This step-by-step guide will show you what happens if you Keep Ron Hope’s Secret or Expose Ron Hope during the objective “Confront Ron Hope” in the mission “The Hammer Falls” in Starfield.
It’s crucial to take into account the complex role of Ron Hope in Starfield. He not only serves as a member of the Council of Governors, responsible for overseeing the operations of the Freestar Collective but also holds ownership of HopeTech Corporation, a pivotal source of employment for thousands of people. Ron Hope contends that his arrest could potentially trigger political instability and the downfall of a company that supports numerous livelihoods. Instead, he suggests offering a bribe in return for evidence, recommends pretending to be unaware of his involvement, and commits to assisting the families affected by the actions of the First.
Spare Ron Hope
If you decide to extend mercy to Ron Hope, your fellow companions may voice their disagreement due to his somewhat villainous reputation. Nevertheless, he will compensate you with a sum of 20,000 credits, which can be increased to 50,000 if your Negotiation skill is proficient. It’s important to note that, by making specific dialogue choices, you can choose to spare him without receiving any payment at all.
Ron Hope continues without facing any consequences. Regrettably, there is no dialogue option available to betray Ron Hope to the authorities. Upon your return to the Rock, your only option is to fabricate a story, claiming that the trail went cold after Paxton. While the Marshall may be disappointed that the main villain remains unidentified, he is impressed by your effective solo confrontation and rewards you with Ranger status along with all the previously mentioned rewards.
Kill Ron Hope
Regrettably, players do not have the option to apprehend Ron Hope and pursue legal action against him in a court of law. Ron Hope strongly opposes his arrest and starts a fight, especially when players reject both his monetary offer and his pleas to maintain his deception.
Choosing to Kill him will result in modest financial gains, limited to the meager credits and ammunition you can scrounge from him and his security team. It’s worth highlighting that during a subsequent conversation, his assistant acknowledges that HopeTech is expected to endure this incident without significant adverse consequences, as the demise of a single individual is unlikely to disrupt such a vast interplanetary conglomerate.
You then return to the Freestar Rangers and provide a full report of everything that happened. Although the Marshall is initially concerned about your actions in shooting a member of the Council of Governors, the fact that Hope was clearly guilty and engaged in an assault on an officer attempting to apprehend him eventually leads to a resolution.
Following these events, you are formally admitted as a full-fledged Ranger and earn a bundle of rewards, which includes credits, specialized weapons, equipment, and a brand-new ship designed for battle and disabling hostile vessels. This spacecraft is clearly intended for people who are proficient at docking within Starfield and executing boarding operations. It’s important to note that these prizes stay similar regardless of your decisions or actions—whether you save or kill Ron Hope, the outcome and related incentives remain the same.