S.T.A.L.K.E.R Released

[Vympel]

You've been playing without the flashlight? What about the dark interiors? The scary monsters? Flashlight defaults to 'L', and it never runs out thank christ. 'N' is vision, the stalker suit has a crap NV setup and the SEVA suit has some purple thing that goes 'PING' and alerts everyone.

Is that directed at me? If so, I never played long enough to get to nightime. Yet. Now I will.

I also noticed the dogs seem to be harder to kill - pre-patch it seemed every shot from a PMM killed one, now it's much harder.

Yeah, it's hard to hit the little fuckers in the head too, because they're so fast your shots are always getting them in the butt.

[Vympel]

Anyway to save the guy in the second area whoose being held up by bandits? He always seems to get killed before I can shoot all his captors.

[CaptHawkeye]

Yes, sneak up to the bandit on the left, and fill him with buckshot. Quickly do the same to the one on the right. He should be able to handle the last one on his own. But don't be afraid to rip out your Pmm and help him out.

EDIT: Actually, you don't need to do much sneaking. Just run up to them and unload.

[MagnusTheReD]

Why is there no AK47?
Here's my theory: your first AR's in the game are the AK's and the Obokan - all the Russian rifles which are pretty cheap and weak (in game) compared to the more advancer rifles like the game's version of the M16 and the G36.
The thing is that the AK47 got some serious punch!
They had a choice: they could give in earlier in the game with a significantly reduced firepower, but that wouldn't make any sense to the portion of the players who know the basics of firearms history.
And they could present the AK47 later in the game with it's real firepower, but that as well wouldn't make any sense - if it's so cheap and widespread how come you only find it so late in the game, together with the expensive modern AR's like the G36?

P.S. I don't know about you guys but I was able to attach the Russian scope to the Storming Obokan you find in the Dark Valley, but not right away - I think I reloaded the game and only then...
P.P.S. Is there a scope for the Tunder?

[Vympel]

Why is there no AK47?
Here's my theory: your first AR's in the game are the AK's and the Obokan - all the Russian rifles which are pretty cheap and weak (in game) compared to the more advancer rifles like the game's version of the M16 and the G36.

The AK-74 should be the cheapest assault rifle available, but the "Obokan" (ie. AN-94) - it should be one of the most expensive weapons in the game. It has the most complicated method of operation- resulting in the most accurate 2-round burst of any assault rifle anywhere in the world.

Not only that- but it's the Russian Army "official" assault rifle (which has hardly reached line units at all, mind, and they may well have decided to stay with their AK-74Ms). Not the Ukranian Army, which is still equipped with AK-74s. You'd be lucky to find any, unless the game's alternate universe posits the supply of post-USSR Russian weapons to the Ukranian Army.

On three counts, it should be rare as hell.

The thing is that the AK47 got some serious punch!

The 7.62x39mm is a heavier round than 5.45x39mm, true. But it's not that much more powerful.

Oh, and finally, a pet peeve. Any AK-47 in the game wouldn't be an AK-47 at all. It'd be either an AKM or paratrooper AKMS. The AK-47 was not the gun produced in the largest numbers in the USSR, it was the improved AKM/AKMS, with improvements throughout the production run until the AK-74 was introduced in 1974.

[Vympel]

I'm at the Garbage, I've helped Bes ambush the Bandits, then I went on to find Seriya (or whatever his name is) to get information, and he wants me to help fight off some more bandits- I killed a bunch of them inside, but there's more of them outside just sitting there- don't tell me I have to go out there and shoot the lot of them at range?

Also, weight is a serious problem- I've long given up on looting lots of enemy guns (though I did carry as many AKS-74Us as I could find to the trader after I shot up that army checkpoint)- I have plenty of 5.45x39mm and 9x19mm ammo- but is there any point in using up precious weight carrying 9x19mm ammo if I'm not going to bother using an MP5?

I've already tossed my shotgun and all the shells.

(I'm carrying a Fort pistol, two silenced pistols, my AKS-74U, and the rest is medical/ fatigue gear).

