Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's "In the Name of Science" Side Quest: A Complete Guide
Following the Visions of Truth main mission and a call from Dr. Shcherba, players embark on the "In the Name of Science" side quest in Stalker 2. This quest involves locating electronic collars from various mutants, leading to multiple choices impacting the outcome.
Locating the Electronic Collars
The initial objective requires finding five electronic collars from specific locations:
| Region | Collar Location | Mutant |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | The Brood | Snork |
| Wild Island | Boathouse | Psy Bayun |
| Zaton | Hydrodynamics Lab | Controller |
| Malachite | Brain Scorcher | |
| Red Forest | Containers | Pseudogiant |
Note: If collars are missing, they may have been collected earlier. The console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0" can resolve this issue. After collecting all collars, return to Shcherba at the Roofed Warehouse in the Chemical Plant.
The Jammer Decision
After delivering the collars, Shcherba reveals a signal jamming their functionality. Players must locate and interact with the jamming device in the Storage on the Hill. The choice is to destroy/disable the jammer or recalibrate it:
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Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This progresses the quest, yielding coupons and leading to a bloodsucker encounter and a further choice.
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Recalibrate the Jammer: Rewards coupons and concludes the quest.
The Final Confrontation
Disabling the jammer leads to a call from Shcherba, followed by a visit to his lab. Players receive Magic Vodka from Dr. Dvupalov. A trap is revealed, exposing Skif to PSI-radiation. Drinking the vodka negates the effects.
A confrontation with Shcherba and three Bloodsuckers ensues. The choice is to kill Shcherba or let him go. Both options provide the same rewards (a Gauss Gun and the "On a Leash" trophy), but letting Shcherba go is recommended for maintaining positive relations.
This comprehensive guide ensures a smooth completion of the "In the Name of Science" side quest, maximizing rewards and navigating crucial decision points.
