Here are the best settings and optimized settings for the STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Check out the best settings for quality, optimized settings, performance settings, and other game settings in this guide.

STALKER 2 Best PC Settings

PC Settings
Optimized	Quality	Performance

Use the table above in order to jump to a section!

Best PC Optimized Settings

Object Quality
Texture Quality	Epic
Hair	Medium
Object details	Medium
Effects Quality	Medium
Materials	Medium
Post Processing
Post Processing	Medium
Antialiasing	Epic
Motion Blur Quality	Low
Motion Blur Strength	0%
Depth of Field	Medium
Light Shafts	Medium
Sharpness	Medium
Performance Boost
Upscaling Method	XeSS/FSR/DLSS
Upscaling Quality	Balanced/Performance
Resolution Scale	50/50/50
FS3 Frame Generation	Enable
Shading Quality
Shading Quality	Medium
Global Illumination	Medium
Reflections	Medium
Shadow Quality	Medium
Environment Quality
Clouds	Medium
Fog	Medium
Sky	Medium
Foliage Quality	Medium
Environment Draw Distance	Medium

Disable FS3 Frame Generation should you experience any significant input lag or get constant crashes.

Optimize Resolution Scale to 50

For a noticeable boost to framerate, take any of the 3 upscaling methods (depending on your Graphics Card) and setting their upscaling quality to Performance (FSR/DLSS) or Balanced (XeSS). You can go at 50 Resolution Scale without noticeable loss in quality.

The upscaling option is best enabled for Graphics Cards that actually support upscaling options such as DLSS for NVIDIA GeForce cards, FSR for AMD RX, or XeSS for Intel cards. Otherwise, you should keep it off if you experience any negative hits with it.

Feel free to increase Upscaling quality to one level higher if you have a better a graphics card. Else, staying at 50 Resolution Scale is the sweet spot for quality and performance.

Texture Quality and AA Provides Little Impact

Of the many options, Texture Quality and Antialiasing provides little impact to performance, so feel free to have this set to Epic. Other object quality details will have more impact since they concern a lot of quality changes to the environment and physics.

We maintained everything on Medium since this is the best setting for a balance between performance and quality for most. FS3 Frame Generation is still enabled and is a large contributor to a high framerate, but be sure to check if you have any noticeable input delays while using this option.

▲ Return to All PC Settings ▲

Best PC Quality Settings

Object Quality
Texture Quality	Epic
Hair	Epic
Object details	Epic
Effects Quality	Epic
Materials	Epic
Post Processing
Post Processing	Epic
Antialiasing	Epic
Motion Blur Quality	Low
Motion Blur Strength	0%
Depth of Field	Epic
Light Shafts	Enabled
Sharpness	20%
Performance Boost
Upscaling Method	XeSS/FSR/DLSS
Upscaling Quality	NativAA/DLAA
Resolution Scale	100
FS3 Frame Generation	Enabled
Shading Quality
Shading Quality	Epic
Global Illumination	Epic
Reflections	Epic
Shadow Quality	Epic
Environment Quality
Clouds	Epic
Fog	Epic
Sky	Epic
Foliage Quality	Epic
Environment Draw Distance	Epic

Disable FS3 Frame Generation should you experience any significant input lag or get constant crashes.

Enable Upscaling to Maximize Performance

The settings under the Performance Boost category upscales textures to ensure you can get the most quality out of the game with little loss to FPS. You can use this with the setting that puts your Resolution Scale between 66 to 100 for maximal quality, or at least anything high enough that still allows you to comfortably play even with High or Epic settings.

Reduce Motion Blur Strength to 0%

Motion Blur gives a blur effect on certain NPCs when they are moving fast. The effect may cause dizziness for certain players, so turning Motion Blur Quality to Low and Motion Blur Strength to 0% helps to alleviate it. In addition, turning off this feature increases the game's FPS.

