The main story of Starfield plays around with multiversal theory, introducing players to two key characters in the process. Though both of these characters are Starborn, The Hunter and The Emissary have very different ideologies, which can make choosing between the pair during the Unearthed main story mission a little tricky.
At first glance, The Emissary may seem like the obvious choice here, particularly given The Hunter's actions during the High Price to Pay main story mission. However, before making their decision, some players may wish to learn more about The Hunter, like who exactly he is and what drives his endless quest for the Artifacts and the Unity.
Warning: This guide contains major story spoilers for Starfield.
Who is The Hunter in Starfield?
During the In Their Footsteps main story mission, players will learn that The Hunter is actually a version of Father Aquilus, a pious man with whom players spoke earlier while attempting to unravel the mystery of the Unity. This may seem impossible at first, as the two men could not be more different, but it all ties in with Starfield's main story and the purpose of the Unity.
By walking into the light at the Unity, people are able to pass into new universes, being reborn as Starborn in the process. The Hunter is a version of Father Aquilus from some distant universe, who, after being reborn multiple times, has forgotten what it feels like to be human, with his actions now entirely driven by the pursuit of power, the Artifacts, and the Unity.
What Does the Hunter Want?
The Hunter values power above all else and has no problems claiming the Artifacts using force. Players will witness this for themselves during his attack on the Lodge during the High Price to Pay main story mission, or perhaps even earlier if they happen to encounter the Hunter in New Atlantis or Akila City and are foolish enough to pick a fight with him. However, it's important to note that The Hunter takes no pleasure in killing, instead seeing it as the fastest way of making it back to the Unity.
Players will first be able to encounter The Hunter leaning against a wall in the Spaceport area of New Atlantis not too far from the Viewport. If they speak with him here, he'll then show up at the bar in Akila City.
The Hunter's willingness to team up with the player seems to be born out of curiosity and boredom more than anything else. In most other universes, the playable character is the one who dies following the attack on the Lodge, so to see them get this far intrigues him. Even though he can be helpful, though, he's definitely not a good person, as evidenced by him sending the player to kill Father Aquilus if they decide to side with him at the end of the Unearthed main story mission.
Starfield is available now for PC and Xbox Series X|S.