Upgrading your weapons is vital for progressing your character in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Understanding how these upgrades work is crucial for navigating the Zone and ensuring your survival. The game can be quite challenging, and having a reliable weapon is essential.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 boasts a massive map teeming with hidden caches, loot to collect, side quests to tackle, and various factions interacting as you explore. These factions have their own agendas, and your interactions with them can shape your gameplay and influence your enemies and your ending. Therefore, knowing when to use your weapon is just as critical as knowing how to upgrade it.
How to Upgrade Your Weapon in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
Techs, Traders & Funds
To upgrade your weapon in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, you first need to reach the initial refuge guided by Richter. Here, you can quickly pick up a side quest from a guy outside the bar that leads you to your two key sources for upgrades: a Trader and a Tech. Start by visiting the Trader to sell any unnecessary items; you’ll need the coupons to proceed with your upgrades.
Once you have some coupons (marked with a “K” in your inventory), approach the Tech and chat with him. You’ll see a few dialogue choices, so feel free to explore them before selecting the “Upgrade” option on the right side of the screen. This lets you browse your gear and see available upgrades, with even Skif’s Pistol offering two different upgrade paths.
Keep in mind that you might need to repair your weapon before upgrading it, which also costs coupons. It’s wise to consider how many coupons you have and whether you prefer to upgrade or repair your weapons.
Click on the weapon’s various modules to view the available upgrades. There is often a choice to be made, and eventually you can opt for both. Generally, you can acquire almost all visible upgrades. Options include enhancing durability, attaching a laser sight, or increasing armor penetration. You can even change ammo types for some weapons, but be cautious about having multiple weapons use the same ammo type.
After selecting an upgrade, confirm your choice. This will result in a more powerful weapon, and if you later decide an upgrade is unnecessary, you can reverse it. However, remember that upgrades will increase the weapon’s value if you plan to sell it later.
Other Upgrade Types & When to Use Them
New Weapons & Choosing Not to Upgrade
There is no experience system in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, so your progress comes from upgrading existing weapons and collecting new ones during the game. Often, upgrading your current weapon is more effective than searching for a new one. In the early stages, I noticed that the weapons I found in the wild were often comparable, if not inferior, to my upgraded ones.
Thus, it makes sense to invest time and funds into upgrading, but there’s a caveat. The repair system means you can’t upgrade whenever you want; if a weapon is in bad condition, you won’t be able to upgrade it. This leads to a dilemma: do you repair a weapon you might need later, or do you choose to upgrade your primary weapon? Running low on ammo can be lethal, and if your backup weapon is broken, you’re in trouble. Additionally, repairs can consume a significant number of coupons, making it challenging to save for upgrades.
If you pursue the Journalist’s caches, which you’ll encounter right before entering The Sphere, you’ll discover additional weapons scattered throughout the expansive world of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. However, I found that the pistols I came across weren’t superior to what I already owned, so I opted to sell them for more upgrades before venturing into hostile areas. When you find a weapon that suits you, stick with it and focus on upgrading while selling off similar weapons you pick up. There are five main traits of weapons that can be upgraded:
- Damage
- Penetration
- Rate of Fire
- Range
- Accuracy
Make sure to pay attention to the specific effects of upgrades. If an upgrade changes the ammo type, could that lead to running out faster? If you add a sight, will it affect how easily enemies can spot you? Remember that not all weapons can be upgraded by Lens; some may require seeking out other Techs. You might also encounter parts that can enhance your weapons.
For instance, two early parts can be purchased from Hamster, the Trader. After acquiring a part, visit a Tech like Lens to buy the associated upgrade for compatible weapons. When I enhanced the Viper-5 with a new component, I had to consult with Lens first, then go into my inventory to equip the upgrade.
Finding these parts can considerably modify your weapon, so don’t hesitate to test them out. You might also find or earn pre-upgraded weapons in the Zone, such as those belonging to Valik Lummox, which often feature unique enhancements. That’s the way to upgrade your weapons in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
