Should you help Gloomy in “Dangerous Visitors”?

One of the first decisions players will make in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is to help Zhorik deliver supplies to a group of friends. Almost immediately after completing the tutorial, players will encounter a friendly NPC named Zhorik – although he appears to be hiding something. He asks you to first help some of his friends at a nearby post office, which is under siege, and then directs you to his friend Gloomy, who he hasn’t heard from in a while. He’s starting to get worried.

At this point, the player has no idea who Zhorik and Gloomy are and has just discovered the dangers of trusting their fellow Stalkers, a lesson they learned the hard way. They may be reluctant to agree to Zhorik’s offeror take his word at face value. Zhorik isn’t promising much either, just whatever loot they find along the way. He is also entrusting them with some useful equipment – Medkits, ammo, etc. – which might be better to keep. If decision fatigue is eating at you, here’s how the “Dangerous Visitors“The side mission works.

What happens if you help Gloomy?

Pros and cons of Zhorik’s offer

If the player agrees to help Zhorik, he will first need to travel a short distance to the post office. It’s hard to miss and you’re on your way to the next main objective. The sound of gunfire will guide them in any direction, as the post office is under siege by a rival group of Stalker. The player will get their first taste of the action here, having to fend off four heavily armed enemies before they can enter.

There are few places to hide here, so they will probably notice the player no matter what. Take advantage of the available cover or try to attract enemies. As long as they are fast enough, they will enter the post office while everyone is still alive and deliver Zhorik’s gifts. The people inside will be grateful, and Zhorik will encourage the player to find Gloomy in a nearby warehouse. Again, the location is easily found, but this time it is quiet – too quiet.

Explore a little (or just break down the door) and it will become clear that Gloomy is also under attack by a similar group. Fortunately, the warehouse is quite full, which means there are many more strategic opportunities here. Consider using the boxes spread out on the floor as ample cover, or wait outside; The sight lines inside the warehouse are poor, so this is a good way to bait enemies one by one. Or, if enemies aren’t alerted to Skif’s presence, try stealth.

Skif will find Gloomy climbing a ladder in the warehouse, where he initially reacts with hostility. He asks who sent Skif – Richter or Zhorik? How the player chooses to respond here doesn’t matter. Anyway, Gloomy will reveal that Zhorik set him up. Indebted to a gambling ring in Garbage, Zhorik misdirected them into going after Gloomy instead of him. Gloomy soon receives a radio call from Zhorik, who puts on a jovial performance, before deciding it’s best to flee the city. If the player returns to Zhorik’s starting location, he will actually disappear.

Anyway, Gloomy isn’t exactly grateful for the situation, but he’s happy that Skif saved his life. He will offer a sensor as thanks, one of the STALKER 2of new features. Or, if Skif refuses, suggest he help himself the contents of Gloomy’s hideout in a nearby cave. Following the map marker, head into the cave, avoiding or disrupting nearby anomalies as necessary.

There’s a good variety of stuff here, including weapons, ammo, and healing items – overall, much better than the player would have achieved by stealing Zhorik’s supplies. Make sure to break the boards at the back of the room to access the full contents of Gloomy’s inventory.

What happens if you don’t help Gloomy?

Pros and cons of running away with Zhorik’s supplies

If you decide to flee with Zhorik’s supplies, none of the above will happen. The postal team will likely die in the attack, and the same goes for Gloomy. The player will never meet that specific cast of characters and will likely never see Zhorik again. They won’t know about Gloomy’s stash, although they can still claim it – they simply won’t have the map marker to help them find it. Still, no one will be particularly upset about it.

This can save a lot of time and trouble, but means losing a good amount of lootand a good introduction to the world of STALKER 2. The few healing items Zhorik provides in return pale in comparison.

You should help the dark

Better rewards, better results

Ultimately, it makes more sense to help Gloomy in”Dangerous visitors.” The supplies Zhorik provides are tempting, but they’re nothing compared to what players can get by looting Gloomy’s stash after helping him. The mission is not difficult at all, at least not compared to the rest STALKER 2and the rewards will likely last for the player, at least for the next few missions. Otherwise, they will get a decent price when they reach Zalissya’s settlement, which can help them buy even more materials.

It certainly seems like there are no negative outcomes for any of the choices in this mission, so players are free to do whatever they want. Even after several hours of gameplay, neither Zhorik, nor Gloomy, nor the people at the post office reappeared. If they would rather just skip this inconsequential side quest and continue with the main story of STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobylthey are free to do just that.