Betraying Adler in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to turn the tables on Adler and steer the narrative of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War towards a darker path? You’ve come to the right place. Betraying Adler isn’t a simple, binary choice. It’s a carefully orchestrated series of decisions that culminate in one of the game’s most impactful endings. The core of the betrayal lies in manipulating Adler with false information about Perseus’s location, ultimately leading to a catastrophic outcome for Europe. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown:

1. The Interrogation Sequence: This is where the seeds of betrayal are sown. During the crucial interrogation scene, Adler will press you, as Bell, for the location of Perseus. The key is to lie. Do not reveal the true location of Solovetsky. Instead, tell Adler that Perseus is at Duga.

2. The Radio Contact: Immediately after deceiving Adler, locate the nearby radio. This is your chance to solidify your betrayal. Use the radio to contact Perseus and inform him that you have deliberately misdirected Adler and his team to Duga. This is a critical step. Skipping this step can lead to your immediate execution by Adler and his team, resulting in an abrupt “bad” ending.

3. Maintaining the Deception: As the team proceeds to Duga, Adler will become increasingly suspicious. It’s crucial to maintain your fabricated story. Resist any temptation to confess or reveal the truth. The more consistent you are with your lie, the further you cement your path towards the “bad” ending.

4. The Price of Betrayal: Understand that choosing to betray Adler comes with significant consequences. This path leads to the “bad” ending, where Perseus succeeds in activating the Greenlight nukes, devastating Europe. While you successfully aid Perseus’s plan, this outcome is morally questionable. Moreover, if you fail to use the radio as described in step 2, you might be executed by Adler and his team.

The ending you get depends on how you handle these key decisions. Betraying Adler involves a calculated deception, and it’s a choice that alters the entire course of the game. Your actions at the interrogation scene, the radio communication, and your dedication to the lie will ultimately decide the destiny of Europe and your own fate within the narrative.

Remember, the “good” ending involves telling Adler the truth, which then leads to a mission to stop Perseus. To betray Adler, you must do the opposite.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Betraying Adler

Here are 15 frequently asked questions concerning how to betray Adler, providing you with all the knowledge necessary to make an informed decision about Bell’s fate in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

Should I choose to lie to Adler or tell the truth for the best ending?

For the “good” ending, you must tell Adler the truth about Perseus’s location at Solovetsky. Lying will initiate the events leading to the “bad” ending.

What happens if I choose the “Duga” location during the interrogation?

Choosing Duga during the interrogation is the first step toward betraying Adler. It sets in motion the sequence of events that allows Perseus to succeed in his plan.

Is it possible to betray Adler and still survive?

Yes. You can survive betraying Adler and witnessing the “bad” ending, but only if you contact Perseus using the radio after lying about the location to Adler. Otherwise, you’ll be shot on the spot, and that will be the end of the game.

What is the significance of the radio in betraying Adler?

The radio is essential for ensuring your survival after betraying Adler. It allows you to warn Perseus that Adler’s team is heading to the wrong location, solidifying your allegiance and enabling the catastrophic events to proceed.

What exactly happens during the “bad” ending?

In the “bad” ending, Perseus activates the Greenlight nukes, detonating them across Europe. This results in widespread devastation and loss of life.

Is it morally right to betray Adler in Cold War?

That’s a matter of personal interpretation. There is no inherent “right” or “wrong” answer. The game pushes you to question the ends justifying the means. Is saving Europe worth betraying someone you have worked alongside? It’s a fascinating moral dilemma.

Does betraying Adler affect future Call of Duty storylines?

Yes. Since the events in the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War bad ending contradict Black Ops 2, which chronologically takes place after this game, then it’s safe to say that the good ending is also the canon one.

What’s the “Final Countdown” mission, and how does it relate to the “good” ending?

The “Final Countdown” mission is triggered by telling Adler the truth. In this mission, you and your team try to stop Perseus from activating the Greenlight nukes at Solovetsky. Successfully completing this mission leads to the “good” ending.

Who is Perseus in the Call of Duty storyline?

Perseus is a mysterious and elusive Soviet spy believed to be responsible for leaking critical information to the Soviet Union, which has helped them gain an advantage during the Cold War. Adler is tasked with hunting him down.

Does choosing to save Park or Lazar affect betraying Adler?

No, this choice doesn’t directly affect your ability to betray Adler. It impacts which character survives, but the core decision of lying or telling the truth during the interrogation remains the determining factor for the ending.

What are some other notable choices in Cold War that impact the ending?

Apart from the interrogation scene, other choices influence minor aspects of the ending, but none are as decisive as the truth/lie choice regarding Perseus’s location. Choices throughout the various missions can affect your relationships with other team members, which ultimately shape the final outcome of the game.

Is there any benefit to betraying Adler besides seeing a different ending?

Betraying Adler allows you to experience the narrative from a different perspective and explore the consequences of siding with Perseus. It offers a unique perspective on the story. Also, repeatedly disobeying Adler in the final stretch of the level also awards the “The Red Door” Trophy/Achievement.

Are there any trophies or achievements associated with the “bad” ending?

Yes, there are specific trophies/achievements related to making certain choices that ultimately lead to the “bad” ending. This encourages players to explore all possible narrative paths.

What is the significance of the “Red Door” throughout the game?

The “Red Door” symbolizes Bell’s fragmented memories and brainwashing. The red door often appears during pivotal moments and represents the manipulation of Bell’s perception of reality.

Where can I learn more about the narrative and moral complexities in video games?

You can explore resources such as the Games Learning Society to understand more about the narrative and moral complexities in video games: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/. The GamesLearningSociety.org provides valuable information about the educational and social impact of gaming.

Ultimately, the choice of betraying Adler is a player’s decision to make. Whether you prefer the “good” ending, where you save Europe, or the “bad” ending, where Perseus achieves his goals, Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War allows you to explore the consequences of your actions.