Weapons That Aren’t Worth Upgrading In STALKER 2

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Key Takeaways

  • In
    STALKER 2
    , players must choose which weapons to upgrade, as many early-game firearms aren’t worth investing in due to their limited long-term viability.
  • Skif’s Pistol stands out over the PTM and UDP Compact, offering infinite durability and impressive upgrade potential.
  • The Boomstick and TOZ-34 shotguns are soon overshadowed by the M860 Cracker, while the AKM assault rifles are outclassed by unique variants like Valik Lummox’s or the Drowned.

As a seasoned Stalker with years of roaming the Zone under my belt, I must say that each weapon has its place and time. The weapons you’ve listed are no exception.

In “STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl”, you’ll encounter an assortment of firearms, ranging from pistols and shotguns to SMGs, assault rifles, and sniper rifles. These weapons can be intensely modified and personalized through enhancements provided by technicians stationed at bases scattered across the game’s expansive open-world zones. However, these improvements don’t come cheap, and amassing a substantial quantity of in-game currency, or coupons, can prove tricky. This underscores the importance of strategic weapon investment decisions for players.

Intriguingly, the weapon advancement in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl seems less balanced than its predecessors. Early-stage weapons that are quite effective often become outdated as players move beyond the Lesser Zone, where a plethora of stronger firearms can be easily obtained. To help players avoid squandering valuable resources, let’s explore some weapons in STALKER 2 that don’t maintain their usefulness for long and aren’t worth upgrading at technicians due to several factors.

1 PTM

Recommended Alternative: Skif’s Pistol

  • Type: Pistol
  • Weight: 0.55 kg
  • Magazine: 8

In the Zone, you’ll find that the PTM pistol is the most frequently encountered firearm. It can be quickly acquired from fallen stalkers, bandits, or discovered in numerous hidden caches. Despite its moderate damage output and lightweight design, there’s typically no need to rely on or enhance the standard PTM gun in STALKER 2. The reason for this is straightforward.

Right from the beginning, players receive Skif’s Lightweight Pistol, a remarkable variant of the PTM with nearly zero weight and affordable repair costs. What sets it apart is that modifications and accessories designed for the regular PTM can also be used on Skif’s Pistol. These advantages make it hard to justify using any other weapon in its place due to Skif’s Pistol’s reliability and low maintenance needs. Essentially, the standard PTM becomes unnecessary once you have Skif’s Pistol from the outset.

2 UDP Compact

Recommended Alternative: Skif’s Pistol With Mag Extension

  • Type: Pistol
  • Weight: 1.0 kg
  • Magazine: 15

In the early stages of play, the UDP Compact appears to be a good pistol option due to its reasonable damage, precision, and larger ammo magazine. Some players might also appreciate its stylish, contemporary look. Nevertheless, when considering raw performance and practicality, the UDP Compact doesn’t excel much over the PTM. This means that with just a few affordable upgrades and modules, the versatile Skif’s Pistol can quickly surpass the UDP Compact.

At the onset of gameplay, players have the opportunity to enhance Skif’s Pistol by adding a silencer and a larger magazine, boosting its round capacity to a handy 13 shots from the standard 8. Its lightweight nature, minimal repair costs, and promising upgradability make Skif’s Pistol an outstanding secondary weapon for the game’s early to mid-stages within STALKER 2. Given that Skif’s Pistol offers better reliability and affordability compared to the UDP Compact, there seems to be little reason to allocate resources towards the latter, especially since repairing the UDP can set players back around 1,000 coupons at regular intervals.

3 Boomstick

Recommended Alternatives: M860 Cracker, SPSA-14

  • Type: Shotgun
  • Weight: 1.94 kg
  • Magazine: 2

In the game STALKER 2, the Boomstick functions as the primary shotgun. It’s quite common to come across this weapon within the Zone. Despite its good damage output and convenient lightweight construction, its two-shot limit and slow reload speed can make it less than optimal in numerous circumstances, especially during intense, high-stress scenarios. Shotguns are highly beneficial for neutralizing mutants like Flesh, as well as aggressive creatures such as dogs and boars, thanks to their effectiveness at close range. Unfortunately, the Boomstick’s limited ammunition capacity can put players at a significant disadvantage in many situations.

For instance, the health pools of these enemies are large enough that two shots are rarely sufficient to down even a single mutant. In scenarios where players face multiple foes — an almost guaranteed occurrence in the game — the two-round capacity and lengthy reload time can leave them dangerously exposed. To improve survivability in close-range combat or mutant encounters, it’s strongly advised to swap the Boomstick for the M860 Cracker at the earliest opportunity. The Cracker offers significantly better performance, making it a far more reliable option for handling the Zone’s toughest threats.

