Deadly anomalies, boobytraps, bandits, and irradiated dogs are more than happy to kill you in Stalker 2. Between incoming gunfire and the claws of invisible mutants, there are as many ways to die as there are stashes lost in the Exclusion Zone. To avoid an early end, you’ll need the best guns you can find. What’s the best at any given time depends on your playstyle and what you can afford. Still, some weapons stand out, whether it’s for their ability to blitz through Bloodsuckers or suppress militia snipers. Here are the best weapons in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl and how to get them.
Stalker 2 Best Weapons Guide
Taking down Bloodsuckers and Poltergeists with bad weapons is rough. Getting the right gear isn’t always easy, however. Many weapons are broken and expensive to repair. Even those in working order often lack ammo, which gets expensive. You’ll want to balance what you need, what you can afford, and what you’ll have the ammo for. Playstyle also plays a big part, but the stats don’t change. These weapons rank among the best guns in Stalker 2.
Best All-Around, Sniper, and Shotgun
- AKM-74S (Best All-Around Pick): just because you can find this gun all over the place doesn’t mean it’s bad. The AKM-74S is light, stable, and accurate for mid to long-range firefights. For its sheer versatility and how common its ammo is, you won’t find many better options in the zone. You can go from claustrophobic sewer shootouts to open-field sniping in an instant. You need a weapon that can adapt. You can get the Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S via the “Warlock’s Debtor” side quest in Valissya.
- M701 Super (Best Sniper): if you want to one-shot bandits a half-mile away, the M701 is a dream come true. This heavy sniper is the definition of concentrated lethality. Yes, it has a smaller ammo capacity than some of its rivals, but you don’t need more bullets when you’re dropping people with one or two shots. For a solid alternative to the VS Vintar, grab this gun. You can get the M701 Super at Yaniv Station.
- SPSA-14 (Best Shotgun): anything that can melt a mutant in seconds gets my vote. Best Shotgun is a tricky pick, but there’s no doubt the SPSA-14 is one of the best guns in Stalker 2. With a fantastic RoF and damage, it can obliterate anything in your path up close. Unfortunately, it’s also heavy. If you’re not a fan of the Saiga D-12, give this one a try. You can get your hands on the SPSA-14 in stashes or as a random drop in the rougher areas beyond the Lesser Zone.
Best Handgun, Early Game, and Moddable Guns
- Model Competitor (Best Handgun): a punchy pistol that excels in everything but range and clip size, the Model Competitor is a top pick for your sidearm slot. With limited space and weight limits a constant concern, you’ll want to maximize your firepower and utility. The MC kills even tough mutants, and it does it while looking stylish. Complete “A Needle In A Haystack” to reveal the Journalist Stash locations. You’ll find the Model Competitor in the Yaniv stash.
- Dnipro (Best for Modding): a compact assault rifle that can shred at full-auto at point-blank range or swap to single-fire for long-range accuracy. It punches above its weight, offers good armor penetration, and looks great even without mods piled on. With or without customization, Dnipro gives you a deadly flex option at multiple ranges. You can get the Dnipro from a stash at the Cooling Towers.
- Skif’s Pistol (Best for Early Game): your starting pistol doesn’t hit the hardest or shoot the farthest. That said, it’s relatively punchy, degrades slowly, and uses some of the most common ammo in the game. It’s designed to ensure you’re never without a good emergency option, and it doesn’t disappoint. You’ll need a beefier main, but Skif’s Pistol is a solid sidearm. Throw a suppressor on this PTM, and it’s even a cheeky stealth option. You start the game with this weapon.
Though powerful weapons like Shah’s Mate, Ram-2, and Drowned can turn the tide of any firefight, they’re not always an option. The latter, for example, is broken when you find it, requiring expensive repairs before it’s any use. Put in the effort, however, and Drowned ranks among the best assault rifles in the game. There’s that Eurojank spirit Stalker fans love.
