Mastering Stalker 2: Defeat Controllers in Heart of Chornobyl

In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, players encounter various types of foes, with mutants being some of the most daunting. These mutants often come equipped with unique abilities, making them a challenge to defeat—especially if you’re not prepared for their skills.

One of the trickier mutants in the game is the Controller. This enemy doesn’t engage in direct combat on its own, making it even more frustrating to face. Instead, it inflicts psychological damage, causing players to see hallucinations of foes. When battling a Controller, keeping your focus can be tough, but there are effective strategies to take it down.

How to Defeat the Controller

Your first encounter with a Controller will take place during the Hot on the Trail mission, where your goal includes defeating this challenging mutant. Keep in mind that the Controller can engage from a distance using psi attacks, which won’t harm you physically but can induce hallucinations in Skif, making it hard to concentrate.

To effectively deal with this enemy, focus on eliminating nearby zombies first. Aim for headshots to take them down quickly, and once they are out of the picture, turn your attention solely to the Controller.

Prepare your shotgun, charge in, and inflict as much damage as you can quickly. If the Controller isn’t defeated swiftly, it will likely force you into a long-range battle through its psi attacks.

To finish off the Controller, you can repeat the earlier steps or use your assault rifle or pistol for a long-range attack as well. However, keep in mind that the Controller can still unleash psi attacks, drawing you in close and leaving you vulnerable. Make sure to stock up on med kits and utilize grenades when the opportunity arises.