STALKER 2: 10 Best Weapons & How To Get Them

Alright, mate, let me tell ya ’bout me favorites from Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Been trekkin’ these radioactive wastelands for a while now, and I’ve found myself a few gems.

In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, weapons play a crucial role in your adventure, serving as the primary method for enhancing your character’s status throughout the game. The game presents a challenging experience, requiring you to effectively manage your resources, Coupons, and weapons to maintain them in optimal condition as you explore the Zone. Unlike many games, you won’t earn XP; instead, you’ll need to acquire better equipment to level up, rather than developing skills through a tree or improving stats gradually over time.

In Stalker 2, consider enhancing your weapons for optimal performance. Many weapons come with upgrades that minimize wear-and-tear, reducing the need for frequent repairs. Also, be aware that unique weapons are usually variants of common ones, equipped with permanent enhancements. However, these additional features may not always justify the extra cost of maintaining and repairing the weapon.

10. Viper-5

Best Early Game Weapon

At the start of the game, you’ll encounter multiple iterations of the Viper-5. This weapon is relatively easy to enhance and fix, and there are several accessories in Hamster’s store that can be added to the Viper-5, one of which provides a laser sight. It’s a reliable weapon that I found myself using frequently even through the mid-game. You can save Gloomy in “Stalker 2” with one, but unique versions can be discovered early as well, such as one hidden in a Journalist’s Stash within the Lesser Zone.

In the Journalist’s Stash is a Viper-5 Monolith, which has varying reports concerning whether or not it is better than a regular one. I personally saw no evidence to say that it was, but if you haven’t upgraded a basic one, you might as well use the fancier one.

Shah’s Mate Stats
Damage 1.3
Penetration 1.1
Rate of Fire 4.93
Range 1.25
Accuracy 3

In contrast, it’s highly probable that the optimal version of the Viper 5 is known as “Shah’s Mate”. This item can be discovered within the Garbage during the “No Honor Among Thieves” mission, specifically in a hidden cache. However, displaying it openly near a city under Brood control is not advisable. Yet, if you manage to avoid such areas, this weapon proves to be quite effective.

9. Drowned (AKM-74S)

Collection Of Good Options With Varying Abilities

As a movie-loving gamer, I’ve come across another firearm in this game that’s worth mentioning – the AKM-74S. You’ll find this bad boy quite early on, and there are several variations of it scattered throughout the game. However, the one that has caught the community’s attention is the Drowned variant. This beauty can be found just outside Slag Heap, casually lying on the ground, waiting to be claimed. Just make sure to tell its owner you’re keeping it, or you can choose to dismiss them or get rid of them if you prefer. But once you pick it up, I guarantee you won’t want to let go!

Drowned Stats
Damage 1.4
Penetration 1.1
Rate of Fire 4.9
Range 1.9
Accuracy 2.6

It does cost a fair chunk of Coupons to make it usable, or sellable, but this may be well worth it to you. It is also quite heavy, although upgrades can make this easier to deal with. Another option, particularly if you have sided with the Ward at this point, is the Combatant, which will be given to you by the Colonel if you have helped the Ward up to this point.

8. SVDM-2

An Early Sniper Rifle From Leshy

In some situations, long-range firearms such as a sniper rifle can prove beneficial before entering a potentially hostile zone. This is especially true if ammunition supplies are low. Not only does it allow for reconnaissance, but it also enables the takedown of larger adversaries from a safe distance. Early in the game, you can acquire one from a bandit named Leshy who resides in a nearby building. However, when found, the sniper rifle will be damaged. Yet, having access to such an early acquisition is advantageous; simply store it away in your personal stash for future use.

This item requires 12,500 Coupons for repair, and while it might not be as powerful as some of the high-end weapons you’d encounter later in the game, having it repaired and fully upgraded early gives you an advantage because you’ll likely have this one long before finding another one. In my opinion, that makes it a worthwhile investment.

SVDM-2 Stats
Damage 3.5
Penetration 2.1
Rate of Fire 4.9
Range 2.5
Accuracy 5

In the course of the game, you’ll come across a distinctive version called the Lynx towards your exploration on Wild Island, specifically during the mission titled “Hot Pursuit”.

7. Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S

Different Variant, Better Stats

You’ll discover this weapon tucked away in an initial side quest upon arriving at Zalissya. It’s one of the top choices to aid you during the mid-game. I rarely remove it from my inventory unless it’s damaged or I want to try something different. It possesses the same force as other AKM-74S models, but it’s significantly lighter at 2.65 kg. Plus, it already has a Scope installed, making precision strikes against human targets quite straightforward.

Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S Stats
Damage 3.5
Penetration 2.1
Rate of Fire 4.9
Range 2.5
Accuracy 5

In my opinion, it seems incredibly powerful even with its initial introduction and basic design. Activate the quest “Warlock’s Debtor” to acquire this gun, which will be in pristine condition upon receiving it. Obtaining this weapon early on can significantly boost your confidence, enabling you to more effectively tackle enemies such as Leshy, especially when they too are armed with long-range weapons.

