Assassin’s Creed Odyssey: Navigating Choices, Consequences, and the Dark Horse Dilemma
You wander ancient Greece in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. You mind your own Misthios business when BAM! A decision about a “Dark Horse” appears. Don’t worry. You’re not alone if you’re confused about what to do.
This isn’t about picking a pretty pony. It’s about navigating the choices and consequences Ubisoft throws at us in Odyssey. Let’s dive into this Dark Horse quest and unpack other crucial decisions in the game. Think of this as an ultimate guide minus the minotaur, with dry wit.
The Dark Horse Quest: Who Gets the Steed?
First, the burning question: “Who should I take the dark horse to?” It sounds simple, right? Like choosing between vanilla or chocolate. But in Odyssey, it’s not that straightforward. This minor side quest mirrors the game’s themes of choice and consequence.
You stumble upon someone who wants you to deliver a “dark horse” to a specific person or location. But like the game, it’s not a simple delivery. There’s usually backstory, hidden motives, and possible repercussions based on your choice.
Unfortunately, details of “the Dark Horse quest” are vague. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is full of side quests, and without context, finding this specific quest is like locating a drachma in a Cyclops’ hoard. However, players want to know if there’s a “best” choice and what the outcomes are.
In Odyssey, side quests involving deliveries often present a moral or ethical dilemma. Perhaps the requester isn’t who they seem. Maybe the recipient has ulterior motives. The “Dark Horse” quest likely follows this pattern.
To find the “best” choice (if one exists), consider:
- The quest giver’s story: Are they honest? Do they seem trustworthy? Any suspicion about their request?
- The recipient’s motivations: Who are they? Why want the dark horse? What are their intentions?
- Potential rewards: Beyond the immediate quest reward (drachmae, XP, gear), could your choice unlock future quests, improve faction reputation, or have long-term benefits?
- Moral implications: Does one feel “right” based on your Misthios’s personal code? Are you prioritizing justice, compassion, or just the biggest payout?
Without exact quest details, giving a definitive answer on who to take the dark horse to is impossible. But the *process* of making the decision matters in Odyssey. Pay attention to dialogue, investigate surroundings, and trust your gut.
Decisions, Decisions: A Whirlwind Tour of AC Odyssey Choices
The Dark Horse quest is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to choices in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey. This game focuses on player agency. From life-or-death situations to trivial favors, your decisions shape the world and your character’s journey. Let’s explore a few discussed choices in the game.
Should You Let the Old Man Keep the Horse?
Ah, the age-old question: compassion versus practicality. This scenario pops up early in the game during the Kephallonia section. You meet an old man less than capable of handling a horse. He may be frail, clumsy, or just oblivious.
This presents a choice to take the horse (for yourself or to return it) or let the old man keep it. What’s the “right” action?
If you’re a ruthless Misthios, you might snatch the horse without hesitation. After all, it’s ancient Greece; survival of the fittest applies here. Plus, free horse!
However, aiming for a noble playthrough might lead you to let the old man keep his equine companion. The horse brings him joy. Taking it might cause him undue hardship. It’s a small act of kindness in a harsh world.
Gameplay-wise, immediate consequences are usually minor. You might gain a slight reputation boost for kindness or some resources otherwise. But these early choices set the tone for your playthrough. Will you be a merciful mercenary or a heartless hunter?
Life for a Life: The Best Choice?
“What is the best choice in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey life for a life?” This question explores weighty moral dilemmas in-game. “Life for a life” scenarios are classic ethical quandaries that force you to value one life over another.
These choices often involve saving one person at another’s expense. Maybe it’s a hostage situation or a sacrifice during a crisis. Odyssey rarely offers clear “good” or “bad” answers.
The “best” choice is subjective and depends on your Misthios’s values and moral compass. Do you prioritize the many over the few? Do you believe all lives hold equal value? Are you willing to make tough calls at innocent costs?
