Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl can be a very challenging experience for the uninitiated, and many will be struggling quite a bit to survive in the early game. The combat of the action-adventure is pretty unforgiving and you will need to use everything in your arsenal to have an easier time progressing through the quests.
So if you are struggling to survive here are a few tips and tricks that will help you get started.
Stalker 2 beginner’s guide to survival
Here are a few tips and tricks that will help you have an easier during the early stages of Stalker 2:
1) Use the environment to your advantage
Sneaking around will let you have a much easier time surviving in the Zone. While it’s a shooter, Stalker 2 is nothing like a Call of Duty title. Approaching an enemy needs tact and you should only go in for an encounter when you are absolutely sure that you are going to win.
When you are exploring out in the open it’s very easy to get swarmed by a mob of enemies. Various factions out there are gunning for you, so you will need to be very careful about how you go about exploration.
It’s best to stick to the shadows and play like a rat, constantly foraging for resources during the initial stages.
2) Use the “Unload Gun” trick to get extra ammo
This is a tip that helps with inventory management more than anything else. When you are picking up weapons it’s very likely that you will come across duplicates. However, with how much space weapons take up in your inventory, you will not have the space to slot in one more of the same type.
One net trick that you can pull off here is to equip the duplicate you just found and unload the gun on the ground, right in front of you. Now look at the bullets and grab them all. This will let you gain access to extra ammo while exploring the Zone.
3) “Save Scumming” is not a sin
When you are out exploring outside the safe zone, make sure that you are saving often in Stalker 2. Especially, before an encounter save once, so even if you misplay and get killed, you will not have to backtrack the progression that you have made till that point.
Saving also opens up more ways of approaching a fight in the game. You will have the freedom to experiment with the environment and try out new ways of taking out an enemy.
It will also let you be a bit bold with exploration and you can venture off to unknown territories of the Zone as long as you are saving every 2 minutes.
4) Make sure to explore every part of the map
Scouring for supplies will be a big part of progression in Stalker 2. The environment of the game is made in such a way that it rewards the curious. So make sure that you are exploring every part of the map and looking for things to pick up before you dive headfirst into the next main mission.
You do not want to run out of supplies ever in this game, so make sure to check every bottle and every nook and cranny of establishments you visit during your time in the Zone.
Additionally, Stalker 2 has a lot of jumpscares around almost every corner. So don’t forget to save before going to new places to explore.
5) Get familiar with all the survival mechanics
Getting familiar with all the survival mechanics will let you have a much easier time with exploration. Knowing all the enemy types and what they do along with the amount of damage that each weapon is capable will help you understand which encounters you should be taking and which ones you shouldn’t.
Apart from this, you will need to be aware of the other bars on your HUD as well. Especially, mechanics and thirst are the two most important things that you will need to be aware of during exploration.
Moreover, make sure to not spend too much time in radiation pockets. One rookie mistake that players often do is to go gung-ho in unknown areas. Spending too much time in radiation will cause bleeding so try and keep an eye on all of the survival meters when you are in the Zone.
