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The Chronobyl Exclusion Zone is peppered with artifacts that grant a variety of beneficial buffs and detrimental debuffs, typically related to environmental hazards and carry weight. Knowing how to harness their curious power is key to surviving the hard lands around the nuclear power plant. While it’s possible to find an infinite number of copies of each type (except for legendary altered items like the Weird Water and Weird Bolt), we’ve pulled together a list of confirmed locations where you can find artifacts. The list is far from complete, so we’ll be dipping back in and updating with fresh artifacts and their locations as we come across them.
How do Artifacts work in Stalker 2?
Before we dive in, a little on how artifacts work. For example, let’s take the Whirlwind artifact. It has a chance to spawn in any of the dozens of gravitational anomalies across the Zone. There’s no set location where it is guaranteed to spawn every time. What this means is that random chance plays a big role in what artifacts you’ll get from each type of anomaly.
Furthermore, that spawn chance turns into a definitive artifact when you get near an anomaly (roughly around 150 meters away) and then resets after the next Emission. As long as you haven’t visited the anomaly since the last emission, you can use this to your advantage by making a save before you get to the anomaly, then reloading if you don’t get the artifact you want.
All Artifacts we found in Stalker 2
Eye
- Thermal Protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Some stalkers believe that the artifact’s “pupil” reacts to movement, but this claim remains unconfirmed by experiments.
Eye artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Enter the cave. Captured by VideoGamer
The Eye is inside the cave. Captured by VideoGamer
Eye stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You’ll find this one in the Magnetic Cave immediately east of the Boiler House in the centre of the Lesser Zone region. The cave mouth is right next to the large warehouse. Head inside, shoot the canister to clear the path, and press on to find a thermal anomaly. Use the bolts to trigger the fire jets then grab the artifact.
Goldfish
- Weight – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- The Goldfish will sink in water with any salt content, but remains buoyant in distilled water.
Goldfish artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Use bolts to clear the anomalies. Captured by VideoGamer
The artifact is near the shore. Captured by VideoGamer
Goldfish artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You’ll find the artifact in the Deaf Meadow anomaly in the northeast of the Lesser Zone, northeast of Zalissya. Speak to Yurko Fantomas standing near the tree next to the anomaly. He’ll ask you to retrieve his brother’s body from the anomaly, which you can do if you want a nice haul of coupons. Walk into the dip, use bolts to make your way through the anomaly, and grab the artifact near the shore at the back.
Mold
- Thermal Protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Facilitates the rapid growth of fungi and microbes. Storing it alongside foodstuffs, including canned goods, is not advised.
The artifact is at the center of the toxic anomaly. Captured by VideoGamer
Mold artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Mold artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You can get this one as part of the A Needle in a Haystack main mission, when you reach the Old Mill, climb to the top and avoid the traps then talk to Squint. He’ll task you with finding an artifact in a nearby cave. Head to the marker on your map, enter the house and descend into the cave. Press on through, defeat the mutant then use bolts to clear the toxic anomaly patches. Use the scanner to track the artifact and grab it.
Flytrap
- Weight – Medium
- Radiation – Medium
- The flagella cause burns upon contact with unprotected skin. Follow all safety precautions.
Flytrap artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
The artifact spawns amid the rubble. Captured by VideoGamer
Flytrap artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You can grab this one in the Ribs location in the center of the Lesser Zone. You’ll go there as part of the Behind Seven Seals main mission. Use bolts to clear the anomalies and track down the artifact with the scanner.
Moonlight
- Electrical protection – Medium
- Radiation – Medium
- A single contact with this artifact may inspire certain individuals with a manic desire to possess it. As of now, the underlying causes are yet to be determined
Moonlight artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
The artifact is in the stash on the pylon. Captured by VideoGamer
Moonlight artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
Found in a stash on an electricity pylon in the east of the Garbage region. Use the tree branch and planks to reach the stash. You’ll come across it as part of the Budmo! side mission.
