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S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition

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Welcome to the Zone, Stalker. In S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition, you'll brave the irradiated ruins and anomalous dangers surrounding the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. This atmospheric RPG throws you into a world of survival, where every bullet counts and every artifact could be your ticket to fortune or a swift death. You'll be scavenging for supplies, battling mutated creatures and hostile factions, and uncovering the Zone's deepest secrets.

This guide is your key to mastering the Enhanced Edition and achieving all 1,000 Gamerscore. We'll walk you through pivotal missions, help you navigate treacherous locations like the Cordon and Garbage, and provide expert tips for combat, trader quests, and finding valuable artifacts. With 34 missable achievements, careful planning is essential, and this walkthrough will ensure you don't miss a single one on your 25-35 hour journey to 100% completion.

Miscellaneous Tips & Tricks

Master S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition with essential tips on health, survival, and using debug mode.

Cheats:

  1. Open the launcher and check the box marked Debug Mode, found under Misc Settings.
  2. Once in the game, press F7 to bring up the console (a menu for cheats).
  3. Click on the cheat you want, or press the appropriate hotkey, then press ESC to close the console.

Health Management:

Your overall health status is represented by three bars at the bottom left of your screen (HUD (heads-up display — the on-screen icons showing health, ammo and the minimap) - Heads-Up Display), along with circular (negative effect) or square (positive buff) grey icons to the right of these bars.

  • Sleeping is not an effective way to heal and can be dangerous if you wake up without food or drink.
  • Before sleeping, cure all status effects indicated by circular grey icons (like radiation or bleeding). Then, eat something, drink something, and ensure you have both food and drink ready for when you wake up, especially for longer sleeps.
  • Sleeping bags are useful for creating beds, but must be deployed in an area marked as an emission shelter (a safe zone during radioactive storms) to be usable.
  • First-aid kits provide strong healing but take a long time to use, leaving you vulnerable. Stimpacks are more expensive but lighter and faster.
  • Avoid cooking and hunting for meat; it's fiddly and requires a cooking kit, matches, meat, water, and a campfire. It's easier to buy two or three cheap food items from a trader.
  • Damage over Time (DoT) is common. If you're taking damage and can't identify the cause, open your inventory and check the damage status bars in the bottom panel; any icon flashing red indicates the problem.
  • Fall damage is minimal in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition; you will almost certainly survive most falls. Falling can be a good way to escape mutants, as they must follow you the long way down. Crouching before a fall can reduce damage further.
  • When choosing armour, prioritize upgrades for health restoration and wound healing. Do the same when selecting artefacts (items with special properties) and armour modules.
  • Note the locations of medics; they can fully cure you for a small amount of money (pennies).

Survival Tips:

  1. Save your game frequently. The Zone is indifferent to your survival.
  2. Manage your inventory weight carefully. Prioritize ammo for your chosen weapons (and grenades), then repair items (like glue and oils), then curatives you are low on, then artefacts. Collect light items like drugs, faction patches, and paper cash as they can pay off later. Staying light allows you to move quickly and conserve stamina.
  3. Running, jumping, and shooting increase fatigue, which depletes your stamina bar. Avoid running everywhere to prevent running out of stamina, which can leave you unable to move, crouch, or jump, and reduces your chances of outrunning emissions (sudden, dangerous environmental events).
  4. Information is valuable. Ensure your headlamp has nightvision capabilities, upgrade your PDA (Personal Data Assistant, which shows maps and information), or get a better detector. Keep batteries topped up for these items.
  5. Scout areas from a safe, elevated position using binoculars or scoped rifles to know enemy positions and avoid surprises.
  6. Try to travel during the day and in good weather. Poor weather and low light negatively affect you but not enemies. While humans may have trouble spotting you in the dark if you're sneaking, gunfire makes you fully visible. Enemies have a significant advantage at night and in bad weather. You can sleep to wait for better conditions or adjust weather settings in the menu.
  7. Use anomalies (dangerous environmental hazards) to your advantage against mutants, as humans are unaffected by them.

