The Iron Fist of Order: A Deep Dive into Siding with the Peacekeepers in Dying Light 2
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
What happens if you side with the Peacekeepers (PKs) in Dying Light 2? Choosing to align with the PKs has significant repercussions that ripple throughout the game, affecting both the narrative and your gameplay experience. In short, siding with the Peacekeepers transforms the city of Villedor into a more militarized, and arguably more dangerous, environment. Here’s a breakdown of the key consequences:
Enhanced Combat Capabilities: The Peacekeepers’ core focus is on maintaining order through force, and this emphasis is reflected in the boons they provide. By assigning facilities like water towers and electrical stations to them, you’ll gradually unlock a range of powerful combat-oriented upgrades for the city itself. These include:
- Car Traps: Devastating traps placed on roads that can instantly crush infected and human enemies alike.
- Electrical Fencer Traps: Powerful electrical fences that provide an effective perimeter defense and can severely damage anything that dares to cross them.
- Mounted Cannons: These cannons, strategically placed across the city, provide devastating firepower, allowing you to clear out hordes of enemies with ease.
- Lantern Molotovs: The PKs modify lanterns to act as throwable Molotov cocktails, adding another layer to your offensive arsenal.
A Militarized City: The presence of the PKs becomes more pervasive with each facility you assign them. You’ll notice more PK patrols on the streets, leading to a sense of greater order, but also greater restrictions. The city effectively becomes a stricter, more authoritarian environment under their control, with less focus on free movement and more on enforcing rules and suppressing opposition.
Story Implications: Siding with the Peacekeepers significantly alters the story trajectory, particularly affecting your interactions with other factions, and most notably the Survivors of the Bazaar. One of the most significant consequences is the attack on the PK metro station. Regardless of your choices, the station will be attacked, but if you side with the Peacekeepers, they will retaliate, resulting in a massacre at the Bazaar. You will encounter Sophie, a survivor of this attack, who will directly hold you responsible, making you question the moral implications of your choices. Your relationship with characters such as Sophie and potentially other Survivors will deteriorate, with them questioning your morality.
The Crossbow: One of the most coveted rewards for aligning with the Peacekeepers is the crossbow. This powerful ranged weapon is exclusively available by progressing through the PK ranks, providing a powerful and silent means of dispatching enemies. It’s a game-changer for players who prioritize ranged combat.
Limited Traversal Perks: The tradeoff for the PKs’ combat prowess comes at the expense of traversal enhancements. The Survivors, in contrast, offer upgrades that make navigating the city’s rooftops and avoiding conflicts much easier. Choosing the PK path will mean you will miss out on significant traversal benefits that the Survivors offer, such as ziplines, air vents, and other parkour-friendly features.
No ‘Good’ or ‘Bad’ Choice: It’s important to note that aligning with the PKs does not make you automatically a “bad guy.” Both the PKs and the Survivors have their own sets of ideals and morals that clash at times, but neither side is inherently “good” or “evil.” The game is designed to make your choice feel complex, making you weigh the pros and cons of each side. The consequences of the PK choice just tend to have a heavier impact on the world.
Increased Aggression: In addition to the visual changes, you’ll also encounter increased hostility from various groups that oppose the Peacekeepers. This can lead to frequent and intense combat encounters as you travel through the city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will siding with the Peacekeepers make me miss any main story content?
No, siding with the PKs will not lock you out of main story content. However, it will drastically alter the context of some scenes and your interactions with certain characters, particularly those connected to the Survivors. You’ll experience the story from a different perspective, based on the choices you make with the facilities.
2. Can I still complete quests for the Survivors if I side with the Peacekeepers?
Yes, you can. You can continue doing business with the Survivors and take on their quests, even after having committed to the PKs. However, the tone of the interaction may be more tense, and certain characters will make their disapproval of your allegiance clear.
3. Is the Peacekeepers’ crossbow worth it?
Absolutely, for players who prefer ranged combat. The crossbow is a highly effective weapon and is exclusive to the Peacekeepers. It offers a significant advantage in both stealth and open combat scenarios.
4. How does siding with the Peacekeepers impact the open world?
It has a significant impact. You’ll see more Peacekeeper patrols, more traps, and fortified areas. This transforms the open world into a more structured environment, dominated by the PKs’ presence. You’ll experience less freedom in movement and more encounters with enforced rules.
5. Will choosing the Peacekeepers make the game harder?
Siding with the PKs leads to more frequent and intense combat encounters. If you are someone who prefers a more stealthy approach then the Peacekeepers will make the game harder.
6. Do I have to commit to one faction for the entire game?
Yes, while you can interact with both, the city’s resources can only be allocated to one faction at a time. Your choices early in the game will determine which faction’s upgrades will be implemented and thus dictate the direction of your gameplay experience. This commitment is crucial for understanding the full implications of your choices.
7. What are the major differences between the Peacekeeper and Survivor perks?
Peacekeeper perks focus heavily on combat and defense with traps, cannons, and modified offensive items like Molotov Lanterns. Survivor perks are more oriented towards traversal and mobility offering things such as ziplines, air vents, and other parkour enhancements.
8. Will I miss out on Parkour upgrades if I choose the PKs?
Yes, you will miss out on significant traversal perks offered by the Survivors. This will mean you’ll find it more difficult to move quickly around the city and will need to rely more on ground-level movement.
9. Does siding with the Peacekeepers affect which ending I can get?
Not directly. While it doesn’t affect the specific ending available, it changes the context of the ending and how it impacts your character and the world. Your choices regarding specific characters and major plot points are more important for determining the final outcome of the story.
10. How does the massacre at the Bazaar tie into siding with the Peacekeepers?
The massacre is a direct consequence of the Peacekeepers’ counter-attack after the attack on the metro station. The attack is not directly a result of you choosing the Peacekeepers but the counter-attack is. Because you sided with the PKs they are going to punish the Survivors even harder. This event underscores the potential ramifications of your choices and the human cost involved in the faction conflict.
11. Is there a “best” faction to side with?
No. The “best” faction depends on your preferred playstyle. Peacekeepers are for those who prefer combat and powerful offensive tools. The Survivors are best for those who prioritize exploration, parkour, and avoiding fights. The game forces you to weigh the benefits against the costs.
12. Can you get the crossbow if you didn’t side with the Peacekeepers at first?
No. The crossbow is exclusively tied to the Peacekeeper faction. Once you’ve decided to provide more resources to the Survivors you will not be able to get the crossbow in your current play-through.
13. Can you romance Lawan in Dying Light 2 even when choosing the PKs?
No, there is no romance option in the game with any of the characters. However, you can build a strong relationship with Lawan and your choices affect her, and how things end for both of you. The important factor is getting her to want to move away from vengeance to be a Night Runner again.
14. Should I trust the Colonel if I sided with the PKs?
Whether you should trust the Colonel depends on your own assessment of his character and how the evidence you see is presented. Choosing to trust the Colonel over Matt will give you easier access to X13 with no obstacles in your way. However, if you have allowed Frank to survive he will have your back.
15. What happens at the end of the game after you choose a side?
After the climax, you can continue exploring the world and continue side missions, with the exception that the world will have changed depending on your choices. It’s a chance to see the full impact of your decisions on the open world.