How to get the Weird Nut artifact in Stalker 2

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The Weird Nut is one of only a handful of unique legendary artifacts in Stalker 2. Described as an altered item discussed reverently among Stalkers, it offers the best bleed protection of any artifact in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Unlike your garden variety artifacts like the Whirlwind or Liquid Rock, getting the Weird Nut takes some work. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to get the Weird Nut in Stalker 2.

Where to get the Weird Nut artifact in Stalker 2

To get the Weird Nut artifact, you’ll need to visit the Fire Whirl anomalous area in the Cooling Towers region in the very far northeast of the Zone. Inside, you’ll find a fiery tornado that spells death if you get too close. It also swells and ebbs, killing you if you are its radius. The Weird Nut is located on a raised bridge near the top of the structure. To reach it, you’ll need to take on some perilous platforming. It’s worth making a save as there’s a solid chance you’ll die once or twice.

To start, head to the southern side of the tower and you’ll spot a metal tower with a ladder. Follow the outer edge of the tower round to the right until you see a short ladder leading to low platform on your left. Wait for the whirl to subside and the ladder to stop glowing, then go up the ladder and then again up the longer one to reach the platform above.

At the top, take a left. Follow the edge of the tower round, hopping over the gaps as required until you reach a metal bridge leading towards the center of the structure. Make another save here. Wait for the Fire Whirl to swell and ignite the bridge. As soon as the orange glow on the bridge starts receding, run across. Make your way to the other end, hopping over to the different platforms and beams to avoid falling down.

At the end, veer right, jumping on the big concrete slabs, until you come to a metal bridge leading towards the Fire Whirl at the center of the tower. It’s worth saving your game here again. Wait for the whirl to swell and subside, then follow the bridge forward as the orange glow draws back. At the end of the bridge, drop down to the metal platform below. The Weird Nut is just ahead on the edge. Grab it and drop down to the platform below then to another one. Make your way to the ground below then run out of the tower.

Stalker 2 Weird Nut: Fire Whirl anomalous area.
The Weird Nut offers maximum bleed protection but slower healing. Captured by VideoGamer

Weird Nut stats

Unlike normal artifacts, legendary variants don’t come with a clear indication of their respective benefits and downsides. For the Weird Nut, all we have to go is the item description, which reads: ‘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.’ Reading between the lines here, the Weird Nut offers maximum bleed protection, but healing from medkits and bandages is less effective.

About the Author

Tom Bardwell

Tom is guides editor here at VideoGamer.

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