Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's "In the Name of Science" Side Quest: A Complete Guide
Following the Visions of Truth main mission, players receive a call from Dr. Shcherba, initiating the side quest "In the Name of Science." This quest involves locating electronic collars from various mutants and presents players with several crucial choices impacting the outcome.
Collecting the Electronic Collars
The initial objective is to find five electronic collars from specific locations marked on the map. These locations may already be depleted if you've previously collected them. Here's a breakdown:
| Region | Collar Location | Mutant Type |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | The Brood | Snork |
| Wild Island | Boathouse | Psy Bayun |
| Zaton | Hydrodynamics Lab | Controller |
| Malachite | Brain Scorcher | Brain Scorcher |
| Red Forest | Containers | Pseudogiant |
Return to Shcherba in the Roofed Warehouse (Chemical Plant) after collecting all collars. If you encounter a bug (e.g., inability to collect a collar due to prior acquisition), use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0" to proceed.
The Jammer Decision: Disable or Recalibrate?
After delivering the collars, Shcherba reveals a signal jamming their functionality. You must investigate and choose between:
-
Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This advances the quest, rewards you with coupons, and leads to an encounter with bloodsuckers and a further choice.
-
Recalibrate the Jammer: This concludes the quest with coupons from Dvupalov as a reward.
The Final Choice: Kill or Spare Shcherba?
Disabling the jammer leads to a call from Shcherba, followed by a rendezvous at his lab. You'll receive Magic Vodka from Dr. Dvupalov. A confrontation ensues, presenting the final choice: kill Shcherba or let him go. Both choices yield the same rewards (Gauss Gun and "On a Leash" trophy), but sparing Shcherba maintains positive relations with the scientists.
Remember, if Shcherba fails to call, use the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab" to progress. This comprehensive guide ensures a smooth completion of the "In the Name of Science" quest in Stalker 2.
