Summary
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobylis, at its core, a first-person shooter, making weapons the most essential gear for any stalker navigating the Zone. Players can acquire, find, and upgrade their arsenal, and the choice of weapon often determines the outcome of encounters, turning the tide between survival and defeat. Unique weapons are especially valuable, offering custom modifications and upgrades that provide a critical advantage during combat. These rare finds can make all the difference when venturing into the hazardous depths of the Zone.
The map inSTALKER 2is massive, requiring dozens — if not hundreds — of hours to fully explore. It’s divided into several large regions, each brimming with secrets, hidden discoveries, and powerful gear, including unique weapons that are easy to overlook without careful exploration. To help stalkers prepare, let’s examine some of the best unique weapons that can be obtained early in the game, focusing on three accessible regions: Lesser Zone, Cordon, and Garbage. These early finds will give players a significant edge as they begin their journey into the Zone’s dangers.
1Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S
AKM-74S Unique Variant
One of the earliest unique weapons players are likely to acquire inSTALKER 2isValik Lummox’s AKM-74S, amodified assault riflewith a non-removable 4x zoom PSO scope. This built-in scope significantly enhances long-range combat early in the game, making it an incredibly useful tool for stalkers venturing into the Zone. The rifle’s compatibility with one of the most common ammo types further increases its value, ensuring players will rarely run out of rounds during firefights. For early-game explorers, this weapon is an easy recommendation.
Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S inSTALKER 2is found in the Lesser Zone during the Warlock’s Debtor side quest.To obtain it, players must side with Valik, who will reveal the location of his stash atop a nearby water tower. After retrieving the weapon, players can then use it to eliminate the bandits threatening Valik.
2Unknown Stalker’s AR416
AR416 Unique Variant
Another unique weapon players can acquire early inSTALKER 2is theUnknown Stalker’s AR416, an upgraded variant of the standard AR416 assault rifle. This version features a built-in hand grip module, which reduces recoil and enhances stability, making it a reliable choice in combat. However, it has its drawbacks: the weapon lacks a zoom scope and uses a less common ammo type, which can be challenging to find during the early stages of the game. Moreover, the AR416 is given to players in a worn-out state, requiring a significant investment to repair it to full functionality.
To obtain the Unknown Stalker’s AR416 inSTALKER 2, playersmust complete the Poppy Field side missionand choose to give the quest' Icon item to Pomor near the field instead of Mityay in Zalissya, who initially assigns the task. This decision is recommended, as Pomor rewards the AR416, while Mityay offers only 1,000 coupons — a far less valuable option. Despite the repair cost, the AR416 can become a solid addition to the player’s arsenal when upgraded, especially for those who prefer a steadier assault rifle in their loadout.
3Drowned
TheDrownedis another early unique variant of the AKM-74S that players can find near the Slag Heap base in the Garbage region ofSTALKER 2. This weapon is outfitted with two notable attachments: a non-removable underbarrel grenade launcher (which becomes available later as a separate attachment for other weapons) and a unique, non-removable dual-magazine upgrade for faster reloads. With its compatibility with the common AKM ammo type, Drowned is an excellent candidate for a primary weapon, especially if players already possess a separate 4x zoom PSO scope to attach. However, like some other early unique weapons, it comes in a worn-out state, requiring investment to fully repair it before use.
To obtain the Drowned inSTALKER 2, players must speak with an unlucky stalker near the Slag Heap base entrance, who explains he dropped the rifle into a nearby water source and can’t retrieve it due to a lack of anti-radiation gear. After recovering the weapon, players are advised to keep it rather than return it, as the stalker offers no significant reward for handing it back. Once repaired and equipped, Drowned provides a versatile and powerful option for dealing with a variety of threats in the Zone.
4Spitter
Buket S-2 Unique Variant
TheSpitteris a unique version of the Buket S-2 SMG inSTALKER 2, offering an excellent option for players looking for areliable secondaryor even primary weapon early in the game. This fast-firing submachine gun is especially effective in close-quarters combat, thanks to its high rate of fire and surprisingly solid damage output for its class. Additionally, Spitter comes equipped with two key modifications: an SMG silencer for stealthier engagements and a custom lightweight stock that enhances handling. Its use of common pistol ammunition makes it easy to keep supplied, asthis ammo is widely availablein stashes or from looted enemies.
To acquire the Spitter inSTALKER 2, players must undertake the A Big Score side mission, which can be picked up at the Slag Heap base in the Garbage region. During this quest, players will encounter a betrayal by bandits. After dealing with the double-crossers, looting their bodies will reward players with this unique SMG, making it a valuable addition to any stalker’s arsenal for dealing with the Zone’s dangers.
5Combatant
TheCombatantis one of the unique weapons inSTALKER 2that players are unlikely to miss, as it is directly tied to a main mission. This custom AKM-74S variant stands out with its distinctive camouflage paintwork. However, it lacks any pre-installed modules, boasting only accuracy and range upgrades installed (available at technicians for any weapons). While it’s a solid weapon, players who already possess Drowned or Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S may find little incentive to use it unless they’re striving to collect all unique weapons in the game.
To obtain the Combatant inSTALKER 2, players must progress to the Back to the Slag Heap main mission and choose to show the unusual PDA to Colonel Korshunov during the dialogue (beware, as this choice has an impact on the game’s ending). After the cutscene, the weapon is left in the room, so it’s crucial to pick it up before exiting; otherwise, it will be lost permanently.
6Special
AKM-74U Unique Variant
With three unique AKM-74S variants available early inSTALKER 2, it’s surprising that there’s only one early AKM-74U variant: theSpecial(short for special forces). Found in the Cordon region shortly after leaving the Lesser Zone, the Special AKM-74U is a versatile choice for players seeking a more compact and maneuverable assault rifle. This variant is equipped with several useful modules, including a reflex sight (which can also be found as a standalone upgrade), a custom light stock, and a silenced muzzle. Its stats are slightly improved over the default AKM-74U, making it a worthy addition to the player’s arsenal.
Obtaining the Special AKM-74U inSTALKER 2is a rather straightforward process. Players must locate the Stets Leech NPC near the mill area in Cordon, where he lies wounded. The simplest and most reliable way to claim the weapon is to kill Stets immediately and loot it from his corpse. Alternatively, players can choose to heal him, leave the area, and return later to find his body and the weapon. However, this approach is riskier, as his body may not always appear upon return. For those focused on early-game firepower, taking the weapon directly is the safer bet.
7Shah’s Mate
Viper-5 Unique Variant
Shah’s Mateis a unique variant of the widely popular Viper-5 SMG inSTALKER 2, a staple among stalkers in the Zone due to its versatility and the abundance of compatible ammo in every region. This version stands out with its custom body paint and an extended magazine module, making it ideal for “spray-and-pray” tactics during intense firefights. Its lightweight design is a bonus for players who prefer keeping their backpacks as light as possible for maximum inventory space.
To obtain Shah’s Mate inSTALKER 2, players must progress through the No Honor Among Thieves side mission. This weapon is tied to the criminal boss Shah, whose fate becomes pivotal to the mission’s outcome. The Shah’s Mate is hidden in a stash located under a bridge in Garbage, but the stash can only be accessed if players retrieve the location information from Docent. For those aiming to secure this SMG, it’s important not to kill Docent during the mission, as doing so will prevent access to the stash.
