6 best mods for Stalker 2

GSC game world has shared that Stalker 2 will officially support mods. The latest entry in the Stalker franchise, released 15 years after Call of Pripyat, was host to universal praise for its unabashed commitment to a grounded, brutal, gritty and ruthless survival horror experience. While the title had a rough launch, it still provides an engaging experience expected of the FPS series.

The Stalker games can be tough to get into. While these mod files don't outright streamline the game, they can make the experience more seamless. Here are the six best mods you can install to diversify your Stalker 2 experience.

Note: Aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer's opinion.

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6 best Stalker 2 mods you should try

1) Optimized Tweaks S.2

Optimized Tweaks S.2 mod (Image via GSC Game World || Nexus Mods/@VynnGfx)

Mod Link: Optimized Tweaks S.2

Stalker 2 had a rough launch, and while the devs are working to optimize the game by releasing official patches, modders have taken it upon themselves to fix the various performance issues plaguing the game.

One such mod is Optimized Tweaks S.2. The mod optimizes GPU and CPU utilization while reducing latency and accelerating boot times. Although the estimated 5+ FPS increase isn't huge, it can be a perfect mod for those facing extreme stuttering issues with the sequel.

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2) No Weight

No Weight mod (Image via GSC Game World || Nexus Mods/@truditu)

Mod Link: No Weight Mod

Stalker is a survival shooter at heart. Managing your ammo, food, medkits, firearms and artifacts is the core of the title's gameplay. However, this strict limit can be a little too overboard for newcomers and for someone who doesn't want the stress of micromanaging every little element of their inventory.

While there are other mods that outrightly remove the weight limit, the No (or reduced) weight for ammo, grenades, meds and food mod is one of the best considering the amount of customization it offers. There are three different weight presets for each separate item. As such, it is an incredible mod to try if you want to make the game more manageable without completely trivializing it.

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3) Longer Sprinting

Longer Sprinting mod (Image via GSC Game World || Nexus Mods/@NickMillion)

Mod Link: Longer Sprinting

The majority of your playtime in Stalker 2 will be spent running around the map of the Chornobyl Zone. While the game does introduce a fast-travel system in the mid-game, it will provide a major wallop to your wallet every time you want to utilize it. This means you'll have instances of running between two exponentially distant locations on foot.

Longer Sprinting is a mod that can help you with it. Installing this mod essentially allows you to run for far longer before you exhaust your stamina meter and are required to refill it. There are three presets available concerning your stamina reduction costs. If you want to engage with the game's mechanics while reducing unnecessary padding, Longer Sprinting Mod is a must-have.

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4) Grok's Balanced Difficulties

Grok's Balanced Difficulties mod (Image via GSC Game World || Nexus Mods/@Grokitach0)

Mod Link: Grok's Balanced Difficulties

While Stalker 2 is praised for its thick atmosphere, excellent gunplay and intriguing story, many players feel that the game can be a little too gimmicky with its difficulty. When playing at Veteran Difficulty, the game arbitrarily increases the difficulty by increasing enemy health and decreasing bullet damage.

While there are many mod files that try to balance the difficulty of the title, Grok's Balanced Difficulties mod is one of the best. The mod introduces unique gameplay changes to the sequel to make it more engaging, such as making the repairs expensive while reducing weapon degradation, reducing ammo finds while lessening ammo cost, etc. Making it a more interesting Stalker 2 experience.

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5) Medkits and Consumables Rebalanced

Medkits and Consumables rebalanced mod (Image via GSC Game World || Nexus Mods/@SnNakeEe)

Mod Link: Medkits and Consumables Rebalanced

Stalker 2 is an already difficult game, players aren't exactly searching heavily for mods that make it more difficult. However, some mods can make the hardened experience even more engaging. One of them is the Medkits and Consumables Rebalanced mod.

The mod, as the name suggests, introduces changes to Medkits and Consumables, such as medkits healing slower, bandages only stopping bleeding and energy drinks being less effective but lasting longer. It is a great mod that incorporates intricate strategizing before approaching firefights in the game.

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6) Axxii's Stealth Mod

Axxii's Stealth mod (Image via GSC Game World || Nexus Mods/@Axxii59)

Mod Link: Axxii's Stealth Mod

While Stalker 2 has been praised for many gameplay elements, stealth is not one of them. Players have complained about inconsistent enemy AI, where henchmen can detect you from fifty meters away even if you were sure you hid yourself in the grass. Axxii's Stealth Mod aims to fix the immersion-breaking elements of the game's stealth.

The mod introduces many distinct changes to enemy AI in the game, such as changing NPC vision ranges based on the weather, increasing foliage translucency, reducing NPC perception of crouched sound, etc. Players wanting a more refined stealth experience in the game should install this mod.