In gameplay terms, these choices can bring significant fallout. Saving one may anger a faction or lead to another’s death. Sacrificing someone might unlock rewards or prevent greater calamity. Odyssey makes you confront these trade-offs while living with your actions’ consequences.
Interrupting Hekate and Hermes: Rude or Risky?
“Should I interrupt Hekate and Hermes?” Now we enter divine territory. Hekate, goddess of magic, and Hermes, messenger god known for speed. Interrupting deities sounds like a recipe for disaster or at least side-eye from Olympus.
This question likely links to a specific questline, possibly within DLCs or mythical encounters. Hekate and Hermes feature heavily in Odyssey, especially in its fantastical elements.
Your decision hinges on:
- Context of their conversation: What are they discussing? Does it concern you directly? Is it private or essential?
- Your Misthios’s personality: Are you bold, ready to risk wrath for information? Or are you cautious and respectful of gods’ privacy?
- Potential risks and rewards: Interrupting may anger a god, leading to curses. But it could reveal crucial insights or trigger unique quests.
In general, Odyssey encourages curiosity. Often, the risky choice could lead to intriguing outcomes and rewards. The gods in Odyssey mirror their mythological counterparts — capricious and unpredictable. Engaging with them can be a gamble but sometimes worth taking.
Water for a Woman: A Forgetful Favor?
“Should I give the woman the water in AC Odyssey?” This classic example shows how simple acts can bear bizarre consequences. Spoiler: “Choose Here’s The Water” – if you give her water, she forgets her loved one and collapses. Then, you must carry her to the Village of the Glorious Dead.
What’s happening? This sounds less like offering a drink to a traveler and more like using some ancient Greek roofie. Giving water causes amnesia and unconsciousness — quite unusual indeed! And “Village of the Glorious Dead”? Not exactly a spa resort.
This quest demonstrates how Odyssey plays with expectations and tropes. You expect kindness to yield positive outcomes or neutrality; instead, you get mind-wiping water and a trip
to a potentially morbid village.
The choice here is less about morality and more about understanding the *weirdness* of the situation. Why does this water have this effect? Who is this woman? What’s the deal with the Village of the Glorious Dead?
Choosing *not* to give the water may seem like the safer option. In Odyssey, sometimes embracing the unexpected rewards more. Perhaps the amnesia is temporary. Maybe the Village of the Glorious Dead is a peaceful sanctuary. Or perhaps it’s a terrible mistake. You might ruin someone’s life with a cup of H2O. The beauty (and frustration) of Odyssey is that you often don’t know until you make the choice.
Siding with Cities: Does it Matter?
“Does it matter who I side with in AC Odyssey?” This is a macro-level question about the game’s broader political landscape. Odyssey often places you in conflicts between factions, cities, or nations. Sparta versus Athens is a clear example, but many smaller conflicts exist throughout Greece.
The short answer is: “It doesn’t make a huge difference. Both sides/cities are part of the main quest, so you get to experience both no matter which side you choose. You can change sides whenever you want.”
This is both reassuring and slightly underwhelming. On one hand, you won’t agonize too much over choosing a side. You won’t lock yourself out of major content or affect the overall story drastically. You can experience the game’s arcs regardless of your allegiance.
On the other hand, it diminishes your choices’ impact. If siding with Sparta or Athens doesn’t change your playthrough, it can feel like the game gives you an illusion of choice rather than true agency.
However, “doesn’t make a *huge* difference” doesn’t mean choices are useless. Choosing one faction over another affects:
- Quest availability: Certain side quests may be available or unavailable depending on your allegiances.
- Faction reputation: Supporting one side improves your standing, unlocking rewards or discounts.
- World state: The main story may stay similar, but power shifts can occur in regions based on your actions in conquest battles and faction quests.
- Personal narrative: Your Misthios’s journey will be shaped by your choices, roleplaying as a Spartan loyalist or an Athenian sympathizer.
