The Dark Times mission in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl takes you through a journey in the radioactive Red Forest. It’s one of the main quests which involves finding the mysterious Doctor, a key figure in revealing the Zone’s secrets. The mission is full of exploration, battle, and hidden dangers. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to complete Dark Times and the rewards you will receive.
STALKER 2 Dark Times Mission Walkthrough
The mission starts at the Hunters’ Camp in the Red Forest where you come after finishing the Visions of Truth. After reaching there, you’ll meet two hunters, Arkhyp Lichen and Hornet, standing near a dead body looking at it. Talk to them and ask them about the Doctor’s whereabouts. With the right series of dialogues, they will tell you where to find him. Agree to help investigate the scene of Gray’s ambush when Lichen asks you for that.
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Investigate Gray’s Death
Head to the location marked on your map, where Gray was killed. This area is crawling with dangers, including Bayuns (hostile mutants). Kill them and search the backpack at the site to find Gray’s PDA that has his last message. It will lead you to the next location—an anomaly field called the Symbiont.
Go to the Place Where Tundra was Shot
Make your way to the anomaly field and equip your Detector. Throw bolts to deactivate gravitational anomalies and safely reach the Tundra’s body in the middle of the field. Search his corpse to retrieve another PDA to complete the mission. You can also get the Magic Cube artifact in this anomaly area.
Ask Mercs About the Doctor at the Mercenary Hideout
Follow the next waypoint on the map leading to Yaniv, where the Mercenaries were last seen. Once arrive, you’ll find the area filled with mutant dogs. Clear the enemies and head to a house at the center of the neighborhood. The doors will be locked, but you can climb in through a window at the back.
Inside, you’ll encounter Jarl, an injured Mercenary. Speak with him to learn about Wolfhound, another target. You can choose to give Jarl a medkit, though it has no significant impact on the mission.
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Confront Wolfhound and Get the Coordinates
Follow your map to find Wolfhound, who is heavily guarded. This encounter will happen in a graveyard area, so prepare for a fierce battle. Take out Wolfhound and his crew, then loot his body for a PDA containing the coordinates to the Doctor’s location.
Follow the Coordinates to Reach Doctor
The coordinates will guide you to a house surrounded by gravitational anomalies. Use bolts to get past them and go to the entrance safely. Inside, you’ll meet the Doctor; complete all dialogue options to gather valuable information and complete the mission.
Completing this mission grants you Coupons for which the amount depends on your Difficulty level and you can move forward to the next story mission named “An Act of Mercury” with more currency in the pack.
