What Should I Do To Charkov? A Deep Dive into a Cold War Dilemma
The question of what to do with General Charkov in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s “Desperate Measures” mission is a pivotal one. He’s a character shrouded in suspicion, and your choices regarding him can significantly impact the narrative. The short answer? Charkov’s fate is entirely in your hands. You have three distinct options: you can kill him, frame him, or avoid him entirely. Each choice has its own set of consequences and reflects the tone of your playthrough.
Understanding Your Options
The Path of Assassination
The most straightforward approach is to eliminate Charkov directly. This involves sneaking into his office, located in the war room on the northwestern side of the map. You’ll need to be stealthy to avoid detection. Once you reach him, a melee attack will dispatch him, and you can retrieve his keycard. Choosing this path means Charkov will no longer be a factor in the game’s events. However, it’s a brutal choice and might not sit well with players seeking a more nuanced resolution. This method bypasses the intricacies of framing him but is a permanent solution with immediate consequences.
The Subtle Art of Framing
A more complex but arguably more satisfying option is to frame Charkov as the mole. This path requires gathering evidence and carefully manipulating events to make it appear that Charkov is the traitor. This is a more strategic approach and provides a deeper gameplay experience. Framing Charkov involves finding the necessary documents to pin the blame on him and is a more intricate process than simply assassinating him.
The Ghost Approach: Avoiding Charkov
The least impactful but potentially safest route is to avoid Charkov altogether. This means completing the mission without directly interacting with him. While this won’t alter his standing within the narrative, it allows you to progress without making a decisive choice. Choosing to ignore Charkov might be suitable for those wanting a more neutral or morally ambiguous approach. This method doesn’t solve the underlying issues but allows for a less confrontational path.
Why Your Choice Matters
Your decision about Charkov isn’t just about completing the mission; it reflects your approach to the game’s narrative. Do you lean towards decisive action and direct confrontation by killing him? Or do you prefer to manipulate and outsmart your opponents by framing him? Maybe your playstyle is to avoid conflict whenever possible, opting for a stealthy approach and bypassing the situation entirely. These choices significantly impact the narrative and the relationships you cultivate with other characters in the game.
The Consequences of Your Actions
Each option has its implications:
- Killing Charkov provides immediate, permanent removal of him from the story, but it is a violent resolution.
- Framing Charkov is a strategic move with more far-reaching consequences that are more subtle in gameplay.
- Avoiding Charkov is the least impactful and keeps him in play, for better or worse.
The game doesn’t outright endorse any of these paths, leaving the ethical implications up to the player.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Charkov and the “Desperate Measures” mission to further aid your choices:
1. Do I have to kill Charkov?
No, you absolutely do not have to kill Charkov. The game provides the player with multiple methods of completing the “Desperate Measures” mission, including options to frame him or avoid direct conflict with him entirely. The choice is entirely yours.
2. Does Charkov’s fate affect the ending?
While the handling of Charkov impacts the events within the “Desperate Measures” mission, it does not dramatically change the ending. However, it reflects your approach to the game’s narrative and the kind of character you choose to be.
3. If I choose to frame Charkov, how do I do it?
Framing Charkov involves manipulating evidence within the mission. Look for key documents that can be passed off as his to the CIA. These can be in different locations in the level, requiring exploration and resourcefulness.
4. What is the most morally sound way to deal with Charkov?
The game does not explicitly define a “morally sound” approach. However, many players consider the least violent and most strategic route is framing Charkov. It might feel more justifiable than outright assassination.
5. Where can I find the evidence in Desperate Measures?
The crucial evidence for framing Charkov, namely the Wristwatch and Dead Drop List, does not always spawn in the same location. Commonly, it is found in the Records Room or downstairs in the Server Room. It can sometimes be found in other locations throughout the level as well.
6. What if the evidence isn’t spawning?
If the evidence is not spawning in the Records Room, head down to the Server Room. This is a restricted area accessible through a ventilation shaft and requires stealth to navigate successfully. Ensure that you have checked the other areas of the map before assuming it has failed to spawn.
7. Who gets the keycard to the bunker if I don’t kill Charkov?
Regardless of your responses in the meeting, the consultant will ultimately wish to give bunker access to General Charkov. Your choice on who you think should have access is ultimately inconsequential in this instance.
8. How do I get into Charkov’s office?
Charkov’s office is in the war room on the northwestern side of the map. You must proceed carefully, using stealth to avoid detection from guards.
9. Does killing Charkov have any significant advantages?
Killing Charkov will remove him as a potential problem, but it does not directly unlock any significant advantages. It is a permanent solution that closes narrative branches for other options.
10. Is Desperate Measures the last mission?
Desperate Measures is not the final mission in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. It is a key mission in the campaign, but the game continues after this mission. Notably, the source used here incorrectly stated the mission’s connection to Destiny 2’s Lightfall.
11. Does the game punish you for killing Charkov?
The game doesn’t outright punish you for killing Charkov. However, the decision reflects your character’s disposition within the narrative. Your choices, and if you kill Charkov, has a impact on the narrative and how other characters react to you.
12. If I don’t kill him, will Charkov become an ally later?
No, Charkov does not become an ally. While he might remain in the narrative if you don’t kill him, he doesn’t play any significant positive role in later missions or the overarching storyline.
13. How does Belikov frame Charkov?
In the story, Belikov frames Charkov by using his communications, passing them to the CIA, and provides false documents to Kravchenko to paint Charkov as a mole. This is what you are mirroring in the player’s potential to frame Charkov.
14. What is the best way to approach the “Desperate Measures” mission?
The “best” way to approach the mission depends on your playstyle and preferences. Stealth is crucial, regardless of your decision regarding Charkov. Exploration to find the key documents will give you flexibility in the choices you can make.
15. Can I go back and change my decision regarding Charkov?
While you cannot undo choices within a single play through, you can retry missions to explore different outcomes and decisions with Charkov. This allows you to experience the different narrative branches.
Conclusion
The choice of what to do with Charkov in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War’s “Desperate Measures” mission is a crucial and complex one. Whether you choose to assassinate him, frame him, or avoid him entirely, each path has its own set of implications and consequences. Ultimately, the decision reflects your approach to the game’s narrative and the ethical boundaries you are willing to cross. Understanding the options available and their ramifications will enable you to make an informed decision that suits your preferred playstyle and overall gaming experience.