Starting A New Game

Configure your S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition game settings before entering the Zone, including visual, control, and gameplay options.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    Before starting a new game in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition, access the game options menu to adjust settings. Note that Progression and Game Difficulty can only be changed during gameplay, not before starting.
  2. 2
    Under the Visual > Advanced settings, turn Stalkers Can Use Headlamps to ON. This affects non-player characters (NPCs), allowing them to use headlamps at night, which helps identify their location and orientation, and also aids companions in lighting your path.
  3. 3
    Under the Control > General settings, turn Hold (ALT) Button For Disassembly to ON. This requires holding the ALT key to confirm item disassembly, preventing accidental destruction of valuable gear.
  4. 4
    Under Control > Keybinds, assign keys for Next / Previous Firing Modes to cycle through weapon firing options (fully automatic, 3-round burst, or single shot) on the fly.
  5. 5
    Assign a key for Grenade Quick-Throw. Pressing this key will immediately switch to your grenade and throw it, bypassing manual steps and animations. The game will automatically switch back to your previously held weapon.
  6. 6
    Assign a hotkey (e.g., the 8 key) for the Geiger Counter. Pressing this key will display radiation levels in your vicinity or your current radiation poisoning. Use SHIFT + hotkey (e.g., SHIFT + 8) to switch between these modes. The Geiger Counter requires batteries to function.
  7. 7
    Under Gameplay > General, turn Goodwill Notifications to ON. This provides alerts when your standing with any faction changes, eliminating the need to check your PDA (Personal Data Assistant) constantly.
  8. 8
    Set Maximum Tasks Per NPC (non-player character — anyone the game controls, not you) to 3. This allows you to accept multiple randomized mini-quests from an NPC, decline unwanted ones, and potentially receive higher rewards as each quest has its own payout.
  9. 9
    Under Gameplay > Progression Difficulty, adjust Minimum Item Condition For Sale. This setting influences the game's economy by affecting the condition of items you can sell, discouraging making excessive money early by selling looted weapons and armor.
  10. 10
    Under Gameplay > Progression Difficulty, set Artefact Respawn (be brought back to life at a checkpoint after death) Chance. A value around 0.35 is recommended, balancing the likelihood of new artefacts spawning in Anomalous Fields after emissions (weather events that purge the Zone) with the frequency of emissions (typically every 1-2 days). Higher values can lead to millions of roubles from artefacts.
  11. 11
    Under Gameplay > Gameplay Difficulty, adjust Player Protection. Setting this to Average is recommended for new players, as the Zone is intended to be challenging. 'Poor' is considered too difficult for uncertain players.
  12. 12
    Under Gameplay > Gameplay Difficulty, set Enemy Dispersion Base and Factor to 0.5. This reduces the chance of being hit by distant enemies with shotguns but allows higher-ranking enemies in dangerous areas to still pose a significant threat.
  13. 13
    Ensure Anomaly Detector Sound is enabled, especially if you run frequently. This provides audio warnings for nearby minor anomalies, which are often difficult to see.
  14. 14
    Under The Zone > General, set Exclusion Radius to 100 (the maximum). This prevents enemies (human or mutants) from spawning too close to you, which can be game-breaking.
  15. 15
    Under The Zone > Events, ensure Enable Emissions / Psi Storms is set to ON. These weather events are fatal if caught in them but refresh the Zone, cause new artefacts to spawn, and are a primary argument for their activation.
Tips
  • Turning on 'Stalkers Can Use Headlamps' makes it easier to spot NPCs in the dark.
  • Holding ALT for disassembly prevents accidental loss of valuable gear.
  • Quick-throwing grenades significantly speeds up combat engagements.
  • Assigning a hotkey to the Geiger Counter allows for quick radiation checks without needing to equip it.
  • Goodwill Notifications keep you informed of faction standing changes without constant manual checks.
  • Adjusting 'Maximum Tasks Per NPC' to 3 allows for better quest selection and potentially higher rewards.
  • Be mindful of 'Minimum Item Condition For Sale' to avoid making too much money too early in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition.
  • A moderate 'Artefact Respawn Chance' (around 0.35) provides a good balance for artefact hunting.
  • 'Player Protection' set to Average offers a challenging but manageable difficulty for newcomers.
  • Setting 'Enemy Dispersion Base' and 'Factor' to 0.5 makes combat more realistic.
  • The Anomaly Detector Sound is clutch for avoiding unseen hazards.
  • Maximizing the 'Exclusion Radius' prevents frustrating surprise enemy spawns.
  • Emissions, while dangerous, are essential for Zone mechanics and artefact spawning.

