STALKER 2: Journalist Stash Locations & Rewards – What’s the best stash

Key Takeaways:

1. Journalist Stashes are a treasure trove for top-tier weapons, suits, and gear perfect for boosting your survival chances in the Zone.
2. Locating and accessing these stashes requires a combination of exploration, skill, and strategy, often involving challenging areas and combat encounters.
3. While optional, finding these stashes provides a massive advantage, offering upgraded equipment early in the game or valuable loot to sell for profit.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl isn’t just about surviving it’s about thriving in the treacherous Zone. And one of the best ways to gain an edge is by seeking out Journalist Stashes. These hidden caches aren’t your average loot spots; they’re tied to the game’s backstory, filled with high-value rewards, and make for exciting side quests. If you’re looking to enhance your gameplay experience, dominate the Zone, and collect some rare gear, you’ve come to the right place.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Journalist Stashes: their significance, locations, rewards, and whether the effort is worth it. Ready to dive in? Let’s get started.

Why Are Journalist Stashes So Important in STALKER 2?

1. Top-Tier Gear for Survival

Journalist Stashes are packed with exclusive weapons, suits, and modifications. The gear found here often surpasses what you can find elsewhere in the game. From enhanced firearms with mods and ammo to high-protection suits that boost your survivability, these stashes are goldmines for players who want to stay ahead.

For example:

• The Veteran VS Vintar Sniper Rifle, found in the Swamps, gives you an edge in ranged combat.
• The SSP-100M SIRCAA Suit, hidden in the Burnt Forest, offers incredible protection against anomalies and environmental hazards.

2. Encourages Exploration

Finding these stashes isn’t as simple as following a linear path. You’ll need to explore the sprawling map, solve environmental puzzles, and navigate challenging zones. The thrill of the hunt and the satisfaction of uncovering these hidden treasures make the journey worth it.

3. Optional but Highly Beneficial

You don’t need to find every stash to complete the main story. However, tracking them down can make your playthrough significantly easier by providing better gear and resources early on. Plus, selling unused items from the stashes can give you a healthy stash of rubles to spend on other necessities.

How to Start the Journalist Stash Quest

Your journey to finding the Journalist Stashes begins with discovering a journalist’s flash drive early in the game. This flash drive marks the locations of these hidden caches on your map, triggering the side quest “Seek and You Shall Find.”

Once the quest is active, all 12 stashes will be marked across various zones in the game. However, reaching them isn’t always straightforward. You’ll often need to progress through the main story to unlock certain areas or use specific tools and skills to navigate dangerous terrain.

All Journalist Stash Locations and Rewards

1. Burnt Forest

• Location: Hidden in the basement past anomalies.
• Reward: SSP-100M SIRCAA Suit – A suit offering exceptional anomaly protection.

2. Chemical Plant (Army Warehouses)

• Location: Use the truck outside to enter the building and find the stash in the left room.
• Reward: Lullaby Assault Rifle – A powerful, modified firearm.

3. Duga (Southeastern Part)

• Location (Stash 1): Complete the “Happiness for Everyone” quest and explore the sewers.
• Reward: SA-U Gabon Assault Rifle – A versatile assault rifle.
• Location (Stash 2): Near the first stash, hidden in a building.
• Reward: SEVA-1 Suit – Excellent for anomaly-heavy zones.

4. Garbage

• Location (Stash 1): Inside a broken bus.
• Reward: Monolith M860 – A high-damage shotgun.
• Location (Stash 2): Inside a green container amidst wreckage.
• Reward: Tourist Suit – A lightweight, multi-purpose suit.

5. Northern Checkpoint

• Location: On the roof of a building.
• Reward: Viper Monolith – A sleek, compact weapon for close combat.

6. Rostok (Military Barracks)

• Location: Navigate past anomalies inside the barracks.
• Reward: Riemann SMG – A fast-firing submachine gun.

7. Swamp

• Location (Stash 1): In the attic of a farmstead’s main building.
• Reward: Veteran VS Vintar Sniper Rifle – An elite sniper rifle.
• Location (Stash 2): In the ruined barracks by a bunk bed.
• Reward: Wanderer Suit – A balanced suit for exploration and combat.

8. Yaniv (Railyard)

• Location: Break into a locked container.
• Reward: Model Competitor Handgun – A reliable sidearm.

9. Zalissya

• Location: In the attic of a house near a blue truck.
• Reward: PTM Monolith and Mercenary’s Light Suit – A strong weapon and a lightweight, mobile suit.

Are Journalist Stashes Worth It?

Let’s face it: tracking down all 12 stashes takes time and effort. So, is it worth the hassle? Absolutely here’s why:

Pros

• Boosts Your Power Early On: The weapons and suits from these stashes can drastically improve your combat effectiveness and survivability.
• Enhances Exploration: The journey itself is rewarding, encouraging you to discover hidden corners of the map.
• Valuable for Selling: If the rewards don’t suit your playstyle, you can sell them for a hefty profit.

Cons

• Time-Consuming: Finding and accessing all stashes can take time away from the main story.
• Challenging Locations: Some stashes are in high-risk areas, requiring combat, precise navigation, or special gear.

Ultimately, if you enjoy exploring and want the best gear, it’s absolutely worth finding the Journalist Stashes. For players focused solely on the main story, skipping them is an option but you might miss out on some of the best loot in the game.

FAQs

1. Do I need to find all Journalist Stashes to complete the game?

No, the stashes are optional. However, they offer significant rewards that can make your playthrough easier and more enjoyable.

2. Can I access all stashes from the beginning?

No, some areas are locked until you progress further in the main storyline. You may need specific tools or skills to access certain stashes.

3. Are the items in the stashes randomized?

No, the rewards in each stash are fixed. This means you can prioritize stashes based on the items you need.

4. Are there other types of stashes in the game?

Yes, in addition to Journalist Stashes, there are personal stashes, Stalker Stashes, and hidden loot scattered across the map. However, Journalist Stashes tend to have the highest-quality items.

5. What’s the best stash to find early in the game?

The SSP-100M SIRCAA Suit in the Burnt Forest is an excellent early find for its anomaly protection, making it invaluable for exploring hazardous zones.