The Surge What Staff to Give Irina: Why Choice Matters

The Surge What Staff to Give Irina: Why Choice Matters

You’re standing in Central Production B. The air is thick with the hum of machinery and the smell of ozone. Then you see her: Irina Beckett. She’s leaning against a railing, looking a bit worse for wear, and she asks you for a weapon. Specifically, a staff.

It seems like a small favor, right? In a game as brutal as The Surge, you’re probably used to hoarding every scrap of metal you find. But this choice—the surge what staff to give irina—actually sets off a chain of events that dictates whether you get one of the best weapons in the game or just another pile of tech scrap.

Most players panic and hand over the first thing they have. Don't do that. Let’s talk about why your inventory management is about to become a life-or-death decision for an NPC.

The Immediate Impact: What Can You Actually Give Her?

Irina isn't particularly picky at first, but she has standards. If you try to hand her a Reinforced Pipe, she’ll basically look at you like you’ve lost your mind. It’s not "fit for purpose," as she puts it. To actually progress her quest, "Duty-Bound," you need to provide something with a bit more punch.

In your first playthrough (NG), you generally have three real options:

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  1. MG Negotiator: This is the gold standard for this quest. You can farm this from the security guards patrolling the area.
  2. SERU HSS BioMaster: You’ll find this a bit later, specifically after the Firebug boss fight or tucked away in the BioLabs.
  3. Reinforced Pipe: Again, she won't take it. It’s a trap for players who haven't explored enough.

If you’re in New Game Plus (NG+), the options open up. You could technically give her the Peacekeeper or Codename: Carmina. Honestly, giving her a high-tier weapon in NG+ is mostly for the flex and some slightly varied dialogue, but for your first run, the Negotiator is the way to go.

Why the MG Negotiator is the Best Bet

Here’s the thing. If you give Irina the MG Negotiator, she actually helps you out. You’ve probably noticed those annoying Smelter Bots in the recycling area—the ones that drop the Shiny Coins you need for the IRONMAUS armor.

If you give her the staff before you tackle that area, she’ll actually take out one of the two Smelter Bots for you. You still get the loot (the Shiny Coin will be sitting there waiting for you), but you save yourself a massive headache.

Pro Tip: If you want to keep a Negotiator for yourself and give one to her, kill one of the security guards near the train station, take his staff, give it to Irina, and then go kill the other guard to get a second one. Efficiency is key when everything is trying to dismember you.

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The Long Game: Gorgon Armor and the Executive Forum

Giving her the staff is just the beginning. Later on, you'll find her in the Resolve Chemical Refinery. Just talk to her there to keep things moving.

The real test comes when you return to Central Production B from Research & Development. She’ll be hanging out near the Medbay, and this time, she wants armor. Specifically, a full set of MG Gorgon Gear.

  • Helmet
  • Body Piece
  • 2x Arm Pieces
  • 2x Leg Pieces

You have to farm these from the security guards in R&D. It’s a grind, but if you don’t do it, her questline effectively stalls. If you do give her the armor, she survives long enough to meet you in the CREO Executive Forum.

The Final Showdown

This is where things get "kinda" dark. By the time you reach the Executive Forum, Irina has... changed. She’s leaning into a security guard persona, and she barely remembers you. Eventually, she’ll turn hostile.

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Why go through all this trouble just to fight her? Because if you’ve followed the quest and you sever her right arm during this final fight, you get the Peacekeeper.

Is the Peacekeeper Worth It?

Short answer: Yes.

Long answer: The Peacekeeper is arguably the best staff-class weapon in the game. It’s fast, has a great moveset, and the damage scaling is top-tier. If you’re a staff user, this is your endgame. If you ignore Irina or mess up the quest, you miss out on this entirely until your next playthrough.

What Happens if You Give Her the BioMaster?

Giving her the SERU HSS BioMaster doesn't "break" the quest, but it’s less optimal. You can find a second BioMaster easily enough, but it doesn't offer the same immediate benefit (like the Smelter Bot help) that the Negotiator does in the early game. It's a valid choice if you accidentally sold your Negotiators or just can't be bothered to farm the guards, but most veterans stick to the security staff.

The "Bug" and the Aftermath

There’s a weird glitch some players report where, after killing Irina, her body disappears and leaves behind a wig and an exoskeleton. It’s creepy. Her hair might even turn to face you. Just a heads-up so you don't think your save file is haunted.

Actionable Steps for the "Duty-Bound" Quest

  • Step 1: Reach Central Production B and find Irina near the stairs to the Creo World train.
  • Step 2: Kill a security guard to get an MG Negotiator.
  • Step 3: Give the staff to Irina before fighting the Smelter Bots in the recycling area.
  • Step 4: Talk to her in the Resolve Chemical Refinery (she’s leaning against a wall).
  • Step 5: When she reappears in the Material Depot (Central Production B), farm a full set of MG Gorgon Armor and hand it over.
  • Step 6: Meet her in the Executive Forum. Talk to her until she attacks.
  • Step 7: Target her right arm and sever it to claim the Peacekeeper.

Don't overthink the dialogue choices too much. The biggest failure points are either giving her the pipe (which she rejects) or forgetting to farm the Gorgon armor before moving too far into the endgame. Stick to the MG Negotiator early on, and you’ll be set for the best rewards she has to offer.