You’ll find all manner of weapons throughout the Zone, and while many of them come to you broken and worn, they’re still viable if you don’t mind spending a little money on repairs. But sometimes, it’s not worthwhile. It’s better to stick with what you know, what you’ve spent time upgrading and using frequently. Yes, the game does have “meta” weapons that excel, whereas others falter. Here is an overview of the best weapons in Stalker 2 for every situation!
Stalker 2’s Best Weapons for Every Encounter
It’s life or death in the Zone, and a competent weapon that’s well-maintained, upgraded, and customized with a few worthwhile attachments that you’re comfortable using makes a difference. Of course, not any old weapon will suffice. You want the meta. You want the rifle that’ll keep you alive in mid-range encounters, the sniper rifle for long-range precision, and the up-close-and-personal shotgun to clear abandoned labs. These are the best weapons in Stalker 2 that I recommend for every player:
- Best All-Around Weapon: The AKM-74S is an easy to acquire assault rifle with one of the most common ammo types available in the Zone. With a relatively low overall weight, manageable recoil, and relatively stable accuracy across mid and long-range engagements, you’ll find the starting AKM a stalwart companion through most of the game.
- Best CQB Weapon: The Ram-2 is not only a gorgeous bullpup-style shotgun with multiple barrelts but also a powerful one capable of clearing a hallway with ease. It’s a large weapon, taking up a 5×2 slot in your inventory, but that space isn’t going to waste. With high damage and rate of fire, the Ram-2 offers the discerning Stalker a chance at toppling enemies who dare to enter your personal bubble.
Related: How to Find Lullaby in Stalker 2
- Best Pistol: Skif’s Pistol, yes, is a starting weapon and a PM. It’s not the most powerful handgun in the game, a title most will agree goes to the revolver, but your first handgun is special. It’s lightweight, highly customizable and upgradeable, versatile, and its ammunition—9x18mm PST—is readily available from the jump.
- Best Customizable Rifle: The AR416 feels like it should be a rare assault rifle, but it’s not. You can find it on Ward Soldiers at the Laboratory in Garbage, you’ll also occasionally receive one as a quest reward, such as during the Poppy Fields.
- Best Sniper Rifle: The M701 Super shines as one of the most attractive and powerful sniper rifles in the Zone. It’s a bolt-action precision rifle that’s powerful, heavy, and expensive. Oh, and you can only upgrade it at Harpy in Yaniv Station, making it a bit of a unicorn. But for all of its downfalls, which aren’t really that bad, the M701 will serve you well in clearing enemy forces from afar.
What’s your favorite gun in Stalker 2? Let us know in the comments below, or start a discussion on our community forum!
No matter what weapon you’re rocking, knowing how to deal with anomalies in Stalker 2 is a life skill that every scavenger requires!