[Resinence]

I always carry a sidearm with 2 spare mags (it's a silenced USP), and a single rifle; my m4a1 with under slung grenade launcher and optical 4x scope. ~5 grenades for the launcher (save em for controllers and large packs of dudes) and about 250 rounds. 10 scientific med kits and 20 bandages.

Then I just keep my ammo/kit level up by scavenging in the field, saves weight and allows you to pick up any awesome loot you find.

[MagnusTheReD]

The AK-74 should be the cheapest assault rifle available, but the "Obokan" (ie. AN-94) - it should be one of the most expensive weapons in the game. It has the most complicated method of operation- resulting in the most accurate 2-round burst of any assault rifle anywhere in the world.

I know that, that's probably the biggest problem with my theory.
In fact, I was quite surprised to find out how much inferior the Obokan (BTW, isn't it Abakan in Russian transcription?) to game's wanked-up version of the M16! I know it's (the AN94) pretty accurate compared to other Russian-made AR's but is in more accurate than the NATO guns like the same M16 and the G36? In real life I mean...

The 7.62x39mm is a heavier round than 5.45x39mm, true. But it's not that much more powerful.

Isn't the 5.45 is the Soviet version of the NATO 5.56?
Because I'm holding a NATO version of the 7.62 (what was it, x39?) bullet and the 5.56 bullet, and from what I can judge with my naked eye the 7.62 is more than twice as heavy as the 5.56. Is there something I'm missing? Because, you know, I'm still a civilian...

Well, yeah, my version doesn't hold much water, but that's the best I could come up with... Maybe they are just retarded or something!

I killed a bunch of them inside, but there's more of them outside just sitting there- don't tell me I have to go out there and shoot the lot of them at range?

I'm sorry but I don't remember this part of the game...Maybe you should try and flank them? Or maybe you should stick to the train wagons? Stay on their right side - there's more enemies from the left if I'm not wrong.
But you shouldn't have any problems with the bandits ahead - they are lousy shots.

Also, weight is a serious problem...

My advice to you - dump all the crap you're carrying! The only thing you need is a little food, bandages and medicts, and your AK74 with as much ammo as you can find - not only all the extra gear you're carrying weights too much, but it won't earn you much money! The place you're heading (AgroCorp) got plenty of AK ammo so don't worry about it, and here's a tip - once you enter the area, walk a bit up the road and you will see the railroad to your right, with the tunnel entrance - there's shitloads of artifacts down the railroad and up to the end of the tunnel! Each artifact weights only 0.5kg and costs at least 1500RU, so their weight/cost ration is massively better than most weapons!

(I'm carrying a Fort pistol, two silenced pistols, my AKS-74U, and the rest is medical/ fatigue gear).

One of the stalker from the vehicle graveyard in Garbage should have a silenced AK74u - that's the only reason I can see to why do you need any pistols at all! Otherwise you should dump 'em all.

[MagnusTheReD]

I always carry a sidearm with 2 spare mags (it's a silenced USP), and a single rifle; my m4a1 with under slung grenade launcher and optical 4x scope. ~5 grenades for the launcher (save em for controllers and large packs of dudes) and about 250 rounds. 10 scientific med kits and 20 bandages.

Where are you in the game?
If you already got more than two grenades for the M203 you should've already got Vintorez! Why aren't you using it - it's the game's ultimate n00b cannon!
BTW, I got tips of how to get it and the G36 early in the game, even before you get the M16! So if anyone's interested...

[Stark]

Yeah, I totally want to get the 'I win' G36 even earlier! Killing bandits wasn't easy enough already!

Comparing the 7.62x39 Russian to 7.62x51 NATO is retarded. Have you seen pictures of the rounds next to each other?

With that idiot Saiya just let him get killed - you instantly (and magically) get the info you need in the PDA, and you don't need to kill the INFINITE SPAWNING BANDITS outside the western gate.

Carrying stuff is a waste of time, but being as close as possible to 50 doesn't make any difference. I just leave things I'm not using in stashes as central as I can: the Garbage Duty post, the Bar, etc. Weapons do indeed sell for fuck all, and artefacts have the added bonus of being saleable to anyone not just traders. Keeping your loadout around 35-40 allows you to easily move anything you find without problems, even ridiculous shit like RPG-7s. Which seem pretty fucking useless, but one day if the military come after you with choppers maybe. Oh and they only have the HE-frag rounds.

