Stalker 2 walkthrough: How to complete Deceive the Deceiver side mission

Deceive the Deceiver is a short side mission in Stalker 2 that can significantly reward you if played correctly. The mission can be accessed at the title's Garbage region. The primary objective is to help a stalker named Akopyan deal with his enemies. However, by following certain methods, you can also earn extra Coupons during this quest.

This Stalker 2 walkthrough will thoroughly guide you in completing the Deceive the Deceiver side mission.

---

Deceive the Deceiver side mission in Stalker 2: Location

Save Akopyan on this location to access the Deceive the Deceiver mission (Image via GSC Game World)

During your time in the Garbage region, head northwest of the Factory. After eliminating all the soldiers in the location, you will hear a voice calling for help. Go to the corner behind a bus to interact with Akopyan. You can then help him with a bandage.

Interact with Akopyan to start the quest (Image via GSC Game World)

Afterward, Akopyan will explain his situation saying a person named Babay had set him up to kill him, and will ask for your help to scare off Babay. If you agree to help him by selecting the prompt "Sure," the Deceive the Deceiver mission will begin.

---

Deceive the Deceiver side mission in Stalker 2: Walkthrough

Take Sashko Cheery's gun to frighten Babay (Image via GSC Game World)

When done talking to Akopyan, search for the dead bodies that you eliminated earlier. One of them is named Sashko Cheery, and looting him will grant you Valik Lummox's AKM-74s. Take the gun and go to the Slag Heap base in the Garbage region.

Get inside the Slag Heap base and talk to Zakhar Babay. Tell him that Akopyan sent you and show him the gun you took earlier. Babay will get terrified thinking Akopyan is still alive and successfully dealt with his men.

Babay will then ask for your help to protect him during his journey to his stash. In turn, he will reward you with Coupons. Accept his offer by selecting "Let's go" and follow him outside. Notably, no one will attack him during this, so you can easily reach the required location by following him.

Escort Babay to his stash (Image via GSC Game World)

First, Babay will go to its stash inside a red container. The journey will take roughly two minutes. After managing his stash, Babay will once more relocate to a nearby location where two of his friends reside. Afterward, he will reward you with 3374 Coupons.

Following that, you can choose to kill Babay and his friends to get their loot. As it doesn't affect the outcome, you can also ignore them and return to Akopyan at the Slag Heap base. After reporting the situation, he will grant you another 3374 Coupons. With this, the Deceive the Deceiver mission in Stalker 2 concludes.

---

Check out more Stalker 2 gameplay guides below:

• All achievements and how to unlock
• How to complete The Poppy Field mission
• How to find the Weird Ball artifact