6. Skif’s Pistol

No Really, It Is Good

In your adventure, the initial firearm you’ll receive and the one that will endure throughout the tutorial, this handgun, proves to be a valuable asset for an extended period. At the onset of the game, whenever I stumbled upon another handgun, I found myself with no compelling reason to keep it instead of this one. Once fully upgraded, it packs quite a punch and is surprisingly durable, making repairs relatively inexpensive.

In my humble opinion, one aspect of Stalker 2 that sets it apart from many other games is its early game repair costs. Now, I’ve played a fair share of titles, and let me tell you, these upfront expenditures aren’t usually something to shout about. But Stalker 2, surprisingly, makes it worthwhile. So, if you’re considering diving into this game, be prepared for an early investment that could pay off handsomely later in the adventure.

Skif’s Pistol Stats
Damage 1.6
Penetration 1.1
Rate of Fire 4.92
Range 0.55
Accuracy 3.3

It’s crucial to have a reliable, affordable weapon that can be upgraded and maintained. This weapon is particularly useful when others are damaged or out of ammunition. Although superior pistols may appear later in the game, it’s beneficial to hold onto this one as a backup until then.

5. AR416

Different Assault Rifles To Save Ammo

In comparison to the AKM-74S, the AR416 has a slightly lower power output, but it employs distinct ammunition. This feature enables you to maintain an independent ammo supply while still possessing a variant of the same weapon type. I find this model more practical for dealing with mutations, and it proves beneficial in intense encounters involving multiple factions. The AR416 excels particularly well in crowd control situations, surpassing the AKM-74S in such instances.

AR416 Stats
Damage 0.85
Penetration 1.1
Rate of Fire 4.97
Range 1.9
Accuracy 3.6

In the realm of Stalker 2’s Poppy Fields, I chose to barter the religious artifact with Pomor rather than retrieving it. This decision rewarded me with a slightly enhanced variant of the weapon, the Unknown Stalker’s AR416.

The data, nevertheless, does not show a substantial difference that would necessitate altering the quantity of Coupons for the repair. If budget is not an issue and you’re willing to part with the icon, it could lead to some enhancements compared to the original model.

4. Fora-221

Great Assault Rifle With Low Power

Here’s how you could rephrase that:

Maintaining it in top shape is crucial because you wouldn’t want your tools to malfunction, especially when it matters the most.

Fora-221 Stats
Damage 0.9
Penetration 2.1
Rate of Fire 4.98
Range 1.9
Accuracy 3

This particular Assault Rifle isn’t as hefty as some of its counterparts, and you often come across it as a loot from Ward Soldiers. By the time I had barely stepped out of the Lesser Zone, I already had one in my possession.

3. Rhino

The Better Pistol To Replace Yours

In simpler terms, the Rhino gun will minimize Skif’s Pistol’s impact. You can find this powerful weapon in Yaniv Journalist’s Hidden Cache. It boasts impressive statistics and is categorized as a hunting weapon, making it an ideal candidate for a mutation weapon.

Apart from the lack of a muzzle feature that could potentially cause noise-related issues, this tool seems highly effective against adversaries.

Rhino Stats
Damage 5
Penetration 3
Rate of Fire 3.6
Range 1.9
Accuracy 4.1

Maintaining it might require some financial investment, but it’s definitely a wise decision. By fixing your weapons before they reach the yellow stage, you’ll end up spending significantly less on future repairs.

2. M701 Super

Late-Game Sniper Rifle

As you progress deeper into the game, you’ll find that there are more types of Sniper Rifles to choose from. However, the M701 Super is an excellent choice. You can buy this rifle from Wreck at Yaniv Station, and it’s also fairly common to come across it in various locations.

It has the highest damage possible and the bolt-action nature of it makes it feel pretty good.

M701 Stats
Damage 5
Penetration 3
Rate of Fire 0.6
Range 3.1
Accuracy 5

In other words, whether or not a sniper rifle is essential depends on your gaming style. If you prefer long-distance battles, then having a sniper rifle could be beneficial, especially as you progress towards the game’s climax.

1. Ram-2

Best Shotgun To Keep Mutations Away

You’ll find another potent weapon for tackling tough enemies at Yaniv Station’s Wreck shop. This weapon, although not the cheapest with a cost of 27550 Coupons, is highly effective against tanky foes. It also utilizes an uncommon caliber, making ammo accumulation easier. There’s even a unique version called the Texan, which can be discovered in the same location.

Ram-2 Stats
Damage 5
Penetration 3
Rate of Fire 4.9
Range 1.3
Accuracy 2.4

This option isn’t as bulky as others, and its stats are almost maxed out. It boasts an exceptionally quick firing rate compared to other shotguns, with a magazine capacity of 14 rounds. It’s highly respected among players, so you might find it the top weapon in Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl. Give it a whirl and see if you agree!

Read More

2024-12-03 18:07