5 best early-game weapons in Stalker 2

Stalker 2 focuses on a character named Skif, who's trying to navigate the mysterious and fantastical realm of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, home to many anomalies after a disaster in 2006. The sequel has received critical and commercial acclaim for its uncompromising approach to being a gritty, realistic, and difficult survival horror experience.

Enemies in Stalker 2 aren't to be fiddled around with. Both humans and mutants can bring your doom in a few seconds. To ensure your survival in the unforgiving depths of Chornobyl, here are the five best early-game weapons in Stalker 2.

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5 of the best early-game weapons in Stalker 2

1) Valik Lummox's AKM-74S

AKs with scopes can be a massive help (Image via GSC Game World || Youtube/@Lootward)

Enemies are plentiful in Stalker 2. As such, long and medium-range firearms are a must if you want to deal with enemies without entering their domain yourself. Assault rifles with a scope are a rarity, especially in the early game. But you can acquire an especially deadly one after you complete the prologue. The scope on the rifle makes it easy for you to hit precise shots, something you'll need with your limited arsenal at this stage in the game.

Reach Valissya, speak with Warlock, and ask him for a job; he'll assign you Warlock's Debtor side quest. Reach the location, and use non-hostile dialogue for the first group of mercenaries you meet there. Do the same while talking to Valik. He'll ask you to climb atop a water tower. There, you'll find Valik Lummox's AKM-74S.

• Name: Valik Lummox's AKM-74S
• Type: Assault Rifle
• Caliber: 9x19
• Magazine: 30
• Damage (0-5): 1.1
• Rate of Fire (0-5): 4.9
• Accuracy (0-5): 4.9

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2) Spitter

SMGs can provide you with an advantage at short distances with a small group of enemies (Image via GSC Game World || Youtube/@Lootward)

In the ruthless world of Stalker 2, the Spitter can be a boon if you face a surprise encounter with a myriad of foes. It is surprisingly accurate for how quickly it can dispense bullets, and it has a long magazine. You can find it during the early game in Stalker 2.

Reach the Slag Heap and acquire the side mission A Big Score, which sees you getting double-crossed by your handler, so be prepared. Kill all the assailants to progress forward. Loot the corpse of their chief Sashko Cheery to find the Spitter SMG. Following this, you can complete the quest and decide if you want to take revenge on Zakhar or defend him.

• Name: Spitter
• Type: SMG
• Caliber: 9x18
• Magazine: 20
• Damage: 1.3
• Rate of Fire: 4.9
• Accuracy: 3.7

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3) Model Competitor (DLC)

Revolvers can be some of the deadliest sidearms in games (Image via GSC Game World || Youtube/@Lootward)

During your early hours in Stalker 2, you'll start your journey with an unassuming pistol. While your arsenal will be expanded early on by other primary additions, a good sidearm can prove crucial if you run out of heavy ammo. And if you know what to do, you can acquire a hefty revolver early on. The Model Competitor can be a massive help in medium range when you want to deal precise shots with deadly firepower.

Complete an initial main quest A Needle in a Haystack. Return to your private stash after completing the quest and listen to a data stick recording left there to start the mission Seek, And You Shall Find, which focuses on finding 12 Journalist stashes scattered around Chornobyl.

You'll find the Model Competitor in one of these 12 stashes, in the northern area, at Yaniv. Use your map to navigate to the location containing the sidearm.

• Name: Model Competitor
• Type: Pistol
• Caliber: 9x39
• Magazine: 6
• Damage: 5
• Rate of Fire: 3.6
• Accuracy: 4.1

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4) SVDM-2

A sniper can be extremely helpful in the world of Stalker 2 (Image via GSC Game World || Youtube/@Lootward)

When it comes to powerful weapons, very few can beat the perfect one-shot kill of a sniper rifle. And a long-range firearm can be a best friend in the cruel world of Stalker 2. While this particular sniper is more commonly found around the map and can't be considered the definitive sniper, it can pack a wallop in the game's initial hours.

Reach the Northern Checkpoint toward the north of Zalissya's Bar. Head toward the northeastern part of the checkpoint, inside a massive warehouse. Be wary of the numerous booby traps inside the location. You'll find a mercenary named Leshy at the top corridor inside the compound. Kill him to acquire SVDM-2. While it isn't in the best condition, the resources spent to repair are worth it.

• Name: SVDM-2
• Type: Sniper Rifle
• Caliber: 7.62x54
• Magazine: 10
• Damage: 3.5
• Rate of Fire: 4.9
• Accuracy: 5

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5) TOZ 34

Nothing can beat turning enemies into red mist with a shotgun (Image via GSC Game World)

While strategic positioning and precise shooting can help deal with humans in Stalker 2, mutants are a different subject. Most of your mutant encounters will see them attacking you at point-blank range. As such, you can acquire a powerful shotgun to decimate enemies at close range.

You'll find the titular double-barreled shotgun at the Levitating Silo, south of the Zalissya base. You'll need to be swift considering the place is swarming with mutated animals. Work your way up the ladder, and place yourself above the box in front of you, then jump to the railing, and complete your platforming crusade by hopping on the roof. Head inside the smaller shelter to find a bright blue stash and a mint-condition TOZ 34

• Name: TOZ 34
• Type: Shotgun
• Caliber: 12"/70
• Magazine: 2
• Damage: 5
• Rate of Fire: 4.9
• Accuracy: 2.2

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These were the five best early-game weapons you can acquire in Stalker 2.