Flash
- Electrical protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- When the Flash is pulverized into powder, each particle continues to generate electrical discharges.
Flash artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Loot the stash on the pylon to get the artifact. Captured by VideoGamer
Flash artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You can pick this one up in stash perched on an electricity pylon in the east of the Garbage region, just southeast of Slag Heap. You’ll need to hop on the branch then the plank to get to the stash. The stash will be marked on your map if you take on the Budmo! side mission.
Slug
- Radio protection – Weak
- When hit by a heavy object or dropped onto a hard surface, the Slug quickly hardens for 0.1 seconds.
The artifact is inside the bus near the scanner. Captured by VideoGamer
Slug artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Slug artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You’ll find this one inside a bus at the center of the Maze point of interest northwest of Slag Heap in the Garbage region. You’ll come across it as part of the The Price Goes Up main mission.
Mica
- Radio protection – Weak
- When exposed to ultraviolet or infrared light, the Mica loses its transparency, becoming pitch black.
Mica artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
The artifact is on the left as you enter the bus. Captured by VideoGamer
Mica artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Mica artifact is found in a bus in the Maze point of interest, which is northwest of Slag Heap in the Garbage region. If you take on The Price Goes Up main mission, you’ll come across the Maze and the artifact.
Crown
- Physical protection – Weak
- Endurance – Weak
- Radiation – Medium
- Due to its resemblance to a piece of jewelry, the Crown fetches a premium price on the mainland’s black markets.
You’ll find the Crown artifact in an anomaly field in the Explosion Funnel point of interest to the northeast of the Slag Heap in Garbage region. Throw bolts to deactivate the anomalies and track the artifact with your scanner.
Gravi
- Weight – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- The Gravi can only be cut into pieces using plasma tools. This artifact exhibits a density and hardness surpassing that of diamond.
Yavni Station is in the northwest of the map. Captured by VideoGamer
Hawaiian is found in the Yavni Station camp. Captured by VideoGamer
Gravi artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Gravi artifact is available to buy from Hawaiian, the trader in the Yavni Station camp in the Yavni region in the northeast of the map, for 7275 coupons.
Shell
- Endurance – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Caution: risk of injury even under controlled laboratory conditions. Avoid inserting fingers between the disks!
The Shell is sold by the trader in Yavni Station. Captured by VideoGamer
Shell artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
Hawaiian, the trader in the Yavi Station Camp in the northwestern Yavni region, sells the Shell artifact for 7275 coupons.
Stone Blood
- Weight – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- The reddish-brown veins on the Stone Blood’s surface are due to the accumulation of iron salts.
You can buy the Stone Blood from the trader in Yavni Station. Captured by VideoGamer
Stone Blood artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You can buy the Stone Blood artifact for 7275 coupons for Hawaiian the trader stationed in the Yavni Station camp in the Yavni region, which is north of the Red Forest in the northwestern corner of the map.
Chocolate Bar
- Electrical protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Trying to separate the plates causes them to collapse back into their original shape at speeds exceeding 700 feet per second.
The Chocolate Bar is on sale at the trader down in Sultansk. Captured by VideoGamer
Chocolate Bar artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Chocolate Bar artifact is available to buy for 7275 coupons for Sonya Kalyna, the trader in the Sultansk camp next to the Skadovsk ship in the Zaton region in the southeast of the map.
Battery
- Endurance – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- The high-frequency alternating current glowing within the battery does not cause burns upon contact.
You can trade for the battery at the Shelter in the Wild Island region. Captured by VideoGamer
Hand over x3 Anti-Rad drugs to Steward. Captured by VideoGamer
Battery artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
Available to trade for x3 Anti-Radiation Drugs from the Steward in the Shelter, the Noontide base in the Wild Island region, which you reach as part of the Hot on the Trail. Steward is found on the basement floor, manning what looks like an armory.
Jellyfish
- Physical protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- The Jellyfish can attract or repel radioactive particles depending on the surrounding environment.
