Starfield – Should You Save Rafael In Entangled

Starfield’s Entangled mission presents players with one of the most morally complex decisions in the entire game. This pivotal story moment occurs during the late-game campaign phase on Freya III, requiring strategic preparation and careful navigation of dual realities.

The Starfield Entangled quest represents a critical juncture where you’ll discover one of the final artifacts needed to progress the main narrative. The central dilemma revolves around choosing between saving a single survivor or preserving an entire research team. Warning: Major story spoilers ahead for this mission.

To successfully reach the Nishina Research Facility, ensure your spacecraft is equipped with a sufficiently powerful grav drive capable of making the long-distance jump to the Freya system. Underpowered drives may prevent access to this crucial story segment entirely.

• You’ll intercept a distress signal from Rafael, though initial facility scans show no apparent issues
• Artifact exposure triggers involuntary dimensional shifting between parallel universes
• The “stable” reality features concerned staff mourning Rafael’s apparent death during an experiment
• You receive a dimensional control device enabling manual universe transitions
• The Experiment A-7 shotgun, one of Starfield’s most powerful early-game weapons, becomes available
• In the “catastrophe” dimension, Rafael survives but the entire facility staff perishes

Gallery

Left: Rafael isolated in his surviving universe; Right: The intact Nishina team awaiting assistance.

Mission Objectives and Enemy Encounters

Success in the Entangled mission hinges on mastering the dimensional shifting mechanic to overcome environmental obstacles and enemy threats. The core gameplay involves strategic transitions between realities to bypass blocked pathways and complete critical objectives.

Primary goals center around navigating both universes by interacting with shimmering reality distortions. Locked doors and impassable barriers in one dimension often have accessible alternatives in the parallel reality, requiring constant assessment of both environments.

• In the operational facility dimension, malfunctioning security systems deploy robotic sentries, attack dogs, and automated turrets that must be disabled or destroyed
• The overrun alternate reality features aggressive insectoid creatures and environmental hazards including wall growths
• Strategic terminal access can deactivate robotic defenses in the stable universe
• The corrupted dimension presents constant biological threats requiring different combat approaches

This challenging segment showcases Starfield’s survival horror elements with limited resources.

Laboratory Experiment Mechanics

The mission climax occurs in the main laboratory where a massive laser drills into the artifact. Both realities contain seven interactive terminals that control the experimental apparatus.

Critical strategy involves understanding that you only need to activate terminals in one reality to shut down the drill permanently. The dimension where you complete this action becomes the surviving timeline.

• Continue dimensional shifting via distortion interactions to access all required terminals
• Strategic terminal selection determines which universe persists post-mission
• Combat encounters persist during terminal activation regardless of chosen reality
• Your decision permanently locks one timeline into existence while erasing the other

The terminal interface represents your ultimate reality-determining decision point.

Choosing Rafael’s Survival Path

Opting to save Rafael requires shutting down all terminals within the catastrophe dimension. This decision preserves his timeline while erasing the stable facility universe and all its personnel.

Upon successful reality stabilization, Rafael provides several valuable rewards. While specific item attributes may vary, the reward categories remain consistent across playthroughs.

• Rare: Disassembler Professional’s Advanced Coachman – excellent for mechanical enemy encounters
• Rare: Instigating Calibrated Magshear – powerful against biological threats
• Unique: Vytinium material – essential for advanced weapon modifications
• Unique: Tasine material – crucial for end-game gear crafting

The most significant long-term benefit emerges from Rafael’s potential as a permanent crew member. After escorting him to your spacecraft, locate him at New Atlantis’ Viewport bar to initiate recruitment.

Rafael brings specialized engineering expertise to your team with the following skill distribution:

• Outpost Engineering 1 – enhances construction capabilities
• Starship Engineering 2 – valuable for ship upgrades and maintenance
• Outpost Management 1 – improves resource gathering and base operations

The Viewport bar serves as Rafael’s recruitment location after completing the mission.

Strategic Consideration: Rafael’s engineering skills make him particularly valuable for players focusing on outpost development and starship customization. His absence can significantly impact late-game construction projects.

Preserving the Research Facility Team

Choosing to save the Nishina laboratory staff involves deactivating all terminals within the stable universe. This choice preserves the intact facility while eliminating Rafael’s survival timeline.

The research team expresses gratitude through exceptional legendary gear rewards. These items represent some of the game’s most powerful protective equipment.

• Legendary: Reactive Advanced Experimental Nishina Helmet – provides superior environmental protection
• Legendary: Incendiary Advanced Experimental Nishina Spacesuit – offers exceptional defensive capabilities
• The legendary set features unique modifiers unavailable through other acquisition methods

Moral Calculus: This decision embodies the classic “needs of the many” ethical dilemma, sacrificing one individual to preserve an entire research community.

The eliminated timeline containing Rafael permanently removes his potential recruitment and associated engineering benefits. Players must weigh immediate legendary gear advantages against long-term crew development opportunities.

For comprehensive gameplay strategies beyond this mission, explore our Complete Guide to advanced tactics and progression systems.

The Entangled mission decision represents one of Starfield’s most impactful choices, though it doesn’t alter the main campaign’s ultimate conclusion in the Revelation finale.

Gameplay-Focused Recommendation: Choose Rafael if your current crew lacks engineering expertise or you plan extensive outpost development. His specialized skills provide tangible gameplay benefits that can streamline late-game content.

Roleplaying-Focused Suggestion: Select the laboratory staff if your character prioritizes collective welfare over individual survival.

New Game+ Considerations: Since Starfield features multiple playthrough opportunities, consider experimenting with both outcomes across different universes to experience all narrative possibilities.

For weapon optimization strategies that complement your decision, consult our Weapons Unlock guide for advanced combat techniques.

Remember that your choice primarily affects available resources and crew composition rather than story direction. Both paths provide substantial rewards tailored to different playstyles and character builds.

Starfield’s massive scope offers countless exploration opportunities beyond this pivotal decision. For character development guidance, reference our Class Guide for specialized build recommendations.

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