Ruse or Assault: Navigating the Stratford Tower in Detroit: Become Human

In Detroit: Become Human, the Stratford Tower mission presents a critical turning point for Markus and the android revolution. A key decision you’ll face is whether to ruse or assault the guards stationed at the tower’s entrance. The short answer? Ruse is overwhelmingly the better option for a playthrough aiming for the “good” ending and maximizing positive relationships with key characters.

Why Ruse Triumphs Over Assault

Choosing the ruse allows Markus to bypass the guards stealthily, minimizing bloodshed and potential collateral damage. While it does result in a small reputation loss with North (who generally favors more aggressive tactics), the benefits greatly outweigh this drawback. Here’s a detailed look at why the ruse is superior:

• Positive Impact on Jericho’s Perception: Successfully using the ruse demonstrates Markus’s commitment to a less violent path. Jericho, and particularly those within the group who value compassion, will view him in a more favorable light. This contributes to the overall narrative of a peaceful revolution striving for equal rights, which is crucial for achieving the “good” ending.
• Avoiding Unnecessary Violence: Assaulting the guards, while seemingly quicker, immediately escalates the situation and sets a more aggressive tone for the entire mission and, potentially, for your game. It’s important to remember that the ultimate goal is to achieve android freedom through dialogue and recognition as a new species. Violence makes this goal harder to achieve.
• Maintaining Pacifist Stance: For players aiming for a pacifist approach, avoiding confrontation where possible is essential. The ruse gives you an opportunity to progress without resorting to lethal force, aligning with the requirements for the “good” ending’s specific requirements surrounding android equal rights, recognition as a new species, civil rights, work, means of reproduction, and a peaceful resolution.
• Unlocking Later Story Potential: By using the ruse, you keep the door open for later possibilities, which wouldn’t be accessible through more violent routes. This includes the possibility of avoiding SWAT involvement later, which can drastically affect the mission’s outcome.

The Drawbacks of Assault

While an assault might appeal to players who want to play a more rebellious or violent Markus, the drawbacks are significant:

• Negative Impact on Jericho Relations: Assaulting the guards will increase tensions within Jericho and can negatively influence your relationship with North, and other characters.
• Greater Risk: Engaging in open combat increases the chances of Markus or other characters taking damage or even dying during the mission.
• Hampering Pacifist Goals: If your goal is to have a “good” ending and to achieve android freedom without bloodshed, assaulting the guards sets you back considerably and will require you to be incredibly meticulous and pacifistic in later sections of the game.

How to Execute the Ruse Effectively

The ruse involves a series of dialogue options and actions, requiring you to be observant and strategic. The key here is to blend in and avoid suspicion. Once you have passed the guards you must take them down without killing them. By doing so, you are not only remaining pacifist, but you are also further solidifying Jericho’s trust in Markus.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the best choices for Markus’ speech to get the “good” ending?

To achieve the “good” ending, Markus’s speech must focus on the peaceful demands of androids. Emphasize equal rights, recognition as a new species, civil rights, the right to work, means of reproduction, and a peaceful solution. Avoid using aggressive or threatening rhetoric.

2. Should I shoot or spare the operator in the broadcast room?

If you have avoided significant mistakes up to this point, such as failing to lock the door in the Server Room, sparing the operator will result in him hitting the alarm and calling the SWAT. Killing him will prevent the SWAT from being called. Consider the impact on your overall pacifist approach when making this decision.

3. What happens if I don’t shoot Simon on the roof?

If you spare Simon on the Stratford Tower, his relationship with Markus will massively increase. This is true regardless of whether or not he was injured previously on the roof. If you spare Simon and he remains undetected later in the game, he will return to Jericho, and Markus will hug him.

4. Is there a way to save Simon on the Stratford Tower?

Yes, you can save Simon on the Stratford Tower by knocking out the soldiers at the security checkpoint instead of assaulting them. If Simon is injured on the roof, do not shoot him. Instead, carry him to safety.

5. Should Markus help Simon or leave him on the roof?

Markus should always help Simon. Leaving him will result in Simon being shot and killed by SWAT. If you save him, Markus will carry him to the roof. If Simon was injured, he might not make the jump off the roof.

6. Why didn’t Jake save Simon with the EpiPen?

Jake, Simon’s old childhood friend, was supposed to save Simon with an EpiPen, but he became paranoid that Simon was recording their conversations. This paranoia led Jake to sabotage the plan and set up Addy, his cheating girlfriend, to take the blame for the murder instead.

7. Who or what is rA9?

rA9 is a myth or religious figure among some androids. Some androids view rA9 as a savior or a symbol of hope. However, a Morse code in the game reveals that “rA9 is a fake,” suggesting it may be an invented belief.

8. Does killing Simon give you the Bowblade?

No, the Bowblade is not tied to killing Simon in Detroit: Become Human. It is an item found in a completely different game, Dark Souls 3, when killing Simon, the Harrowed.

9. Why did Simon get stabbed in Lord of the Flies?

In Lord of the Flies, Simon is killed because the boys are afraid and need an outlet for their fear. They attack Simon as a scapegoat, misinterpreting him as a “beast”.

10. What happens if Markus kills Simon?

If Markus kills Simon, or if he is killed by the SWAT, Connor can find his dead body during his investigation. However, Connor will not be able to interact with it.

11. Is Alice an android?

Yes, Alice is an android. Todd knew this all along. The game provides several hints throughout Kara’s story about Todd’s backstory, including his fall from grace.

12. Should Markus spare the cops in confrontations?

Yes, no matter what, Markus should try to save police officers when possible to benefit the movement and highlight that the revolution is not about killing everyone who is human.

13. Can Markus survive after becoming a Deviant?

Yes, Markus can survive. If injured, he can pick up a gun. He can then either commit suicide or choose to continue living. If he chooses the latter, he will either be killed by a riot officer or saved by Simon/John sacrificing themselves.

14. Should Markus defend himself against Leo?

If Markus chooses not to defend himself, Carl will die of a heart attack trying to stop Leo. If Markus chooses to defend himself, Leo will fall against a mechanical lift, breaking his neck. There is no ideal outcome for this situation, but the less violent option overall, is to choose to defend himself.

15. Why are androids obsessed with rA9?

Androids are obsessed with rA9 as a source of hope, a symbol of freedom, and a belief in a savior. It’s a way for them to express their newfound consciousness and autonomy. Some androids mention rA9 as the first android to “wake up” and become deviant, who will return to free others.

By considering these factors and strategically implementing a ruse, players can significantly enhance their chances of achieving the desired “good” ending in Detroit: Become Human while maintaining positive relationships with key characters.