As with just about any game with survival mechanics, you need a whole bunch of useful tools and resources merely to stay alive. Which often leaves you with two options, either scavenging for goodies, or working hard to generate the cash to buy them.
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STALKER 2 Major Update Is Coming This Week
The first official update addresses several issues currently plaguing the game.
However, in STALKER 2, coupons aren’t all that easy to generate, especially in the early-game. Which leaves the player in a perilous position where they really need to sink or swim.
It can be tough to get money fast in this modern Slavjank masterpiece, but if you’re willing to put in the hard yards, or cheat the system a little, you’ll find that The Zone has ways of providing inquisitive stalkers.
So, to help you line your pockets and purchase some high-quality loot, here are some fantastic ways to earn coupons fast in STALKER 2.
6 Sell Spare Food, Ammo & Medicine
There’s Plenty To Eat In The Zone
First off, as you explore the world and gather supplies from dead bandits, from loose crates, and around various bases, you’ll find that there is an abundance of food, medicine, and ammo in the wild.
But here’s the thing, you’ll probably have a favorite gun you use all the time, making all other ammo types useless. Plus, there’s so much food and medicine to be found on enemies and in settlements that you’ll never run short.
So, it’s a safe bet to collect and sell all ammo that doesn’t work on your primary weapon. Plus, aside from a few Medkits, Bandages, and food items, you can sell the rest, too.
This won’t net you a huge sum, but due to the fact that it’s so easy to do naturally as you explore, you’ll find that with enough excursions and visits to the trader, you’ll make a pretty penny.
5 Sell Weapons and Armor
One Good Gun Is All You Need
While ammo and medicine can provide some petty cash, the big ticket items like Guns and Armor are what’s going to really line your pockets.
But, here’s the thing, you won’t find a lot of suits of armor in The Zone, and practically every weapon you find will be in a state of disrepair, meaning you won’t be able to sell it, and it won’t be worth the price of fixing it either.
But, when you come across something that is in mid-condition or even great condition, if you’re lucky, you’ll see the value for these items skyrocket. Provided you can bear the load of multiple weapons in your inventory, this is worth your while. Because, if you can make it back to base, you’ll net a hefty sum.
Some artifacts can increase your weight capacity, allowing you to carry more heavy items and get them back to base. This will usually come with added radiation but provided you have some Vodka; this is a great option.
4 Hunt For Stashes
Finder’s Keepers
Here’s the thing about stashes in STALKER 2. Pretty much all of them are absolute garbage, but even though it’s very unlikely there’s anything of note, it’s always worth rolling the dice.
This is because, occasionally, you’ll find that these stashes have unique weapons, unique armor sets, weapons in great condition, and much more. Plus, if you shelled out for the pre-order bonus, you’ll be pretty much guaranteed an excellent item from the Journalist Stashes.
At worst, these Stashes will give you some ammo, medicine, and miscellaneous items. But if your luck is in, you could be rolling in coupons when you get back to base and trade everything in.
Don’t go out of your way to track down every stash, but if there’s one on the way to your next mission, be sure to head over and see what’s in there.
3 Go Artifact Hunting
Live Off The Land
I’m not about to lie to you and say that Artifact hunting is the safest thing to do in The Zone. But, if you’re willing to put your body on the line, it can be a real money maker. Artifacts are items that can be found in various anomalous areas around the zone, and with the help of your Detector, you’ll be able to find them.
These tend to have positive and negative attributes, and some are worth keeping for situational use. However, some will just not mesh with your build and playstyle, and that means you can sell them for a pretty penny.
You will need to brave electrical fields, acid pools, molten magma, and swirling whirlwinds. But if you can duck and weave through the chaos, you’ll grab an item that is sure to net you a nice nest egg to invest in some good gear.
2 Completing Quests
Got Some Work For Me?
While selling items can be a great supplemental way to make cash as you work your way through the game, there’s nothing that earns you more cash in the long term than completing quests. Some main quests give you a little cash injection, but generally speaking, the side quests are where it’s at if you’re looking to make coupons.
You’ll encounter various side quests that are bespoke, and handcrafted quests from the developer, usually offering a cash reward, and a unique item if you’re able to meet all the mission criteria.
Plus, you’ll have the option to complete procedural missions that will give you some funds by speaking to NPCs at various bases. For example, you can speak to Warlock in Zalyssia to get a named quest and as many procedural quests as you like thereafter.
1 Use The Infinite Money Glitch
Money Does Grow On Trees
Then, lastly, if you’re not averse to bending the rules, we have a little treat for all you nefarious little cheaters out there. Hey, no shame in it, this game pulls no punches.
At the time of writing, there is a way to perform an infinite money glitch, allowing you to sell, reclaim, and sell items in an infinite loop. It’s something that will likely get patched out, but considering how many other fixes the game needs, there’s more than enough time to make use of this while the going’s good.
To do this, you need to do the following steps:
- Head to a Trader in any base you have access to (any trader works fine)
- When trading, select the item you intend to use for this method, when when the prompt appears to ‘sell all’, agree to do so.
- After this hits their inventory, manually head over to their inventory and move the item back over to your sell pile.
- A prompt should appear for you to return items. You’ll want to first confirm the trade, and then press ‘Return All’.
- This should return the used trade item to your inventory and you can begin the process over again.
Note: This method only works with select items. Ideally you want to use an item you have a lot of to earn cash efficiently. Plus, it seems that this doesn’t work with Medkits and Shotgun ammo.
Systems
Franchise S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
Released November 20, 2024
Developer(s) GSC Game World
Publisher(s) GSC Game World
Engine Unreal Engine 5
ESRB M For Mature 17+ Due To Intense Violence, Blood, Use Of Drugs And Alcohol, Language, Crude Humor
OpenCritic Rating Fair
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