▲ Return to All PC Settings ▲

Best PC Performance Settings

Object Quality
Texture Quality	Medium
Hair	Medium
Object details	Low
Effects Quality	Medium
Materials	Medium
Post Processing
Post Processing	Medium
Antialiasing	Medium
Motion Blur Quality	Low
Motion Blur Strength	0%
Depth of Field	Medium
Light Shafts	Medium
Sharpness	Medium
Performance Boost
Upscaling Method	XeSS/FSR/DLSS
Upscaling Quality	Performance/Balanced
Resolution Scale	50
FS3 Frame Generation	Enabled
Shading Quality
Shading Quality	Medium
Global Illumination	Low
Reflections	Low
Shadow Quality	Medium
Environment Quality
Clouds	Medium
Fog	Medium
Sky	Medium
Foliage Quality	Medium
Environment Draw Distance	Medium

Disable FS3 Frame Generation should you experience any significant input lag or get constant crashes.

Set Some Settings to Low

If you are up for maximizing FPS with low-end rigs, going with some options at Low settings may be your best bet even with Performance Boost Options. Object Details and Global Illumination are some good options to set to low if you are still struggling with performance.

▲ Return to All PC Settings ▲

STALKER 2 Other Settings

Other Settings
Game	UI
Display	Sound
Controls	Accessibility

Use the table above in order to jump to a section!

Best Game Settings

Best Game Settings
Autosave	Enabled
Tutorial	Enabled
Object Highlighting	Enabled
Voiceover Language	Українська
Streamer Mode	Disabled

Enable Autosave to Avoid Losing Progress

Enable autosave to have your progress save periodically in case you want to reload from a previous point in the game.

How to Save

Enable Tutorial and Object Highlighting

It is also recommended to enable Tutorial and Object Highlighting to make the game more accessible for first time players.

Tutorial toggles notification that teaches you how to play the game while Object Highlighting paints specific interactive objects with a yellow color to make them easier to distinguish from non-interactive objects.

Enable Streamer Mode Only If You Are Streaming the Game

Disable Streamer Mode as this is only applicable if you plan on streaming the game and want to hide your nickname and disable copyright soundtrack.

Best UI Settings

Best UI Settings
Display Subtitles	Enabled
Subtitle Size	Default
Subtitle Background Opacity	50%
Speaker Names	Enabled
Targeting Reticle Type	Varies by weapon
HUD Display Settings	Enabled
Threat Indicator	Enabled
Hit Indicator	Enabled
Targeting Reticle	Enabled
Change Crosshair Color	Enabled
Mission Notifications	Enabled
Compass	Enabled
Ammo Counter	Enabled
System Notifications	Enabled
Quick Access Slots	Enabled
HUD Opacity Settings	100%

The table above shows the best UI settings to use. These settings display all the HUD elements, quest notifications, and the number of ammo you have on your equipped weapon.

Disable HUD Elements for a More Immersive Experience

Immersive Settings
Display Subtitles	Disabled
Speaker Names	Disabled
Targeting Reticle Type	Varies by weapon
HUD Display Settings	Disabled
Threat Indicator	Disabled
Hit Indicator	Disabled
Targeting Reticle	Disabled
Change Crosshair Color	Disabled
Mission Notifications	Disabled
Compass	Disabled
Ammo Counter	Disabled
System Notifications	Disabled
Quick Access Slots	Disabled
HUD Opacity Settings	0%

If you want a more immersive experience, you can turn off all HUD elements and the compass. This makes gameplay more difficult as you cannot see enemies from the compass and the number of ammo left.

Best Display Settings

Best Display Settings
Screen Mode	Fullscreen [Borderless]
Field of View	110
V-Sync	Disabled
Frame Rate	No Limits
HDR Mode	Disabled

Set your Frame Rate to your monitor's native frame rate if you experience any Screen Tearing.

Set Field of View to 110 or More

If you are playing the game wherein you are most likely near the monitor, then setting a Field of View to 110 or more is recommended. This gives you a better view of your surroundings due to the wider peripheral vision.

