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Discover everything you need to know about Early Game Gear including Gear Tips and Tricks in STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, much like its predecessor, features a thrilling story about humanity and survival. Although the game’s primary focus is the moment-to-moment gameplay, it doesn’t come at the cost of its narrative. STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl is a first-person survival video game developed and published by GSC Game World. Similar to the original STALKER game, the sequel offers early-game gear that you can acquire while progressing in the game. These gears are not powerful but still, your gameplay mostly depends on it. We’ll discuss the best gear piece to grab at the initial stages to survive.
Gear Overview in Stalker 2
The Gear plays a crucial role in your survival in the dangerous and radioactive world in STALKER 2. The Gears includes your Weapons, Armor, Artifacts, Suits, Masks, and Attachments. Each one serves its own purpose in the game and equipping the best one in early-game is important. Weapons are modified with different attachments such as scopes, suppressors, and extended magazines to make them more effective.
Armor protects against radiation, thermal, Psi, chemical, and electrical threats in the Zone. The gears also include radiation detectors to help survive in the hazardous environment. However, gear management is an essential part of the game because must maintain balance to carry various items necessary for exploration.
Best Early Game Gear in Stalker 2 That You Should Focus
Early game is the best time for exploration and survival, making the early-game gear more crucial for every aspect. You should focus on grabbing Weapons like Buket S-2, AKM-74S, UDP Compact, and AKM-74U in the early. Although they don’t deal much damage but can help you survive various threats like mutants and other enemies. GP-25, Assault Rifle Suppressor, Open Collimator Sight, and Coupled AKM-74 Magazines are the best attachments to acquire to make your weapons more accurate and effective.
Debut Suit, Mercenary Suit, OZK Explorer’s Suit, and Bandit Jacket are the best Armor that you can bet on while progressing through the early game. The best Suits to equip in the early game are Cuirass Exoskeleton, Diamond Exoskeleton, Exoskeleton, and Sunrise Suit. Use the Aurora Gas Mask and PA-10 Gas Mask to reduce the damage from physical attacks or other threats.
Best Weapons in Early Game
Weapons in STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl are used to defend yourself against foes. Protect yourself from aggressive encounters by choosing the right Weapon. Here is the list of all the best early-game Weapons in STALKER 2.
Buket S-2
- Magazine: 20
- Value: 12,018 K
- Weight: 1.62 kg
- Inventory Size: 4×2
Buket S-2 is an SMG weapon with the highest damage among other SMGs, It has almost the perfect rate of fire and a decent Penetration Rating that lets you melt Armored enemies at a decent range. You do not have to be too close to enemies while using this weapon to deal potential damage to them. However, we recommend using the Armor-piercing ammunition for this weapon to dominate during combat.
| Buket S-2 | Stats |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1.3 |
| Penetration | 2.1 |
| Rate of Fire | 4.9 |
| Range | 1.3 |
| Accuracy | 3.3 |
Buket S-2 is obtained as a drop loot from killing human enemies. There’s a high chance of dropping it from Ward Soldiers during the assault in the Answers Come at a Price mission. The compatible ammo for this SMG are:
- 9X18mm PST (Regular)
- 9X18mm RG028 (Armor-piercing)
AKM-74S
- Magazine: 30
- Value: 10,660 K
- Weight: 3.63 kg
- Inventory Size: 5×2
The AKM-74S is probably the best type of AKM Assault Rifle in the game as it has the highest damage among all of them. Fortunately, you can find this weapon early in the game and we recommend upgrading this weapon at the Technician to enhance its capabilities. Moreover, equip the best attachments to it for further enhancement.
| AKM-74S | Stats |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1.2 |
| Penetration | 1.1 |
| Rate of Fire | 4.9 |
| Range | 1.9 |
| Accuracy | 2.7 |
AKM-74S is obtained as a drop from killing human enemies. This is rare at the early stage of the game and has the most chance to be found above the dead bodies of ISPF guards near the Sphere. The compatible ammo for this Assault Rifle are:
- 5.45X39mm PS
- 5.45X39mm PP
- 5.45X39mm MZHV-13
UDP Compact
- Magazine: 15
- Value: 1,623 K
- Weight: 1 kg
- Inventory Size: 2×1
UDP Compact pistol is one of the best pistols in the game with decent damage and penetration rating. However, its range is not that great but if your aim is precise you can put it to great use. Moreover, you can find various attachments to increase ammo capacity and suppress it.
