Stopping Marchenko - Main Quest Deus Ex: Mankind Divided Guide

Stopping Marchenko is one of the two final quests of the game. By default, it's unlocked after Securing the Convention Centre, but it can be activated earlier if you had been detected by Marchenko's men while exploring the Apex Centre building. This quest involves stopping Viktor Marchenko before he detonates the bombs that could level two residential towers in the city. Depending on your performance, either Viktor will be able to detonate the bombs, or the buildings will be saved. Marchenko himself can either be killed by Jensen or be captured alive.

Mission Objectives

1. MANDATORY - Stop Marchenko before he blows up the towers -If you don't want the skyscrapers to be destroyed, you have to find Marchenko (M25,10) in less than 10 minutes, or use the detonator blockade or the killswitch at the beginning of the encounter with Victor. Aside from that, you may be forced to fight Marchenko, who is a boss.

• Mission Objectives
• Reaching the Exhibition Hall
• Confronting Victor Marchenko

Reaching the Exhibition Hall

Marchenko First

The passageway on level 1 of the building

IF you decided to take care of Marchenko first, by default the quest will begin in the catering area, where you have found gravely wounded Miller (M25,8). Only exception is the situation where you alarmed Marchenko's men while in the reception - then, the quest will be activated the moment the alarm goes off.

You have to return to the reception area, specifically level one. There is a path there (M25,9) which will lead you to the exhibition hall (M25,10) where Marchenko is holed up.

Visiting Marchenko After the Delegates

If you decided to start with helping the delegates (Protecting the Future quest), you'll begin in a room on level two of the conference center (M25,13). Fortunately, you don't have to return through the upper floors that can still contain some enemies in golden masks. Stay in the room where the delegates meeting took place and investigate the wall fragment marked on the screenshot (Jensen's radar shows a path in this spot) (M25,14).

Interacting with the wall (approach as closely as possible) will unlock a secret path. Use it and turn right. You'll reach a closed door on which you can use the keycard acquired earlier. This way, you'll enter the exhibition hall (M25,10).

Confronting Victor Marchenko

You can use the device from Allison to disable the detonator, or use the killswitch to kill Marchenko without having to fight him

Once you enter the exhibition hall (M25,10) a cut-scene depicting the meeting with Viktor Marchenko will begin. If you were quick enough to reach the exhibition hall in time, Marchenko is not going to detonate the bombs in the towers. Otherwise, he will be ready to use the detonator and you can stop him.

At the end of the conversation you can use one of two story items. First is the device that can disable Marchenko's detonator. You could receive it from Allison Stanek if in the earlier phase of the game you've decided to proceed with Confronting the Bomb Maker quest and convinced Allison to discontinue the Singularity ritual. Using this gadget will prevent Victor from using the detonator.

The second story item is Marchenko's killswitch. This item can be found in two locations. The first switch can be found in hangar 2 at G.A.R.M. Outpost (M24,28). The second switch is under the desk in the security room in the conference center (M25,33). Using the killswitch will lead to Marchenko's instant death, and solves the problem of the bombs.

If you don't have the killswitch or you just want to stun Victor Marchenko, you can proceed to the encounter with him.

EMP grenades and mines can be very helpful in stunning Marchenko

Viktor Marchenko is a very powerful enemy - you shouldn't engage in direct firefights with him even if you plan to kill him. The enemy uses a whole set of advanced augmentations that allow for effective distance combat, quick movements, and absorbing received damage. This last bit is especially important - Marchenko can activate the Titan armor, which allows him to become incredibly resistant to conventional attacks.

EMP charges in form of grenades, mines, and special types of ammunition are especially useful when trying to weaken Marchenko. When it comes to EMP grenades, make sure Marchenko doesn't notice the throw, as he may quickly distance himself from the blast site, and you'll waste a grenade. Skillful use of EMP charges can prepare Marchenko for other attacks using, for example, grenade launcher, assault rifle or other heavy hitters.

Hacking the guard drones is only a temporary solution

Marchenko is not the only problem during the encounter. There are two guard drones flying over the exhibition hall. If you get noticed by them, they will begin firing. If you have Remote Hacking, you can temporarily disable the drones (for 30 seconds). You can also try to destroy them, but in this case you'll get Viktor's attention.

Aside from the drones, you also have to watch out for the defense turret (hack it, destroy, or avoid approaching its field of vision) and mines (you can defuse them using Remote Hacking).

You should get to the computer on level two as quickly as you can, as it gives you more to say in terms of hacking the security systems

If you are planning to murder Viktor Marchenko, hacking two security computers nearby may help you immensely in going through with the plan. Each has level five security, but you can use some multitools (+ eventual camouflage to avoid detection while hacking the computers)

First computer is on level one (M25,21). Sadly, it allows for hacking only one turret, and this may prove insufficient to defeat Marchenko.

The second computer is on level 2 (M25,22). This time, you have to be cautious, as there is a new defense turret nearby and a lot of mines (fragmentation and gas). Hacking this computer will allow you to take over the new turret and the drones - you can reprogram two drones over the exhibition hall and "summon" further ones. It should be enough to defeat Marchenko.

Perform a takedown on stunned Marchenko

If you want to stun Viktor Marchenko and take him alive, you need to start using the aforementioned EMP grenades. Once the boss is stunned, you can approach him and perform a takedown (by default, Marchenko will deflect such attack).

A good idea is to sneak up to Marchenko from behind and use the Stun Gun, but only when he doesn't have his shields activated. The most time-consuming method is using the Tranquilizer Rifle. You would have to put a lot of rounds into his head to make him lose consciousness.

For defeating Marchenko you'll receive 3150 experience points + an eventual bonus if you hadn't been detected during the encounter. Additionally, by looting Marchenko's body you can find, among others, a Praxis Kit. If you hadn't begun Protecting the Future yet, you have to proceed with it now. In case you've been to the delegates room already, the game will end.