STALKER 2 features over a hundred weapons spread across 7 major categories, ranging from mere handguns to special-class weapons like RPGs. While there is a detailed customization system in place allowing you to modify everything from the sights to the very ammunition in the magazine, the choice of base weapon itself is all important to effective gunplay against various enemy types.
This STALKER 2 guide is a selection of some of the best weapons to be found in the Zone, whether secret or bought from a Trader.
Best Handgun Rhino
With its high caliber, this revolver is often marketed as a hunting weapon, proving equally effective against African buffalo and Zone chimeras.
Weight: 1.8 KG
Base Value: 10336 coupons
Damage: 5
Penetration: 3
Rate of Fire: 3.5
Range: <2
Accuracy: >4
Caliber: 9×39
Fire Mode: Single
Magazine: 6
Inventory Slots: 3×2
The Rhino heavy revolver can potentially be found in central Yantar, just south-east of Yantar Production Complex. There is a small cave at the bottom of the irradiated trench here, and you will have to make your way down carefully using the tiny ledges as footholds. Loot the Stalker corpse here to retrieve the Rhino, and the Kolobok Artifact, among other items.
Best Shotgun RAM-2
Combining the strengths of pump-action shotguns and double-barreled rifles, this highly unusual weapon is an anomaly even by the Zone’s standards.
Weight: 3.5 KG
Base Value: 29000 coupons
Damage: 5
Penetration: 3
Rate of Fire: <5
Range: >1
Accuracy: <2.5
Caliber: 12″/70
Fire Mode: Single
Magazine: 14
Inventory Slots: 5×2
The RAM-2 is a potential drop in central Yantar, just south-east of Yantar Production Complex. There is a small cave at the bottom of the irradiated trench here, and you will have to make your way down carefully using the tiny ledges as footholds. Loot the Stalker corpse here to retrieve the RAM-2, and the Kolobok Artifact, among other items.
The RAM-2 can also be bought from Wreck at Yaniv Station in Yaniv.
Best SMG Zubr-19
Based on the AKM-74U, the design of this submachine gun strikes a perfect balance between price, weight, accuracy, and rate of fire.
Weight: 2.6 KG
Base Value: 20600 coupons
Damage: >1
Penetration: <3
Rate of Fire: <5
Range: >1.5
Accuracy: <3.5
Caliber: 9×19
Fire Mode: Single/Auto
Magazine: 50
Inventory Slots: 4×2
The Zubr-19 SMG can be found in the Chemical Plant primary HQ for the Ward, situated at the eastern edge of the Chemical Plant region. The weapon is lying on a desk in plain sight behind a keypad-locked door. 8506 is the pass code.
Best Assault Rifle Dnipro
Designed to replace the Soviet AKM-74 in special force units, this Ukrainian assault rifle is utilized not just by military special forces, but also by seasoned stalkers.
Weight: 3.73 KG
Base Value: 34660 coupons
Damage: >1
Penetration: 3
Rate of Fire: <5
Range: <2
Accuracy: <3
Caliber: 5.45×39
Fire Mode: Single/Auto
Magazine: 30
Inventory Slots: 5×2
The Dnipro bullpup can possibly be found in the eastern part of the Red Forest region, at a Location known as Lishchyna Facility. Retrieve the key from the small bunker, then enter the main facility. Engage the forces here as you make your way through the base. Eventually you should come upon a locker with the Dnipro standing propped up inside it in plain sight.
The Dnipro can also be bought from Wreck at Yaniv Station in Yaniv.
Best Sniper Rifle M701 Super
Bolt-action sniper rifle. Considered a sport weapon on the Mainland, yet rather popular among mutant hunters and stalkers headed for Prypiat.
Weight: 4.62 KG
Base Value: 35530 coupons
Damage: 5
Penetration: 3
Rate of Fire: >0.5
Range: >3
Accuracy: 5
Caliber: .308
Fire Mode: Single
Magazine: 5
Inventory Slots: 5×2
The M701 Super can be found in northern Prypiat at the Polissya Hotel. Ascend the stairs of the building to its south-east, killing the creatures on the way. At the very apex you should find a sniper’s nest with the M701 Super lying in plain sight on a table along with several boxes of ammunition.
RPM-74 Machine Gun
Combining the formidable firepower of a heavy machine gun with the portability of an assault rifle, this weapon excels at eliminating entire groups of enemies.
Weight: 11.1 KG
Base Value: 45900 coupons
Damage: <1.5
Penetration: 2.5
Rate of Fire: <5
Range: <2
Accuracy: 2.5
Caliber: 7.62×39
Fire Mode: Auto
Magazine: 150
Inventory Slots: 6×2
An RPM-74 machine gun can be found atop a bunker in north-western Yantar. Parkour onto the roof, and loot the corpse there.
RPG-7U
A rocket-propelled grenade launcher dating back to the 1960s, found in abundance in military warehouses and subsequently making its way to the Zone. It operates as a smooth-bore, single-shot recoilless launcher.
Weight: 7.5 KG
Base Value: 53125 coupons
Damage: 0.5
Penetration: >1
Rate of Fire: 3
Range: 5
Accuracy: 3.5
Caliber: PG-7V
Fire Mode: Single
Magazine: 1
Inventory Slots: 6×2
One of several drop locations for the RPG-7U is in the north-western portion of the Wild Island region, close to the waterfront, north of the Shelter Location. In a clearing besides a barge that has run aground, there should be piles and stacks of oil drums. Atop one of these stacks is an RPG-7U sticking out like a sore thumb.
Gauss Gun
Developed in the Zone and incorporating an electromagnetic bullet acceleration system, this sniper rifle is used exclusively within the Zone.
Weight: 7.26 KG
Base Value: 122500 coupons
Damage: 5
Penetration: 4
Rate of Fire: 0
Range: 5
Accuracy: 5
Caliber: Batteries
Fire Mode: Single
Magazine: 10
Inventory Slots: 7×2
The Gauss Gun can be found along the northern edge of the Prypiat region, at a Location known as the Prometheus Movie Theater. It will be necessary to blast open the double main doors with explosives. Once inside, amidst all the piles of debris and wreckage should be a lit table with the Gauss Gun lying on it in plain sight.
Those are a tiny selection of the best guns and where they can be found in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.