In the game Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, one of the first super-powered mutants you’ll meet is the Bloodsucker. These humanoid beings look like hairless humans but have a mouth full of tentacles. You might not notice this detail right away, as one of their key abilities is to become invisible.
Bloodsuckers are fast and aggressive, making them formidable foes. They can inflict significant bleeding damage, so how do you handle them? Thankfully, like everything else in the Zone, there are strategies to minimize both the damage you take and the ammo you waste. Here’s how to tackle these dangerous mutants.
How to Defeat a Bloodsucker
The Bloodsucker’s primary ability is invisibility, but it has some limitations. First, they aren’t always invisible. If a Bloodsucker hasn’t spotted you yet, it will be visible. Second, they must drop their invisibility to attack you.
Similar to mutant dogs, Bloodsuckers prefer quick, hit-and-run tactics to confuse you and deal damage. This strategy makes long engagements ill-advised since their attacks can quickly lead to severe bleeding. They also have a screech attack that can slow and disorient you, but they tend to use this only when you’re at a distance, so staying grounded can help you avoid it.
Trying to shoot them while they’re moving is usually ineffective due to their speed and invisibility. Instead, it’s best to let them approach and open fire when they’re close. While this will likely result in taking some damage, you’ll conserve ammo by not firing blindly at an invisible target.
Most of the time, the Bloodsucker will retreat before you exhaust your magazine, giving you a chance to reload and heal if necessary.
Emergency Escape
In cases where it doesn’t retreat and continues to hit you, make sure to run away as soon as you’re out of ammo. Find a corner where you can safely reload.
Using this approach, consider your environment:
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If You’re Inside: Look for a narrow hallway where you can force them to approach from one direction. If there’s no hallway, back into a corner to limit their attack angles.
- If You’re Outside or Outnumbered: Move backwards in one direction to lure them into attacking from the same side, preventing flanking attacks. Keep moving like this until you encounter an obstacle, then turn around and repeat as needed.
Tips for Stealth and Strategy
Bloodsuckers don’t have the sharpest senses, which may give you a slight advantage in stealth. You might not be able to sneak past them entirely, but you can line up a good sniper shot or toss a grenade at them before they realize you’re there to reduce their health.
Gear Recommendations
Due to their rapid assault style, choose a weapon with a decent magazine capacity and fast reload speed. While shotguns pack a punch, their slower reload times can be a disadvantage. Accuracy matters less here, as you’ll want to wait until they’re up close before firing.
Equip yourself with artifacts that boost bleed resistance, like Mama’s Beads, since their attacks can build up considerable bleeding. Defensive artifacts are also a good choice.
Post-Fight Considerations
Post-battle, be prepared to use bandages to treat bleeding injuries, as they are more effective for that than for restoring health.
