Stalker 2: Science Side Quest Explained

Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's "In the Name of Science" Side Quest: A Complete Guide

After the Visions of Truth mission, Dr. Shcherba will contact you with a request, initiating the side quest "In the Name of Science." This quest involves locating electronic collars from various mutants. The quest is lengthy and features multiple branching paths.

Collecting the Electronic Collars

The first step is finding five electronic collars. Their locations are marked on your map. If some are missing, you may have already collected them during other missions or exploration. Here's a breakdown:

Return to Shcherba in the Roofed Warehouse (Chemical Plant) once you've gathered all five collars. If the quest is bugged due to previously collected collars, use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0" to proceed.

The Jamming Device: Disable or Recalibrate?

Shcherba will discover a signal jamming the collars. You must investigate and find the source in the Storage on the Hill (west of the Roofed Warehouse). You'll face poltergeists, zombified soldiers, and rodents. You then have a choice:

• Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This advances the quest, rewards you with coupons, and leads to a bloodsucker encounter and another crucial decision.
• Recalibrate the Jammer: This concludes the quest, awarding you coupons from Dvupalov.

The Final Confrontation: Kill or Spare Shcherba?

Disabling the jammer leads to Shcherba contacting you, providing more coupons, and setting up the final stage. If he doesn't call, use the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab." You'll receive Magic Vodka from Dr. Dvupalov.

You'll then encounter Shcherba, three bloodsuckers, and a trap involving PSI-radiation. Drinking the Magic Vodka negates the radiation's effects. Escape, defeat the bloodsuckers, and confront Shcherba. You'll choose whether to kill or spare him. Both choices yield the same rewards (Gauss Gun and the "On a Leash" trophy), but sparing him maintains positive relations with the scientists.