Picking a weapon in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is about ammo and durability as much as damage. This guide mixes a GamesRadar list of early game weapons with a Prima Games tier list, both checked on October 13, 2026. Locations and prices come from those guides and can differ after patches. Mind spoilers: some of these weapons are found during main missions.
Key takeaways
- In the early game, the AKM-74S works because its ammo is plentiful.
- The TOZ-34 is strong up close but holds two shots.
- Top tier picks include the Gauss Gun, M701 Super, Rhino, Ram-2, Saiga D-12, Dnipro and Kharod.
- Repair your best gun and swap out the others as they wear.
These screenshots may contain violence.
Images are provided by Steam and belong to their publishers.
Best early game weapons
| Weapon | Range | Why | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| AKM-74S | Long | High rate of fire, quick reload, plentiful ammo; less accurate unupgraded | Enemy drops; a scoped version is on the Water Tower in Warlock's Debtor |
| Viper-5 | Medium and close | Fast fire, large magazine; high recoil | Enemy drops, Zhorik's Stash, or Hamster |
| TOZ-34 | Close | High damage; only two shots and a long reload | Hamster in Zalissya or a dead stalker in the sewer during The Lost Boys |
Ammo is scarce early. Find it in stashes that open as you advance missions, loot bodies, and unload bullets from enemy weapons you pick up.
Top tier weapons
| Weapon | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gauss Gun | Sniper rifle | 500 damage per shot and 1,000 m range; found in Prypiat during a main mission |
| M701 Super | Sniper rifle | Strong damage per shot; Bread Factory rooftop north of Yaniv Station or a vendor in Malachite |
| Rhino | Pistol | Very high firepower against armored foes |
| Ram-2 | Shotgun | Top close-range power with good range |
| Saiga D-12 | Shotgun | Nearly as strong, and available much earlier (mission In Search of a Guide in Zaton) |
| Dnipro | Assault rifle | Excellent close to mid-range, usable from mid to late game |
| Kharod | Assault rifle | Reliable mid-game rifle effective against armor |
| Zubr-19 | SMG | Big magazine and high fire rate for groups at close range |
How to choose
- Early game: pick a weapon with plentiful ammo (AKM-74S) and a backup for close range.
- Mid game: look for a Dnipro or Kharod, and a shotgun for buildings.
- Late game: a sniper rifle like the Gauss Gun gives safe kills.
- Always carry repair money for your main weapon.
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