The Walking Dead: Should You Save Shawn or Duck? A Definitive Guide
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The agonizing choice: Shawn or Duck? In Telltale’s The Walking Dead, this is one of the first truly brutal decisions you face. The simple answer, strategically speaking, is save Duck. While neither character survives the immediate situation, saving Duck results in a better relationship with Kenny, a crucial ally throughout the first season. Choosing Shawn, on the other hand, accomplishes nothing positive and damages your rapport with Kenny. This guide delves deeper into the repercussions of this decision and explores related questions.
The Cold, Hard Facts: The Consequences of Your Choice
Let’s break down exactly what happens depending on your choice:
- Saving Duck: Lee punches the walker threatening Duck, allowing Kenny to pull him off the tractor and to safety. However, the walkers overwhelm the fence before Lee can then help Shawn. Shawn dies. Hershel, while understandably furious about his son’s death, kicks Lee and Kenny off his farm. Crucially, Kenny remembers that you prioritized his son.
- Saving Shawn: No matter what Lee does, he fails to save Shawn. The tractor pins Shawn, and he’s devoured by walkers. Kenny, witnessing this, rushes to Duck’s aid. Even if Lee then tries to help Duck, it’s too late to change Shawn’s fate. Hershel kicks Lee and Kenny off the farm, but Kenny is now resentful of Lee for not helping his son.
The immediate outcomes are the same – Shawn dies, and you’re kicked off the farm. But the long-term ramifications for your relationship with Kenny are significant. Kenny’s support (or lack thereof) can drastically impact later events in the game, making saving Duck the wiser choice.
Kenny’s Perspective: Why Your Choice Matters
Kenny is a complex and volatile character. He’s fiercely protective of his family (Duck and Katjaa) and deeply affected by loss. Prioritizing Duck demonstrates to Kenny that you value his family, fostering trust and loyalty. This trust becomes invaluable as the season progresses. Conversely, choosing Shawn is interpreted by Kenny as a betrayal, leading to animosity and potentially hindering your ability to rely on him in the future. It’s a simple equation: Duck alive (even for a moment) equals a better relationship with Kenny.
Beyond the Farm: The Ripple Effect
While Hershel’s anger and eviction from the farm might seem like a major consequence, it’s relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Hershel doesn’t reappear in the season. Kenny, however, does. The dynamic you establish with him early on shapes your interactions and influences his actions throughout the game. Consider this an investment in a crucial ally. Although the game is set in a dynamic world the fact that Kenny is a core character makes him the person that you should prioritize the most.
FAQs: Everything You Need to Know About the Shawn/Duck Dilemma
Q1: Is it possible to save Shawn Greene?
No. Shawn’s death is unavoidable regardless of your choice. The game is scripted to ensure his demise. Focus your efforts on the character you can influence – Kenny.
Q2: Does saving Duck guarantee Kenny’s unwavering loyalty?
No. While saving Duck strengthens your relationship with Kenny, it doesn’t guarantee his unwavering loyalty. Kenny is driven by his own grief and trauma and can be unpredictable. However, prioritizing Duck significantly improves your chances of having him on your side.
Q3: What happens if I do nothing?
If you hesitate for too long, the game will force a decision, typically defaulting to a failed attempt to save Shawn. This still results in Kenny’s disapproval. Hesitation is not a viable strategy.
Q4: Does Hershel ever forgive me for Shawn’s death?
No. Hershel is understandably devastated by his son’s death and holds Lee responsible regardless of your choice. However, his anger is short-lived as he disappears from the narrative after kicking Lee and Kenny off the farm.
Q5: Is Duck’s age relevant to the decision?
While Duck is a child and inherently more vulnerable, his age shouldn’t be the primary factor in your decision. The game mechanics incentivize saving him to secure Kenny’s support. The moral implications of choosing one life over another are certainly present, but the gameplay emphasizes the strategic advantage.
Q6: Does this choice affect my relationship with Clementine?
Indirectly. While Clementine doesn’t directly comment on your choice at this point, her observations of your actions influence her perception of you. Making difficult choices, even those with seemingly negative consequences, can demonstrate your leadership and protectiveness, qualities Clementine values.
Q7: Can I save Duck from being bitten later in the game?
Unfortunately, Duck will inevitably be bitten in Episode 3. There is no way to prevent this, no matter your actions. His fate is sealed by the narrative.
Q8: Does Kenny ever find out that Duck is bitten?
Yes. Katjaa discovers the bite and informs Kenny. This leads to a heart-wrenching sequence of events culminating in Duck’s tragic death.
Q9: Can I prevent Katjaa from taking her own life?
No. Katjaa’s suicide is another unavoidable event in the game’s narrative. Her grief over Duck’s impending death overwhelms her, leading to her tragic decision.
Q10: Is this the only difficult choice in The Walking Dead?
Absolutely not. The Walking Dead is filled with morally ambiguous choices that have far-reaching consequences. The Shawn/Duck dilemma is merely the first in a long line of agonizing decisions.
Q11: Does my choice in saving Duck or Shawn affect the ending of the game?
Indirectly. While the specific events of the ending are largely predetermined, your relationships with key characters like Kenny can influence the narrative leading up to the finale and impact the emotional resonance of those final moments.
Q12: Is there any “right” way to play The Walking Dead?
No. The Walking Dead is designed to be a personal experience. There is no objectively “right” way to play. Your choices reflect your own values and priorities. However, understanding the consequences of your actions can help you make more informed decisions.
Q13: Are animals affected by the walker virus in the game?
No, the game, and the larger Walking Dead universe, establishes that the virus only affects humans. Animals do not turn into walkers.
Q14: How does The Walking Dead use choices to teach about moral decision-making?
The Walking Dead exemplifies how games can be powerful tools for exploring complex ethical dilemmas. By forcing players to confront difficult choices with real consequences, the game encourages critical thinking and empathy. Understanding the choices and decisions that people make can be improved with the Games Learning Society. At GamesLearningSociety.org you can read studies that outline learning through digital games. This allows players to reflect on their own values and consider the perspectives of others.
Q15: Was Duck responsible for Shawn’s leg injury with the tractor?
Yes, according to the game’s lore, Duck accidentally ran over Shawn’s leg with the tractor while Shawn was trying to fix the fence. This unfortunate event sets the stage for the walker attack and the difficult choice that follows.
Conclusion: Embrace the Tough Choices
The Shawn/Duck dilemma is a microcosm of the larger challenges you’ll face in The Walking Dead. It’s a brutal lesson in prioritizing relationships, understanding consequences, and making impossible choices. While saving Duck might feel like a difficult decision, it’s ultimately the strategically sound one, paving the way for a more positive (or at least, less negative) relationship with Kenny. Embrace the tough choices, learn from your mistakes, and remember that every decision, no matter how small, has the potential to shape your journey in the zombie apocalypse.