Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater continues to surprise players with its hidden secrets and Easter eggs. Among the most intriguing is the ability to eliminate The End, one of the legendary Cobra Unit snipers, long before his iconic boss battle. This clever mechanic from the original game returns with all its strategic implications intact.
Discovering this secret opens up a fascinating alternative path through one of gaming’s most memorable encounters, but it comes with significant trade-offs that every Snake operative should consider carefully.
Table of Contents
Metal Gear Early End Strategy: A Complete Breakdown
Successfully eliminating The End early requires precise timing, stealth skills, and knowledge of the game’s mechanics. Here’s exactly what changes when you pull off this legendary gaming Easter egg.
| Outcome | Early Elimination | Standard Fight |
|---|---|---|
| Boss Battle | 10 Ocelot Unit soldiers | Epic sniper duel |
| Difficulty | Medium intensity | High intensity/Long duration |
| Rewards Lost | Moss Camo + Mosin Nagant | None |
| Achievement | “Early End” trophy | Standard progression |
| Story Impact | Skip to ladder sequence | Full narrative experience |
How to Execute The Perfect Early Takedown
Step 1: Acquire the SVD Sniper Rifle
After defeating The Pain boss fight, head to Ponizovje West instead of taking the northern story path. Inside the weapons depot, you’ll find the crucial SVD sniper rifle needed for this operation.
Pro Tip: Avoid detection by guards, as reinforcements arrive via hovercraft and can complicate your mission significantly.
Step 2: Position for the Critical Shot
Return to Ponizovje Warehouse Docks and wait for the cutscene featuring The End in his wheelchair. The window of opportunity lasts only seconds after the cutscene ends – timing is absolutely everything.
Step 3: Make Your Shots Count
Two precise headshots will eliminate The End instantly. Body shots merely weaken him for the later encounter, so accuracy matters. When successful, he’ll explode like other Cobra Unit members, so prepare to dodge debris.
Strategic Consequences: Risk vs. Reward Analysis
What You Gain
- Early End Achievement: Unlocks a rare trophy celebrating this secret
- Alternate Gameplay: Face Ocelot Unit soldiers instead of the sniper duel
- Time Savings: Skip one of the longest boss battles in stealth gaming history
- Bragging Rights: Master one of gaming’s most obscure secrets
What You Lose
The trade-offs are substantial and affect both immediate gameplay and long-term strategy:
Moss Camouflage: One of the game’s most effective stealth tools, offering near-perfect concealment in jungle environments.
Mosin Nagant: The tranquilizer sniper rifle obtained only by defeating The End non-lethally – essential for pacifist playthroughs.
Legendary Experience: Miss out on what many consider Metal Gear Solid’s greatest boss battle.
Advanced Strategies and Workarounds
The Save-Reload Technique
Want to experience the Easter egg without permanent consequences? After eliminating The End, simply reload your last save file. This resets the game state, allowing you to witness the secret while preserving the traditional boss fight for later.
Alternative Encounter Details
When The End is eliminated early, Sokrovenno becomes populated with approximately ten Ocelot Unit soldiers. While less challenging than the original sniper duel, these enemies require tactical approach due to their group coordination and patrol patterns.
When Early Elimination Makes Sense
This strategy works best for:
- Speed Runners: Seeking optimal completion times
- Replay Experiences: Players already familiar with the standard encounter
- Achievement Hunters: Completing trophy collections
- Experimental Playthroughs: Testing alternative Metal Gear Solid strategies
The Technical Execution
The elimination window occurs during a brief moment when The End remains stationary on the docks. Success requires:
- Immediate Action: Move as soon as cutscene control returns
- Precise Aim: Target the head for instant elimination
- Quick Reflexes: Dodge explosion debris after successful elimination
This mechanic showcases Hideo Kojima’s attention to detail and player agency – even legendary encounters can be subverted through careful observation and tactical thinking.
Impact on Narrative Flow
Eliminating The End early creates a unique narrative shortcut. Instead of the methodical, hours-long sniper duel that defines many players’ Metal Gear experience, the story moves directly toward the famous ladder sequence and subsequent encounters.
This alternative path demonstrates how player choice can fundamentally alter even the most scripted gaming experiences, a hallmark of exceptional game design philosophy.
Making the Decision
The choice ultimately depends on your gaming goals. First-time players should experience the full boss battle – it’s a masterclass in patience, strategy, and environmental awareness. Veterans might appreciate the alternative route as a way to discover new layers in a familiar experience.
The beauty of this Easter egg lies not just in its execution, but in how it respects player agency while maintaining the game’s core identity. Whether you choose the path of patience or the route of precision, Metal Gear Solid Delta rewards both approaches with memorable gameplay moments.
Remember: great games offer multiple ways to engage with their systems, and eliminating The End early represents gaming design at its most thoughtful and player-focused.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I get The End’s equipment if I eliminate him early?
A: No, eliminating The End early means you forfeit both the Moss Camouflage and the Mosin Nagant tranquilizer rifle. These rewards are only obtainable through the standard boss battle by defeating him non-lethally. If you need these items, you’ll need to face him in the traditional sniper duel.
Q: Does eliminating The End early affect the game’s difficulty or other boss battles?
A: The early elimination only affects The End’s specific encounter, replacing it with Ocelot Unit soldiers. All other boss battles remain unchanged, and the overall game difficulty stays the same. However, missing the Moss Camo and tranquilizer rifle may make subsequent stealth sections and non-lethal approaches more challenging.