Jellyfish artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
The anomaly is just north of the Abandoned Farmstead in Cordon. Captured by VideoGamer
Jellyfish artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
Found in a wind anomaly just north of the Abandoned Farmstead in the north of the Cordon region. Use bolts to clear the anomalies and reach the center of the anomaly then use the scanner to track the artifact.
Lantern
- Electrical protection – Medium
- Radiation – Medium
- Even those who have completely lost their sight can perceive the light and the outline of the artifact when looking in its direction.
Lantern artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
The artifact is at the center of the site. Captured by VideoGamer
Lantern artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You can find the Lantern artifact is the Nuclear Waste Burial point of interest northwest of the Rookie Village camp in the Cordon region of the Zone. The area is radioactive and peppered with glass anomalies so it’s worth getting in and out quickly.
Horn
- Chemical protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Mainland craftsmen carve this artifact into a musical instrument resembling a hunting horn. The sound of the Horn resembles the haunting howl of the autumn wind.
Horn artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Horn artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
This artifact is found in the middle of acid anomaly at the center of the Chemical Tanks point of interest in the Chemical Plant region. The area is toxic and patrolled by psi mutant dogs so come prepared.
Sparkler
- Electrical protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Resembling the flawed work of a glassblower, the Sparkler is employed in the production of ultra-high-capacity batteries
Sparkler artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
The Sparkler is found next to the body of a dead Stalker northwest of the Maze and southwest of the Poisonous Hole in the northwest of the Garbage region. It’s northwest of Slag Heap. The body is found under a small, toppled over electricity pylon.
Tourist’s Breakfast
- Chemical protection – Medium
- Radiation – Medium
- Emits a pungent stench of decay. Examining it without a gas mask is not recommended.
Tourist’s Breakfast artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Tourist’s Breakfast artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Tourist’s Breakfast artifact is available inside the Poisonous Hole anomalous field in the very far northwest of the Garbage region of the Zone. The area is highly toxic so you’ll want to dive in, grab the artifact, and leave as fast as possible.
Liquid Rock
- Radio protection – Maximum
- Chemical protection Maximum
- Among its less apparent properties, the Liquid Rock exhibits an analgesic effect on migraines. To ensure the desired result, it is necessary to carry the artifact on one’s person.
Liquid Rock spawns in acid anomalies like the Poisonous Hole. Captured by VideoGamer
You’ll find the Liquid Rock in acid anomalies across the Zone. The Poisonous Hole to the northwest of the Slag Heap camp in Garbage is a reliable spawn location. For more details, check out our dedicated guide.
Weird Water
- Radio Protection – Maximum
- Weight – Maximum
- You can’t drink this stuff, but strap it to your belt, and radiation won’t bother you as much. It makes moving around a bit smoother too, although you might go a little weak in the knees from time to time.
Aim to reach the anomaly just before 22.09. Captured by VideoGamer
The artifact spawns near or underneath the orbs. Captured by VideoGamer
You’ll find the Weird Water artifact in the Wandering Light anomaly in the northeast of the Zaton region in the Zone. You’ll need to visit at night and search the field for the artifact. Check out our dedicated guide for all the details.
Whirlwind
- Physical protection – Weak
- Endurance – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Combines both gaseous and solid particles in continuous motion.
Try the Daredevil Path anomaly in the Cement Factory region. Captured by VideoGamer
Whirlwind artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Whirlwind has a chance to spawn in gravitation anomalies across the Zone. We had particularly good luck in the Daredevil Path anomaly in southeast of the Cement Factory region. Other spots include Ribs and Deaf Meadow in the Lesser Zone.
Weird Nut
- Bleed protection – Maximum
- Healing item efficiency reduction – Maximum
- Eerily cold to the touch, this unusual nut promotes rapid blood coagulation when attached to your belt, though the wounds themselves take longer to heal.