It's kinda sad the AN-94 isn't really anything neat in the game: even the 2-round burst is slow and relatively worthless. At least it actually lets you mount addons now. But hey, the Groza is neat.

[MagnusTheReD]

Yeah, I totally want to get the 'I win' G36 even earlier! Killing bandits wasn't easy enough already!

Uh, yeah, sorry about that, I guess that was some kind of AI glitch, it doesn't work any more...
But I promise to look into it - I already got some ideas for some AI glitches!
Just tell me what version do you got? I'm still on v1.0 so it might not work for you.

I still can tell you when to get a Vintorez though! And some 90 round for it at the same place!

Comparing the 7.62x39 Russian to 7.62x51 NATO is retarded. Have you seen pictures of the rounds next to each other?

No, not really. I was kinda sure they're relatively similar, do you got any pics?

Keeping your loadout around 35-40 allows

You need to find two "Flash" artifacts - once equipped you can sprint non-stop as long you don't exceed the 50kg mark. But even when you do, your sprint is still ridiculously long.

But hey, the Groza is neat. Smile

Once I got the Vintorez I dumped my Tunder right away, thrust me, it's that good!
I was equipped with nothing but my trusty Vintorez and some 400 rounds when I stormed the Red Forest!
It's full of those Monolith dudes! And trust me, those motherfuckers mean business!

[CaptHawkeye]

Huzzah! The GSC forums are back up! I've posted a thread in the single player improvements section basically asking for the things me, Stark, and Resinense have asked for. Aggresive, healing AI, and a level editor.

Also, take it with a grain of salt, but their are rumors on the forum that an expansion is on the way. And that the devs have grand things in mind for it.

[Stark]

Uh, yeah, sorry about that, I guess that was some kind of AI glitch, it doesn't work any more...
But I promise to look into it - I already got some ideas for some AI glitches!
Just tell me what version do you got? I'm still on v1.0 so it might not work for you.

What are you talking about? I said I don't see the need for the overpowered later guns early on, since the game is already easy.

I still can tell you when to get a Vintorez though! And some 90 round for it at the same place!

Bully for you, jack.

No, not really. I was kinda sure they're relatively similar, do you got any pics?

What? One's 39mm long, the other 51mm long. Even ignoring the other differences, that's not 'similar'. The NATO bullet is a few grammes heavier and carries nearly twice as much energy (well, 2000j-odd to 3400j-odd). Oh and 'google'.

You need to find two "Flash" artifacts - once equipped you can sprint non-stop as long you don't exceed the 50kg mark. But even when you do, your sprint is still ridiculously long.

What are you TALKING about? Keeping your load at 35 is useful because it leaves you a bit of empty space for loot before you cross the load-limit. What the hell does endurance have to do with this? Do you enjoy pretending everyone but you is some kind of idiot that doesn't know how the game works? Wow, endurance boosting artefacts boost your endurance? Thanks for the tip!

Once I got the Vintorez I dumped my Tunder right away, thrust me, it's that good!
I was equipped with nothing but my trusty Vintorez and some 400 rounds when I stormed the Red Forest!
It's full of those Monolith dudes! And trust me, those motherfuckers mean business!

How old are you? Why do you have this ridiculous 'I know the secrets lol' attitude? I'd try to explain what it's like to prefer using a weapon that isn't the ultra-super-fantastic overpowered super-range silenced God-cannon, but I simply don't think you'd understand.

[MagnusTheReD]

What are you talking about? I said I don't see the need for the overpowered later guns early on, since the game is already easy.

Sorry, I didn't quite got the sarcasm on the first reading.

What? One's 39mm long, the other 51mm long. Even ignoring the other differences, that's not 'similar'. The NATO bullet is a few grammes heavier and carries nearly twice as much energy (well, 2000j-odd to 3400j-odd).

Thanks for clarifying it for me, I was always a bit confused with this caliber "science"...

Oh and 'google'.

Found no pics with comparison of the two round. Although I never looked past the fifth page.

