Starfield: Should you kill or spare Austin Rake on the Ragana?

Understanding the Context: The United Colonies and the Crimson Fleet

The United Colonies (UC) represent one of the major factions in Starfield, committed to maintaining order and justice across the settled systems. During their questline, players are tasked with infiltrating the Crimson Fleet, a notorious pirate faction known for their ruthless tactics and lawlessness. This infiltration is critical for gathering evidence to dismantle the fleet's operations from within.

Naeva, the second-in-command of the Crimson Fleet, is a key figure in this mission. To earn her trust and gain deeper access, you must complete assignments that demonstrate loyalty, including the controversial task of eliminating Austin Rake, a former fleet member now aboard the Ragana. This mission tests not only your combat skills but also your ability to navigate complex moral landscapes.

The stakes are high because the UC SysDef captain explicitly orders that no one should be killed during the undercover operation. This directive complicates the decision-making process, forcing players to consider alternatives to outright assassination. Understanding this context is essential before making any moves against Austin Rake.

Who Is Austin Rake? The Man Behind the Mission

Austin Rake is a former member of the Crimson Fleet who defected and now serves aboard the Ragana. His departure from the fleet is shrouded in mystery, and his current role makes him a valuable target for those wishing to weaken the Crimson Fleet's influence. Despite his past affiliations, Rake's actions aboard the Ragana suggest a more complex character than a simple enemy.

Players encounter Rake upon boarding the Ragana, where he is surrounded by other crew members and guarded by a mustachioed man who initially conceals his identity. This setup creates tension and uncertainty, as you must discern the best approach to extract Rake's identity without causing unnecessary bloodshed or jeopardizing your mission.

The decision to kill or spare Rake is further complicated by the fact that the mustachioed man refuses to reveal Rake's identity unless you use the correct dialogue options or resort to violence. This situation sets the stage for a critical choice that will influence your standing with both the Crimson Fleet and the United Colonies.

The Case for Killing Austin Rake: Pros and Cons

Opting to kill Austin Rake might seem straightforward, aligning with the initial task assigned by Naeva. Eliminating Rake removes a potential threat and sends a clear message to the Crimson Fleet. Additionally, if you fail to persuade the crew to turn on Rake, violence becomes the only way to complete the mission, forcing you into a full-blown combat scenario.

However, killing Rake comes with significant drawbacks. The UC SysDef captain's orders explicitly discourage lethal action during this operation, meaning that killing Rake could jeopardize your undercover status and future missions. Furthermore, wiping out the entire crew to reach Rake results in unnecessary bloodshed and may affect your reputation with other factions.

From a gameplay perspective, killing Rake and the crew yields some loot and minor rewards, but these benefits are relatively small compared to the potential fallout. The moral cost and mission risk often outweigh the material gains, making this choice less appealing for players aiming for a stealthy or diplomatic approach.

The Case for Sparing Austin Rake: Pros and Cons

Sparing Austin Rake aligns with the United Colonies' directive to avoid killing during the infiltration. By using the UC SysDef dialogue options, you can peacefully resolve the situation, convincing the mustachioed man to reveal Rake's identity without bloodshed. This approach preserves your cover and maintains the integrity of the mission.

Once Rake's identity is confirmed, you can persuade him to turn himself in to the UC SysDef for protection from the Crimson Fleet. This method allows you to fulfill Naeva's requirement without taking a life, demonstrating that sometimes diplomacy can be as effective as violence in Starfield's universe.

While sparing Rake may feel like the less dramatic choice, it offers strategic advantages. It keeps your reputation intact, aligns with faction goals, and avoids unnecessary conflict. For players who prioritize roleplay or ethical decision-making, this path provides a satisfying resolution.

Navigating the Ragana: Key Dialogue and Interaction Tips

Upon boarding the Ragana, your first interaction is with the mustachioed man who guards Austin Rake. Engaging him with the UC SysDef dialogue option is crucial if you want to avoid violence. This choice signals your true intentions and opens the door for peaceful negotiation, which is essential for sparing Rake.

If you choose to attack immediately, be prepared for a challenging fight against the crew. The mustachioed man will withhold Rake's identity, forcing you to eliminate everyone to proceed. This path demands combat readiness and may complicate your mission progress.

Persuasion plays a significant role in this encounter. Successfully convincing the crew or the mustachioed man to kill Rake for you requires a high persuasion skill check, which is difficult but possible. Failing this check leaves you with no choice but to resort to violence, underscoring the importance of dialogue skills in Starfield.

Implications for the United Colonies Questline

Your decision regarding Austin Rake directly impacts the United Colonies questline. Killing him may fulfill Naeva's request on the surface but risks violating the UC SysDef captain's orders, potentially leading to complications or loss of trust within your faction.

Sparing Rake and successfully completing the mission without bloodshed demonstrates your ability to handle delicate situations, which can enhance your standing with the United Colonies. This approach may unlock additional dialogue options or quests that reward your diplomatic skills.

Regardless of your choice, bringing back Rake's identity to Naeva is essential for progressing the Crimson Fleet infiltration. However, the manner in which you obtain this identity influences your reputation, mission outcomes, and the narrative experience, making this decision a pivotal moment in your Starfield journey.

Moral and Roleplaying Considerations

Starfield offers players the freedom to shape their character's morality and approach to conflict. The Austin Rake mission exemplifies this by presenting a clear ethical dilemma: uphold orders and avoid killing, or carry out a direct assassination for the sake of mission expediency.

Choosing to spare Rake can align with a character who values life and seeks peaceful resolutions, reinforcing a roleplay style centered on diplomacy and honor. Conversely, killing Rake may suit players who prefer a more ruthless or pragmatic approach, prioritizing mission success over ethical concerns.

This choice also affects how you perceive your role within the universe. Are you a loyal agent who respects command directives, or a lone operator willing to bend rules for perceived justice? Reflecting on these questions can enrich your engagement with the game's narrative and enhance immersion.

Final Verdict: Should You Kill or Spare Austin Rake?

After weighing the pros and cons, sparing Austin Rake emerges as the more strategic and morally sound choice. It allows you to adhere to the United Colonies' non-lethal directive, maintain your cover, and progress the mission efficiently without unnecessary combat.

Killing Rake, while possible, often leads to unintended consequences such as jeopardizing your faction reputation and triggering unwanted firefights. The minor loot gained does not justify the risks or ethical costs associated with this path.

Ultimately, the decision rests on your preferred playstyle and roleplaying preferences. Whether you choose diplomacy or lethal force, Starfield ensures that your choices have meaningful impacts on your journey through the stars.

Conclusion

The decision to kill or spare Austin Rake aboard the Ragana is one of Starfield's nuanced moral dilemmas, blending narrative depth with strategic gameplay. While eliminating Rake might seem like the straightforward path, sparing him offers a more thoughtful, mission-aligned approach that respects the United Colonies' directives and preserves your undercover status. This choice exemplifies Starfield's commitment to player agency, allowing you to shape your journey according to your values and playstyle. Whether you lean towards diplomacy or decisive action, understanding the ramifications of this choice ensures a richer, more immersive experience as you navigate the treacherous waters of the Crimson Fleet infiltration.