Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2

Key Takeaways

  • Upgrade equipment early in STALKER 2 for survival and efficiency in the post-apocalyptic Zone.
  • PSZ-V5 Guardian of Freedom armor offers top protection and upgrade options in mid-game.
  • Invest in the Valik AKM-74S assault rifle for reliability and upgrade options to improve performance.

As someone who’s spent countless hours exploring the treacherous landscapes of Stalker, I can confidently say that upgrading your gear is not just an option, it’s a necessity for survival. Each piece of equipment you find has its unique strengths and weaknesses, but with some clever tweaking, they can become invaluable tools in your journey through the Zone.


In STALKER 2, players find themselves in a post-apocalyptic landscape teeming with perils and enigmas. To thrive amidst the Zone’s threats, it’s crucial to grasp and leverage the game’s upgrade system. Neglecting these improvements initially may leave Skif at a significant disadvantage, particularly when facing formidable adversaries.

In STALKER 2, it’s essential to prioritize upgrading your character’s gear early on since the initial hours of the game often offer few resources for the protagonist. This is crucial for making progress in the story and maximizing both survival chances and efficiency in combat. Players should be mindful that investing in the right upgrades can significantly boost their performance and help them overcome the game’s challenges more effectively.

1 PSZ-V5 Guardian Of Freedom

One Of The Best Armor Available In Stalker 2’s Mid Game

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2
  • Type: Suit
  • Initial Artifact Slots: 2
  • Weight: 7.0 kg

In the game STALKER 2, the PSZ-V5 Guardian of Freedom stands out as one of the best protective gear available early on. Created by the Freedom group, this armor boasts superior resistance to radiation, anomalies, and physical harm, making it indispensable for tackling the Zone’s difficulties.

Beyond this, the armor can be boosted to add additional artifact slots, giving players the ability to carry and make use of more potent items. Furthermore, improvements to the armor also amplify the character’s total resistances, making the PSZ-V5 a stronger defense against diverse kinds of damage and an attractive choice for progressing in the game.

2 Gas Mask

Essential Protection Against The Dangers Of The Zone

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2
  • Type: Mask
  • Weight: 2.0 kg

In the game STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl, gas masks are essential gear for navigating the Zone’s hazardous conditions. They provide crucial shielding from radiation, harmful gases, and other potential dangers in the environment. To ensure optimal protection, any newly obtained mask should be enhanced to boost its performance. This enhancement enables the player to delve deeper into perilous zones with improved safety and productivity.

Additionally, upgrading masks offers protection against physical assaults and can soften the impact of projectiles. This multi-functionality makes it an essential element for defensive tactics and delving into hazardous locations. Neglecting enhancements could leave a player exposed, impeding their advancement and boosting the chances of encountering abnormalities or adversaries in polluted zones.

3 APSB

A Pistol That Benefits From Upgrades

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2
  • Caliber: 9×18
  • Magazine Capacity: 19

In STALKER 2, the APSB isn’t discovered early on, but it’s a pistol where players can put a significant amount of Skif’s earnings into upgrades. When obtained, this weapon proves to be very beneficial due to its high damage output and armor-piercing capabilities, surpassing many other guns in its class.

Beyond these enhancements such as a laser sight and silencer, the APSB undergoes not just an aesthetic transformation but also evolves into a highly effective instrument for handling humans. This upgrade offers a covert means to neutralize individuals. Additionally, it proves exceptionally useful against smaller mutants, making management of them easier, especially post-upgrade.

4 Debut Suit

More Protection And Artifacts Are Great

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2
  • Type: Suit
  • Initial Artifact Slots: 1
  • Weight: 3.0 kg

In the initial stages of playing STALKER 2, you’ll come across one of the early armors – the Debut Suit. This suit can be obtained either by buying it from the Hamster or by exploring the game map. It’s also advisable to think about upgrading this item. Not only does it enhance your character’s resistance to heat and chemicals, but with an upgrade, it can prove to be even more beneficial in the game.

In this game, players have an opportunity to receive coupons from a Technician, which they can then use to expand the number of artifact slots for their Debut Suit. This can significantly impact gameplay during the early stages, as having more artifacts available can be incredibly beneficial due to their powerful nature and the importance of effective management.

5 M860 Cracker

Reloading This Weapon Faster Is Extremely Useful

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2
  • Caliber: 12″/70
  • Magazine: 6

Although shotguns inflict significant damage in the game, they do have noticeable drawbacks like limited shooting distance and a slower rate of ammunition reloading. Consequently, while the M860 Cracker is highly effective in close-quarter battles, particularly against mutants, there are still certain aspects that could be optimized.

Enhancers of STALKER 2 seeking to boost the efficiency of the M860 Cracker might consider focusing on two key aspects: speeding up reload times and minimizing shot scatter. By addressing these areas, players will find a swifter reaction in crucial moments, transforming the shotgun into one of the most dependable weapons for close-quarters combat.

6 Drowned

An Improved Variant Of The AKM-74S With Installed Upgrades

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2
  • Caliber: 5.45×39
  • Magazine: 30

The Improved Drowned Rifle is a more advanced variant of the AKM-74S gun, which comes pre-equipped with upgrades. This makes it an appealing choice for gamers looking for extra firepower at the start of the game. Because it’s already been modified, this weapon delivers better performance than standard models, making it less challenging to tackle tougher opponents.

Additionally, it may be handed over to technicians for upgrades like boosting precision and enhancing armor-piercing capabilities. These advancements make the Drowned even more formidable, particularly effective against heavily fortified foes during the early phases of STALKER 2. Starting with the Drowned from the get-go could prove vital for your survival in the Zone.

7 Valik AKM-74S

The Best Weapon Players Can Find In The Early Game

Best Equipment To Upgrade First In STALKER 2
  • Caliber: 5.45×39
  • Magazine: 30

Among the diverse types of equipment in STALKER 2, Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S stands out as the most practical and potent weapon at the game’s onset. Unlike ordinary versions encountered initially, this one is pre-installed with a scope, transforming it into an effective asset for long-range engagements.

Nevertheless, there’s room for enhancing the gear, albeit not as dramatically as some of the equipment seen in STALKER 2. Lightening the load by reducing weight allows for more storage space for fresh gear, while boosting its performance, like improved accuracy, is equally smart.

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2024-11-28 05:24