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With no traditional levelling system or a skill tree to lean on like in the previous entries in the series, your progression in Stalker 2 depends entirely on your guns. While you can pick up low-level weapons from bandits and Stalkers, they aren’t fit for purpose as you delve deeper into the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. Fortunately, the early hours of the game are peppered with unique and special weapons. These pack a serious punch and should see through quite deep into the game with some choice upgrades, the best detectors, and proper maintenance.
In this guide, we’ll share four of the best early game weapons you can get in Stalker 2, including their respective locations.
Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The gun is at the top of a water tower just north of Zalissya. Captured by VideoGamer
Climb the ladder to reach the top. Captured by VideoGamer
Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S
- Weight – 3.56 kg
- Caliber – 5.45×39
- Magazine – 30
Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S is one of the first unique weapons you can pick in Stalker 2. It’s basically a souped up AKM-74s with excellent accuracy thanks to a mounted scope. Though, you’ll find better weapons later on, it’s significantly better than the Viper-5 and AKMs you’ll have used so far. You can find it on top of the Water Tower to the north of the Zalissya camp in the Lesser Zone region. You’ll get to it as part of the Warlock’s Debtor side mission, but you can also head straight there as soon as you reach Zalissya. There’s a ladder to reach the top.
Unknown Stalker’s AR416 stats. Captured by VideoGamer
Take on the Poppy Field side mission in the northwest of the Lesser Zone. Captured by VideoGamer
Sell the icon to Pomor to get the AR416. Captured by VideoGamer
Unknown Stalker’s AR416
- Weight – 5.56 kg
- Caliber – 5.56×45
- Magazine – 30
The Unknown Stalker’s AR416 is in excellent condition and boasts impressive accuracy and rate of fire stats. Better yet, it’s a gun you can get very early on by wrapping up The Poppy Field side mission in the northwest of the Lesser Zone region. You’ll need to track down a religious icon in a poppy field with mind-altering properties. Once you’ve retrieved the idol, talk to Pomor in the house to the north east of the field and he will offer to buy it off you. Accept and he’ll hand over the Unknown Stalker’s AR416.
GP37 stats. Captured by VideoGamer
You’ll find the GP37 in the Plant Boiler Station. Captured by VideoGamer
Climb to the second floor using the crates. Captured by VideoGamer
Kill Alex the Gherkin to get the GP37. Captured by VideoGamer
GP37
- Weight – 3.6 kg
- Caliber – 5.56×45
- Magazine – 30
The GP37 is a lightweight AR that packs a punch thanks to solid penetration, accuracy, and rate of fire. It comes with a powerful scope for ranged shots but works just as well from the hip. You’ll find the GP37 on a Stalker called Alex the Gherkin at the Plant Boiler Station in the southeast of the Garbage region. You’ll need to kill Alex then grab the gun as part of the No Honor Among Thieves side mission. He’s typically found on the upper level of the main building and is wearing a black leather jacket with the hood up. Use the crates to reach the second floor door.
Shah’s Mate stats. Captured by VideoGamer
The Shah’s stash is in a railway tunnel in the northwest of the Garbage region. Captured by VideoGamer
If you keep Docent alive in the No Honor Among Thieves side mission, he’ll pinpoint the coordinates of the stash. Captured by VideoGamer
The stash in an alcove in the tunnel. Captured by VideoGamer
Shah’s Mate
- Weight – 3.06 kg
- Caliber – 9×19
- Magazine – 40
The Shah’s Mate is a reliable SMG that’s technically the property of the Brood’s fiery leader. It has a superb rate of rate and an extended magazine to compensate. It’s perfect for close-to-mid-range firefights or for exploring buildings where you don’t know what’s lurking around the next corner. You’ll find this in the Shah’s Stash, which is inside a railway tunnel in the northwest of the Garbage region. Check the image gallery above for the exact location. If you decide to spare Docent in the No Honor Among Thieves side mission, you’ll get the stash marked on your map. Head to the middle of the tunnel and look for an alcove and two dead bodies. The stash is at the back. A mutant also roams the tunnel so be on the lookout.
Loot the Journalist’s Stash in Rostok to get the Riemann. Captured by VideoGamer
Riemann stats. Captured by VideoGamer
Riemann
- Weight 4.56 kg
- Caliber – 9×19
- Magazine – 20
Despite having a flimsy 20 round magazine, the Riemann provides near unmatched firepower in the early game for an SMG. It’s an Integral-A that’s undergone some choice tuning that makes it lethal at close and mid-range. It does tear through ammunition though, so make sure you always carrying plenty around with you. You’ll find it in the Journalist’s Stash located next to the Volkhov SAM point of interest in the north of the Rostok region. You can head there from Slag Heap as soon as you land there as part of the main story. It’s a small 15 minute detour but well worth the effort. With a few upgrades, the Riemann can carry well into the late game.
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
