S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2

[Sly Boots]

How far into the story is everyone btw? I'm along the path where it leads you to the eastern-most point of the map, it was pretty cool visiting the starting camps in SoC and CoP...

[Animalmother]

I'm still farting about in the opening area trying to find gear and cash (not very successfully).

[eny]

I've just got to Garbage and spent the night, activating/doing the starting missions there. Cleaned out Lesser Zone and doing alright now thank you very much! Have a nice array of weapons and a decent Ecologist suit from The Factory, also getting upgrades to somewhere I am happy with too, which increases survivability nicely. Starting to get comfortable, which is the end of the steep learning curve with STALKER.

[Rusty]

I thougjt I'd nearly finished it yesterday as there seemed to be some big decisions to make and lengthy cutscenes... but then it all carried on again. 20 hours in and still going.

Oh and I also found that autoshottie, it's awesome.

[Sly Boots]

PSA for a story mission once you're tasked with pushing right into the SE quadrant of the map.

It's heavily suggested you need armour with psi-resistance, however these are rare as hen's teeth. I spent over an hour travelling between the half-dozen or so bases I've unlocked so far with vague memories of having sold one hours previously but not remembering where.

However:

Spoiler

What I discovered by random chance, and what the game doesn't signpost for you at all, is that the tinkerer/engineer at the Icarus base offers you a side mission that results in him crafting the armour you need - be aware though that it costs 40k so start saving up!

[Snowy]

PSA for a story mission once you're tasked with pushing right into the SE quadrant of the map.

It's heavily suggested you need armour with psi-resistance, however these are rare as hen's teeth. I spent over an hour travelling between the half-dozen or so bases I've unlocked so far with vague memories of having sold one hours previously but not remembering where.

However:

Spoiler

What I discovered by random chance, and what the game doesn't signpost for you at all, is that the tinkerer/engineer at the Icarus base offers you a side mission that results in him crafting the armour you need - be aware though that it costs 40k so start saving up!

Fairly sure I am at the same mission as you, having finished the main story arc in Garbage, so availed myself of your spoilah. Interesting that you have opened up half a dozen bases! Having tried to get the jump on the next tier of ammo and weapons, I trawled Garbage early on only to find that Slag Heap was protected by plot armour, so I haven't bothered looking for other bases yet. Shall remedy that forthwith and see if I can find the one you mention.

[Snowy]

Starting to get comfortable, which is the end of the steep learning curve with STALKER.

Yes, feeling the same - looking forward to venturing out from whichever base I am at rather than soiling my armour at the prospect marks a turning point in the game

[Sly Boots]

PSA for a story mission once you're tasked with pushing right into the SE quadrant of the map.

It's heavily suggested you need armour with psi-resistance, however these are rare as hen's teeth. I spent over an hour travelling between the half-dozen or so bases I've unlocked so far with vague memories of having sold one hours previously but not remembering where.

However:

Spoiler

What I discovered by random chance, and what the game doesn't signpost for you at all, is that the tinkerer/engineer at the Icarus base offers you a side mission that results in him crafting the armour you need - be aware though that it costs 40k so start saving up!

Fairly sure I am at the same mission as you, having finished the main story arc in Garbage, so availed myself of your spoilah. Interesting that you have opened up half a dozen bases! Having tried to get the jump on the next tier of ammo and weapons, I trawled Garbage early on only to find that Slag Heap was protected by plot armour, so I haven't bothered looking for other bases yet. Shall remedy that forthwith and see if I can find the one you mention.

I should say that the story has sent me to all those bases, so I can't say if they're accessible if you just strike out looking for them outside of it!

[Sly Boots]

Another PSA - you guys might want to look into downloading the mod for adding UE tools to the console, I'm finding quite a lot of instances of plot-critical doors not opening, fortunately you can use the console to noclip through and advance the story...

[Animalmother]

I'm finally out of the Lesser Zone and heading towards Garbage. I also have an M416 and just found a semi functioning G36, on the downside I'm completely broke and only have about 40 bullets for the rifles.

Got smothered by a huge swarm of rats exploring a tunnel earlier, that wasn't nice

[Sly Boots]

Haha, I know exactly which tunnel that is

I ended up running back for the ladder and then dropping a 'nade down the manhole onto the little feckers.

[eny]

Finally got my favourite gun the Vintar in a most amusing way. Emission incoming just as I had helped some loners kill the boars that were attacking them, we went down to the nearest shelter, had a minor trade, then I saw 2 bandits had just come down too, so had a minor trade with them. As soon as the emission was over the bandits attacked the loners, so I said thank you very much and picked the first one's gun up, the bandits left me alone, so I left them alone, arf! I am in love with this game.

[Sly Boots]

Another PSA: make sure to save before using an upgrade/mechanic guy... there's a bug where installing a weapon upgrade will actually sometimes permanently remove another.

I thought I was losing my mind after finding a really nice Cracker shotgun variant with a laser sight and extended clip mod... a few visits to the mechanic later and both had gone, and there was no way to reinstall them as the game thought they were already present

[eny]

Yep, had the same problem with a scope rail and laser sight disappearing on my first Viper, had to reload and start again.

[Animalmother]

Found an old train depot being used as a base by a gang, was able to walk around freely and pickup anything useful I found. Another gang attacked and a little battle broke out (the AI sure loves to grenade spam). I kept at the edge trying not to get involved or catch a stray bullet. Once the attackers had been wiped out I moved in to loot the bodies and the previously neutral gang started attacking me. I've had this happen a few times, is there a glitch with the AI that views everything hostile after a fight?