| UDP Compact | Stats |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1.3 |
| Penetration | 1.1 |
| Rate of Fire | 4.96 |
| Range | 0.6 |
| Accuracy | 3.9 |
UDP Compact is obtained from the containers in the Lesser Zone. Make sure to check every loot in urban areas and buildings. The other way to get this weapon is to purchase it directly from Trader Huron at Slag Heap. The compatible ammo for this Pistol are:
- 45 ACP FMJ
- 45 ACP AP
AKM-74U
AKM-74U is another great Assault Rifle that players get early in the game. It does not have high damage like other Assault Rifles we discussed above but you can make the most out of it in the early hours of your gameplay. However, we recommend you not to invest a lot of money on it just put attachments on it to increase its capabilities to some extent.
| AKM-74U | Stats |
|---|---|
| Damage | 1 |
| Penetration | 1.1 |
| Rate of Fire | 4.92 |
| Range | 1.2 |
| Accuracy | 2.5 |
AKM-74U is obtained as a drop loot from killing human enemies, especially ISPF soldiers. You can also purchase it from Trader Hamster at Zalissya in the Lesser Zone region or from Trader Huron at Slag Heap located north of the Northern Checkpoint.
The compatible ammo for this Assault Rifle are:
- 5.45X39mm MZHV-13
- 5.45X39mm PS
- 5.45X39mm PP
Best Attachments in Early Game
There are numerous Attachments that you will find along your journey in the Zone. You can utilize these attachments with the corresponding weapons to tackle difficult situations. Here is a list of all the early-game Attachments in STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl.
GP-25
GP-25 is a Grenade Launcher attachment type that can attach to a weapon like AKM-74S. It lets you shoot VOG-25 grenades and other types of grenade ammo. You can purchase it directly from Owl at Sultansk.
Assault Rifle Suppressor
Assault Rifle Suppressor is a Suppressor-type attachment that suppresses the sound and flash of your weapon. Shooting silently on enemies makes it harder for them to detect you. You can use this attachment on weapons like AKM-74U, AKM-74S, Grom S-14, and Dnipro. Purchase this attachment directly from Sgt. Khoteyev at Icarus.
Open Collimator Sight
This is an optic-type attachment that adds a red-dot sight to weapons like AKM-74U, Zubr-19, Grom S-14, Dnipro, RPM-74, and Saiga D-12. You can purchase this from Trader Hamster at Zalissya.
Coupled AKM-74 Magazines
This is a magazine-type attachment in which the reload speed increases for weapons like AKM-74U and AKM-74S. You can get this attachment from the loot bag on the electrified roof of the Fish Farm in Zaton.
Best Armor in Early Game
Armor can boost the player’s resistance against all types of anomalies, radiation, and physical damage. It may also include night vision. Equip Armor in the early game to protect yourself in combat and from the environmental hazards that can let you take damage. Here is the list of all the best early-game Armor in STALKER 2.
Debut Suit
- Artifact Slots: 1
- Weight: 3.0 kg
- Value: 13,500K
A jacket reinforced with aramid fibers and nylon thread complemented with a basic load-bearing system. It serves as the bare minimum for survival. This Suit doesn’t protect against anomalies and won’t stop a bullet, but its simplicity and cost-effectiveness make it a practical choice. A Debut Suit offers better protection against various threats as compared to the Leather Jacket. Make sure to grab this one if you’re having difficulty surviving enemy encounters.
| Debut Suit | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 0.3 |
| Electrical | 0.2 |
| Chemical | 0.3 |
| Radiation | 0.5 |
| PSI | 0 |
| Physical | 1.1 |
Debut Suit is obtained from the Trader Hamster at Zalissya in the Lesser Zone region. Complete the Needle in a Haystack quest and provide Ward sensors to Captain Zotov to obtain this Armor. The other alternate way to get this is by moving into the Old Mill. This Suit is placed on top of a drawer in the living room.
