Stalker 2: Best Artifact Detectors and How to Get Them

As a seasoned Stalker, I can confidently say that these detectors have been my lifeline in the Zone. From the humble beginnings of the Echo Detector to the game-changing Veles Detector, each one has played a crucial role in my journey through the radioactive wasteland.

Artifact finders in Stalker 2 are essential for discovering artifacts that remain hidden to Skif until you’re almost close enough to touch. Fortunately, these devices make the hunt easier by allowing you to scan and locate these hard-to-find items. A good detector can significantly speed up your search, making it less aggravating at times—you might even find what you need in under a minute with the right scanner! In this tutorial, we will discuss the top artifact detectors in Stalker 2 and show you how to obtain them.

4. Echo Detector

In the game Stalker 2, the Echo Detector serves as your first tool for finding artifacts. Essentially functioning as a detection device, it works by producing rapid beeping sounds and flashing blue light. The nearer you are to an artifact, the quicker the beeps become and the more often the blue light blinks.

Unlike sophisticated detectors that provide visual or directional hints, the Echo Detector does not indicate movements such as “move left,” “right,” or “straight.” Instead, it’s solely dependent on the strength of the beeping and flashing sounds for guidance.

If the signals become more frequent, you’re on the right path. If they don’t, consider changing direction. This straightforwardness is what makes the Echo Detector so valuable – it’s a basic yet crucial device for locating artifacts in the Zone during the early stages of Stalker 2. So stay alert and take note of the beeps and flashing lights to help navigate your journey.

How to Get the Echo Detector

During the “There and Beyond” primary quest in Stalker 2, you acquire the Echo Detector. If by chance you decide to sell it at some point, don’t worry because many traders carry it; thus, obtaining another one isn’t particularly challenging.

3. HILKA Detector

The HILKA Detector marks a significant leap forward compared to the Echo Detector, providing a significant enhancement in capabilities and reach. This cutting-edge scanning tool can identify artifacts as far as 100 meters away, making it a pivotal development for treasure hunters in Stalker 2, potentially revolutionizing their search.

Approaching an identified object, the HILKA Detector offers exact information by showing the distance in meters, and this number gets smaller as you get closer to your goal. Compared to the fundamental Echo Detector, this numerical assistance greatly simplifies the process of finding artifacts.

For those who primarily enjoy artifact hunting in Stalker 2, it’s wise to always have the HILKA Detector in your left hand as you travel from point A to point B during either main or side quests. The HILKA Detector may pick up a signal from distant artifacts, which the Echo Detector unfortunately cannot do.

How to Get HILKA Detector

In the game Stalker 2, you can obtain the HILKA Detector by finishing the Budmo side mission. This quest becomes available when you arrive at Slag Heap. Misha and Grisha will task you with hiding vodka bottles in three different caches for their friend Panas Shun.

As someone who has spent countless hours exploring abandoned ruins and deciphering cryptic maps, I can confidently say that these hidden stashes are no ordinary finds. They are skillfully concealed near hazardous areas like the poisonous hole zone, nestled amidst piles of concrete blocks, or perched precariously on power transmission pylons – a bird’s nest in the sky. Each stash promises valuable loot and treasures that could make any seasoned adventurer’s heart race with excitement.

As a gamer diving into the world of Stalker 2, if you’re eager to get your hands on the advanced HILKA Detector earlier in the game, make sure to swing by the Power Transmission Pylon stash first. That’s where it’s hidden. Once you’ve secured it, you can swap out the Echo Detector and immediately start reaping the benefits of its enhanced features.

If you miss the stash or prefer another method, you can purchase the HILKA Detector from vendors for about 4,000 Coupons. The Barkeep in Rostok, Hawaiian at Yaniv Station, and Pythagoras at UTC Malachite are all reliable sources for buying the HILKA Detector in Stalker 2.

As an avid artifact hunter, I can’t stress enough how essential it is to upgrade to the HILKA Detector. Whether you discover it hidden away or decide to buy it later, this detector becomes an indispensable tool in your treasure-hunting arsenal.

