Stalker 2 walkthrough: How to complete Legends of the Zone mission

The Legends of the Zone mission in Stalker 2 is one of the lengthiest missions in the title. This mission takes you through the entire map of the Zone, making you meet some of the most vital characters of the story, including Strelok. During this mission, you will get to use the Decoder and face electric anomalies.

In this guide, we delve into everything you need to know to complete the Legends of the Zone mission in Stalker 2.

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How to start the Legends of the Zone mission in Stalker 2

Everything you need to start this quest (Image via GSC Game World)

Begin the mission by heading to Sidorovich’s shop in the Rookie Village, located at the southern end of Cordon. Look for the open bunker doors to find his location. Speak with Sidorovich and inform him that you’re searching for Lab X3. Exhaust all his dialogue options to progress the mission.

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How you can complete the Legends of the Zone missions in Stalker 2

Negotiate with him to progress the mission (Image via GSC Game World)

To progress in the mission, you will be tasked with finding the Decoder. The method for obtaining the Decoder varies depending on the outcome of the Deal with the Devil mission.

If Roosevelt is alive, head to the waypoint northeast of Rookie Village. Roosevelt will contact you via radio as you approach and offer peaceful negotiations. Enter the marked building and speak with him. Select the dialogue option [Decoder] I'll pass your apology along to receive the Decoder without conflict.

If Roosevelt is dead, travel to the same waypoint and prepare for a fight. Eliminate Roosevelt’s bandits and loot the Decoder from the marked body. Once you have the Decoder, return to Sidorovich in Rookie Village. If you had negotiated with Roosevelt, he would have shared the coordinates for a hidden stash as a bonus reward.

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Finding Dark in Stalker 2

After returning the Decoder, speak to two marked Stalkers in Rookie Village to gather information about Lab X3. Focus on the Stalker named Wolf, who will provide the details necessary to progress in the mission.

Travel east of Rookie Village to the marked waypoint leading to Dark's Camp. Enter the dark tunnel and speak with the guards. Inform them you are looking for Dark to gain initial passage. However, the guards will turn hostile as soon as you pass. Eliminate them before moving forward.

Proceed through the hallways of Dark’s Camp, eliminating all mercenaries along the way. Once the area is clear, locate Dark and show him the Decoder to advance in the mission.

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Take Dark’s loot

Go and find Dark's loot (Image via GSC Game World)

Leave Dark’s Camp and head to the Electro-Tunnel, which is marked on your map. Navigate carefully through the tunnel, using Bolts to detect and avoid electric anomalies. Locate Dark’s Loot inside a broken concrete cylinder and obtain Quiet’s Beacon.

Travel to the forested Rendezvous Point. Enter the bunker at the marked location and meet Dark. Break the wooden planks near him, drop into the sewage system below, and follow the path to restore power by pulling the switch on the control panel.

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Unlock the doors using the Decoder in Stalker 2

Locate the large blast door and use the Decoder at the terminal to initiate its unlocking process. While the door opens, you will have to fight it out with a pack of Snorks. Once they’re defeated, use the Decoder again to finalize the process and open the blast door.

Navigate through the dark corridors, passing rooms filled with dead soldiers. Follow your waypoint until you reach a lab. Here, a Bloodsucker will ambush you. Eliminate the Bloodsucker before proceeding through the corridors until you reach a staircase.

When you see a broken bridge, drop down to the containers below. Jump across the containers to reach the other side. Be careful around the electric anomalies below. After crossing to the other side, activate the security console and proceed through the newly unlocked door.

After entering the next area, climb through a hole to confront a Pseudogiant. Use shotguns or Hollowpoint (HP) ammo for maximum effectiveness against this unarmored, close-range enemy. Keep moving to avoid its attacks. Once defeated, speak to Dark to continue. Follow Dark into a nearby room where you’ll encounter Strelok. Speak to him and exhaust all dialogue options to uncover more details about your mission.

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Find the cartridge and leave the facility

After speaking with Strelok, follow the waypoint to collect the Cartridge. Along the way, pick up an Exoskeleton from a table. Use the elevator to return to the surface and then enter the house at the marked location in the middle of the field.

Retrieve the Cartridge from the device inside. Once you are out, Strelok will start the Subtle Matter mission, marking the completion of the Legends of the Zone mission in Stalker 2.