The Ad Astra Per Aspera quest in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl takes players on a tough journey through the dangerous Swamps. This guide will help you find your way, turn off psi-beacons, and face strong enemies as you complete this exciting mission. You will learn about getting ready, finding psi-beacons, overcoming challenges, and the rewards you can earn.
Getting Ready for the Ad Astra Per Aspera Quest
Before starting the Ad Astra Per Aspera quest, it is important to have the right gear and supplies. A suit with high Psi-Protection, like a SEVA Suit or Cuirass Exoskeleton, will protect you from the dizzying effects of the psi-beacons. These suits are essential for surviving the harsh conditions you will face during this quest.
Make sure to gather medical supplies, ammunition, and anti-radiation items to stay safe in the hostile Swamps. Having enough healing items is very important since enemies can deal a lot of damage. It is also wise to carry different weapons to handle various combat situations that may arise.
Finding and Turning Off the Psi-Beacons
The main goal of the Ad Astra Per Aspera quest is to turn off four psi-beacons found in the Swamps. Each beacon has its own challenges and dangers, so players need to be careful and ready for combat. Here’s how to find and deactivate each one.
First Psi-Beacon: Burnt Farmstead
The first psi-beacon is north of the Swamps on top of a wooden watchtower at the Burnt Farmstead. This area has hostile dogs and enemy soldiers, so it is essential to clear out these threats before trying to turn off the beacon.
To approach the watchtower safely, use cover to avoid enemy fire and take out any nearby enemies first. Once you have cleared the area, climb to the top of the watchtower to disable the first psi-beacon. Interact with it carefully to complete this objective.
Second Psi-Beacon: Old Church
The next psi-beacon is inside the Old Church, located northeast of the Swamps. When you arrive, you will find a dangerous mutant called a Bayun that must be defeated first. This creature can be tricky, so make sure you are prepared for a fight.
After defeating the Bayun, explore inside the church using wooden platforms and ramps to reach the roof. Look for a yellowish floorboard near the windows that can be destroyed with your knife. Once you break it, drop down into the area below and follow the path ahead. Climb up barrels and jump across platforms until you reach an opening that leads to the roof. Accessing the beacon through a window requires careful movement since there are holes in the floor that could cause you to fall.
Third Psi-Beacon: Pumping Station
The third psi-beacon is located at the Pumping Station in the southern marshlands. This area is heavily guarded by soldiers and a powerful Controller mutant. Approach this area with extreme caution; stealth or long-range weapons work best here.
Once you arrive at the Pumping Station, take your time to scout out enemy positions before engaging in combat. Use ladders and wooden ramps to climb up to where the psi-beacon is located at the top of a tower. After reaching it, interact with it to deactivate this beacon.
Fourth Psi-Beacon: Second Vanguard
The last psi-beacon in the Ad Astra Per Aspera quest is on a watchtower at Second Vanguard, also in the southern part of the Swamps. Look for a broken-down tank near this watchtower; there should be a ladder beside it that leads up.
Climb up using this ladder until you reach the top of the watchtower where you will find your final psi-beacon waiting for deactivation. Interact with it carefully to complete your objective.
Facing Faust and Reaching Clear Sky Base
After turning off all four psi-beacons, your next task is to confront Faust and get to Clear Sky Base. This part of the mission has some of the toughest challenges yet.
First, head towards Warren Shack, where you will meet a terrifying Chimera—an extremely powerful mutant with lots of health. Running straight to Warren Shack is often better than trying to fight this creature directly, especially since an Emission will occur soon after.
Once past Warren Shack, continue towards Clear Sky Base as shown on your map. An Emission is coming soon, so hurry up and find shelter inside Clear Sky Base. Enter through the door leading into underground tunnels to avoid harm from this deadly event.
Inside these tunnels, you will finally meet Faust and recover your lost TOPAZ Scanner. This moment marks an important milestone as it completes your main tasks for this quest.
Rewards for Completing the Quest
After completing the Ad Astra Per Aspera quest, you will receive two important rewards that can greatly help you in your adventure:
- Deadeye Pistol: This special sidearm offers great accuracy and damage, making it very effective in close to medium-range fights against mutants or enemy groups. The Deadeye stands out among regular weapons due to its reliability.
- TOPAZ Scanner: This critical tool helps detect anomalies with high precision while also locating valuable artifacts throughout your journey in STALKER 2. The TOPAZ Scanner makes exploring dangerous areas much safer by revealing hidden threats and opportunities.
These rewards are not just ordinary items; they enhance your gameplay experience significantly. The Deadeye pistol helps in combat situations while the TOPAZ Scanner improves exploration strategies by allowing players to navigate more effectively through hazardous environments.
Leaving the Swamp and Moving On
With all objectives completed in the Ad Astra Per Aspera quest and rewards collected, it is time to leave Clear Sky Base and make your way out of the treacherous Swamp region. This action starts your next main mission in Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl called “Extreme Simplicity.”
Completing this quest shows that you can handle tough environments, defeat strong enemies, and adapt to challenges in this dangerous Zone. The skills gained during this mission will be very useful as you continue your journey through Stalker 2.
Remember that overcoming challenges during Ad Astra Per Aspera is just one part of your adventure in this world filled with danger and mystery. Stay alert, manage your resources wisely, and always be ready for surprises as you explore deeper into Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