While the grand narrative may not diverge, your choices about whom to side with matter on a smaller, more personal scale. It’s about shaping *your* Odyssey within the larger Odyssey.
Endings and Family: The Fate of the Misthios Clan
Beyond quests and faction squabbles, Assassin’s Creed Odyssey is invested in family. The quest to reunite with family members – Myrrine, Nikolaos, Stentor, and Deimos – is a central emotional arc of the game. Your choices influence if you achieve a happy reunion or separation.
The Worst Ending: Dinner for One
“How do you get the worst ending in AC Odyssey?” The answer is bleak: “The worst ending in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey occurs by killing or failing to save Nikolaos, Stentor, Myrrine, and Deimos, causing the protagonist to return home and eat dinner alone.”
Ouch. That’s not just a bad ending; it’s downright depressing. Imagine battling mythical beasts, toppling cults, and sailing across the Aegean, only to end up eating souvlaki alone. It’s the Greek equivalent of ordering pizza alone on a Friday night, but with existential dread.
This “worst ending” highlights family’s importance in Odyssey. Failing to save them isn’t just a gameplay failure; it’s an emotional one. It represents the Misthios’s ultimate loss. There’s no reconnection with roots or solace in family bonds.
To pursue this worst ending, make specific negative choices throughout the game. Kill Nikolaos upon your first encounter. Don’t attempt to save Deimos from the Cult’s influence. Let Stentor meet a grim fate. Somehow, fail to protect Myrrine. It’s like sabotaging your own family reunion.
While some players may be morbidly curious about this ending, most will want to avoid it. This narrative is equivalent to stubbing your toe repeatedly – painful and entirely avoidable.
Nine Endings: A Family Affair
“How many endings does AC Odyssey have?” The answer is nine, primarily revolving around family fate. “Assassin’s Creed Odyssey features 3 main story arcs (Family, Cult, Present Day) with 9 unique endings based on player choices, some categorized as ‘good,’ ‘neutral,’ or ‘bad’.”
Nine endings! That’s many potential family dinners, from joyous feasts to solitary meals of despair. The endings’ classification suggests a hierarchy of outcomes, with some more desirable than others.
The IGN guide notes that family members are key differentiators between endings. The more family members saved and reconciled, the “better” the ending likely is.
This focus on family endings departs from previous Assassin’s Creed games. Those often leaned toward Templar versus Assassin conflicts or grand historical narratives. Odyssey personalizes the story, grounding world fate in intimate family dynamics.
The Best Ending: A Family Reunion Tour
“How to get the best ending in AC Odyssey?” It involves keeping your family alive and (mostly) happy. “To achieve this, make these major choices: Don’t kill Nikolaos in The Wolf of Sparta. Promise Myrrine Deimos can be saved in Chapter 6. Convince Nikolaos to intervene with Stentor in The Last Fight of Aristalos.”
The secret to family bliss? Therapy! Okay, not exactly therapy, but persuasion and second chances. The “best ending” isn’t about victories or conquering Greece; it emphasizes reconciliation and forgiveness.
The steps to achieve this happy ending are straightforward but require consistent choices throughout the game:
- Spare Nikolaos: Resist avenging past wrongs. Give him a chance for redemption (and family dinners).
- Believe in Deimos’s salvation: Maintain hope that your sibling can be rescued from the Cult’s clutches.
- Get Nikolaos to mediate with Stentor: Use Nikolaos’s paternal influence to defuse tension and prevent feuds.
These choices aren’t always easy. Nikolaos might seem deserving of punishment. Deimos can be frustrating and violent. Stentor might appear stubborn and resentful. However, achieving the “best ending” requires patience and a willingness to work through family drama on a grand scale.
