STALKER 2: Best Artifacts, Ranked

Key Takeaways

Artifacts in STALKER 2 provide substantial benefits but come with radiation risks, requiring careful optimization for survival.
Balancing advantages and negative effects is key in selecting artifacts for superior performance in the Zone.
Unique artifacts like Weird Flower and Liquid Rock offer strategic advantages, showcasing the game’s diverse item mechanics.

As someone who has spent countless hours traversing the treacherous landscapes of the Zone, I can confidently say that these artifacts are not just mere trinkets; they are vital tools for survival. Each one offers unique benefits, from reducing radiation exposure to minimizing bullet damage when stationary.

In the game STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, artifacts play a crucial role as they boost character skills, offering benefits and advantages essential for surviving in the Zone. These potent items, though, come with negative aspects such as radiation, necessitating caution when using them to maximize their effectiveness.

In STALKER 2, the ideal items offer significant advantages alongside the inherent dangers of radiation, enabling stalkers to tackle the toughest challenges more effectively. Careful choosing of these items is essential as it ensures a balance between the benefits derived and the necessity to counteract adverse effects. This results in optimal performance when venturing into the Zone.

8 Wrenched

An Artifact To Help Survive The Early Game

Radiation: Weak
Physical Protection: Weak

In STALKER 2, one valuable item that new players might encounter early in the game is the Wrenched. This item is frequently found within gravitational anomalies and offers protection against bullets. While it doesn’t drastically reduce damage, having this artifact can make your initial journey through the Zone less perilous.

Additionally, this item doesn’t significantly boost the character’s radiation exposure, making it a versatile addition to the inventory. Since combating mutants and other players is a primary aspect of the game, it often proves to be a reliable selection for equipment.

7 Spring

Option To Carry More Items

Radiation: Medium
Weight Effect: Medium

Mastering inventory management is crucial for players at the onset of the game in STALKER 2, as it helps avoid penalties like decreased stamina and speed. If the inventory becomes too full, the main character will experience these debuffs. For those seeking additional storage capacity, the Spring artifact is an excellent choice to help expand your backpack space.

In return for enhancing the character’s exposure to radiation, this device – discoverable within areas of gravitational distortions – boosts the number of items the player can store in their inventory. This trade-off could be considered fair or even advantageous if the player knows how to manage radiation levels effectively. As a result, strategically utilizing the additional space in your pack for extra vodka supplies is also a wise decision.

6 Hypercube

A Powerful Artifact

Radiation: Maximum
Bleeding Resistance: Maximum
Thermal Protection: Maximum

In STALKER 2, many iconic relics come with a catch: when worn, they amplify your character’s radiation exposure. Yet, they compensate by granting impressive benefits. As such, players should strive for a balanced inventory, using some items to shield against radiation and others to boost their abilities.

The Hypercube is one of the items that grants great buffs. When equipped, it offers maximum bleeding resistance and thermal protection. This makes it one of the best artifacts in the game, especially against mutants or other attacks that usually cause the bleeding effect. However, it requires a certain balance to avoid slowly killing the player.

5 Bubble

Helps Combat Radiation

Radio Protection: Medium

In the game STALKER 2, while most items found increase the radiation suffered by characters, there are certain exceptional ones that don’t impart this effect and instead aid the protagonist in combating radiation. Carrying a Bubble item among your gear is a wise decision for those venturing into the Zone.

The mentioned item is typically discovered within the game’s Acid Anomalies. It offers the player the ability to utilize additional artifacts that provide significant advantages, but also come with potential drawbacks. Additionally, the Bubble serves as an excellent tool for navigating treacherous regions, protecting against damage inflicted by polluted surroundings, and enhancing survivability in such perilous situations.

4 Weird Flower

For Characters Who Like To Sleep

Unique Effect

In the realm of STALKER 2, I’ve come across a fascinating artifact called The Weird Flower. This peculiar item, known for its strategic advantage, emanates a unique scent that subtly decreases the odds of being spotted by hostile forces while I sleep with it equipped. Immediately after awakening, this effect is at its strongest, but it gradually lessens as time passes.

Apart from its practical use, the Weird Flower is frequently referred to as one of the fabled “changed objects.” For players who enjoy amassing collectibles, it’s a noteworthy artifact to keep handy. Given its unique influence on gameplay, this item makes an excellent selection for those who prefer non-confrontational methods during exploration.

3 Liquid Rock

One Of The Main Artifacts To Protect The Character

Radio Protection: Maximum
Chemical Protection: Maximum

For STALKER 2 enthusiasts seeking to delve into the game’s most irradiated zones, or those who want to utilize other artifacts that amplify radiation but desire fewer negative consequences, The Liquid Rock is an optimal choice. It is not only beneficial for exploration but also ranks among the top items that prioritize character protection.

Although rare, the item can be found in Acid Anomalies, and players who find it can consider themselves lucky. This is because, in addition to offering maximum protection against radioactivity and chemicals, the item also has a very high value among traders. It can be sold to buy other equipment if it doesn’t fit the player’s build.

2 Compass

Extremely Powerful, But With Some Drawbacks

Physical Protection: Maximum
Radiation: Maximum

In the game STALKER 2, The Compass is an exceptionally potent item, offering top-tier physical protection but at the price of heightened radiation exposure. This means it’s like a two-sided coin; on one side, it offers unmatched defense against physical assaults, but on the other, it amplifies the radiation your character endures. To minimize its negative impacts, it needs to be handled with caution and skill.

As an enthusiast, I’d say the Compass is ideal for seasoned players who can navigate through the high-risk, radioactive environment of the Zone. Its scarcity and intense radiation levels make it a strategic pick for those seeking ultimate protection in the most perilous regions. However, it’s crucial to strike a balance between its advantages and effective radiation mitigation measures to ensure safety.

1 Weird Ball

A Unique Effect

Unique Effect

As a devoted fan, I’m excited to share that STALKER 2 offers more than just common artifacts scattered across the map. It also features unique variations, often adorned with special effects that bestow extraordinary player abilities. For instance, the mysterious Weird Ball can be discovered within the Bulba anomaly, positioned to the right of Zalissya.

This item offers a significant advantage: it minimizes harm from potential attacks aimed at the main character, provided the player keeps the character stationary. However, this feature might restrict certain build options. For players who prefer long-range combat with rifles, this artifact is invaluable because even if an enemy’s shot connects, the resulting injuries are less severe. This makes the Weird Ball one of the top choices for early game play.

2024-11-25 04:04