How to Save Rubin in Pathologic 3 (Fugitive Thought Guide)
Learn how to save Rubin from an angry mob in Pathologic 3’s Fugitive Thought quest. This complete walkthrough covers riot survival tips, combat strategies, and key choices for Day 3.
One of the coolest things about Pathologic 3 is how it lets you mess with the timeline and fix past mistakes. And trust me, saving Rubin on Day 3 is definitely one of those “should’ve done this differently” moments.
Here’s the deal: Rubin was the last person to see Simon Kain alive, which makes him your only real lead for finding Simon’s body—literally the whole reason you’re stuck in this nightmare town. But if you don’t intervene during the Day 3 riot, an angry mob takes him out, and your investigation hits a brick wall before it even starts.
So yeah, saving Rubin? Pretty important. Here’s exactly how to pull it off.
Finding Rubin During the Day 3 Riot
Rubin’s holed up somewhere in the Warehouses district on Day 3, and it’s an absolute warzone. This is probably your first taste of what a full-blown riot looks like in the game, so let’s talk survival basics first.
Surviving Rioting Districts: What You Need to Know
Riots are chaotic, dangerous, and honestly kind of terrifying the first time you experience one. Here’s what you’re dealing with:
- Rioters are hostile on sight. There’s no reasoning with them, no dialogue options—they see you, they attack. Period.
- Threatening with your gun works… temporarily. Aim your weapon at rioters to make them back off. Just don’t actually shoot them unless you absolutely have to—Daniil takes a psychological hit from killing people, and bullets are stupidly rare in this game. You’ll actually need at least one bullet for this quest specifically.
- Fire a warning shot to scatter crowds. If you’re surrounded and panicking, shooting into the air will threaten everyone around you at once. Way more efficient than aiming at individuals. Just make sure your gun is actually loaded—if they realize it’s empty, they’ll call your bluff and keep coming.
- Sprint toward your objective. The secret to riots? Don’t fight everyone. Run around as many rioters as possible and only threaten the ones blocking your direct path. Speed is survival here.
Pro tip: If you’ve got healing items to spare, consider boosting your Mania stat while navigating riots. Higher Mania = faster movement speed, which means you can dart past threats before they even react. (Check out our Pathologic 3 beginner’s guide for more stat management tips!)
The Confrontation at the Boiler Room
Once you’ve fought your way through the chaos, head to the disused boiler room at the southern end of the Warehouses district. Use your map or tap into Concentration Mode if you need help finding it—those landmarks are lifesavers in this game.
When you arrive, you’ll find two bandits posted up outside the door, and they’re not interested in having a friendly chat.
Dealing With the Bandits
Here’s where things get messy. These guys aren’t like regular rioters—they won’t stay intimidated forever. You can aim your gun to make them pause, but they’ll eventually call your bluff and come at you again.
You’re going to have to kill one of them. I know, not ideal, but there’s no way around it.
- One clean headshot will drop the first bandit instantly.
- The second bandit will immediately surrender once his buddy goes down.
Make your shot count—ammo conservation is critical in Pathologic 3, and you don’t want to waste bullets here. (Need more resources? Our Prototype refill guide and Amalgam farming guide can help you stay stocked up.)
Talking to Rubin
After you’ve handled the bandits, interact with the door to speak with Rubin. He’s understandably paranoid and won’t actually let you inside—instead, he’ll tell you to come back another day.
It’s a frustratingly brief conversation after everything you just went through, but hey, at least he’s alive. That’s what matters. You’ve secured your lead on Simon Kain’s body, and Rubin will become accessible for questioning later in the story.
Why This Quest Matters
Saving Rubin isn’t just about keeping one character alive—it’s about preserving your only real connection to the central mystery of the game. Without him, you’re basically fumbling in the dark trying to piece together what happened to Simon Kain.
Plus, this quest introduces you to some core mechanics you’ll need throughout the game: riot navigation, threat management, resource conservation, and making tough calls under pressure. Consider it brutal tutorial content disguised as a story mission.
If you’re looking for more help with diagnoses and patient care, check out our Herb Bride diagnosis guide—you’ll need those skills too.
Platform Availability
You can grab Pathologic 3 on:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I save Rubin without killing anyone?
Unfortunately, no. The two bandits guarding the boiler room door won’t back down permanently through intimidation alone. You’ll have to take out one of them to save Rubin the second will surrender immediately after.
What happens if I don’t save Rubin on Day 3?
If you let the riot play out without intervening, Rubin dies, and you lose your primary lead on Simon Kain’s body. This makes your investigation significantly harder and can lock you out of certain story paths and information.
How many bullets do I need for this quest?
You need at least one bullet to take down the first bandit. It’s possible to use more if you miss or want to fire warning shots during the riot, but conserving ammo is crucial—try to make that single headshot count.
Should I boost my Mania stat before entering the Warehouses district?
If you have healing supplies and are struggling with the riot, yes! Higher Mania increases your movement speed, letting you sprint past rioters more effectively. Just be mindful of the stat’s other effects and make sure you can manage the consequences.
