Stalker 2: tips and tricks to survive in The Zone

This level can’t be understated. Saving in Stalker 2 ought to turn out to be a reflex after doing nearly something. If you make it to a city, save. After you handle your stock and are about to return out into hazard, save. If you hear a close-by confrontation you need to examine, save. After you survive a gunfight, save. This isn’t simply because demise comes so quick and you possibly can find yourself shedding fairly a little bit of progress, but additionally as a result of Stalker 2 is a bit buggy, and backing up your save may find yourself saving your playthrough.

Stalker 2 will auto-save from time to time, however it does so very sparingly and shouldn’t be relied upon. Instead, we recommend rotating at three to 5 save recordsdata at minimal.

Inventory administration goes to take up a ton of time and consideration. You have a restricted stock, each in phrases of measurement and weight, and there’s not a lot you are able to do about it besides be taught higher methods to maximize your house. Trying to carry greater than two major weapons will find yourself pushing you over the load restrict very quick if you’d like to deliver alongside sufficient therapeutic gadgets, meals, drinks, and ammo for every of your weapons. Plus, you want to all the time strive and save house for beneficial loot you choose up on the way in which.

Sticking with simply two weapons enables you to focus what ammo you deliver and which weapons you need to make investments your restricted money on upgrading and sustaining. Repairing your gear’s sturdiness prices a ton of coupons, and letting them degrade will lead to them jamming throughout a battle.

Radiation is in all places in Stalker 2. There’s no method to totally keep away from it, particularly since some cities even expose you to low ranges of it always. You can face up to a little bit of radiation earlier than it turns into an issue, however it received’t dissipate by itself and finally will begin draining your well being or outright killing you. There are particular radiation medicines to clear it up, however these are uncommon and costly. A extra affordable method to remedy your radiation is thru beer and vodka. For no matter purpose, getting your buzz on will decrease your radiation ranges fairly a bit, although will make you hungry.

Canned meals, sausages, and even bread in a pinch are value including to your stock earlier than a visit. Going hungry will gradual you down and probably even give your place away in case your abdomen growls too loud. Food additionally has a really minor therapeutic impact as an added bonus.

Unless you pause the sport, Stalker 2 is all the time operating. Never open your map, test your stock, or loot an enemy until you’re sure it’s protected as a result of the sport isn’t paused when any of those menus are open. Even utilizing your quick-select wheel solely slows the sport down. If you want to do any stock administration, save, but additionally strive and discover some shelter so no animals, storms, or bandits occur upon you whilst you’re busy.

Just since you see an enemy doesn’t imply you want to battle. In truth, avoiding fights or utilizing stealth is usually the higher choice. At greatest, a firefight goes to value you a ton of ammo and therapeutic gadgets. At worst, properly, you die. Even when you do win, enemy bandits aren’t going to be holding all that a lot beneficial loot in most circumstances so you’ll in all probability find yourself spending extra sources than you get again. Animals and mutants don’t drop something so there’s no profit to instigating a battle with these.

Coupons are the principle forex in Stalker 2 and are tougher to come by than in most different RPGs. The solely two methods to actually earn them are to promote issues or full missions, and even then you’ll not end up with extra coupons usually. Obviously, it is best to be sure to’re all the time stocked up with therapeutic gadgets and ammo first, however don’t purchase new weapons or gear from outlets when you can resist. You can discover most issues out in the world when you’re affected person and thorough.

Instead, use your coupons on upgrades and repairs. We talked about weapons jamming earlier than, however your gear may also put on down and finally cease making use of its resistances over time. Save your money for repairs and add extra advantages to the gear you want reasonably than attempting to purchase something new you see.

If there’s one factor Stalker 2 doesn’t totally convey early on it’s simply how lethal the storms may be. If one kicks up close to a city, you will notice all of the NPCs go for canopy, however it isn’t solely as a result of they need to keep dry. Storms is not going to solely trigger random lightning strikes that would kill you when you’re not cautious however the rain is usually simply as lethal. You received’t know till it’s too late, however it’s going to put on away your gear’s sturdiness and, as soon as it’s gone, rip by means of your well being in a matter of seconds. It can occur so quick that you could be not even perceive what’s occurring. If a storm is out, discover any cowl you possibly can and sit it out.

Storms are one factor, however you additionally want to preserve your ears perked for 2 vital sound cues: your Geiger counter and the beeping of an anomaly. The Geiger counter will warn you while you’re getting too shut to a extremely radioactive space. Now, typically you is perhaps compelled to undergo areas like this, however they need to be averted if in any respect potential. Hearing the beeping of an anomaly is much extra lethal. You don’t get an auditory warning about one till you’re mainly on high of them, and most are almost invisible to the bare eye. You will want to be additional conscious of shimmers, floating particles, and electrical static in the air whereas exploring. Walking into one could cause large injury, so do your greatest to spot them or be prepared to cease on a dime when you hear a pointy beep.