How to Stop Hank from Killing Connor: A Comprehensive Guide
The complex relationship between Hank Anderson and Connor, the android detective, is a cornerstone of the narrative in Detroit: Become Human. Their interactions can range from tense and hostile to a deep, almost father-son bond. One of the most critical junctures in the game is when Hank may be driven to kill Connor. Understanding the underlying factors and making the right choices are crucial to avoiding this tragic outcome. In short, to prevent Hank from killing Connor, you must cultivate a positive relationship with him and consistently make decisions that increase his trust and approval throughout the game. This will manifest itself in key moments when your choices determine Hank’s actions towards Connor.
Understanding the Root Causes
Hank’s hostility towards Connor often stems from a deep-seated resentment towards androids in general, fueled by his personal tragedy of losing his son, Cole. He sees androids as cold, emotionless replacements for the genuine human connection he craves. This is compounded by the fact that Connor is a highly advanced android specifically designed to investigate deviancy, which directly challenges Hank’s view that androids are inherently incapable of genuine emotion.
Several factors contribute to a hostile relationship leading to Hank’s lethal actions:
- Failing to empathize with Hank’s pain: Dismissing or downplaying Hank’s struggles will create a significant rift between you and him. This often involves choosing options that show disregard for his emotions and preferences.
- Choosing robotic responses: While Connor is an android, acting too robotic and detached will only reinforce Hank’s negative perceptions. Engaging in more human-like behavior, which includes showing emotion, curiosity, and understanding, is vital.
- Being too efficient: While designed to be highly efficient, being too robotic and focusing solely on the mission can make Hank feel alienated and distrustful. Striking a balance between professionalism and being human-like is key.
- Multiple failures: If Connor fails too often in his investigations, Hank may perceive Connor as incompetent, further fueling his negative perception of androids.
- Deviancy trigger: The game itself has multiple potential points where you need to avoid a hostile action from Hank. These include when Hank questions Connor’s existence and purpose.
Key Moments and Choices That Impact the Outcome
Several pivotal moments determine whether or not Hank turns on Connor. Here are some crucial points and the optimal actions:
- Early Interactions: During early stages, be mindful of your dialogue options. Choose responses that show curiosity about Hank’s life, empathy for his situation, and avoid being overly robotic.
- The Chicken Incident: The ‘Partners’ mission, where you eat at the chicken place, is a crucial turning point. Hank judges you based on how you react when you try to eat the food. Choose to react with disgust and throw the food away to increase his approval.
- The Russian Roulette Scene: During the ‘Waiting for Hank…’ scene, it is imperative you do not antagonize Hank. Choosing the option that shows curiosity instead of judgment will positively influence Hank’s opinion about Connor.
- The Eden Club: At the ‘Eden Club’, show concern for Hank’s emotional state when confronting the deviants. Do not rush the mission.
- The Confrontation: When Hank questions Connor’s existence, the pivotal scene where he might kill him. Choosing the Neutral option initially, and then the Truth option after Hank pushes Connor will stop him.
- The Hostage Situation: If Connor takes Hank hostage, choose “Save Hank”, then Interpose, and win the QTE fight. Successfully completing this will positively impact your relationship with Hank.
- Gun Incident If Hank pulls a gun on Connor, select YES and then NOTHING after.
Practical Tips for Building a Positive Relationship
Here are some practical tips to maximize Hank’s approval of Connor:
- Show Respect: Address Hank respectfully and avoid being dismissive of his opinions and feelings.
- Show Curiosity: Express genuine interest in Hank’s life and experiences, particularly his past with Cole.
- Offer Support: Be there for Hank when he is struggling and offer support, without being pushy or overbearing.
- Be Human: Despite being an android, emulate human emotions and reactions in order to seem more relatable to Hank.
- Be Efficient But Not Robotic: Efficiently complete the investigations, but do not let that efficiency cause you to be robotic or detached.
- Never judge his drinking habits: This is a sore spot for Hank and constantly critiquing this habit will lead to a negative relationship with him.
