“Subtle Matter” Quest In Stalker 2: How Choices Impact The Ending

In Stalker 2, the main mission revolves around exploring the Zone, a dangerous and mysterious area filled with anomalies and hostile creatures.

The protagonist, a stalker named Skif, unravels the secrets around him while navigating the treacherous environment.

“Subtle Matter” is a main mission in Stalker 2 that delves deeper into the Zone and follows Skif’s ongoing journey within it.

Discover The “Subtle Matter” Quest In Stalker 2

The main mission begins in the Burnt Forest, where you must enter the Orbital Station.

As you enter the station, Dr. Kaymanov contacts you via radio, asking you to calibrate the central antenna.

Find his old notes in one of the station’s offices. He also provides the code in case the notes are locked.

Be cautious, as an invisible mutant lurks in the station. Eliminate it before locating the office with the notes.

Use the code “1995” to unlock the office. Inside, take the Lab X15 key card, Kaymanov’s Diary, and the Antenna Reset Instructions.

Head to the roof to recalibrate the antennas. Afterward, use the key card you obtained to access Lab X15.

Clear out all the mutants in the area. There are four mutants in total, including the invisible one in the station’s main room.

Next, insert the cartridge into the Pod Control Room and enter the pod in the center of the room.

Two Choices In The “Subtle Matter” Quest

After a lengthy cutscene in which Strider tells his story, Scar interrupts, and two options are presented to you.

You can choose between “Eternal Spring” or “Life is for the Living,” each offering different paths and consequences.

The ending changes based on your choices. Selecting the “Eternal Spring” option leads to The Spark ending.

Whereas, The “Life is for the Living” option leads to the Strelok, Ward, and Kaimanov endings.

Selecting the latter option triggers a cutscene where Scar locks you back in the pod, but you eventually escape.

The new objective updates to “Leave the complex.” It is optional to exit the area undetected.

You can either fight your way through the lab or take the stealthier approach by using suppressed weapons to exit.