Weird Nut artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Weird Nut artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Weird Nut is a legendary artifact, which means it’s only found in one location: the Fire Whirl anomalous area in the Cooling Tower region in the northeast of the Zone. Reaching it requires some tricky platforming and patience. Our dedicated guide has all the details.
Stone Heart
- Weight – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- According to stalker legends, if you cut out a controller’s heart, it will look exactly like this artifact.
Stone Heart artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
The Stone Heart spawns in gravitational anomalies. Captured by VideoGamer
Stone Heart artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Stone Heart artifact is found in gravitational anomalies across the Zone. The Buryakivka village northeast of Rostok just south of the Burnt Forest is a prime farming spot.
Dead Sponge
- Bleeding resistance – Medium
- Radiation – Medium
- Powdered Dead Sponge used to be sought after by practitioners of alternative medicine on the Mainland. The remedy’s popularity waned following a series of deaths among its users.
The Dead Sponge artifact is found in thermal anomalies throughout the Zone.
Weird Ball
- A child’s ball, oddly weighty. Equipping it seems to reduce bullet damage in combat, particularly when standing still.
Weird Ball artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Weird Ball artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You can get the Weird Ball artifact from the Bulba anomalous area to the east of Zalissya in the Lesser Zone region. It’s legendary artifact so is a guaranteed spawn in the Bulba arch anomaly. Check out our dedicated guide for a step-by-step walkthrough to grabbing the artifact.
Weird Bolt
- As long as this bolt is charged and secured to your belt, it reduces damage from anomalies. It takes a lot of anomalous energy to recharge, though – far beyond what regular anomalies can offer.
Weird Bolt artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Weird Bolt artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
As a legendary tier artifact, the Weird Bolt is found exclusively in the Tornado anomalous area in the west of the Yaniv region of the Zone. Obtaining it involves avoiding a swirling, shifting tornado. To know how it’s done, read our dedicated guide.
Weird Flower
- If you sleep with this flower on your belt, its fragrance will mask your scent, though the effect diminishes over time.
Weird Flower artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Weird Flower artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
Another legendary artifact, the Weird Flower is obtained exclusively in the Poppy Field arch anomaly in the northwest of the Lesser Zone region. The Poppy Field has curious properties, sending visitors to sleep if they aren’t careful. Our dedicated guide has all the steps needed to get the artifact.
Glare
- Electrical protection – Strong
- Radiation – Strong
- Direct physical contact with the Glare deprives a person of the ability to sleep, even under medication.
Glare artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Glare artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Glare artifact is found in electro anomalies across the Zone. We found one in the electro anomaly located the tunnel just west of the Depot point of interest in the Garbage region.
Sapphire
- Endurance – Weak
- Bleeding resistance – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- According to stalker folklore, smuggling a Sapphire in someone else’ gear will pass on the troubles of the previous owner to the new one.
Sapphire artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Sapphire artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Sapphire artifact is found in electro anomalies throughout the Zone, such as the tunnel to the west of Depot and the Electro Field, both in Garbage.
Weird Pot
- Although the pot is empty, steam is always wafting from beneath its lid. This item helps to allay one’s thirst and hunger, but be careful: the Zone’s gifts can be unpredictable.
Mist anomalous area location. Captured by VideoGamer
Weird Pot artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Weird Pot is found exclusively in the Mist anomalous area in the southeastern corner of the Burnt Forest region of the Zone. You’ll need to complete an environmental puzzle to find the artifact. Check out our dedicated guide for all the details.
Fireball
- Thermal protection – Weak
- Radiation – Weak
- Surprisingly cold to the touch, the Fireball exhibits a temperature difference of 500 degrees Celsius between its membrane and core.
Fireball artifact location. Captured by VideoGamer
Fireball artifact stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You’ll find the Fireball artifact in thermal anomalies across the Zone, though in our experience it’s limited to late-game areas. We found ours in the thermal anomaly in the Garages part of the Duga in the southeast of the Zone.
About the Author
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
- Platform(s): PC, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, Adventure, RPG, Shooter, Survival Horror
