Guide to Uncover "Stalker 2" Side Quest Secrets

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's "In the Name of Science" Side Quest: A Complete Guide

Following the Visions of Truth main mission and a call from Dr. Shcherba, players embark on the side quest "In the Name of Science" in Stalker 2. This quest involves retrieving electronic collars from various mutants and presents several crucial choices impacting the outcome.

Collecting the Electronic Collars

The initial objective is locating five electronic collars scattered throughout the game world. These locations are marked on your map; however, if some are missing, you may have already collected them during other missions or exploration. The locations are:

Return to Shcherba in the Roofed Warehouse (Chemical Plant) after collecting all collars. If the quest bugs due to prior collar collection and sale, use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0".

The Jamming Device: Disable or Recalibrate?

Upon delivering the collars, Shcherba reveals a signal jamming their functionality. He tasks Skif with investigating and disabling the source at the Storage on the Hill (west of the Roofed Warehouse). Inside, players encounter poltergeists, zombified soldiers, and rodents before finding the jamming device.

The critical choice:

• Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This advances the quest, awarding coupons and leading to a bloodsucker encounter and a further choice.
• Recalibrate the Jammer: This concludes the quest with coupons from Dvupalov.

The Final Confrontation: Kill or Spare Shcherba?

Disabling the jammer leads to Shcherba contacting Skif, delivering coupons, and promising future assistance. The objective shifts to "Wait for your reward from Shcherba." You can progress by completing other missions or resting. If stalled, use the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab".

Shcherba's call leads to receiving Magic Vodka from Dr. Dvupalov. Entering his lab, Skif finds Shcherba with three Bloodsuckers. A trap is sprung, exposing Skif to PSI-radiation, but the vodka negates the effects.

Escape the room, eliminate the Bloodsuckers, and confront Shcherba. The choice:

• Kill Shcherba: Yields the same rewards as the next option.
• Let Shcherba Go (Recommended): Maintains positive relations with scientists and Dvupalov.

The quest concludes with a Gauss Gun reward from Dvupalov and the "On a Leash" trophy.