The Warden is the game’s first real skill check: a heavily armed duck lurking behind the tutorial’s main path, capable of ending a run in seconds with fast grenades and accurate rifle fire. He’s optional, but if you can manage him early, the payout is a meaningful jumpstart. Here’s where to find him, how to survive the encounter, what he drops, and a safe way to farm him without wasting time.
Find the Warden location (tutorial prison office)
After you wake up in the prison tutorial, do not follow the obvious path forward. Turn around and walk back the way you came. You’ll reach a small office where the Warden patrols. He carries an AK‑74U and grenades, and the hallway outside his door offers reliable cover and sightlines for the fight.
Defeat the Warden (doorway control and grenade discipline)
The Warden hits hard and punishes anyone standing in the open. Treat the encounter like a pull: bait him into the office doorway, hold angles from cover, and chip him down. His grenades arm quickly—prioritize movement the moment you see the throw, then re‑peek after the blast.
Notably, his grenades can hurt him if they detonate near his position. If one bounces back toward the office, use that window to land headshots while he’s stunned or recovering. Keep distance, force reloads, and avoid rushing the room unless he’s just thrown or reloaded.
Warden loot drops (AK‑74U, Totem, glasses, lab coat)
His loot isn’t unique later in the game, but it’s strong for the tutorial and early raids. Expect a mix of gear and basics:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| AK‑74U rifle | Reliable early mid‑range weapon, immediate power spike. |
| Headshot II Totem | Increases headshot damage; pairs well with doorway head peeks. |
| Shining Glasses | +10% visual range for earlier enemy detection. |
| White Lab Coat | Basic early armor; better than starter cloth. |
| Pistol ammo and standard loot | Filler resources to pad your stash after the fight. |
The AK‑74U and Headshot II Totem are the standout pulls; the glasses offer a subtle but useful awareness bump.
Farm the Warden (difficulty reset at base)
You can respawn the Warden without progressing the story. From your base, open the difficulty selection screen, then back out—this resets the tutorial area and brings the Warden back for another run. Repeat as needed for a couple of early cash‑out loops.
- Reset at base via the difficulty selection screen.
- Return to the tutorial, walk backward to the office, and re‑engage.
- Sell extra drops at the vending machine for quick early money.
Should you kill the Warden (risk, reward, and when to skip)
Killing the Warden is optional and doesn’t affect story progress. It’s a high‑risk way to gear up early or prove you’ve mastered basic positioning and timing. If you’re comfortable dodging explosives and holding angles, it’s worth taking him down once or twice. If you’re new or on higher difficulty, skipping him saves time and headaches—there are other, safer paths to comparable gear later.
The fastest path to winning this encounter is discipline: pull him to the doorway, never stand in the open, and let his own grenades create your openings. Secure one or two clean kills, cash in the rifle and Totem, then move on before the risk stops justifying the reward.