Miscellaneous Tips & Tricks (2)

S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition tips on health, survival, and enabling debug mode. Learn to manage inventory and use the environment.

Walkthrough
  1. 1
    To enable cheats, open the launcher, check the 'Debug Mode' box under 'Misc Settings'.
  2. 2
    In-game, press F7 to open the console, select your desired cheat, and press ESC to close.
  3. 3
    Monitor your health via the three bars and icons on the bottom left of your HUD (Heads-Up Display). Circular icons indicate negative effects needing healing; square icons indicate positive buffs.
  4. 4
    Sleeping is not an effective healing method and can be dangerous if you lack food or drink upon waking.
  5. 5
    Before sleeping, cure all status effects (like radiation and bleeding), then consume food and drink. Ensure you have provisions for longer sleeps.
  6. 6
    Sleeping bags require deployment within an emission shelter to be usable.
  7. 7
    First-aid kits provide strong healing but have long use times, leaving you vulnerable. Stimpacks are more expensive but faster and lighter.
  8. 8
    Avoid cooking and hunting; purchasing cheap food from traders is more efficient.
  9. 9
    Damage over Time (DoT) is common. Check your inventory's bottom panel for flashing red damage status icons if you are taking unexplained damage.
  10. 10
    Fall damage is minimal; you will likely survive most falls. Crouching before falling can further reduce damage.
  11. 11
    When selecting armor, prioritize upgrades for health restoration and wound healing. Apply the same logic to artifacts and armor modules.
  12. 12
    Locate and remember the positions of medics; they can fully cure you for a small fee.
  13. 13
    Save frequently, as the Zone is unpredictable.
  14. 14
    Manage your inventory weight carefully. Prioritize ammo, repair items, curatives, and artifacts. Light items like drugs, faction patches, and paper cash can be collected as they are light and pay off later.
  15. 15
    Avoid excessive running, jumping, and shooting, as they deplete stamina.
  16. 16
    Upgrade your headlamp for nightvision, your PDA, and acquire better detectors to gather information. Keep batteries stocked for these items.
  17. 17
    Scout areas from elevated positions using binoculars or scoped rifles to identify threats and avoid surprises.
  18. 18
    Travel during the day and in good weather, as poor conditions benefit enemies. While humans may struggle to see you in the dark when sneaking, combat makes you fully visible, requiring cover (press the cover button to crouch behind walls or objects).
  19. 19
    Use anomalies to your advantage against mutants, as they are affected by them while humans are not.
Tips
  • Always save your game, as the Zone is indifferent and unpredictable.
  • Prioritize essential items like ammo, repair kits, and curatives when managing inventory weight.
  • Information gathering tools like upgraded PDAs and detectors are make-or-break for survival.
  • Use environmental hazards like anomalies to defeat enemies.
  • Medics offer affordable and comprehensive healing services.

PART 1 (LONER) - WELCOME TO THE ZONE, STALKER (& TRAINING DAY)

Begin your adventure as a Loner in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition. Learn about starting equipment, the Rookie Village, and the optional Training Day questline.

Alright, Stalker! Enter the Zone. This is where your journey as a Loner kicks off, starting out in the Cordon area. Your first stop should be to chat with Sidorovich; he'll get you rolling on the 'Lost To The Zone' storyline.

