S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl Guide – All Anomalies, Arch Anomalies, And Anomalous Areas

As a seasoned Stalker, treading through the forsaken lands of the Exclusion Zone has become my second nature. The heart-wrenching tales of mutated creatures and treacherous anomalies have been etched into my memory as vividly as the scars on my weathered hands. Now, with the imminent arrival of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, I can hardly contain my excitement to revisit these familiar yet ever-changing landscapes.

In the game STALKER 2, anomalies serve as common features within The Zone. These dangerous spots are strategically placed all over the map. While there are four main categories of anomalies, each with unique characteristics, there are numerous sub-types that exhibit distinct behaviors. Navigating these environmental threats requires caution for Stalkers to secure the valuable Artifacts hidden within. The abilities of these Artifacts often align with the element of the anomaly they originate from, providing additional defense options for you in future confrontations as you gather Artifacts to sell for coveted coupons, used to acquire valuable items.

This STALKER 2 guide is a list of all Anomalies, Arch Anomalies, Anomalous Areas, their behaviors, and how best to contend with them.

Detect And Deal With Anomalies

In simpler terms, you can spot oddities using any of the four Detectors available worldwide. The initial Echo Detector is powerful enough to find anomalies, but other detectors might provide a wider range or present data differently. As you get closer to an anomaly, the detector will start beeping quickly, and you’ll receive clear visual or auditory confirmation before the detector reaches its maximum frequency.

Stalkers always keep an abundant stockpile of Bolt ammunition ready, which you can throw at an Aberration to trigger it. Take advantage of any moments of calm to study their actions, and subsequently move cautiously among them for safety.

Despite occasional brief interruptions or close groupings, some Anomalies have small downtimes. In such cases, certain Items (referred to as Artifacts) prove useful, as they can reduce the damaging effects of specific Anomalies. These Items need an empty space in your Armor, with certain versions offering up to five slots for usage. However, these Items carry a potential risk of radiation exposure. This hazard can be reduced by employing other neutralizing Items (also referred to as Artifacts) and a special container (pouch).

Instead of using regular armor for battle, it might be beneficial to keep a separate set of hazard-resistant armor solely for dealing with environmental anomalies. These armors offer minimal protection in combat but excel at shielding you from harmful environments. By doing this, you can prevent your primary combat gear from suffering excessive damage and high repair costs due to Anomaly damage.

Thermal Anomalies

Any Thermal Anomalies can be addressed effectively by using equipment and artifacts that offer a sufficient level of Thermal Defense.

Burner

As you get near, a sudden burst of fire springs up from heated spots on the ground, gradually depleting your health. These fiery eruptions are clearly visible during both day and night, allowing for easy avoidance.

Comets

In another form similar to the Burner, the Comet seems to transform into a blazing trail following your movements once its initial burst of flame emerges. To evade it, just keep running faster than it can chase.

Electrical Anomalies

All electrical Anomalies can be countered by having gear and Artifacts with sufficiently high Electrical Protection.

Electro

These static field anomalies are an electric counterpart to Burners, and can be temporarily discharged by tossing a Bolt at them. Highly visible in both the day and the night, so do your best to simply sidestep them when encountered singly. If you have no choice but to cross it, time its discharge/charge cycle before sprinting through.

Tesla/Electro Orb

Initially, the first Electro Orbs have a predetermined path and cannot track you. However, further ones are intelligent and will follow your movements within their line of sight, similar to thermal Comets. You can outrun them but it’s best to use stealth when they appear in narrow spaces to avoid them altogether.

Flashbang

It seems these unexpected issues are designed to catch you off balance. They seem to materialize out of nowhere, making them hard to dodge, yet they can be eluded if you’re swift. Your reaction speed matters here: spotting it is crucial, because once detected, you have only a fraction of a second to flee before the blast happens. The farther your distance from the blast site, the less damage you’ll sustain. The only foolproof way to avoid health loss is by using armor and artifact mitigation.

Chemical Anomalies

Any unusual occurrences related to chemicals or radiation can effectively be addressed by possessing equipment and artifacts that offer sufficient protection against such substances.

Fruit Punch

Glowing neon pools filled with harmful green sludge named Fruit Punch are definitely not safe to drink. Standing near them for extended periods could result in toxic burns, so traversing clustered areas requires protective gear such as chemical- and radioactive-resistant armor and items.

Gas Cloud

The Stationary Green Mist, visibly similar to fog, inflicts chemical harm upon activation. Repeatedly striking it with Bolt attacks may cause it to release its harmful chemicals prematurely.

