This STALKER 2 Back to the Slag Heap Mission walkthrough will tell you the choices you can make in this mission and how to get into Noontide — even if you decline to show the Unusual PDA to both the Ward and Scar.
Some missions in STALKER 2 force you to make a choice. Sometimes, these choices can give you different rewards (such as with the Poppy Field mission), and other times, they don't do much. The Back to the Slag Heap mission puts some of these choices in front of you, and in this guide, we'll tell you how you can get into Noontide.
How to Get the STALKER 2 Back to the Slag Heap Mission
You'll automatically unlock the STALKER 2 Back to the Slag Heap mission by completing the mission Deal with the Devil. The captive had an Unusual PDA, which is an item of significant interest to multiple parties in the zone. From here, it's time to talk with certain people.
STALKER 2 Back to the Slag Heap Mission Walkthrough
It's time to get our STALKER 2 Back to the Slag Heap mission walkthrough going! This is a fairly short mission that has some choices to make, but most importantly, it determines whether or not you'll be able to get into Noon's island.
Preparing for Travel
This mission will require a bit of walking, but you otherwise won't have to deal with any combat outright aside from potential random encounters. You should have your standard exploration equipment and a decent amount of ammo, food, and healing supplies, just in case.
Meeting Diode
Return to the Slag Heap in Garbage and you'll find that the Ward has occupied much of the area. Furthermore, they won't let you up to the second floor of the complex. Go to Diode's usual spot in the back rooms and you'll find a soldier in his place. State that you're looking for Diode and he'll send you upstairs.
Go to the guards blocking the staircase and tell them you're looking for Diode; they'll allow you to pass and walk upstairs. When you get near the door, you'll be immediately disarmed and you'll have to have a conversation.
Speaking with Col. Korshunov and Dr. Dalin
Col. Korshunov and Dr. Dalin will interrogate you about recent events. You will soon have to decide whether or not to show them the Unusual PDA. This choice seems to have an effect on the story, but we don't know the ultimate consequences of this choice just yet.
Should You Show Col. Korshunov and Dr. Dalin the Unusual PDA?
As far as we can tell, showing Col. Korshunov and Dr. Dalin the Unusual PDA may have story consequences that we haven't yet figured out. What we do know, however, is that showing them this PDA will give you the Ward Badge. This will get you access to Icarus base, and you will be able to show it to other people as a representative of the Ward in other conversations.
Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether you want to align with the Ward or not.
Richter Takes You to the Sawmill to Meet Scar
After either choice, Richter will meet up with you and tell you to go to the nearby Sawmill. Follow him and you'll meet Scar; you'll once again have to make the choice whether or not to show him the Unusual PDA.
Should You Show Scar the Unusual PDA?
As with the Ward members, you can choose whether or not to show Scar the Unusual PDA. There may be story consequences for this action, but we're not quite sure what they are at this time.
What to Do if You Don't Show the Unusual PDA to Anyone
If you do not show the Unusual PDA to anyone, you will be unable to enter Noon's Island. However, there is a failsafe in place — look around the Sawmill for a man named Mute and he will tell you about a lost shipment that the Noon faction wants. This is your ticket into the base, and this starts the mission A Heavy Burden.
It should be noted that it is possible to leave the Sawmill and not run into Mute. Make sure to look around the area for him thoroughly or you'll have to go back there and look for him again!
STALKER 2 A Heavy Burden Mission Walkthrough
The side mission A Heavy Burden is a failsafe that allows you to gain access to Noon's Island if you haven't shown the Unusual PDA to anyone. It's fairly straightforward except for a small amount of difficulty in finding an item toward the end.
Preparing for Travel
You are going to have to fight 6 boars at the same time, so make sure that you are well-armed and that you have ample healing supplies. Get moving once you're ready to fight some mutants.
Heading to the Last Point of Contact (and Fighting Boars)
Go to the last point of contact indicated on the map and you'll get ambushed by six boars. Kill them all, then search the area.
Finding the Cargo
The cargo can be difficult to see, especially at night. You can find it in between two rocks in the search area:
Pick it up and then make your way to Noontide.
Bringing the Cargo to Noon
As you might expect, your final step is to bring the cargo to Noon. You'll get rebuffed at the front gate, but you'll have a new dialogue option that will allow you entry so you can deliver the cargo.
We've reached the end of our STALKER 2 Back to the Slag Heap Mission Walkthrough. Take a peek at our other guides below!