Before you dive headfirst into trouble, let's get you sorted with some gear. You'll start with whatever you picked out when you began a new game, plus whatever you can scavenge from the containers scattered around the Rookie Village. Don't sweat it if you don't know what everything does yet, just grab it all. Having at least one gun is your main priority.

You'll spawn in a humble house, which is your faction base as a Loner. First things first, open your inventory and equip your starting gear: your leather jacket (that's your armour), your backpack (this gives you an extra 21kg of carrying capacity), your respirator (it offers a small boost to resistances, stacking with your jacket's buffs), and your PDA (your map and all-around encyclopedia). You'll notice your jacket and respirator have green health bars – that's their condition. Mouse over them to see the exact percentage. As they degrade, their effectiveness drops a bit, but don't worry about repairs just yet. Your PDA and detector have blue bars; these are battery levels. They can't be damaged, but once the battery dies, you'll need to replace it. Batteries are cheap and last a good while, so you're good for now.

Your inventory will also be stocked with various other items. Hover over them to learn more. Remember, the flashlight and detector use the same slot, so you can't use both simultaneously. You've got matches for cooking or lighting fires, water for thirst, bread for hunger, a wallet for your cash, ammo for your pistol and shotgun, and a radiation arm patch – it doesn't actually do anything for radiation, but it'll show other Stalkers which faction you belong to later on.

Now, if you're feeling a bit green and want some guidance, find Fanatic in the middle of the Village. He's marked on your map. Talking to him starts the 'Training Day' tutorial questline. It's optional, but hey, free gear, money, XP, and reputation – can't argue with that! If you're feeling brave or just want to get straight to the action, you can skip this and head to the next section.

TRAINING DAY

If you decide to do the tutorial, Fanatic has a few tasks for you. First up, a cull.

TRAINING DAY: BOAR HUNTING

Fanatic will hook you up with some pistol and shotgun ammo and mark a spot on your map where some pesky boar are causing trouble. They're a threat to the Village, so they gotta go. Follow Fanatic out towards the road. Try to lure the boar towards you, then make a quick getaway and hop onto a vehicle or some other high ground to take them out from safety. Alternatively, you can fall back to the Village and let the other NPCs help you out. You'll still get reputation points for completing the quest this way, but you'll only earn rank XP for any boar you personally take down.

After the hunt, approach a boar carcass. You'll find your bayonet knife isn't strong enough to harvest parts yet – you'll need a hunting knife for that, which isn't available right now. However, you can skin smaller mutants like flesh and dogs, so make sure to skin everything you can in the Cordon!

TRAINING DAY: SPEAK TO FANATIC

With the boar dealt with, Fanatic becomes your companion. He'll stick with you until he dies or you advance the quest. This means you can actually put off the next part of his mission and use his help to clear out the Cordon, take down more mutants, and explore points of interest. You can even take him into nearby regions. Once you're ready, head back and Speak to Fanatic to continue his quest.

TRAINING DAY: REACH THE ANOMALOUS AREA

Before heading to the next objective marker, you might want to pop back to the Rookie Village. Talk to Wolf, who's standing outside Sid's bunker. He might have offered you a quest before, but now he should have more, including 'Tourist Safari'. This involves escorting two tourists to take down some nearby mutants. Accepting this quest nets you two extra companions, on top of Fanatic if he's still with you. A squad of three will make exploring the Cordon much easier. Like Fanatic, these companions will stick around until they die or the quest concludes. However, you might want to hold off on 'Tourist Safari' until after 'Training Day' is complete.

Anyway, if you're sticking with the 'Training Day' mission, make your way to the marked location to find the Trash Compactor Anomaly.

TRAINING DAY: SPEAK TO FANATIC

Next, Fanatic will prepare you for your first real encounter with an Anomaly, mentioning a couple of artefacts you can find. He'll give you an Echo detector, 5 bolts, a bottle of vodka, and an LLC. He'll warn you against picking up the 'Anomalous Bread' artefact but wants you to grab the 'Jellyfish'. Once he's done talking, he'll leave your party and wander off.

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