What are you TALKING about? Keeping your load at 35 is useful because it leaves you a bit of empty space for loot before you cross the load-limit.

What I AM talking about? What are YOU talking about?
After you're done with the "Dark Valley" you got more money than you could ever spend, why the hell do you need 25kg of empty space? What can you possible carry? 50 artifacts?

What the hell does endurance have to do with this?

Endurance got EVERYTHING to do with it!
Unless of course you enjoy traversing vast distances with the speed of an eighty years old lady! And crossing heavily contaminated areas with a walking pace! And I reckon you prefer personally dealing with every single last dog/wolf pack you just might stumble upon!
Have you considered than not all of us might have the patience for all this?

Do you enjoy pretending everyone but you is some kind of idiot that doesn't know how the game works?

No, but I see you think that anyone who starts playing the game is immediately magically granted the knowledge of every single aspect of the game...
It was a simple observation for the ones who think non-stop sprinting might be of use to them. Two Flash items = infinite sprint, that's all I wanted to say.

Wow, endurance boosting artefacts boost your endurance? Thanks for the tip!

Have I said "get an endurance boosting item - it will make you run longer"?
No, I didn't.
I specifically pointed out to find TWO FLASH items to get infinite boost.
Have it ever crossed your mind that somebody might find that useful?

How old are you? Why do you have this ridiculous 'I know the secrets lol' attitude?

Of course you never assumed that not everybody prefer to play the way you prefer to, did you?
Someone might enjoy beating the game the easiest way possible, or maybe someone will find those tips useful because he's having a hard time, or he's playing on the highest setting.
Or maybe someone just likes knowing all the tips and secrets of the game and finding the most powerful gear as early as possible, like myself, just because it's fun?
How about that?

I'd try to explain what it's like to prefer using a weapon that isn't the ultra-super-fantastic overpowered super-range silenced God-cannon, but I simply don't think you'd understand.

Same as above - not everybody share your gaming habits.
I really like killing every single enemy in my immediate reach without even one of them spotting me.
Can you safely say that there is no one in the world who might enjoy it as well?

[Stark]

I personally want to hear more about your munchkin exploits, and hear more condescending comments like 'lol the VSS is the best gun ever you'll love it - if you know where to find it and I do I rule'.

Your idea that nobody is ever going to find any interesting or cool loot after the Valley just shows what a munchkin idiot you are. There's a whole thread here of people finishing the game and looting through much of it, but nooooo once you've got the WIN C4NN0NZ nobody will ever want to loot again. The very idea of advising a new player to keep a window of weight open under 50kgs is absurd and stupid, right?

At least you're honest about being a no-challenge cheesemonkey. Your attempts to 'educate' me that other people play 'differently' are hilarious, since you *clearly* don't understand there's a whole thread of people here who don't play the way of cheese, and some people even think that cheese is BROKEN AND BORING. But what do we know, we still pick things up after Dark Valley!

[InnocentBystander]

Oh god... I just had to kill Cthulu... it was terrible. He took two whole clips from my AK74.

[Resinence]

Also, if you read through the last 3 pages, almost every spoiler has been posted already, including the VSS.

It's an M4a1 with the tr300m performance barrel and hammer, with a custom grip and butt... btw. So it SHOULD be more accurate. There isn't an m16 in the game. And the VSS uses subsonic rounds, the drop is terrible, it's like trying to snipe with a scoped pistol; mini-mortar launcher.

[DPDarkPrimus]

Oh god... I just had to kill Cthulu... it was terrible. He took two whole clips from my AK74.

Memorable, aren't they?

I wish I could understand Russian- apparently one of the campfire stories is about a friendly Bloodsucker.

[Resinence]

Another one is this long story about how he was torturing some guy for the location of his stash for hours. And then he told him when he gave him a cigarette.

[nickolay1]

I wish I could understand Russian- apparently one of the campfire stories is about a friendly Bloodsucker.

Any idea who tells this story?

[DPDarkPrimus]

I wish I could understand Russian- apparently one of the campfire stories is about a friendly Bloodsucker.

Any idea who tells this story?

No.

