The End is one of the most legendary boss encounters in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater, known for his tense sniper duel in the Sokrovenno jungle. But what many players don’t realize is that Hideo Kojima left a clever Easter egg: you can actually kill The End long before that fight happens. Doing so completely changes the flow of the game. Here’s exactly how to pull it off, what you’ll miss, and what happens afterward.
Where to Find the SVD Sniper Rifle
You’ll need a sniper rifle to eliminate The End early, and the SVD Dragunov is the key. After defeating The Pain, you’ll travel through the Ponizovje South swamp area where the path splits:
- Right Path → Leads directly to Ponizovje Warehouse Docks and progresses the story.
- Left Path → Takes you to Ponizovje West, a weapons depot where you can grab the SVD.
At Ponizovje West, clear the two patrolling guards, then search the small storage building to secure the SVD and other supplies. Be cautious—if you trigger an alert, hovercraft reinforcements can arrive quickly. Once collected, assign the SVD to a D-Pad slot for faster access in the upcoming moment. Then return to Ponizovje South and continue north toward the docks.
See also: Metal Gear Solid Delta Snake Eater Trophy Guide: All Achievements and Platinum Tips
The Moment to Strike: Ponizovje Warehouse Docks
When you arrive at Ponizovje Warehouse Docks, a cutscene plays. You’ll see The End in his wheelchair, being pushed by a guard as Sokolov cowers nearby. After the cutscene, there’s a brief window of opportunity before The End disappears into the warehouse.
- Equip your SVD quickly.
- Aim for his head between the soldier and the stack of boxes.
- Two clean headshots will kill him instantly. A body shot won’t finish him, but it will leave him weakened if you face him later.
Once he dies, The End explodes like other Cobra Unit bosses, so be ready to dodge roll or back away to avoid taking damage from his wheelchair debris.
If done correctly, you’ll unlock the “The Early End” Trophy/Achievement.
Should You Kill The End Early?
Killing The End early has major consequences—some good, some bad.
What You Gain
- You skip one of the hardest and longest boss fights in the game.
- The sniper duel in Sokrovenno is removed, making that section much faster.
- Instead of fighting The End, you’ll face a group of Ocelot Unit soldiers later, which are easier to manage.
What You Lose
- The Mosin Nagant rifle. This tranquilizer sniper rifle is crucial for non-lethal runs and makes later fights (like The Fury and The Boss) much easier.
- Moss Camouflage. Normally earned by stamina-killing The End, this camo boosts camouflage in grassy areas.
- A piece of Snake Eater history. The End’s battle is one of the most iconic set pieces in the series.
If you’re going for a non-lethal playthrough or aiming for special camo unlocks, it’s better to fight him normally. But if you want to see one of Kojima’s clever Easter eggs—or you just want a smoother run—killing him early is a fun option.
Pro Tips Before You Try
- Save your game manually before entering Ponizovje Warehouse Docks. That way, you can reload if you miss your shot or decide you’d rather play the fight normally.
- Call Para-Medic for a save slot recommendation—an in-universe touch that keeps the immersion strong.
- If you want the trophy but don’t want to alter your playthrough, just reload your save after unlocking it. The kill won’t count against your run.
Skipping The End’s sniper duel in Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater is one of those brilliant secrets that makes the game endlessly replayable. Whether you choose to take the shot or not depends on your playstyle—speedrunners love it, while completionists usually avoid it. Either way, knowing this hidden trick adds another layer of depth to an already legendary boss encounter. Play Now!