However, if you are playing the game wherein you are farther from the monitor or TV, a lower Field of View is recommended. This also makes it easier to find and target enemies as it has a more focused peripheral vision.

How to Change FoV

Disable HDR Mode

Settings for Image Correction are dependent on the monitor you use though you can set these to 50% for the default settings. Disable HDR Mode as this setting is only applicable if you have a monitor that supports this feature.

Best Sound Settings

Best Sound Settings
Dynamic Range	Full

It is recommended to toggle the Dynamic Range to Full to make use of surround sounds if you have high-quality headphones or audio systems.

Best Controls Settings

Best Controls Settings
Aim	Hold
Hold Breath	Toggle or Hold
Hold to Crouch	Toggle or Hold
Item Selector	Hold
Attachment Selection Menu	Hold
Hold to Sprint	Toggle or Hold
Hold to Walk	Toggle or Hold
Lean	Toggle or Hold
Slide Down the Ladder	Toggle or Hold

It is recommended to set most of the following controls to Toggle or Hold to give players the option to choose to use both in specific situations.

Best Accessibility Settings

Best Accessibility Settings
Color Correction	Disabled

Disable Color Correction Unless Needed

STALKER 2 has three color correction options for players who have difficulty perceiving specific colors of the color spectrum. These include color correction for Protanopia, Deuteranopia, Tritanopia.

It is recommended to set this to disabled unless you require color correction for the above conditions.

STALKER 2 Related Guides

Beginner's Guide: Tips and Tricks

All Tips and Tricks

General Tips and Tricks Guides
Where to Sell Red Broken Weapons	Why Can’t You Drop Quest Items?
How to Increase Weight Carry Limit	How to Stash Loot
How to Access DLC and Claim Bonus Content	Suits with High Degree of Psi-Protection
How to Get Out of the Anomalous Field	What to Sell
What to Buy	What to Do With PDAs
How to Lure Zakhar Out	How to Unlock Arena Round 4
How to Get the Malachite Pass	Coupons Farming Guide
Technician Cannot Install Upgrade Fix	Money Glitch Guide
How to Do the Jump Anomaly Glitch	Best Place to Sell Artifacts
Beginner Guides
All Status Conditions and Cures	How to Change Firing Mode
How to Use the Flashlight	How to Equip Attachments
How to Use Scanner	How to Remove Hunger
How to Remove Bleeding	How to Restore Health
How to Regain Stamina	How to Remove Encumbered Status
How to Repair Weapons	How to Loot All
How to Play Guitar	How to Sort Items to Quick Access
How to Trade	How to Get More Ammo
How to Take Shelter From Emissions	How to Quick Melee
How to Find Artifacts	How to Attach Sight
How to Use Grenade Launcher	How to Kill Bloodsuckers
What to Do if Radiation Keeps Going Up	How to Save
How to Kill Poltergeists	-
Exploration Guides
How to Get to Pripyat	Where to Find Chimeras
How to Get Northern Checkpoint Door Key	How to Enter Diode's Workshop
How to Get Down From the Cooling Tower	Detention Center Artifacts
Stone Village Guide	All Shop Locations
All Personal Stash Locations	All Agricultural Workshop Key Locations
Old Church Locked Door Solution	Where to Use the Old Key
Leshy Location	-
Game Systems Explained
Weapon Durability Explained	Stealth System Explained
Reputation System Explained	Sleep and Resting Effects
Death Penalty: What Happens When You Die?	What Does Endurance Do?
What is Flatness?	-
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Save Scum?	Is There Character Creation?
Is There Third-Person POV?	Is There Crafting?
Can You Lock On Enemies?	Is There A Minimap?
Is There Base Building?	Is There a Difficulty Achievement?
Can You Use Night Vision?	-
Game Settings Guides
Best Settings for PC	List of Controls
Best Brightness and Flashlight Settings	How to Change FOV
How to Change Language Settings	-