The world ofSTALKER 2is huge, and there is a massive number of things for players to find and pick up. These can range from the weapons needed to keep the character alive, to new Artifacts to bring some new powers to the mix for those combat scenarios. The gear in the game is extensive, and there is a lot for players to sift through to find the ones that they want to keep.
Because of this, trying to find the right gear can be overwhelming. When there seems to be an endless ocean of equipment to find and choose from, it can feel like analysis paralysis. Fortunately, this guide is here to help anyone who wants to deck out their character to the best of their ability. These are the best gear items in the game, and why they are worth looking for.
Updated by Shane Black on May 21, 2025:This guide was updated to provide two more pieces of gear that players can use to help improve their character even more in the game. This aims to offer even more choices for people to select from when building their character and figuring out their preferred kind of play-style. The update also added more in-text links to other relevant guides to give more information to players for a better playing experience. All of this works together to give players a boost when they are diving into the game to give them the best odds of surviving the wasteland.
10Gauss Gun
A Powerful Punch
The Gauss Gunis one of the best weapons that players can find inSTALKER 2,if not the best. It boasts excellent damage that can wipe out the toughest of enemies without having to worry at all. This makes it perfect for the late-game areas and their respective quests.
The Gauss Gun can be found in a couple of different ways. One method is to complete theIn the Name of Science side mission,which pops up as the story approaches its end. No matter a player chooses to get ahold of it, it is well worth the effort and can make anyone a scourge in the Zone.
9Suit With High PSI
Keep Radiation At Bay
Radiation is everywhere in the game, andfinding a suit that can protectthe character from itcan be paramount to survival. These suits can be found around the map, but there is one guaranteed way of obtaining one.
By competing the side missionThe Side Hustle, players will be rewarded with a suit with high PSI. The only drawback is that it requires some in-game time for the suit to be built, but it is worth the wait to get this suit to help navigate the irradiated wasteland.
8Texan Shotgun
Blast Away The Competition
Being able to nail an enemy with a punch is always recommended, and finding this shotgun will give playerstheability to do just that. It has some of the highest damage and rate of fireamong all shotgunsin the game, which makes it a perfect choice for any adventurer.
It can be found byvisiting one of the Abandoned Science Campus pods. The campus is in the southeast area of the Jupiter region of the map.
7Drowned Assault Rifle
A Great Weapon
Assault rifles are always the poster child for weaponry in games with guns, and that is for a good reason:these weapons are consistent. They offer good rates of fire with good damage, which makes them more than capable in most situations.
This weapon can be foundnext to the Slag Heap camp found in the Garbage regionof the map. This area can be accessed early on in the game, which is another plus.
6Weird Ball
A Fantastic Artifact
Artifacts are a huge part ofSTALKER 2,and this is one of the best to havefor the early game. It offers a reduction in incoming bullet damage when players are standing still. That is a huge help that cannot be overstated.
It is located to the east of Zalissya, which is the first town players will visit during the story. Once the tutorial is done,simply head out to find this itemto add to their inventory.
5Diamond Exoskeleton
Great Damage Reduction
Finding the right suitcan be a great way to make sure the main character never has to worry about meeting their untimely end. This suit, in particular,provides great damage reductionwith some special benefits given to physical and radiation damage.Found in Prypiat, the Diamond Exoskeleton is easy to find and can be a game-changer.
4Sunrise Suit
Reliable And Effective
It’s always good when a piece of gear can befound early on in the game, and it’s even better when that piece of gear can be used beyond those early stages. That’s exactly what this suit is.Once the Lesser Zone quarantine has been lifted, players canhead to the Repair Quayin the Zaton region. Here, they can find a free suit in the rafters that they can take for themselves.
3The Trophy
Good For Any Range
This assault rifle isa superior version of the AS Val assault rifle. The difference is that this one comes with better stats, an excellent scope, and a cooler skin.
Players can get this gun by completing a puzzle inthe Chemical Plant region. It’s easily missable, socheck out the guideon how to find and complete this puzzle to avoid missing out on this excellent weapon.
2SEVA-1 Suit
Keep That Radiation Away
With the radiation of the wasteland being so potent, players need to make sure they are as protected as possible from these lethal amounts. That’s whytheSEVA-1 Suitis so useful; it boasts some of the best radiation protection in the game and can help keep players alive easily.
It has a couple of different locations that it can be found in the game as well, which makes it a littleeasier to track downthan other pieces of equipment.
1Dnipro
Mow Them Down
There are going to be a lot of close-quarter battles for players to engage in throughout their playthrough. Having a gunlike the Dnipro, which has an incredible rate of fire along with solid accuracy and damage, can do a lot to help in these moments. It isone of the best weapons in the gamefor a reason, and it excels in those moments when an enemy’s health is wiped out in a matter of moments.
Further, it’spretty easy to find in the game. It can be found in the Lishchyna Facility in the Red Forest, or purchased from the merchants (Wreck or Bison).
