This is a guide on if you should give the Ward Sensors to Richter or Captain Zotov in STALKER 2 Heart of Chornobyl. Learn who to give the Ward Sensors to during A Needle in a Haystack, including both possible choice outcomes.

Ward Sensors Choice Outcomes

This decision heavily influences the missions you get after Behind Seven Seals. Siding with Richter has you exit via the Northern Checkpoint to do missions in the Garbage region, while siding with Zotov has you exit via the Western Checkpoint to play a different set of missions also in the Garbage region.

Giving the Ward Sensors to Richter prevents the Wardens from cracking down on the stalkers in Zalissya. Giving the Ward Sensors to Zotov aligns you with the Ward faction, who you will then start quests for.

Give the Ward Sensors to Richter or Captain Zotov?

Depends on Which Faction You Want to Align With

Long-term, the Ward Sensors choice affects your alignment with Ward and Spark, as well as the next set of main missions that you'll take on.

Give the Ward Sensors to Captain Zotov if you want to align with Ward fully, as your next set of missions will then be centered around helping out the Ward faction. Give the Ward Sensors to Richter if you want to remain netural, a player that plays both sides. You don't fully alienate yourself from the Stalkers of Zalissya nor Spark, who you meet later on through their leader Scar.

Next Mission's Difficulty Depends on Your Choice

If you're thinking more of instant consequences, do note that who you give the Ward Sensors also determines the trickiness of the next mission.

If you give the Ward Sensors to Captain Zotov, the next mission immediately after Answers Come at a Price plays much easier, with most of the quest being dialogue-centric, compared to if you chose to give the Ward Sensors to Richter; Answers Come at a Price will play out with much more combat-oriented objectives.

STALKER 2 Related Guides

List of All Choices

Choice Guides