Keeping your weapons in top shape is essential in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Nobody wants to risk exploring the irradiated wasteland with gear that’s seen better days. This guide aims to simplify the process of maintaining and fixing your weapons, along with advice on handling those that break.
The Art of Repairing in STALKER 2
As you journey through the wasteland, your items inevitably wear down, losing durability over time. You’ll spot a little yellow icon appearing when an item has suffered some wear and tear — a clear signal to either repair or sell it soon. Ignoring this could lead to the item becoming completely broken.
To prevent this, your best ally is a skilled technician, marked by a wrench icon on your map, found in any major town. Your first encounter with one will be in Zalissya, the village where your adventure in STALKER 2 begins, and coincidentally where "The Poppy Field" side quest kicks off. The technician here, Lens, will be your guide to understanding the repair services.
When you meet Lens, look for the button prompt at the lower right to access his upgrade menu. You can choose to enhance your gear or pay for necessary repairs here. Bear in mind, though, neglecting regular maintenance leads to heightened repair costs, so frequent visits to a technician are prudent to avoid costs spiraling out of control.
Dealing with Broken Gear
The ideal strategy for broken gear in STALKER 2? Don’t let it break! Once an item bears the red shield icon, its durability is critically low or gone. Vendors will refuse to purchase items in such poor condition, and the price to repair them can be sky-high, potentially running into thousands of Coupons for just one piece.
If you stumble upon broken gear during your travels or find your equipment’s failing, your smartest move is to unload any remaining ammunition — simply hover over the item in your menu to do so — discard the broken piece, then continue your quest.
However, if a beloved weapon or gear has taken a beating, store it away until you have the resources to revive it. Be wary not to hoard such items without good reason; broken items can consume your resources rapidly, so save this consideration for truly prized possessions.