2. Bear Detector

The Bear Detector provides a more sophisticated and visually intuitive method for finding items in Stalker 2. Unlike the HILKA Detector, which depends on numerical feedback, the Bear Detector uses a circular dial with filling green light bars to indicate proximity to an item as you approach it.

In Stalker 2, the Bear Detector’s green bars light up according to the location of the artifact. For example, if the left section on the dial starts to fill, it means the artifact is on your left side. As you move closer, an increasing number of green bars will light up around the circular dial, eventually forming a complete circle when you are directly above the artifact. This visual guidance makes the Bear Detector very efficient in helping you locate your artifact.

The limitation of the Bear Detector lies in its relatively short detection distance when compared to the HILKA Detector. Yet, its ability to provide clear visual feedback sets it apart, making it exceptionally reliable for identifying artifact positions. As a result, it’s renowned as the top-tier detector within Stalker 2.

How to the Get Bear Detector

In Stalker 2, you’ll first obtain the Bear Detector upon arriving at the Noontider base. To reach there, you need to finish the main quest called “Hot on the Trail.” Once you’ve completed that, Professor Lodchka will offer a side mission titled “A Sign of Hope.” This task involves scaling the Noontiders’ base and deactivating the antenna. Successfully completing this mission rewards you with the Bear Detector in Stalker 2.

In this side mission, you’ll run into a zombie named Zombie Noontider Kvashka. His brother, Khors, requests that you spare his life, even in his mindless, undead condition. If you comply and inform Professor Lodochka upon completing the antenna task, Khors will compensate you with additional Coupons as a reward.

In Stalker 2, if you’d rather bypass the quest, you have two options to obtain a Bear Detector:

1. Veles Detector

In the game Stalker 2, the Veles Detector stands out as the top-tier artifact scanner, boasting unparalleled accuracy and user-friendly design. This device comes equipped with a compact radar screen that actively searches for nearby irregularities and hidden artifacts. The screen pulses and scans its surroundings for any anomalies it encounters. Icons are used to identify these anomalies: a lightning bolt icon signifies an electric anomaly, while a fire symbol alerts you to a fire anomaly and other similar types.

Artifacts are consistently highlighted as red spots on the scanner. The Veles Detector, with its pulsing radar, offers a significantly more precise location of artifacts compared to the Echo, Bear, or HILKA detectors, making it an indispensable asset for artifact seekers in Stalker 2.

If you’ve been delaying artifact hunting or neglecting tasks related to finding artifacts for the Barkeep, then the Veles Detector is your perfect tool for earning effortless income. Moreover, if you’ve missed gathering artifacts during your gameplay, now would be an ideal moment to begin your collection. These valuable items aren’t just worth a pretty penny when sold to vendors, but they also offer buffs that make playing Stalker 2 more fun and rewarding.

In Stalker 2, you can’t acquire the Veles Detector at the beginning or even in the middle of the game. Instead, you’ll have to progress further before you can include this remarkable scanning tool in your inventory.

How to Get Veles Detector

In the game Stalker 2, you’ll earn the Veles Detector as a reward upon finishing the primary quest titled “In Search of Past Glory.” This mission is number 21 out of 35 main quests, providing an idea of how much time you might need to invest to secure the Veles Detector in the game.

Once you’ve accomplished your mission, certain merchants in the Zone will start offering the Veles Detector for sale. In case you accidentally drop it or sell it, you can always buy it back from various vendors. But remember, this option is only accessible after completing the “In Search of Past Glory” quest.

You now have all the essential information about the top detectors in Stalker 2, along with tips on how to acquire them. For additional gameplay insights, we suggest exploring the Wild Island Quiet Trader Location guide, troubleshooting the Hot on the Trail Bug, and addressing the Bunker Not Opening Bug during Just Like the Good Old Days Mission in Stalker 2.

2024-12-05 20:51