Giant Gas Bubble

Floating prominently as a large, see-through orb in the Swamps region, the Giant Gas Bubble is a well-known fixture. As it hovers, it distorts the surroundings with its continuous movement. Upon your approach, the bubble starts following you. It’s advisable to engage it first by firing Bolts, causing it to burst into smaller bubbles. However, make sure to do this off your intended path, as these smaller bubbles are toxic until they disperse.

Gravitational Anomalies

Springboard

During the day, these gravitational irregularities would be hard to spot without the leaves spinning in mid-air indicating their presence. At night, they’re completely unseen. These Springboards, acting like a force field pushing you back, significantly lower your health if not properly shielded. Although Bolts can momentarily disrupt them, it’s best to avoid Springboards altogether.

Whirligig

Instead of the Springboard Anomaly, there’s the Whirligig – it’s nearly invisible but acts like a mini tornado. You can hear a whoosh of air when it’s activated. The Whirligig will capture you momentarily and inflicts considerable harm if you don’t move fast enough to run away from it. If you need to pass through, use a Bolt to detonate it.

Vortex

Among gravitational abnormalities, the Vortex is similar to an amplified whirlpool, just as elusive but significantly more dangerous. Much like the whirlpool, the Vortex should be avoided entirely, for even a momentary reprieve from hurling a Bolt at it doesn’t ensure safe passage.

Glass Shards

The Glass Shards anomaly resembles a modified Springboard but instead of leaves, it consists of fragments of sharp glass hovering in mid-air. In the dark, it may not be visible, but you’ll certainly hear its faint ringing sound. This anomaly will only inflict bleeding damage if you run through it at full speed; however, crouching or walking slowly will prevent any tick damage altogether. Bolt actions seem to have no impact on this anomaly, yet they serve as an effective bullet-proof shield, being transparent while absorbing projectiles completely.

Arch Anomalies

In this game, you’ll come across six distinctive and individually labeled anomalies or unusual zones within the playing area. These areas offer unique artifacts, which are prefixed with ‘Weird,’ and each one is rare and singular, providing both beneficial effects (buffs) and detrimental ones (debuffs).

Bulba

Bulba is stationary yet exhibits characteristics of both a Vortex and a Giant Gas Bubble, exerting a strong gravitational pull. The force of this pull can inflict physical harm, with direct contact being immediately lethal. To evade its grasp, move by crouching towards cover first, then swiftly run away in the opposite direction.

Found in a small lake to the east of Zalissya, in the Lesser Zone.

Poppy Field

As I stepped into this picturesque poppy field, little did I know it was more than meets the eye. It’s a dangerous zone, disguised by its stunning beauty. Hanging out here for too long will make me feel increasingly drowsy, eventually leading to an eternal slumber. The only antidote? Energy drinks, conveniently stashed in an abandoned fuel truck outside the area. I better grab them quickly before it’s too late!

Found on the north-western edge of the Lesser Zone along the river. Visible on the map.

Mist

Step into the fog shrouding this Mysterious Zone to start this riddle. You won’t be able to leave here until it’s completely resolved.

Found surrounding an abandoned house in the south-western corner of the Burnt Forest region.

Tornado

From my gaming perspective, I come across a monstrous spinning vortex, a colossal Arch Anomaly, that’s clearly visible from a distance. Getting too close will send me flying. My strategy is to keep to the edges as I navigate through the structures in this area, aiming to reach the heart of this whirlwind.

Found just past Yaniv Station in the north-western corner of the Yaniv region.

Fire Whirl

This highly visible Arch Anomaly is a bright orange twister of fire trapped inside of a cooling tower bathed in red. The fire tornado pulses and causes burning tick damage when in proximity. Ascend the scaffolding to get to the Artifact. It will be necessary to stop and start, as the pulse heats parts of the scaffolding making it untraversable until it cools down again.

Found in the north-eastern cooling tower of the Cooling Towers region. Visible on the map.

Wandering Lights

In simple terms, this unusual location becomes active exclusively during the night, manifesting as a glowing expanse of neon green misty orbs. Once you step into the real location itself, everything around transforms into utter darkness, with only the orbs themselves remaining visible. This experience also triggers non-fatal hallucinations.

Found in a clearing in the north-east of the Zaton region, but only triggers at night.

In S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl, you can find all the standard Anomalies as well as the exclusive Arch Anomalies.

2024-11-27 18:12