In STALKER 2, The Zone is a perilous place, full of threats that can bring your journey to an abrupt end. Navigating the open-world survival shooter, you’ll face armed NPC stalkers, bizarre supernatural occurrences known as anomalies, and perhaps most dangerously, mutants—creatures prowling The Zone, preying on both stalkers and each other.
The game features 16 varieties of mutants, from humans turned to monsters by radiation and psi-waves, to beasts with enhanced strength and resilience, and some crossbreeds of both. Tackling these menaces can be quite daunting, yet with the appropriate gear and strategies, you can conquer them.
I’ve spent countless hours in the STALKER universe, with over 70 hours invested in this sequel alone, battling every mutant the game has to offer. With this experience, I’ve put together a comprehensive guide filled with strategies and tips on handling each mutant effectively.
STALKER 2: How to deal with rat swarms
When exploring The Zone, you might come across rat swarms early on. Individually, these creatures pose little threat. However, as a group, they will quickly overwhelm and bite you if not dealt with promptly from a distance.
Since these pests appear in large numbers, using bullets is inefficient. Instead, as soon as you hear the telltale chittering, climb onto nearby objects like crates or pipes, and toss a grenade into their midst. This should wipe out most or all of them instantly. If some remain, toss another grenade to finish the job.
STALKER 2: Handling rodent mutants
Another early-game challenge comes from rodents, oversized rats that hop on two legs. Typically encountered in packs, they attack by leaping and trying to bite or scratch you.
Due to their low health, shooting them with a pistol should suffice, making it unnecessary to waste precious rifle or shotgun ammo.
Climbing onto props can help avoid being swarmed, but note that this will cause the rodents to scatter and hide. Use this tactic only if you need a moment to reload or heal; as soon as you step down, they’ll rush at you again.
STALKER 2: Dealing with blind dogs
Blind dogs resemble regular canines but attack in packs, lunging at you unless you’re on unreachable high ground. Their speed is their biggest threat, as they can close in quickly, often encircling you if they get too close.
Stay alert for their barks and snarls, a hint they’re preparing to charge. Backpedal and use a pistol, SMG, or rifle to fend them off. Avoid using double-barrel shotguns for this due to extended reload periods. Their health is low, so an abundance of firepower isn’t crucial.
If surrounded, your best chance of survival is to pick a direction and sprint to break free. Turn and pick them off as they pursue, or try luring them into anomalies for an achievement.
STALKER 2: Facing fleshes
Fleshes, mutated pigs, move slower but have more health compared to blind dogs. You’ll recognize them by their odd insect-like legs, often traveling in groups.
Although similar tactics apply, remember their surprising leap attack. This can be dodged by quickly sprinting sideways. Keeping them at a distance with your attacks is key.
STALKER 2: Battling boars
Mutant boars mirror common wild swine, but with heightened aggression, charging directly at you in groups. They’re capable of knocking you down, leaving you open to follow-up attacks.
Any firearm works against them, but pump-action or mag-fed shotguns excel. Pistols are suboptimal due to lower stopping power.
Their lack of jumping attacks means climbing even low obstacles can keep you out of harm’s way, providing you a chance to heal or reload safely.
STALKER 2: Confronting bloodsuckers
Bloodsuckers, humanoid mutants with invisible cloaking abilities, are formidable with their high health, fast movements, and hard-hitting attacks. Patience and precision are required to handle them effectively.
Track their movements by looking for the shimmer of their cloak, using your flashlight in the dark. Shotguns or high-penetration firearms work best as they charge. If necessary, use high ground for a breather, as they can’t reach you there.
STALKER 2: Tackling poltergeists
Poltergeists, strange mutants casting telekinetic attacks with levitated objects, require close-range combat. They appear as electrical or fiery orbs, hurling objects your way.
Get up close, weaving through their attacks, and find cover to shoot their orb form. Rifles or shotguns are effective here. Avoid fighting them from a distance due to reduced effectiveness.
STALKER 2: Wrestling with zombies
Zombies in the game are former stalkers consumed by psi-radiation, now mindless yet still able to wield weapons. They’re slow and predictable but can only be permanently killed with headshots.
Find cover and pick them off one by one, maintaining a safe distance to avoid being overwhelmed and outgunned.
STALKER 2: Handling controllers
The iconic controllers, telekinetic mutants, assault with psi-waves from a distance. Managing line of sight is crucial to avoid their attacks.
Use psi-block consumables if available and go for headshots, breaking line of sight frequently. Grenades are effective given the controller’s slow movements.
STALKER 2: Fighting burers
Burers wield telekinetic abilities, flinging objects and disarming you if you’re exposed. Make use of cover to manage their line of sight and headshots when they drop their shields.
Lure them around props, utilizing breaks to reposition and pick up any weapons they might use against you.
STALKER 2: Combating snorks
Snorks, ex-soldiers turned mutants, move on all fours and attack in groups. Although lethal in their lunges, they are fragile to gunfire.
Use rifles or shotguns to dispatch them quickly, retreating to create space and using evasive maneuvers to avoid their leaping strikes.
STALKER 2: Defeating psy-dogs
Psy-dogs, evolved blind dogs creating illusory clones, pose a unique challenge. It’s hard to identify the real one, and regrouping is more hassle than it’s worth.
Optionally withdraw, letting stalkers assist. If engaged, focus on the real attacker, locking on to it during clone creation.
STALKER 2: Taking down bayun
Bayun, or mutated cats, lure you to traps using stalker cries before pouncing. Approach suspect cries cautiously with a shotgun ready, and maintain space during combat for easier evasion.
STALKER 2: Engaging mutated deer
New to the game, mutated deer control other mutants to attack before charging personally. Ignore minor threats, focusing your fire on the deer.
Maintain agility and end its control quickly; close-range shotgun attacks are highly effective.
STALKER 2: Facing chimeras
Chimeras, enormous predators, combine resilience with lethal attacks. Avoid encounters unless necessary, using evasive movements to counter their dynamic leaps.
Should you be cornered, try to trap them in inaccessible places, utilizing shotguns or RPGs to maximize your chances for survival.
STALKER 2: Overcoming pseudogiants
The colossal pseudogiants rank among the toughest, packed with armor and power. Avoid their charge, utilizing cover against their physical and telekinetic attacks.
Kite them strategically around props, prioritizing heavy weaponry like machine guns or RPGs for direct assault. Stay vigilant to counter their devastating charges and continuous barrages.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is now available on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC, counting among the best Xbox and PC games this year. You can get it at a discount on CDKeys or play via Xbox and PC Game Pass services.