Mercenary Suit
- Artifact Slots: 1
- Weight: 3.0kg
- Value: 19,594K
Mercenary-designed Suit, based on special forces gear. High molecular polyethylene plates and aramid padding not only sound futuristic but provide excellent protection from high-corrosion Zone weapons. A mercenary Suit is the best Suit to equip because it protects players from radiation in zones and ballistic attacks. This Suit looks stunning due to a camo pattern and OMON-style camo. The protection stats of the Mercenary Suit is relatively high especially physical and radiation stats.
| Mercenary Suit | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 0.4 |
| Electrical | 0.5 |
| Chemical | 0.5 |
| Radiation | 1.6 |
| PSI | 0 |
| Physical | 2.1 |
You can obtain this Suit from the Journalist’s Stash in Zalissya base. The Journalist’s Stash will appear after you complete the main quest in the Lesser Zone. You can find the location of Journalist’s Stash directly from the map. Jump on the truck on the left side of one of the abandoned houses. Move to the roof of the house and enter a small room from the front side of the house.
OZK Explorer’s Suit
- Artifact Slots: 2
- Weight: 6.0kg
- Value: 21,049K
This protective Suit consisting of rubber overalls and a gas mask is adapted to the Zone’s unforgiving conditions, significantly improving the wearer’s chance of survival in anomaly-rich and radiation-contaminated areas. OZK Explorer’s Suit is the best early game Suit to equip due to its ability to protect players from electrical and chemical anomalies. This kit consists of rubber overalls and a hood.
| OZK Explorer’s Suit | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 0.4 |
| Electrical | 0.7 |
| Chemical | 0.8 |
| Radiation | 0.5 |
| PSI | 0 |
| Physical | 1.6 |
It can easily be obtained from a table in the Sphere during the Behind Seven Seals mission. This is obtainable before the Talk to Solder sub-objective and after the Get inside the Sphere (code 2765) sub-objective.
Bandit Jacket
- Artifact Slots: 1
- Weight: 3.0kg
- Value: 17,200K
An inexpensive dark jacket worn by thugs everywhere. It won’t actually protect you, but it makes you look dope as hell. The Bandit Jacket is slightly weaker than the Debut Suit but still better than the Leather Jacket. This Jacket is strong but it can have a huge impact in combat at the early stages of the game.
| Bandit Jacket | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 0.3 |
| Electrical | 0.3 |
| Chemical | 0.3 |
| Radiation | 0 |
| PSI | 0 |
| Physical | 1.1 |
The Bandit Jacket is found in the marked location northwest of Zalissya in the Lesser Zone region. Move to the location and stairs leading to the underground area. Explore the hallway after passing through the cellar and pick up this jacket from the cramped safe room.
Best Suit in Early Game
The Suits are the main pieces of Armor that can protect players from damage like enemy attacks or environmental hazards like chemical, thermal, PSI, radiation, and electricity. Here is the list of all the best early-game Suits in STALKER 2.
Cuirass Exoskeleton
- Artifact Slots: 3
- Weight: 10.5kg
- Value: 90000K
A national-produced version of an exoskeleton, procured by Duty. Extra sturdy materials ensure a much higher soldier survival chance, even in the most intense mutant encounters. The Cuirass Exoskeleton is a powerful piece of gear that grants high physical protection and radiation protection against various threats in the Zone. It also offers Psi Protection making it a viable option for combat-oriented STALKERs.
| Cuirass Exoskeleton | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 1.7 |
| Electrical | 1.7 |
| Chemical | 1.9 |
| Radiation | 3 |
| PSI | 1.1 |
| Physical | 4.3 |
However, this Suit is cumbersome and lacks mobility. Remove the Cuirass Exoskeleton when you need dynamic movement or are just exploring. This Suit is only effective for sudden fights. You can obtain this Suit from the SKD Assembly Unit in Cooling Towers. You can find it on the same shelf beside the Ordinary Stash.
Diamond Exoskeleton
- Artifact Slots: 5
- Weight: 9.5kg
- Value: 75,500K
An advanced exoskeleton is used by Monolith forces. The question of how this cutting-edge technology ended up in the possession of fantastic remains unanswered, yet the Armor is often seen on elite Monolith soldiers. The Diamond Exoskeleton is a unique Suit that offers high Physical Resistance along with high Radiation Resistance.
| Diamond Exoskeleton | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 1 |
| Electrical | 0.9 |
| Chemical | 0.8 |
| Radiation | 2.5 |
| PSI | 1.1 |
| Physical | 3.5 |
This Suit is found at the Yantiv Station when completing the Boundary Main Mission. Take a ladder after reaching the bunker and turn right to take the stairs. Turn left and you will find the Armor on the floor in front of the locked door to your first left.
Exoskeleton
- Artifact Slots: 4
- Weight: 15 kg
- Value: 65,500K
A relatively common exoskeleton. Its ability to handle heavy loads has enabled the integration of a more sophisticated Armored Suit capable of facing the Zone’s myriad challenges. The primary downside lies in the elevated price tag. The Exoskeleton Suit offers high stats to the players when equipped. The players gain high Physical Resistance along with the Radiation Resistance and Psi Resistance. This is the most common Suit to wear at the early stage of the game.
| Exoskeleton | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 1.2 |
| Electrical | 1.6 |
| Chemical | 1.6 |
| Radiation | 3 |
| PSI | 2.5 |
| Physical | 3.2 |
This Suit is found is Cordon in the northwest edge of the area. During completing the Legends of the Zone mission, you will go through the room with a red light over it. Pass through a room filled with CTR monitors and turn right to take the stairs. Turn to the right room and you will find the Exoskeleton on the table to your right.
Sunrise Suit
- Artifact Slots: 2
- Weight: 4.0kg
- Value: 34920K
A masterpiece of local craftsmanship, this Suit combines two layers of rubberized fabric with a polymer lining and a bulletproof vest effective against pistol bullets. The Sunrise’s reasonable price and upgrade potential have solidified its status as a top-selling item. This is a perfect combination of a light military bulletproof vest and a jumpSuit made out of rubberized fabric. This Suit offers average Physical Resistance along with normal Radiation Resistance.
| Sunrise Suit | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 0.7 |
| Electrical | 0.6 |
| Chemical | 0.7 |
| Radiation | 1.5 |
| PSI | 0 |
| Physical | 2.1 |
The Sunrise Suit is obtained from the Repair Quay base in the Zaton region. Head over to this base and climb the stairs behind the building leading to the roof. Enter the building from one of the broken windows and start walking to the left over the railing to pick up the Sunrise Suit.
Best Masks in Early Game
The Mask can protect the players from bullet damage as it absorbs a portion of incoming damage that helps them to survive longer. Mask also reduces the damage from physical attacks, making it easier to handle hard encounters. Here is the list of all the best early-game Masks in STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl.
Aurora Gas Mask
- Artifact Slots: None
- Weight: 2.0kg
- Value: 12300K
An ordinary civil defense gas mask featuring a simple rubber mask and a modern, yet fairly basic filtration system. This Gas Mask offers Lower Physical Resistance along with Electrical Resistance and Radiation Resistance by lacks Psi Resistance.
| Aurora Gas Mask | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 0.9 |
| Electrical | 1.1 |
| Chemical | 1 |
| Radiation | 1.1 |
| PSI | 0 |
| Physical | 1.1 |
Players can obtain an Aurora Gas Mask from the top of the garage in the Radiation Hazards Sign Storage northeast of the Zalissya base in the Lesser Zone. You can get this Mask at the beginning of the game. Move to the northeast side of the Zalissya base to get to the big building. You can find a blue truck in the front of the house. Climb the ladder to reach the roof from the backside of the house. There will be a backpack along with the Gas Mask. The Aurora Gas Mask has 100% durability once you pick it up.
