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STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl offers players a variety of tough quests, and one of the more demanding tasks is called "Ad Astra Per Aspera." After you finish the "In Search of a Guide" quest, you’ll acquire all the vital information regarding the Clear Sky base.
To reach this base, you’ll need to disable four Psi-Beacons, which is no small feat. Expect to encounter numerous mutants and other creatures lurking near the Psi-Beacons. You’ll have to engage in combat and battle your way through these areas, which is difficult, but it’s not the most challenging aspect of this quest.
How to Acquire a Suit with High Psi-Protection
After discussing with Nimble, new coordinates will show up on your map. Following these will lead you to the Psi-Beacons, but maneuvering through the swamps is going to be tricky. You may see an optional objective to obtain a suit that offers high psi protection.
The Cuirass Exoskeleton Suit ranks among the best armors in the game, making the extra effort to obtain it a wise decision. If you’re not keen on a long trek, consider taking on the "The Side Hustle" quest instead to secure the SSP-99 Ecologist Suit.
The game does not specify where to find the exoskeleton suit, but we’ve found it. Head to the SKD Assembly Unit in Cooling Towers. It’s a journey that will take time, but the reward is worth it.
When you arrive, remain vigilant, as that area is swarming with hostile soldiers. Equip your sniper rifle and take them out one at a time.
Once the enemies have been dispatched, go upstairs until you reach a narrow hallway. Continue straight, go up the stairs, and on your left will be some loot as well as the Cuirass Exoskeleton Suit.
Important Note: While wearing this suit, you won’t be able to sprint or walk quickly. Ensure you upgrade it to regain that ability.
After getting the suit, be prepared for an onslaught, as more soldiers will soon converge on your location.
Navigating Through the Swamps
Traversing the swamps to reach the Psi-Beacons is likely the toughest part of this quest. Therefore, it’s crucial to come well-prepared and wear a suit with excellent psi protection. Just having the suit, however, won’t be enough to ensure your survival in the swamp.
Here are some tips to help you out:
- If you don’t have the suit yet, make sure to stock up on Psi-Block pills to counteract psi-influence.
- Steer clear of deep water as it’ll slow you down, leaving you exhausted and making the quest more tedious.
- Use a Psi-Block before approaching the Psi-Beacon to enhance your chances of survival.
- Stick to the drier paths whenever possible to conserve stamina.
Deactivating the Pumping Station Psi-Beacon
When you get to the Pumping Station, brace yourself for hallucinations. These effects will be minimal if you’re equipped with a suit or have used a Psi-Block. Keep an eye out for the Controller, a particularly troublesome foe. You’ll need to deal with zombies first, and once the Controller is isolated, grab your shotgun and attack aggressively. Avoid letting it spot you from a distance, as its attack range is considerable.
Tip: Close-quarters combat is ideal with the Controller, as it allows you to maximize damage while limiting its psi attacks.
Once you’ve taken down all foes, head to the top and deactivate the Psi-Beacon. Rising to the top should be straightforward.
Deactivating the Burnt Farmstead Psi-Beacon
After shutting down the first Psi-Beacon, head to the Burnt Farmstead. As expected, this area is riddled with Fire Anomalies, so you can’t wander in mindlessly. Use these anomalies to your advantage.
Upon arrival, you’ll face attacks from a pack of blind dogs. Triggering the Fire Anomalies with your presence can help dispatch these creatures, but don’t rely solely on it—make sure to shoot down as many as you can.
Your next task is to deactivate the Psi-Beacon located at the top of a watchtower. Be ready for yet another wave of mutants, including Psy Dogs. Initially, it may seem like you’re just facing one dog, but it will replicate itself during the fight.
If fighting doesn’t seem appealing, you can always choose to flee, which can also save time.
Focus on finding the real Psy Dog, as the copies won’t pose much of a threat. Once located, act fast to eliminate it before more copies are summoned.
Deactivating the Old Church Psi-Beacon
Upon reaching the Old Church, expect to encounter a cat mutant known as Bayun. It’s agile and should be dealt with promptly—ideally using a shotgun. After defeating it, look for yellow planks on the floor. Use your knife to break them and jump down.
Before you perform the jump, make sure to take off the Cuirass Exoskeleton Suit, as an unupgraded suit will hinder your sprinting ability during the jump.
As you proceed, crouch to advance further. Soon you’ll find a hole; climb up, then make your way to a ledge. Break a nearby box, then sprint and jump towards the stairs to ascend.
Once at the top of the stairs, head to the roof and enter the attic on your left. The Psi-Beacon will be directly in front of you, so deactivate it and grab any loot you find in the opposite direction.
Deactivating the Second Vanguard Psi-Beacon
The final beacon won’t be easy to reach. Stick to the grassy areas, as they will guide you to the Second Vanguard faster. Upon arrival, the beacon will be visible at the top of the tower—use the ladder to deactivate it.
After disabling all Psi-Beacons, an emission will occur. Quickly find shelter in a warren shack; mutants like Bloodsuckers will attack you en route, but don’t get distracted, as the emission poses a significant danger.
Once inside, descend, move forward, and you’ll trigger a cutscene. Once it ends, Faust will vanish, but you’ll receive his gun and your Scanner back, completing the Ad Astra Per Aspera quest.
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