Alpha Protocol
50 Achievements
1,000
50-60h
Ask Questions First, Shoot Later
When talking at gunpoint, you never pulled the trigger.
15
How to unlock the Ask Questions First, Shoot Later achievement in Alpha Protocol - Definitive Guide
Also, feel free to read this solution if you haven't finished the story yet as it's major spoiler-free.
First of all, get a manual save before going on a mission. This way, if you screw up killing someone ingame or between a conversation and forgot to save before, you can replay the level and not the entire game until that point.
You can't kill anyone while in conversations (Option "execute" or similar) but instead let them live fot this achievement to pop. This include not ordering someone to kill a guy/girl for you (For example, in the end, you can order some person -it's random, depend on your story choices- to kill a character. Choose the option "WAIT" instead of his/her name). Also, It doesn't matter if the character you're speaking with attacks first and you act in self defense. For example, the guy in the ice cream shop in rome. If you have to kill him because of bad conversation choices, you will have to replay this level.
In the playthrough I got this, I didn't kill any enemy on the missions, but I centainly did stun a lot of enemies with martial arts with CQC or stealth stun, and the achievement did pop without problems.
I did also stun some of the enemies with the tranquilizer rounds from the pistol (NOT BULLETS, ONLY THE ONES WHICH PUTS THE BAD GUYS TO SLEEP), but in the comments Talvalin said he use the tranquilizers from the pistol at the american embassy and it counted as kills. I got the achievement on normal using the tranquilizers, so I don't know if the difficulty affects. I suggest getting it on a easy/normal playthrough so you can stun enemies with CQC moves and keep the use of the pistol as low as you can. Don't try it on hard.
The cheevo will pop up at the end of the game.
PS: Thanks to the guys who commented on this solution. Because of them I was able to think my solution wasn't as good as it could be. I was planning back in the days I wrote this to be a simple solution. Maybe it was simple, but not explained enough.
PS2: If you think this solution could be better, say it in the comments so I can improve it. Thanks again.
This achievement is the exact opposite of Judge, Jury, and Executioner. For this achievement, whenever you're given the chance to kill someone, you cannot. It's not a complex achievement to get, but you can screw yourself over very easily.
The characters in the game you have the option of killing, but must spare is as follows. Also, which responses work best with each person in order for them to like you for Thorton Inc..
Saudi Arabia:
Omar Nasiri: Extort works best. Unknown if Arrest will void achievement.
Favored Stance: None. Nothing will change his disposition of you much, just be sure keep him alive.
Ali Shaheed: Must be spared, never execute him when given the chance.
Favored Stance: Professional. You need to convince him that you are not in league with Halbech for his trust.
Moscow:
Grigori: Can't be killed. Try to get liked for Thorton Inc.
Favored Stance: Suave. Also, sending him the weapon shipments during "Investigate Weapon Shipments" will earn a like point with him.
Sis: Must be spared during the mission "Assault Lazo's Yacht and Retrieve Data".
Favored Stance: None. None of what you say really matters to her, as very rarely will she care. Should you get the mission "Contact Albatross", you will be able to use the "Locket" response. It isn't necessary in any way, but increases your rep with Sis, but lowers Albatross' rep by one.
Albatross: Depends on who you choose as your handler for the mission "Intercept Surkov at US Embassy. Must choose them over the data in the following mission, "Assault Brayko's Mansion".
Favored Stance: Professional and Veteran, when available. Albatross doesn't like being threatened or having his time wasted, so stay Professional with him to get on his good side. Also, sparing Sis on the "Assault Lazo's Yacht and Retrieve Data" mission will earn a lot of like points with him.
SIE: Depends on who you choose as your handler for the mission "Intercept Surkov at US Embassy. Must choose them over the data in the following mission, "Assault Brayko's Mansion".
Favored Stance: Aggressive. See Savage Love for more info.
Konstantin Brayko: Must be spared.
Favored Stance: None. He doesn't care about Suave or Aggressive responses. Doesn't like several Professional responses.
Surkov: Must fulfill the requirements listed in Price For Lying. Then, you will have the chance to spare him by making a deal.
Rome:
Jibril Al-Bara: When given the choice to kill or spare, spare him and abandon the mission. Unknown if killing him voids achievement.
Gelato Shopkeeper: Unknown if necessary for achievement, should spare to be safe. To be sure you don't kill him, follow the mission guide HERE.
Conrad Marburg: Stay Professional with him the whole way through. See Respected Enemies for more info. It is unknown if you need to turn him at the end of the game. To do so, you need around to get around 83% dossier info on him. When you meet him during the final mission, choose the "Dossier" response.
Taipei:
Hong Shi: Can't be killed. Try to get liked for Thorton Inc..
Favored Stance: Professional. If you collect all of the extra data during "Assault Triad Headquarters in Slums", do not blackmail him. Simply keep your end of the bargain.
Steven Heck: Can't be killed. Try to get liked for Thorton Inc..
Favored Stance: Suave. Going Suave, you make him like you very quickly. Also, deleting his data during the mission "Retrieve NSB Data from Grand Hotel" is a huge factor in gaining his trust.
Ronald Sung: Does not matter if you choose over Riot data or not.
Favored Stance: Professional.
Omen Deng: Must spare after boss fight.
Favored Stance: Professional
Finale:
Alan Parker: Unknown if turning him is necessary for achievement. To do so, choose to talk to him during final mission. Once there, use Professional responses and when given the chance, use the "Analysis Flawed" response. Response only available if you've done at least one of the requirements(spare Shaheed, deal with Surkov, reveal Marburg's attempt on Madison, spare Omen Deng).
Favored Stance: Professional. Certain Aggressive answers in which you are blunt with him will also net approval.
Scarlet Lake: Possible to kill and still get achievement. To be safe, don't. See Exclusive Interview.
Favored Stance: Professional. Occasionally, Suave.
Mina Tang: Possible to kill and still get achievement. To be safe, don't. See Office Romance.
Favored Stance: Favored Stance: Professional to start, Suave after a while.
Yancy Westridge: Encountered in every ending other than Crime Buster. If fought, spare him afterwords.
Favored Stance: Professional, Aggressive.
Henry Leland: Encountered in all endings. Be sure to spare, no matter what.
Favored Stance: Professional, Suave(only when you can "Bluff" him, otherwise he'll dislike)
If you have spared everyone, the achievement will unlock upon finishing the game.
You will probably get this trophy on the same playthrough as Thorton, Inc., but unlike that trophy you don't have to get them to like you. During dialogue choices, never use options such as "Execute" or "Shoot", always choose the non-violent paths. This trophy will pop at the end of the game when you spare the final boss.