PA-10 Gas Mask
- Artifact Slots: None
- Weight: 2.0kg
- Value: 16100K
A newer, cost-effective revision of a military gas mask employing denser materials. The filter can no longer be attached on the opposite side, but the housing has been downsized to offset this limitation. This mask offers medium Physical Resistance and Electrical Resistance but lacks Radiation and Psi Radiation.
| PA-10 Gas Mask | Stats |
|---|---|
| Thermal | 0.9 |
| Electrical | 1.1 |
| Chemical | 1 |
| Radiation | 0 |
| PSI | 0 |
| Physical | 2.2 |
You can find the PA-10 Gas Mask in the improvised Stash in the Garbage region. Take the stairs in the grey structure building to reach the roof. The mask is placed on the upper left corner of the roof in the block alongside the Psi-Block.
Best Artifacts in Early Game
Artifacts are the equipment items that you can equip to Skif’s gear alongside the Suit, Armor, mask, two main weapons, a pistol, and an echo detector. Here is the list of all the best early-game Artifacts in STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl.
Weird Ball
One of the legendary “altered items” often mentioned in hushed tones by STALKERs around the campfire. A child’s ball, oddly weighty. Equipping it seems to reduce bullet damage in combat, particularly when standing still. The Weird Ball reduces bullet damage when standing still and is found at the Bulba Area in the Lesser Zone region.
Rat King
Every wire within the tangle generates an electromagnetic field, causing the Rat King to continuously move. The Rat King affects Bleeding Resistance (Weak) and Electrical Protection (Weak). This one is a common artifact you can find in Electro Anomalies.
Sapphire
According to STALKER folklore, smuggling a Sapphire in someone else’s gear will pass on the troubles of the previous owner to the new one. The Sapphire affects the Bleeding Resistance (Weak), Endurance (Weak), and Radiation (Weak). This one is also a common artifact you can find in Electro Anomalies.
Hypercube
The full potential of this artifact has yet to be discovered. It emits ultra-long radio waves and has potential applications in space navigation. It heavily affects Thermal Protection (Maximum), Bleeding Resistance (Maximum), and Radiation (Maximum). This one is legendary artifact you can find in Thermal Anomalies.
Gear Tips and Tricks for Early Game in Stalker 2
The early game in STALKER 2 is all about managing resources, exploring the world, and surviving against various threats in the Zone. Here are some gear tips and tricks to help you make the most of your early game experience.
- Use Stashes to store gear- Use stash locations to store extra items that you don’t need for the time being. This helps keep your inventory light.
- Maximize Inventory Space- Avoid overloading your character with heavy weapons and Armor. Opt for a balance between protection and mobility.
- Use Backpack– Acquire Backpack to enhance your carrying capacity significantly which allows you to carry more supplies.
- Conserve Ammo- Ammos are limited in the game, so try to aim for headshots to save ammo and avoid wasting bullets in a fight.
- Optimize your Armor- Equip the best Armor to gain Physical Protection, Thermal Protection, Chemical Protection, Radiation Protection, and Psi Protection from various threats.
- Upgrade Gear- Upgrade your Armor with additional Armor plates or better filters for your gas mask and Weapons with attachments like Scopes, silencers, and extended magazines.
FAQs for beginner gear, weapons, and Armor in STALKER 2
Q1: What is the best weapon for early-game survival?
Buket S-2, AKM-74S, AKM-74U, and UDP Compact are the best weapons to use for early-game survival. These weapons have a high Rate of Fire and accuracy along with enough range to kill enemies and mutants in STALKER 2.
Q2: Are there Silenced weapons, and how effective are they?
Yes, there are Silenced weapons in that game that you can obtain in the game. The Silenced Pistol is obtained during the mission called “Answers Come At A Price”. The silenced pistol is good for taking out single targets quietly but great for larger fights. This is especially true in the early part of the game. Get as close as possible and then take shots at enemies. You can also make the Buket S-2 SMG the best-silenced weapon by putting on a Pistol Suppressor.
Q3: Which weapon type is best for mutants?
Buket S-2 is the best weapon against the Mutants due to its high damage and Penetration potential. You do not have to be too close to enemies while using this weapon to deal potential damage to them.
Q4: What is the best early-game Armor?
Debut Suit, Mercenary Suit, OZK Explorer’s Suit, and Bandit Jacket are the Armor to equip at the beginning of the game. They play an impactful role at the early stage to prevent you from taking additional damage.
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