Stalker 2: Science Side Quest Guide
- By Owen
- Jan 09,2025
Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's "In the Name of Science" Side Quest: A Complete Guide
After the Visions of Truth main mission, Dr. Shcherba will contact you with a request, initiating the side quest "In the Name of Science." This quest involves locating electronic collars from various mutants and presents several crucial choices affecting the outcome.
Collecting the Electronic Collars
The first step is to find five electronic collars scattered across the game world. These locations are marked on your map. If some are missing, you may have already collected them during other missions or exploration. Here's a breakdown:
| Region | Collar Location | Mutant |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | The Brood | Snork |
| Wild Island | Boathouse | Psy Bayun |
| Zaton | Hydrodynamics Lab | Controller |
| Malachite | Brain Scorcher | Brain Scorcher |
| Red Forest | Containers | Pseudogiant |
Once you've gathered all five collars, return to Shcherba at the Roofed Warehouse in the Chemical Plant. If you've previously collected and sold collars, the quest might bug. Use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0" to fix this.
The Jammer Decision: Disable or Recalibrate?
After delivering the collars, Shcherba discovers a signal jamming them. You must investigate and find the source – a device in the Storage on the Hill west of the Roofed Warehouse. Inside, you'll face poltergeists, zombified soldiers, and rodents. The key decision:
- Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This advances the quest, rewards you with coupons, and leads to a bloodsucker encounter and another critical choice.
- Recalibrate the Jammer: This ends the quest with coupons from Dvupalov.
The Final Confrontation: Kill or Spare Shcherba?
Disabling the jammer leads to another call from Shcherba, followed by a visit to his lab. You'll receive Magic Vodka from Dr. Dvupalov. In the lab, you'll be trapped, exposed to PSI radiation, but the vodka negates the effects. You must escape, fight bloodsuckers, and confront Shcherba. Your final choice:
- Kill Shcherba: Provides the same rewards as the next option.
- Let Shcherba Go (Recommended): Maintains positive relationships with scientists and Dvupalov.
Regardless of your choice, you'll receive a Gauss Gun from Dvupalov and unlock the "On a Leash" trophy. Remember to use the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab" if Shcherba doesn't call.
