Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's "In the Name of Science" Side Quest: A Complete Guide
Following the Visions of Truth main mission and a call from Dr. Shcherba, players embark on the "In the Name of Science" side quest in Stalker 2. This quest involves locating electronic collars from various mutants and presents several crucial choices impacting the outcome.
Locating the Electronic Collars
The initial objective requires finding five electronic collars from specific locations marked on the map. If some locations aren't visible, it's likely you've already collected them during other missions or exploration. The collar locations are:
| Region | Collar Location | Mutant Type |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | The Brood | Snork |
| Wild Island | Boathouse | Psy Bayun |
| Zaton | Hydrodynamics Lab | Controller |
| Malachite | Brain Scorcher Location | Brain Scorcher |
| Red Forest | Containers | Pseudogiant |
After collecting all collars, return to Shcherba at the Roofed Warehouse in the Chemical Plant. If the quest becomes bugged (due to prior collar collection and sale), use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0" to proceed.
The Jammer Decision: Disable or Recalibrate?
Upon delivering the collars, Shcherba reveals a signal jamming their functionality. He tasks the player with investigating and disabling the jammer located in the Storage on the Hill (west of the Roofed Warehouse). Inside, players face poltergeists, zombified soldiers, and rodents. The choice is:
- Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This advances the quest, yields coupons from Shcherba, and leads to a bloodsucker encounter and a further choice.
- Recalibrate the Jammer: This concludes the quest with coupons from Dvupalov.
The Final Confrontation: Kill or Spare Shcherba?
Disabling the jammer leads to Shcherba contacting the player, providing coupons, and promising future assistance. The objective changes to "Wait for your reward from Shcherba." Progress can be sped up by resting or using the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab".
Shcherba's subsequent call leads to receiving Magic Vodka from Dr. Dvupalov. A confrontation ensues involving three bloodsuckers and an armed Shcherba. The final choice:
- Kill Shcherba: Yields the same rewards as sparing him.
- Spare Shcherba (Recommended): Maintains positive relations with scientists and Dvupalov.
Completing the quest rewards the player with a Gauss Gun from Dvupalov and unlocks the "On a Leash" trophy. Remember, the Magic Vodka is crucial to negate the PSI-radiation effects of Shcherba's trap.
