What Happens if You Let Pagan Min Live in Far Cry 4?
In Far Cry 4, the climactic showdown with Pagan Min at the end of the game presents players with a pivotal choice: shoot him or spare his life. Choosing to let Pagan live unlocks a unique sequence of events and provides a vastly different perspective on the character and the narrative. If you holster your weapon and sit down for dinner with him, you are in for a shocking revelation: You are the rightful King of Kyrat. Pagan, after enjoying his meal, leads you to a shrine dedicated to Lakshmana, your half-sister. He discloses that Lakshmana was his daughter with your mother, Ishwari, and that Mohan, your father, killed her upon discovering her true parentage. Letting Pagan live leads to what is often considered the “good ending” of the game, as it unveils a complicated, yet poignant layer to the story.
The Dinner Table Revelation
The immediate consequence of not shooting Pagan is that you sit down for a seemingly ordinary dinner. The seemingly simple act of sharing a meal with your adversary offers a moment of unexpected calm. During this dinner, Pagan Min, in his characteristically flamboyant style, drops the bombshell that you, Ajay Ghale, are the rightful heir to the throne of Kyrat. This revelation completely reframes your role in the game and the conflict, placing you as the legitimate ruler, not just a rebellious outsider. This pivotal moment is a crucial part of the “good” ending in Far Cry 4.
The Shrine to Lakshmana
After dinner, Pagan leads you to a shrine, revealing that it is dedicated to Lakshmana, your maternal half-sister. Here, he narrates the complicated history of your family: your mother, Ishwari, was sent to spy on Pagan but they fell in love and had a child. Pagan further explains that your father, Mohan Ghale, killed her when he learned she was Pagan’s child. This emotional revelation adds depth to the entire conflict, making you reconsider the black-and-white perception you might have had previously. The narrative underscores the tragic consequences of political and personal conflicts, and forces Ajay to confront the deeply intertwined past of his family.
The “Good” Ending
By choosing to let Pagan live, you experience what many players consider the “good” or canon ending of Far Cry 4. You understand that your father was not an angel, that Pagan isn’t pure evil. He allows you to place your mother’s ashes next to Lakshmana’s ashes, fulfilling her last wish. This particular ending offers closure, a deeper understanding of Kyrat’s history, and highlights the tragic nature of generational conflict. The ending provides a stark contrast to the chaos and violence perpetuated by the Golden Path and their leaders, Amita or Sabal, who are revealed as equally problematic.
Consequences and Implications
Choosing to spare Pagan Min is a conscious decision that leads to a more nuanced narrative. It moves away from simple notions of good versus evil and delves into the grey areas of morality and political responsibility. This ending also hints at a potentially more stable future for Kyrat, free from the extremes of the Golden Path’s leaders. By choosing this path, you are acknowledging Pagan’s complicated role in Kyrat’s history and the fact he was, in his own way, trying to guide you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the “Pagan Lives” Ending the Canon Ending?
Yes, the ending where you spare Pagan Min is often considered the canon ending for Far Cry 4. This is further supported by the Far Cry 6 Control DLC where it’s revealed that Pagan recognized Ajay as the rightful king and allowed him to leave Kyrat during the Golden Path uprising. This implies Ajay inherited his position and authority despite the rebels’ actions.
2. What happens after you spare Pagan?
After you choose not to kill him, Pagan reveals the truth about your heritage, making you the King of Kyrat. He takes you to Lakshmana’s shrine, and you get to fulfill your mother’s last wishes by placing her ashes next to her daughter’s. He then allows you to do as you please as he departs.
3. Can you still complete side missions after the “Pagan Lives” ending?
Yes, after the main story concludes, you can continue playing the game and complete any remaining side missions, outposts, and collectibles. The world is still open to you for exploration, irrespective of which ending you choose.
4. Does this ending impact the post-game world?
While the gameplay remains the same, this ending does change the perspective of the post-game world, reflecting the fact that you are the rightful king. It provides a more complete narrative arc and changes the lens of your actions in Kyrat.
5. Is Pagan Min a good guy if you let him live?
Pagan Min is not a “good guy,” he is an antagonist with his own complexities. The decision to spare his life doesn’t absolve him of his past actions, but it provides a more layered understanding of his motivations. He genuinely cared for Ishwari and Lakshmana, which is a softer side he usually keeps hidden.
6. Does sparing Pagan mean you agree with him?
No, choosing to let Pagan Min live doesn’t mean you agree with his policies or leadership style. It signifies a willingness to understand the nuances of the situation, acknowledging that he isn’t purely evil. It is more about a pragmatic decision to avoid further bloodshed and chaos.
7. Can you still kill Amita or Sabal after sparing Pagan?
Yes, regardless of which main ending you pick, you can return to Amita or Sabal’s locations and choose to kill them. Both will have become problematic leaders in the post-game world so you can change the direction of Kyrat.
8. Where can you find Amita or Sabal after the main story?
You can find Amita at Thirta and Sabal at Jalendu Temple. These are where they set up their centers of command, and their leadership is revealed to be chaotic.
9. Does sparing Pagan make you the King of Kyrat?
Yes, Pagan states that you are the rightful King of Kyrat. This fact is further emphasized by the events of the Control DLC in Far Cry 6, cementing your position as the country’s ruler.
10. Is Pagan Min Ajay’s uncle?
No, despite calling him “nephew,” Pagan Min is not Ajay’s uncle. Pagan is actually Ajay’s half-sister’s father, making him Ajay’s maternal half-sister’s father. This puts them into the complicated family dynamic.
11. What is the significance of Lakshmana’s shrine?
Lakshmana’s shrine symbolizes the tragic outcome of love, war, and family betrayals. She is a victim of the conflict and the shrine is a monument of loss and her true history to both Ajay and Pagan. It is a painful reminder of the cost of conflict.
12. Does Pagan Min truly care about Ajay?
Pagan Min shows a level of patience and concern towards Ajay which indicates that he does care for him. He wanted to test his capabilities to see if Ajay was worthy of the title of King of Kyrat. He views Ajay as the heir to the country, although in an unorthodox manner.
13. What if you shoot Pagan after dinner?
If you shoot Pagan after sitting down for dinner, you will have to fight more forces before you can complete the game, but the ending cinematic remains relatively the same.
14. Why is this ending considered the “good” ending?
This ending is considered “good” because it reveals the truth about your family, provides closure to Ishwari’s story, and offers a more stable future for Kyrat compared to the rule of Amita or Sabal. It shows Ajay inheriting power in a way that doesn’t further continue the cycle of violence.
15. Can you get the secret ending while sparing Pagan?
No, the secret ending is achieved by shooting down Pagan Min’s helicopter as he leaves. Sparing him leads to the “good” ending. These are two separate and mutually exclusive options.
By choosing to let Pagan Min live in Far Cry 4, players embark on a path of complexity and revelation that drastically reshapes their perception of the game’s narrative and characters, offering an ending that is rich with emotional depth and nuanced morality. This path offers a far more satisfying and impactful conclusion to the story than simply following the standard rebellious route.