Shift At Midnight Norbert Guide: Should You Shoot or Spare the Gnome?

Surviving the late-night shifts in Bun Muen’s retail horror game requires quick reflexes and a sharp eye for anomalies. One of the most perplexing encounters you will face is with the strange entity known as Shift At Midnight Norbert. If you want to keep your store running smoothly, understanding how to manage Shift At Midnight Norbert is crucial for maintaining your shop's rating.

This guide will break down Norbert's behavior, analyze the consequences of your choices, and explain how to deal with his frustrating pranks. Whether you are playing solo or in online co-op, here is everything you need to know about this mysterious customer.

What is Shift at Midnight?

Before diving into the specifics of Norbert, it is helpful to understand the environment you are working in. Developed by Bun Muen and published by Kwalee, this multiplayer horror game tasks players with managing a convenience store during the dead of night.

Your primary goal is to check IDs, identify doppelgangers, and keep the shop running efficiently. The game features 10 achievements to unlock and multiple endings based on your performance and how you handle anomalies.

Who is Norbert the Gnome?

When you first encounter Shift At Midnight Norbert, he might seem like a harmless, albeit unusual, customer. However, he is officially classified as a doppelganger.

During your shift, he will hand over an ID for you to scan. The store's security system will quickly flag him, displaying a "Fake ID. Scan Unsuccessful" message. After your shift ends, you will also see him listed as a doppelganger on your final customer report.

Norbert's behavior is distinct from standard customers. Instead of checking out normally, he wanders the aisles for a long time. Eventually, he will walk behind the employee counter, pretend to work there, and even ask if you need help scanning your items.

The Dilemma: Should You Shoot or Spare Norbert?

Deciding whether to shoot Shift At Midnight Norbert is one of the most critical choices you will make during your shift. Because he is a confirmed doppelganger, your immediate instinct might be to pull out your gun and shoot him. However, doing so triggers a series of retaliatory events that can make your job much harder.

Community reports and player experiences suggest that leaving Norbert alone is the best path. If you shoot him, he does not disappear permanently. Instead, he returns during future shifts to pull dangerous pranks that can ruin your shop's rating and block you from getting the best endings.

Norbert's Retaliation: The Prank Cycle

If you make the mistake of pulling the trigger, Shift At Midnight Norbert will escalate his behavior. He will return every few days, introducing new hazards to your storefront.

The poisoned lemonade stand is particularly dangerous. If you drink from it, you will lose a massive portion of your HP.

If you have already shot Norbert and triggered this cycle, you are not entirely helpless. You can shoot him again when he returns. While he may return once more after the second shooting, you can continue to defend yourself and take him down as needed.

Spotting Norbert with the Anomaly Lens

This is where the Anomaly Lens becomes essential for tracking Shift At Midnight Norbert when he tries to blend in. When Norbert disguises himself as a regular customer, he can easily fool players who are only looking at IDs.

By viewing the suspect through the Anomaly Lens, you can instantly reveal his true identity. This tool allows you to identify him before he can set up his poisoned lemonade stand or disrupt your counter operations. Properly managing Shift At Midnight Norbert is key to securing the best ending for your storefront and completing all 10 in-game achievements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you shoot Shift At Midnight Norbert in the game?

If you shoot Norbert, he will return during future shifts to prank and annoy you. His pranks include riding a bicycle through the store, parking a car outside, disguising himself as a customer, and setting up a poisoned lemonade stand that drains your HP.

When does Norbert first appear in Shift at Midnight?

Norbert first appears during your third shift. After this initial encounter, his subsequent visits to the convenience store occur at random intervals.

How do you detect Norbert when he is disguised as a normal customer?

You can detect a disguised Norbert by looking at him through the Anomaly Lens. This tool will reveal his true identity even if he looks like a regular shopper.

Can you shoot Norbert again if he returns to prank you?

Yes. If you have already shot Norbert and he returns to pull pranks, you can shoot him again. He may return one more time after that, but you can continue to shoot him to defend your shop.

Sources

• Shift at Midnight: What to Do With Norbert the Gnome?