The Secret to Success: Don’t Fight Deimos (Too Much)
“How do you get the secret ending in AC Odyssey? 8 How To Get The Best Ending (Overview) Do Not Kill Nikolaus (Chapter 2). Don’t Agitate Deimos (Chapter 3). Tell Myrrine You’ll Try To Save Deimos (Chapter 6). Convince Nikolaos To Step In With Stentor (Chapter 7). Help Deimos Unravel Their Brainwashing (Chapter 8). Refuse To Fight Deimos (Chapter 9).”
The “secret ending” is merely a detailed breakdown of the “best ending” path. The recurring theme is: family therapy, ancient Greek style. “Don’t Agitate Deimos” and “Refuse To Fight Deimos” are crucial steps. Violence might be your Misthios’s default solution, but for family, diplomacy is key.
The steps emphasize de-escalation and reconciliation:
- Non-violence towards family: Killing Nikolaos is a no-no. Avoid fighting Deimos if possible.
- Hope for redemption: Express intention to save
- Deimos is key for the “best ending” path.
- Intervention: Bringing Nikolaos into the Stentor conflict shows using family ties for peaceful resolutions.
- Empathy: Helping Deimos escape brainwashing reflects an effort to understand their experience.
The “best ending” in Odyssey focuses on mending family rifts. It’s about achieving internal peace within your clan. This message is heartening amidst a game of war, cults, and mythical beings.
Character Relationships: Love, Loss, and Plague
Choices shape character interactions beyond family ties. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey provides a complex network of relationships. Your decisions impact these interactions significantly. Let’s dive into some notable instances.
Romantic Options: Who to Pursue?
“Who should I romance in AC Odyssey?” The romance landscape in ancient Greece is tricky. Odyssey has many romantic choices for Alexios and Kassandra, from casual flings to deeper bonds. But who should you choose?
Here’s a list of intriguing romantic partners:
- Neema (for Alexios): A traditional “settle down” romance.
- Natakas (for Kassandra): Offers a sense of home.
- Alkibiades (for Alexios): Dramatic Athenian politician. Expect chaos.
- Diona (for Kassandra): Alluring and mysterious. Possibly dangerous.
- Thaletas (for Alexios): A love born in the heat of battle.
- Kyra (for Kassandra): Independent and rebellious. United by shared beliefs.
- Roxana (for Alexios): A fierce warrior. A bond of respect and strength.
- Daphnae (for Kassandra): The wild huntress of Artemis.
- Adonis: Be wary. This romance ends poorly. Consider this a “do not romance” caution.
The “best” romance varies by individual preference. Do you seek stability or excitement? Passion or companionship? Drama or peace? Odyssey provides many choices for diverse tastes.
The game encourages exploration: “Players must experiment to find the best partners.” Overlapping side quests are tied to romance. Pursuing relationships often involves completing quests linked to those characters.
Unlike some RPGs, romance isn’t strictly about long-term commitments. It focuses on connections. Odyssey emphasizes variety in relationships to enrich your Misthios’s journey. Sometimes, it’s just about enjoying life in ancient Greece.
Phoibe’s Outcome: The Spy’s End
“Can you save Phoibe?” Sadly, you cannot. “Players will rush to save her, but it will be too late. Phoibe dies from Cultist-inflicted wounds.” This event is fixed in the story and drives the narrative, impacting Kassandra/Alexios deeply.
Phoibe’s fate is inevitable. This shows a sobering truth in Odyssey: not every tragedy is preventable. As a Misthios, you cannot save everyone. Phoibe’s demise is a stark reminder of the stakes and harsh realities of ancient Greece.
Your choices around Phoibe matter. Your reaction to her kidnapping, how you pursue her captors, and how you mourn her loss will shape your character development.
Phoibe’s role as a spy can be used for gathering information in the mission “To Help a Girl,” emphasizing her vulnerability. Her death is a consequence of her dangerous role in espionage and cult conflicts.
Blood Fever: Disease or Ethics?
“What if you let the sick villagers go in Odyssey? The Blood Fever quest occurs in Kephalonia but has lasting effects. If you let them escape, the disease spreads across Greece.”
