While Artifacts can be rather useful to have in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, they do come with a variety of side effects, limiting their overpowering nature. In particular, these items are quite radioactive in nature, and must be dealt with as soon as possible.
You can find a list of the best ways to deal with Artifact radiation in the sections below.
How to deal with Artifact radiation in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Short-term solutions
Short term solutions involve the consumption of Vodka (no, really) and Anti-Radiation medication to slowly reduce your chances of radiation poisoning. While these are useful in a pinch, they are not quite as effective – especially later on when you begin to rely more on Artifacts.
Long-term solutions
Using anti-radiation Artifacts
Radaition from Artifacts can be countered by equipping anti-radiation artifacts. This method usually involves finding an item with Radio Protection, and equipping it in your inventory.
Radiation effects can be entirely nullified by using an Artifact with radio protection of comparable strength.
These anti-radiation items can be easily dug up using the Artifact Detector, and are usually found near acid anomalies.
Using gear that offers radiation protection
This method involves equipping Helmets and Suits with radiation protection bonuses. Gaining access to higher tier gear will also improve its chances of radiation protection.
These items can be found bundled within Stashes. Stashes will periodically appear on your in-game map, and are generally worth looking into – for survival reasons as well.
Some gear is also handed over as a part of your mission rewards as well, albeit at a lower rarity.
Additionally, both gear and anti-radiation artifacts can be combined together to increase your overall anti radiation or radio protection effect. For example, combining weak radio protection gear and artifacts will net you medium radiation protection.
