To complete “Pinching the Pupa” in The Outer Worlds 2, start the quest at Fort Endurance in northern Golden Ridge, retrieve a Mantisaur Pupa from the nest southeast of the fort, then choose Trooper Wentworth or Biological Designer Bradford. Both recipients are reported to award Cleo’s The Hunt; Bradford gives more Auntie’s Choice reputation. After handing over the pupa, defend the fort from a Mantisaur attack.
How do you start Pinching the Pupa?
Go to Fort Endurance in northern Golden Ridge. Speak with either Trooper Wentworth or Biological Designer Bradford to begin the quest. They disagree about what should happen to a Mantisaur Pupa, and ask you to retrieve one from a nearby nest.
Where do you find the Mantisaur Pupa?
- Leave Fort Endurance and travel southeast to the Mantisaur nest.
- Expect hostile Zyranium Mantiwasps and Zyranium Mantisaurs in the area.
- Fight through the cave or make your way past its enemies, then reach the back of the cave to find the pupa.
- Return to Fort Endurance with the pupa.
Should you give the pupa to Bradford or Wentworth?
The clearest mechanical difference reported by Game8’s 2025 guide is Auntie’s Choice reputation: Bradford gives +3, while Wentworth gives +1. Both choices are reported to reward Cleo’s The Hunt, a named unique weapon.
| Recipient | Reported reputation | Role-play direction | Reported weapon reward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological Designer Bradford | +3 Auntie’s Choice reputation (Game8, 2025) | Study the pupa | Cleo’s The Hunt |
| Trooper Wentworth | +1 Auntie’s Choice reputation (Game8, 2025) | Give the pupa to Wentworth for his plan involving the mantisaur Wotjek | Cleo’s The Hunt |
If you are choosing for reputation, Bradford is the stronger option according to that guide. If you prefer Wentworth’s approach to the pupa, the reported weapon reward is the same. A guide says the decision may affect the ending, but does not establish what changes or how; do not treat a specific ending outcome as confirmed.
#1 Best Overall
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What rewards does the quest give?
Game8 lists 621 XP, 1,500 bits, and Cleo’s The Hunt among the quest rewards. Reward details are not fully consistent across the available walkthroughs, which do not identify the game version used to verify them. NightlyGamingBinge reports that Bradford can offer an additional 1,000 bits after a Speech check; treat that as a conditional possibility, not a guaranteed bonus. PCGamesN also describes a Speech-related way to match Wentworth’s offer when choosing Bradford, but the guides do not fully explain whether these descriptions refer to the same condition or game state.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How do you finish the quest?
After handing the pupa to Bradford or Wentworth, Mantisaurs attack Fort Endurance. Repel the attack to complete “Pinching the Pupa.”
Quick Recap
Rank #4
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- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
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