S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl has released its Update 1.6, titled Night of the Hunter, bringing a host of improvements and additions to the Zone. The update introduces night vision goggles, new combat tweaks, expanded NPC behavior such as looting mutants, and a dangerous new anomaly called Fireball. Players can also expect fresh customization options, quality-of-life improvements like stash sorting, and the addition of a unique weapon known as Honta’s “Drahunka.”
Alongside new content, Update 1.6 delivers extensive bug fixes, AI adjustments, and balance changes across weapons, armor, and mutant encounters. The update also debuts official mod support with the Zone Kit, allowing players to create or install community modifications via Steam Workshop and Mod.io. With refined performance, quest fixes, and more responsive combat systems, the Zone is evolving once again for every stalker who dares to survive its challenges.
Full Patch Notes:
- Highlights
- Added Night Vision Goggles.
- Rebalanced night vision for NPCs.
- Introduced Offset Aiming and Laser Pointer.
- Updates to combat system and long-range battles.
- NPCs can now loot mutants.
- New anomaly: Fireball.
- Return of an old friend.
- Controller input tweaks.
- New face and hair options for female characters.
- Local Save Backup Restoration option.
- Rebalanced loot in stashes.
- Auto-Lean Disable option in settings.
- Player stash items can now be sorted.
- Added unique weapon: Honta’s “Drahunka.”
- AI and Combat
- Fixed NPCs taking incorrect low cover.
- Fixed squad leaders shouting identical phrases after fights.
- Fixed zombies freezing midair after headshots.
- Improved Chimera combat and fixed stuck behavior after jump attacks.
- Fixed Chimera and Snork jumping through objects.
- Fixed Bloodsucker arm animations and permanent invisibility issue.
- Fixed Pseudodog clones getting stuck during Retreat.
- Fixed Burers and Poltergeists unable to throw.
- Fixed Pseudogiant stomp damaging players in air.
- Balance
- Fixed Mercenary’s Light Suit weighing 0.0 kg after upgrades.
- Adjusted Veteran rifle weight.
- Increased Predator shotgun damage.
- Fixed Flytrap artifact not reducing weight.
- Increased HP for boars, reduced HP for pseudogiants.
- Adjusted Kora’s upgrade tree and added extended magazine.
- Bug Fixes, Crashes, and Performance
- Fixed teleport rotation issues with Spatial Bubble anomaly.
- Fixed zombie behavior during Scar’s boss fight.
- Fixed NPC combat behaviors and missing barks.
- Fixed hostile NPC reactions to nearby gunfire.
- Optimized CPU and projectile performance.
- Fixed freezes in 100 Rads Bar and SIRCAA.
- Fixed faction changes reverting after saves.
- Corrected UI bugs with ammo, detectors, quest markers, medkits.
- Fixed multiple crashes and weather-related freezes.
- Improved shadow rendering and reload animations.
- Main & Side Quests, Open World
- Fixed despawning, missing, or inactive NPCs across numerous missions.
- Corrected quest markers, dialogue inconsistencies, and encounter behavior.
- Improved level art and design in several regions.
- Added crow reactions when bolts are thrown.
- Fixed issues with quest item spawns and mission progression.
- Mod Support
- Added ModSDK support with Zone Kit.
- Improved ModBrowser interface.
- Fixed mod loading, version mismatches, and installation issues.
- Added download queue visibility.
- Reduced asset discovery time in Mod Editor.
- Enabled full mod support through Steam Workshop and Mod.io.
- Other Updates
- Fixed UI gaps and updated armor, helmet, and item icons.
- Improved weight display, inventory, and HUD interface.
- Updated tutorials for flashlight and weapon mods.
- Improved vaulting, climbing, and VFX for laser sights.
- Added new NPC death animations caused by anomalies.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is a 2024 single-player first-person shooter and survival horror game developed and published by GSC Game World. Released on November 20, 2024, for Windows and Xbox Series X/S, the title marks the return of the franchise after 15 years. A PlayStation 5 version is scheduled for release on November 20, 2025.
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