No, you’re not hallucinating, and STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl isn’t bugging out– an invisible enemy is really killing you. It’s called the Poltergeist and it’s a mutant that’s not unlike the Bloodsucker. Both of them love to utilize their invisibility to make your life in the Zone much harder. Thankfully, we’re here to give you some tips and pointers on how to deal with the Poltergeist enemies in STALKER 2.
How to Spot Poltergeists in STALKER 2
First up, you need to know what exactly is attacking you. Poltergeists are much harder to spot compared to Bloodsuckers since they don’t shed their invisibility with each attack. To spot Poltergeists, however, here are some telltale signs:
- Floating objects that attack you.
- Small patches of mists, energy orbs, or moving clouds.
- Enclosed spaces.
But of course, the most obvious sight is that your health is getting damaged by seemingly random stuff without an indication of their direction. You can shoot or throw grenades randomly, but we don’t recommend that since weapon repair costs will make you poor, and you’d be wasting ammunition.
In fact, it’s more effective to run away if you don’t know how to deal with Poltergeists (and while you open this guide). Usually, they won’t chase you after you’re out of the area they guard.
How to Kill Poltergeists in STALKER 2
There are two kinds of Poltergeists in STALKER 2. Remember to perform a quicksave before fighting them. Here are their differences as well as the most effective way to kill them:
| Poltergeist Type | Characteristics | How to Kill |
| Electric | -Uses telekinesis to throw objects at you -Sometimes uses electricity in its attacks -Appears as a translucent or electric floating energy orb | Use a shotgun or a high-penetration weapon. Armor-piercing ammunition also works well here but they will wear down your gun faster. |
| Fire | -Spews fire from the floor and the walls -Appears as a floating fire orb | Keep your distance and use scoped weapons if possible. Wear armor with high thermal protection if you only have a shotgun. |
Again, there’s no shame in running away if you’re not prepared or lack ammunition, especially for the Fire Poltergeist. They usually won’t chase you if you manage to run away far enough.
As for the reward in killing them, well, they’re mutants, and mutants in STALKER 2 typically aren’t worth your time and ammunition. Most of them don’t drop loot. The only reason you’ll want to kill them is if they’re in the way or won’t let you loot in peace.
Generally, however, it’s best to just endure mutant attacks and spam Medkits and Bandages instead of wasting your ammunition and precious weapon durability.
