The Best Side Missions can reward players with additional items and equipment for completing them in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Read on to find out the best Side Missions to do and learn if they are worth doing!

Best Side Missions to Do

Side Missions	Details and Rewards
In the Name of Science	Quest Giver: Shcherba Location: Malachite or Roofed Warehouse, Chemical Plant Rewards: ・Coupons (Based on Difficulty) ・Gauss Gun (50% Durability)
Lost Boys	Quest Giver: Lens Location: Zalissya, Lesser Zone Rewards: ・Coupons (Based on Difficulty) ・Rubber Layer Blueprint
Nightingale's Hunt	Quest Giver: Nightingale Location: Cowsheds, Lesser Zone Rewards: ・Electronic Collars ・Weird Ball (near Bulba)
The Poppy Field	Quest Giver: Mityay Location: Zalissya, Lesser Zone Rewards: ・Coupons (Based on Difficulty) ・Unknown Stalker's AR416 ・Tactical Pistol Silencer ・Weird Flower
Warlock's Debtor	Quest Giver: Warlock Location: Zalissya, Lesser Zone Rewards: ・Coupons (Based on Difficulty) ・Valik Lummox's AKM-74S
Three Captains	Quest Giver: Sonya Location: Sultansk, Zaton Rewards: ・Coupons (Based on Difficulty) ・Clusterfuck Sniper

List of All Side Missions

In the Name of Science

In the Name of Science is a side mission you get fairly late into the game. However, the pay-off is worth it especially for those looking to collect and test out the powerful Gauss Gun before hitting the final missions of STALKER 2.

To get this side mission, make sure you obtain and deliver the Controller Project Documents to Shcherba during In Search of Past Glory. Then, once you have the side mission, pick the option to Disable the Jammer during the latter half of the mission to guarantee the Gauss Gun reward from Dvupalov.

In the Name of Science Walkthrough

Lost Boys

Lost Boys is an early game side mission given to you by Zalissya's resident technician, Lens. Unassuming at first, the stakes become clearer once you have to choose to kill or help the Ninth near the end of the mission.

To maximize your rewards, make sure to help the Ninth to net yourself Coupons from Lens, a Rubber Layer Blueprint from the Ninth, and later on, a hidden stash location from Mastiff (who you'll find recovered inside Lens' garage).

Lost Boys Walkthrough

Nightingale's Hunt

The most important reward you get during this side mission are the Electronic Collars you collect from the Bloodsuckers. If you want to have an easier time during the main mission, A Minor Incident, do not sell the collars to Hamster. Instead, keep them on you until that particular mission to eliminate a rather lengthy detour to get a collar for Dvupalov.

Additionally, Nightingale's Hunt will have you exploring the Bulba Anomaly in the Lesser Zone. Brave the center of the anomalous zone and you could walk away with the Weird Ball artifact for your troubles.

Nightingale's Hunt Walkthrough

The Poppy Field

The Poppy Field is another great early game side mission to complete because it's filled to the brim with rewards. Once you have the Orthodox Icon quest item, give it to Popor nearby in order to get the Unknown Stalker's AR416. Then, murder him to get the icon back and deliver it to Mityay for a Coupon payout.

In addition to quest rewards, you also get a bunch of good loot in the Poppy Field. If you're a UDP user, then getting the Tactical Pistol Silencer from the Poppy Field Stash is a must. Similarly, if you want to collect all the Legendary Artifacts in STALKER 2, make sure to snatch up the Weird Flower in the area.

The Poppy Field Walkthrough

Warlock's Debtor

The best reward you'll get in Warlock's Debtor is the unique weapon, Valik Lummox's AKM-74S. Perhaps one of the best guns for early game, this custom AKM-74S is well worth the trouble of hiking up to the quest location and dealing with some bandits (for some extra loot).

Warlock's Debtor Walkthrough

Three Captains

Three Captains is the culmination of a series of quests centered in the Zaton region. Regardless of who you help during the power struggle, you'll walk away with a custom sniper rifle by way of the Clusterfuck.

Three Captains Walkthrough

Are Side Missions Worth Doing?

Get Additional Items and Equipment

You can get additional items and equipment from completing Side Missions. You might also unlock areas that contain tons of loot as you try to complete these Side Missions.

You can take a break from the main story if it's hard to finish to try to get several items from the Side Missions and come back stronger.

For Completionist Players

Side Missions are a must for players who want to complete the game, as it will count towards 100% completion.

Some Side Missions are missable, but that is not something you can control, as some will require you to make a crucial decision and affect the following Side Missions you can get.

STALKER 2 Related Guides

List of All Side Missions

All Side Missions

Side Missions
Lost Boys	The Poppy Field
Dogfight	Shift Change
Dangerous Visitors	Stalker Wisdom
Invisible Nets	Piece of Cake
Warlock's Debtor	An Errand for Warlock
No Honor Among Thieves	A Sign of Hope
Nightingale's Hunt	The Road to Salvation
Budmo!	A Light at the End of the Tunnel
A Heavy Burden	Deceive the Deceiver
The Freedom Colosseum	Just Business
Three Captains	Unhealthy Competition
In the Name of Science	Bullseye
Business with Owl	Uninvited Guests
A Big Score	Joke Quest
All That is Left	On the Edge
Black Sheep	The Key to Freedom
Taking Back What's Mine	A Job from Boozer
For Science!	The Mysterious Case
A Matter of Honor	An Order from Harpy
A Job for Sidorovich	An Errand for Hera
Shock Therapy	The Sound of Music
A Job for the Barkeep	Save Vova Amalgam
Save Vadyk Firecracker	Save Doctorant Zhytnychenko
Yurko Fantomas Side Mission	Gray's Last Hunt
Busting Myths	Car for Sale
Save Vovchyk Koldyba	The Side Hustle
Save Tymchenko	-

Best Side Missions Worth Doing