Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl's "In the Name of Science" Side Quest 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 collecting electronic collars from various mutants, leading to multiple consequential choices.
Collecting the Electronic Collars
The quest begins with locating five electronic collars. If some are missing, they may have been acquired during previous missions or exploration. Here are the collar locations:
| Region | Collar Location | Mutant |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | The Brood | Snork |
| Wild Island | Boathouse | Psy Bayun |
| Zaton | Hydrodynamics Lab | Controller |
| Malachite | Brain Scorcher | Brain Scorcher |
| Red Forest | Containers | Pseudogiant |
After collecting all collars, return to Shcherba at the Roofed Warehouse in the Chemical Plant. If the quest is bugged (due to previously collected collars), use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0".
The Jammer Decision
Upon delivering the collars, Shcherba reveals a signal jamming their function. He tasks the player with investigating and disabling the jammer located in the Storage on the Hill (west of the Roofed Warehouse). Inside, the player encounters poltergeists, zombified soldiers, and rodents. The crucial choice:
- Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This advances the quest, rewards coupons, and leads to a bloodsucker encounter and another choice.
- Recalibrate the Jammer: This ends the quest with coupons from Dvupalov.
The Final Confrontation
Disabling the jammer leads to Shcherba contacting the player, activating the collars, and sending coupons. The objective changes to "Wait for your reward from Shcherba." Waiting (or using the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab") triggers a call back to the lab.
There, Dr. Dvupalov provides Magic Vodka. The player then confronts Shcherba and three Bloodsuckers. A trap is revealed, exposing the player to PSI radiation (negated by the vodka). Escape ensues, culminating in a confrontation with Shcherba. The final choice:
- Kill Shcherba: Yields the same rewards as the next option.
- Let Shcherba Go (Recommended): Maintains positive relations with scientists.
Regardless of this choice, the player receives a Gauss Gun and the "On a Leash" trophy.
