Scientist in Atomfall: Does your first decision change EVERYTHING? ⚠️🔥

Deciding whether to help the Scientist in Atomfall is the first choice you face in the game, right after waking up in a mysterious bunker with no memory of how you got there. While he clearly needs medical attention, this situation introduces you to the open-ended nature of Atomfall, as you can take multiple approaches depending on the type of character you want to be. To help you make this initial decision, here's what happens if you decide to help, threaten, or kill the Scientist in Atomfall. 🤔

Help the Scientist in Atomfall

The first (and perhaps most intuitive) option is to help the Scientist in Atomfall, using the Bandage Recipe he just gave you to create a healing item. You'll find plenty of Alcohol and Cloth while exploring the bunker, and then just open the Crafting tab in the menu and select the recipe to make a Bandage. 🩹

Give it to the Scientist using the option Helpful and in return he will give you the Modified Key and the Note DO NOT FORGET, before telling you to head to the Exchange. You can then leave him and use the Modified Key on the Card Reader at the top of the stairs to exit the bunker. 🚪

Threatening the Scientist in Atomfall

If you're not feeling so charitable, then you can threaten the Scientist in Atomfall. Select the option Abrupt with a direct threat it doesn't work, as the Scientist simply responds "ask yourself... if that's the kind of person you are." However, if you choose the option of Negotiation, they will decide that they are "hardly in a position to negotiate" and will hand you the Modified Key and the Note DO NOT FORGET, before telling you to get out of there before his condition worsens. You can explore the bunker, collecting crafting materials before leaving and keeping them all for yourself. 🏃‍♂️

Kill the Scientist in Atomfall

Finally, you can ignore all dialogue options and simply kill the Scientist in Atomfall, either by approaching from behind and following the Disagreement prompt or with a simple punch or kick. Once you eliminate him, you can search his corpse to obtain the Modified Key and the Note DO NOT FORGET, then collect any crafting materials from the surrounding area before escaping through the bunker door. 💀

Of the three options, I would personally choose not helping the Scientist in Atomfall and killing him instead, as he's injured and has been exposed to the effects of the Windscale disaster, so he may become a difficult enemy later if his condition worsens. Just outside this bunker is a door that can only be opened with the Atomfall Signal Redirector, which you won't have access to until much later in the game, and you don't want any additional surprises if you return here later. 🚫

If you're looking for more guidance, we have all the information on the best Atomfall Abilities to unlock first, as well as a guide on how open the basement door Forgotten in Atomfall.