Consequences of a Poor Relationship
A hostile relationship between Hank and Connor can have severe consequences:
- Death: Hank can shoot and kill Connor during the confrontation where Hank questions Connor’s existence.
- Permanent Closure: If the relationship is continually strained and Connor repeatedly fails, Amanda will permanently shut down Connor.
- A Sad Ending: A poor relationship with Hank can result in a sad and dissatisfying ending for both of the characters, where they do not get the chance to reconcile.
The Importance of Empathy
Ultimately, preventing Hank from killing Connor hinges on your ability to show genuine empathy and understanding. A key element of the game is that Connor develops more human-like qualities as the game progresses and you gain the ability to express human emotions. If you choose responses that cause Connor to express human emotions, Hank’s view of Connor becomes more positive and he grows to trust him as a person, not just an android. Choosing choices that express empathy and understanding towards Hank allows him to open up and connect with Connor on a more personal level.
By understanding the reasons behind Hank’s hostility, carefully navigating the crucial moments, and consistently choosing options that foster a positive relationship, you can ensure that Hank and Connor reach a more peaceful and positive outcome. It requires not just following a guide but understanding the human connection and emotional intelligence the game asks you to explore.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What triggers Hank to pull a gun on Connor?
Hank pulls a gun on Connor when their relationship is strained, often after Connor fails in his investigations or chooses responses that Hank dislikes. During a critical scene where Hank questions Connor’s existence, a tense or hostile relationship can result in Hank drawing his weapon.
2. Can Hank always be saved in the hostage situation?
Yes, Hank can always be saved if you choose the right options. Select “Save Hank”, then Interpose, and then win the QTE fight.
3. Does saving Hank from the deviant hurt your relationship with him?
No, quite the opposite. Choosing to save Hank from the deviant will significantly increase his trust level, leading to a more positive relationship.
4. What happens if Connor dies?
If Connor dies, a replacement Connor android is sent with the same memories. This doesn’t have any effect on the story but it can have an impact on Connor’s relationships with other characters.
5. Can a bad relationship with Hank lead to a bad ending for Connor?
Yes, a bad relationship with Hank can lead to Connor being shot by Hank during a critical scene. It can also lead to Connor being permanently shut down if he fails too often.
6. How do I know if I am improving my relationship with Hank?
You can track your relationship with Hank in the game menu. As you make choices that improve your relationship, this will be reflected in the in-game stats.
7. Is it better to be robotic or human-like in my interactions with Hank?
It’s crucial to balance being efficient and professional with showing human-like qualities. Too robotic of a personality will negatively impact your relationship with Hank.
8. Does failing multiple investigations impact my relationship with Hank?
Yes, repeatedly failing investigations will negatively impact your relationship with Hank, making him view you as incompetent.
9. How do I avoid the Russian Roulette scene going wrong with Hank?
During the Russian Roulette scene, it’s important to not antagonize Hank. Choosing a response that expresses curiosity will lead to a positive outcome.
10. Is it possible to achieve a good ending with both Hank and Connor?
Yes, achieving a good ending where both Hank and Connor are on good terms requires making the right choices, showing empathy, and building trust throughout the game.
11. Can Hank hate Connor despite my best efforts?
While the path can be difficult at times, through a consistent effort to improve Hank’s opinion of Connor and make the right dialogue choices, you can prevent Hank from hating Connor.
12. Is it possible for Hank to not shoot Connor even if they have a strained relationship?
Yes, if you have a tense but not hostile relationship, Hank will threaten to kill Connor before leaving to “get drunker” instead of killing him.
13. Does it matter what Connor chooses to eat with Hank?
Yes, during the ‘Partners’ mission, choosing to react with disgust and throwing the food away will improve Hank’s approval.
14. Does Hank ever get over his hatred of androids?
Yes, through a positive relationship with Connor, Hank can learn to overcome his hatred of androids and come to respect Connor as an individual.
15. Can choosing to save Hank change his opinion of Connor?
Absolutely. Choosing to save Hank is one of the key turning points that significantly impacts his view of Connor, improving his trust and building a stronger bond between them.