This presents a grim “greater good” dilemma. A village faces a deadly plague called “Blood Fever.” You must choose between quarantining the afflicted or letting them go.
Quarantine may save many but dooms the infected. Letting them go shows compassion but risks spreading the disease.
The game hints that releasing the infected will have extensive consequences, making it a rare example where a side quest choice impacts the broader world.
Morally, there isn’t an easy answer. Quarantine sacrifices a few for many. Letting them leave prioritizes dignity and freedom. Odyssey challenges players with these ethical dilemmas early, setting the tone for future decisions.
Adonis: A Troubled Romance
“Should you pursue Adonis in AC Odyssey? Gaining a romantic ending with Adonis offers satisfaction but it won’t lead to happiness. No matter your efforts, romance with him ends badly.”
Consider this a caution from Odyssey’s romance options. Adonis resembles a siren’s call—tempting but invariably harmful. The game even suggests that success here is satisfying because it ends poorly.
The lesson is clear: romancing Adonis leads to heartbreak. No amount of charm or choices can change this. Your romance is doomed to fail.
Why include such an option? It adds realism to the game’s relationship portrayal. Not all romances succeed. Sometimes love is messy, painful, and disappointing, even in a world full of heroes and gods.
Gameplay Dynamics: Choices Beyond Speech
Choices in Odyssey extend beyond dialogue. Gameplay mechanics, from combat style to character gender, shape your experience. Let’s explore some of these choices.
Do Choices Impact Gameplay?
“Do choices matter in Odyssey? Stealth is available but the game focuses on choices, decisions, and open world aspects rather than a linear path. Choices arise from the beginning to the end.”
Yes, choices do matter. However, they may not affect the main plot like in traditional RPGs. Odyssey revolves around the cumulative impact of your choices and their effect on your journey and surroundings.
The game prioritizes open-world exploration over linear storytelling. Your agency reflects not just in major plot choices but also in daily decisions while exploring Greece. Combat approach, NPC interactions, and side quest pursuits shape your unique experience.
Stealth exists but isn’t emphasized. Odyssey promotes a flexible style that blends stealth, combat, and dialogue solutions. Your approach—sneaky assassin, brave warrior, or persuasive negotiator—shapes your gameplay approach.
Kassandra or Alexios: Gender Choice
“Is Alexios or Kassandra the better choice? Kassandra fits the heroic role better. Her behavior and expressions suit the character far more.”
Who will save the Greek world from the cult’s schemes?
This remains a hot topic among Odyssey players. Kassandra is often seen as the “canon” protagonist. Some believe she personifies the heroic Misthios better than Alexios. Her voice acting and character design appeal more to some players.
Yet, gameplay-wise, Alexios and Kassandra are the same. They share abilities, skill trees, and the same plot. The player choice is cosmetic. It lets players select their preferred gender.
“Does gender matter in Odyssey? The outcome is that players may choose a woman or a man, but this choice does not impact gameplay. It is a matter of visual representation.” This statement highlights the visual focus of the gender choice. It hinges on player preference, not gameplay benefits.
In the end, picking the “better” character depends on personal taste. Select the hero you feel more connected to, whose voice, look, and presence fit your version of Misthios.
Medusa’s Gaze: Stone-Cold Challenge
“Can Medusa turn you to stone AC Odyssey? Assassin’s Creed Odyssey tasks players with defeating gorgon Medusa. Just like in Greek Mythology, she is tough to beat without a good plan. She can turn anyone to stone with her gaze and swings a sword to slay foes.”
Medusa is a key mythical creature in Odyssey. Her petrifying gaze is vital in the fight. Yes, she can petrify you. Getting turned to stone leads to an attack by her minions and the merest edge of her sword.
Defeating Medusa needs strategy and awareness, not just button-mashing. You must:
- Avoid her gaze: Use pillars and cover to break line of sight and prevent petrification.
