Should You Help Gloomy or Take the Supplies in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl?

Key Takeaways:

1. Choice Impact: Helping Gloomy yields better loot and introduces you to key gameplay mechanics, though skipping the quest saves time and effort.
2. Rewards vs. Risks: The rewards for aiding Gloomy outweigh the meager supplies Zhorik offers initially, making it a more lucrative choice for long-term progress.
3. Immersive Gameplay: This early quest exemplifies the moral complexity and survival challenges central to the STALKER experience.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl wastes no time in immersing players into its dangerous and morally gray world. One of the earliest dilemmas players face is whether to help Zhorik deliver supplies to his friends or take the supplies for themselves and move on. This decision is part of the “Dangerous Visitors” side quest, an early optional mission that introduces the tension, survival mechanics, and ethical choices that define the STALKER experience.

Let’s break down the quest, its outcomes, and whether it’s worth taking the time to help Gloomy or walk away with Zhorik’s supplies.

How to Start the “Dangerous Visitors” Quest

Shortly after completing the tutorial in STALKER 2, players will encounter Richter, an NPC who requests help defending a post office under siege. Accepting this task leads to Zhorik, the leader of the post office team, who seeks assistance finding his friend, Gloomy. This kicks off the “Dangerous Visitors” quest.

Preparations Before Rescuing Gloomy

Before setting out to save Gloomy, players should explore a nearby stash revealed by Zhorik. Located west of Gloomy’s position, this stash offers essential early-game supplies such as weapons, ammo, and healing items. However, the stash is guarded by mutants, so be prepared for a potential skirmish. The added resources make tackling the Boiler House, where Gloomy is held, significantly easier.

What Happens If You Help Gloomy?

Finding Gloomy at the Boiler House

Once equipped, head east to the Boiler House. Gloomy is being held hostage here by a group of hostile NPCs. While players can attempt stealth, the limited hiding spots make it likely that enemies will notice Skif sooner or later. Use cover strategically and engage enemies one by one if combat becomes unavoidable.

Gloomy is held on the upper floor of the warehouse. After clearing the enemies, players can locate a ladder leading up to him. When approached, Gloomy reacts with hostility, demanding to know who sent Skif Zhorik or Richter. This dialogue doesn’t impact the story, as Gloomy reveals that Zhorik set him up to pay off a gambling debt.

Rewards for Helping Gloomy

Despite his anger toward Zhorik, Gloomy is grateful for his rescue. He offers Skif two choices:

1. A Sensor: A new feature in STALKER 2 that enhances exploration by detecting nearby anomalies.
2. Access to a Secret Stash: This stash, located in a nearby cave, contains superior loot, including weapons, ammo, and healing supplies.

Players opting for the stash must navigate through anomalies to reach it. Breaking planks at the back of the cave reveals additional hidden treasures, making this a highly rewarding option.

What Happens If You Don’t Help Gloomy?

Choosing to keep Zhorik’s supplies instead results in the deaths of the post office team and Gloomy. While this approach saves time, it means forfeiting both Gloomy’s stash and the additional supplies he offers. Players will miss an early opportunity to familiarize themselves with the game’s mechanics, such as rescuing NPCs and navigating anomalies.

Interestingly, Zhorik himself disappears if players return to his initial location, further reinforcing the idea that taking the supplies is a less rewarding path. The only consolation is that Richter’s relationship with Skif remains unaffected by this choice.

Why Helping Gloomy Is the Better Choice

Enhanced Rewards

The loot obtained from Gloomy’s stash and the items collected at the Boiler House far outweigh the supplies Zhorik provides. This early-game boost can make subsequent missions easier, allowing players to acquire better equipment sooner.

Immersive Gameplay

Helping Gloomy provides a richer introduction to STALKER 2’s gameplay. Players experience tactical combat, stealth, and anomaly navigation, all while engaging in the moral decision-making that defines the series.

No Major Drawbacks

While choosing not to help Gloomy might save time, it doesn’t offer any significant advantage beyond convenience. Conversely, helping him sets a precedent for exploring the game’s world thoroughly, rewarding players with better loot and a deeper narrative experience.

FAQ Section

1. What happens if you don’t loot Gloomy’s stash after saving him?

You’ll miss out on valuable supplies, including weapons, healing items, and ammo. Be sure to follow the map marker to the stash after rescuing him.

2. Does your choice affect Richter’s relationship with Skif?

No, Richter’s attitude remains unchanged regardless of whether you help Gloomy or take Zhorik’s supplies.

3. Can you still access Gloomy’s stash if you skip the quest?

Yes, players can find the stash even without completing the quest, but they won’t receive the map marker or Gloomy’s guidance, making it harder to locate.

4. Is the “Dangerous Visitors” quest mandatory?

No, this is an optional side quest. Players can choose to focus on the main storyline instead.