to your preferences. Good luck, Viking!