4 TOZ-34

Recommended Alternatives: M860 Cracker, SPSA-14

  • Type: Shotgun
  • Weight: 3.14 kg
  • Magazine: 2

In the game STALKER 2, the TOZ-34 gun possesses similar pros and cons as the Boomstick, implying it’s not the ideal pick for those aiming to own a dependable shotgun. On one hand, it dishes out decent damage. However, on the downside, its limited two-shot capacity and extended reload duration overshadow its potential effectiveness. Moreover, the TOZ-34 is heavier than the Boomstick, which could be detrimental for stalkers who prioritize speed and inventory space while venturing through their expeditions.

Similar to the Boomstick, the TOZ-34 is more advantageous for beginners and lawless characters compared to seasoned stalkers. It’s not advisable to invest in this weapon due to its rapid obsolescence. Instead, consider the M860 Cracker, offering a six-round capacity and enhanced versatility. Players can often discover the Cracker even in the Lesser Zone if they meticulously explore the area. Opting for the Cracker early on is a shrewd move for those aiming to boost their firepower and resilience.

5 Viper-5

Recommended Alternatives: Buket S-2, M10 Gordon, Integral-A

  • Type: Sub-Machine Gun
  • Weight: 2.5 kg
  • Magazine: 30

The Viper-5, frequently favored by the STALKER enthusiasts, is extensively found across all regions of STALKER 2. This Submachine Gun (SMG) stands out as a reliable option in the early game due to its abundant and conveniently accessible ammo, compact build, rapid fire rate, and swift reload time. These attributes make it a trustworthy weapon for swift confrontations, especially in confined spaces.

While it might be tempting for players to invest heavily in Viper-5 at the start, they should consider waiting as better SMGs like the Buket S-2 or M10 Gordon will soon become accessible after leaving the Lesser Zone. These superior weapons surpass the Viper-5 across multiple aspects, such as firepower and versatility. Particularly noteworthy is the Buket S-2 due to its high damage output, quick firing speed, and compatibility with a common ammo type.

If you’re a fan of the Viper-5 and want to boost its capabilities early on, consider trying out the distinctive Shah’s Mate variant. This model boasts an extended ammunition magazine, making it more suitable for extended battles. Once obtained, you can take Shah’s Mate to a technician for upgrades, keeping it competitive throughout mid-game conflicts.

6 AKM-74U

Recommended Alternatives: Fora-221, AR416, GP37

  • Type: Assault Rifle
  • Weight: 2.72 kg
  • Magazine: 30

The AKM-74U is a miniaturized version of the standard AKM-74S, using the same ammunition and providing roughly equivalent performance in terms of damage output, firing speed, and reloading speed. It’s a reliable assault rifle for initial skirmishes, but it may not be worth significant early game investments due to its lack of exceptional qualities.

One of the key drawbacks of the default AKM-74U is its overshadowing by the numerous unique AKM-74S variants available early in STALKER 2. For example, players can obtain Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S with a 4x zoom PSO scope and built-in upgrades during one of the first side missions. This version provides better utility and performance right off the bat. Additionally, the Garbage region offers other unique AKM-74S variants like Drowned, equipped with a grenade launcher, or Combatant, obtained during the main questline. These superior options make the standard AKM-74U a less appealing choice for long-term use.

7 AKM-74S

Recommended Alternatives: Fora-221, AR416, GP37

  • Type: Assault Rifle
  • Weight: 3.63 kg
  • Magazine: 30

In the initial STALKER games, the AKM-74S was a favorite among many players, commonly used during early and mid-game due to limited assault rifle options in starting zones. Unfortunately, in STALKER 2, the AKM-74S is no longer one of the strongest assault rifles accessible at the start. Instead, players have multiple powerful and easily attainable alternatives like the AR416 and GP37. Although these new weapons provide superior firepower, their unique ammo types can be scarce in the early stages. The Fora-221, which uses the same ammo as the AKM-74S, might prove to be a better option due to its effectiveness.

For enthusiasts of the AKM-74S firearm, it’s advisable to secure one of the three exclusive models as soon as possible: Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S, Drowned, or Combatant. Each variant boasts distinctive enhancements or modifications that greatly boost their effectiveness. By directing your resources towards upgrading these particular models, players can transform them into potent, dependable weapons to tackle the obstacles that lie ahead.

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2024-11-28 17:04