6 things you shouldn't miss early in Stalker 2

GamesFPSStalker 26 things you shouldn’t miss early in Stalker 2When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Two groups arguing

Stalker 2doesn’t like to tell you where to go. Besides mission markers, the map is surprisingly sparse, devoid of icons and collectibles, encouraging you to explore and find almost everything yourself. However, in the early game, you can feel incredibly underpowered at times and often like you’re wandering aimlessly. That’s why I’ve put together a list of some of the key places to go and things to do early on.

This list covers some initial story locations you should visit, as well as some side areas that hold valuable loot that you should grab as soon as you can.

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Ruined house with safe

During the opening mission, you will have to scan three spots, with the third spot just next to a small house. While you can loot this building before you scan the area, we suggest you don’t as after you scan the third spot you will lose all your gear besides a pistol and some ammo. Instead, don’t pick up anything and complete the mission.

If you already picked them up, then it is worth going back to an earlier save if you have it as the items can help out early on.

Head to Zalissya

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Grassy road

While this is your main mission objective after the initial opening, you don’t want to spend too long wandering around just yet. The best thing to do is to head straight for Zalissya, after stopping off at the post office on the way to the settlement.

Once there, you can sell any gear which is taking up space, store items in your personal box, heal up, and upgrade your weapons. This will serve as a hub of sorts early on and you will consistently be revisiting Zalissya for the first 15-20 hours of your journey. So, it’s best to get everything complete here early on before you go exploring.

Visit the Water Tower and complete Warlock’s Debtor

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Warlock’s Debtor

Visit the Pol Depot in the north-west of the Lesser Zone

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Stalker’s stash

In the north-west of the Lesser Zone, you can find this huge, sprawling depot that is unmarked until you visit it. Not only can you find a stash here, but there are a number of buildings you can search and some human enemies you can kill for weapons and ammo. You can then take these items to Zalissya and sell or keep them for yourself.

There is a lot to find in this area, which can be useful if you are short on money or ammo early on.

Explore unmarked locations for Anomalies

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Map location

Similarly, if you want a bunch of money early in your journey, it is worth artifact hunting. Explore unmarked forests, fields, and everywhere and anywhere with your scanner. The more it beeps, the closer you are to an anomaly which has an artifact. Generally, artifacts are in areas with a lot of anomalies bunched together.

There are a lot of artifacts that you will want to keep, but any that have negative effects like increased hunger or radiation can be sold at Zalissya for a lot of cash.

Visit a tunnel in the north of Garbage

Image1of2(Image credit: GSC Game World)(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Image1of2

(Image credit: GSC Game World)(Image credit: GSC Game World)

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Map marker

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Stalker 2 things to do - Crate by some concrete

This final place to visit isn’t accessible until you have access to the second region of The Zone lovingly named ‘Garbage’. It’s worth bee lining to this spot once you’ve opened it up after completing the main questline in and around Zalissya.

In the far north of Garbage, you can find an unmarked tunnel underneath a rail line. Inside this tunnel, there is a stash tucked under a crack in the wall about halfway down. In here you can find the Shah’s Mate SMG. This is a highly customised close-range weapon with 40 bullets in the magazine. You can also attach scopes to it, which helps with lining up shots.

Other than the AKM I picked up in the Lesser Zone, this is the weapon I used the most in this area of the game and the next few regions too. You can pick this up later, but it’s so powerful it’s worth grabbing before exploring Garbage fully.

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Head to Zalissya#

Visit the Water Tower and complete Warlock’s Debtor#

Visit the Pol Depot in the north-west of the Lesser Zone#

Explore unmarked locations for Anomalies#

Visit a tunnel in the north of Garbage#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

Head to Zalissya

Visit the Water Tower and complete Warlock’s Debtor

Visit the Pol Depot in the north-west of the Lesser Zone

Explore unmarked locations for Anomalies

Visit a tunnel in the north of Garbage

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals