STALKER 2: Best Gear, Ranked

Important takeaways

• Gauss Gun: Powerful damage to easily take out tough enemies.
• High PSI Suit: Essential for radiation protection, available via side quest.
• Texan Shotgun: High damage and fire rate, easy to find in Abandoned Science Campus.

The world of STALKER 2 is huge, and there is a huge amount of stuff for players to find and pick up. These can range from the weapons needed to keep the character alive, to new artifacts to bring some new powers into the mix for these combat scenarios. The gear in the game is extensive, and there is a lot for players to sift through to find the ones they want to keep.

Because of this, trying to find the right equipment can be overwhelming. When there seems to be an endless ocean of gear to find and choose from, it can feel like analysis paralysis. Fortunately, this guide is here to help anyone who wants to test their character to the best of their ability. These are the best gear in the game, and why they're worth seeking out.

8 Gauss Gun

A powerful punch

• Has possibly the best damage in the game.
• Can take out the toughest of enemies.

The Gauss Gun is one of the best weapons that players can find in STALKER 2, if not the best. It has excellent damage that can wipe out the toughest enemies without worrying at all. This makes it perfect for the late game areas and their respective quests.

The Gauss Gun can be found in a couple of different ways. One method is to complete In the name of science side quests, which appears as the story draws to a close. However a player chooses to get it, it's well worth the effort and can make anyone a scourge in the zone.

7 Suit with high PSI

Keep radiation at bay

• Radiation is always a threat that must be addressed.
• Can be obtained quite easily.

Radiation is everywhere in the game, and finding a suit that can protect the character from it can be crucial to survival. These colors can be found all over the map, but there is a guaranteed way to get one.

By competing the side quest The Side Hustleplayers will be rewarded with a suit with a high PSI. The only downside is that it requires some in-game time to create the outfit, but it's worth the wait to get this outfit to help navigate the irradiated wasteland.

6 Texan Shotgun

Blow away the competition

• Perhaps the best shotgun in the game.
• Easy to find.

Being able to nail an enemy with one punch is always recommended, and finding this shotgun will give players the ability to do just that. It has some of the highest damage and rate of fire of any shotgun in the game, making it a perfect choice for any adventurer.

It can be found by visiting one of the abandoned science campus pods. The campus is located in the southeast area of ​​the Jupiter region on the map.

5 Submerged automatic rifle

A big weapon

• Best assault rifle for early game.
• Assault rifles are the most consistently awesome weapons.

Assault rifles are always the poster child for guns in gun games, and for good reason: these weapons are consistent. They offer good rate of fire with good damage, making them more than capable in most situations.

This weapon can be found next to e.gSlag Heap camp found in the garbage region of the map. This area can be accessed early in the game which is another plus.

4 Weird ball

An amazing artifact

• Helps reduce incoming damage.
• Easy to find early in the game.

Artifacts are a big part of STALKER 2, and this is one of the best to have for the early game. It provides a reduction in incoming bullet damage when players are standing still. It is a huge help that cannot be overstated.

It is located east of Zalissya, which is the first city players will visit during the story. Once the tutorial is complete, simply go out to find this article to add to their inventory.

3 Diamond exoskeleton

Great damage reduction

• Significantly reduces physical damage and radiation damage.
• Provides a stable defense also for other types of damage.

Finding the right costume can be a great way to ensure that the main character never has to worry about meeting their untimely end. This suit, in particular, provides great damage reduction with some special advantages for physical damage and radiation damage. Located in PrypiatThe Diamond Exoskeleton is easy to find and can be a game changer.

2 Sunrise costume

Reliable and efficient

• Provides relief throughout the story.
• Found early in the game.

It's always good when a tool can be found early in the gameand it's even better when that equipment can be used beyond the early stages. That's exactly what this outfit is. Once the Lesser Zone quarantine has been liftedplayers can head to Repair Quay in the Zaton region. Here they can find a free suit in the rafters to take for themselves.

1 The trophy

Good for all ranges

• One of the best weapons in the game.
• Easy to find and easy to use.

This assault rifle is a superior version of the AS Val rifle. The difference is that this one comes with better stats, an excellent range, and a cooler skin.

Players can obtain this gun by completing a puzzle the region for chemical plants. It's easy to miss, so check out the guide on how to find and complete this puzzle to avoid missing out on this excellent weapon.