[MagnusTheReD]

I personally want to hear more about your munchkin exploits

Those are not exploits, simply advices.
I don't know about you, but my machine if fairly weak and loading new areas takes time - it's annoying and I would really love it if somebody would help me reducing the area jumping as much as possible, mainly by telling me where's the important stuff in each area so I wouldn't have to go back every time.
So would it be an exaggeration for me to assume that there's someone like myself out there?

...and hear more condescending comments like 'lol the VSS is the best gun ever you'll love it - if you know where to find it and I do I rule'.

I love this gun, why shouldn't someone else like it? I found it too late so I assumed that someone might want to find it earlier. Why is it such a hard thing for you to accept?

Your idea that nobody is ever going to find any interesting or cool loot after the Valley

Where have I claimed such a thing?
I merely stated that after the Valley you got enough money not to pick up every lousy artifact you might come across, and there's not that much of the expensive ones that you actually need 25kg of free space.

There's a whole thread here of people finishing the game and looting through much of it,

That is my only crime - not reading enough of the previous post, and for that I beg your pardon, but I don't think it's enough to burn at the stake!

but nooooo once you've got the WIN C4NN0NZ nobody will ever want to loot again.

You wanna tell me that you keep picking up every lousy slug or jellyfish even at the last stages of the game? Why? There aren't even any merchants past the Warehouse AFAIK.

The very idea of advising a new player to keep a window of weight open under 50kgs is absurd and stupid, right? Rolling Eyes

That is, again, NOT what I said! In fact, I advised the very same thing, but for different reasons.

At least you're honest about being a no-challenge cheesemonkey.

No I'm not. Not all the time anyway. But I really hate when I have to empty a full AK74 clip to take down a single elite trooper (or whatever they're called). I love the challenge in the beginning of the game, but later on I just wanted to advance as far as possible and learn the story, I didn't want to get into a firefight every single time I stumble upon an enemy, so I started to snipe them - much faster.

Your attempts to 'educate' me that other people play 'differently' are hilarious, since you *clearly* don't understand there's a whole thread of people here who don't play the way of cheese, and some people even think that cheese is BROKEN AND BORING.

You wanna tell me that you deliberately restrict yourself to weaker weapons? Fine, do whatever you like, but stop claiming that there's no one at all who might find my way to be fun. I never claimed that your way is wrong, I just say that there's more than one way to play the game.

But what do we know, we still pick things up after Dark Valley! Rolling Eyes

As above. I never claimed that you shouldn't pick up stuff after the Valley, I just said that you no longer have to pick up every single piece of crap you might find.

[MagnusTheReD]

It's an M4a1 with the tr300m performance barrel and hammer, with a custom grip and butt... btw. So it SHOULD be more accurate. There isn't an m16 in the game.

I know there isn't, but in it's core isn't it the same ol' M16? Don't know about the barrel and the hammer, but from what you can see in the game it seems to operate the same way the M16 does.

And the VSS uses subsonic rounds, the drop is terrible, it's like trying to snipe with a scoped pistol; mini-mortar launcher.

Yeah, but it got no spread whatsoever, that's why I called it a n00b cannon.

Now, about the SVD, I'm currently at the NPP, I got those choppers on my ass, so I grabbed an SVD with armor-piercers one of the grunts dropped.
I fired on the chopper and with the first hit it caught fire, but all other shots seem to do squat! Is it possible to take a chopper down with the SVD?

Another one is this long story about how he was torturing some guy for the location of his stash for hours. And then he told him when he gave him a cigarette.

Really? I spent some time listening to the stories the guys tell, never heard this one, nor the one with the friendly bloodsucker.
Some of their jokes are almost funny, though...

[InnocentBystander]

So I'm a little stuck. I'm inside this undgeround lab, and theres a door. It has a combination. When I type the combination in... nothing happens...

Oh... whoops! nevermind

[Stark]

LOL Press the enter button? It's a bit of a shame the button window is opposite the button texture, though.

Also, Magnus can kill people with a sniper rifle! HOLY CRAP HE'S AWESOME! Doing that is somehow hard in a game that's laughably easy! I just love people who enjoy showing off.