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In the early stages of Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, your weapon options may be limited, but one of the standout choices is the Viper-5, a uniquely designed version of the MP5 submachine gun. You’ll encounter many of these weapons on foes, particularly in the Lesser Zone, along with plenty of ammunition.
Upgrading the Viper-5 can turn it into a reliable primary weapon for your journey through the Zone. Selecting the best upgrades for it isn’t too complicated, but you may need some assistance for a couple of the more effective enhancements.
How to Upgrade the Viper-5
As with any firearm in Stalker 2, you can upgrade the Viper-5 at a Tech vendor. Your first encounter will likely be with Lens in Zalissya, who offers a range of upgrades at reasonable prices, each improving the weapon’s performance, including some very useful features.
Here’s a breakdown of the upgrades available:
| Upgrade | Prerequisite | Slot | Stat Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automatic Two-Stage Gas Regulator | N/A | Body | Reduces wear and tear by 15%. |
| Individual Adjustment | Automatic Two-Stage Gas Regulator | Body | Improves movement while aiming by 15%. |
| Change caliber to .45 | Individual Adjustment (irreversible) | Body | Changes caliber to .45, boosts damage and recoil by 20%. |
| Rubber Layer | Individual Adjustment | Body | Decreases recoil by 15%. |
| Tin Coating on Barrel’s Inner Surface | N/A | Barrel | Increases bullet velocity by 15%. |
| Barrel Chrome Plating | N/A | Barrel | Decreases wear from external sources by 15%. |
| Extra Barrel Rifling | Tin Coating on Barrel’s Inner Surface or Barrel Chrome Plating | Barrel | Increases armor-piercing capacity by 30%. |
| Return Mechanism Sleeve Tightener | Tin Coating on Barrel’s Inner Surface or Barrel Chrome Plating | Barrel | Extends bullet range by 20%. |
| Counterweight | Extra Barrel Rifling or Return Mechanism Sleeve Tightener | Barrel | Reduces bullet spread by 20%. |
| Scope Mount | N/A | Module | Allows attachment of a sight to the weapon. |
| Laser Designator | N/A | Module | Increases aiming speed by 5% and reduces spread by 15%. |
When upgrading the Viper-5, the key choice is whether to change its caliber, as this alteration is permanent for that specific weapon. While the added damage for the .45 caliber round is appealing, be cautious about the corresponding increase in recoil, which can be a challenge with an already bouncy weapon.
Also, note that .45 caliber ammunition can be pricier and less available early in the game, though it becomes more common as you enter more challenging parts of the Zone.
Most of the other upgrades are definitely worth pursuing if you plan to make the Viper-5 one of your main weapons, but there are other excellent options to discover in the wild.
How to Find the Viper-5 Drum Magazine
You can obtain the Viper-5 Drum Mag through two main methods by exploring the Zone.
The first, and easiest, method is to visit the Radiation Hazard Signs Storage point of interest located in the northeastern part of the Lesser Zone. Look for a small shelter on the east side of the complex, where you’ll find a stack of boxes beneath a metal awning. Climb on top of or break the boxes to uncover a stash containing the Drum Mag along with some additional supplies.
Alternatively, you can acquire a Viper-5 equipped with a Drum Mag by obtaining the Shah’s Mate special weapon in the Garbage region. Interacting with Docent during the No Honor Among Thieves quest will unlock access to Shah’s Stash, which is located northwest of the Slag Heap.
It’s important to point out that the Drum Mag attached to the Shah’s Mate cannot be removed, although you are able to add other attachments.
How to Locate the Holographic Sight
The holographic sight is a highly accessible attachment within Stalker 2, offered by nearly every major trader. You can buy it from:
- Hamster in Zalissya within the Lesser Zone.
- Sidorovich in the Rookie Village in Cordon.
- Huran at the Slag Heap in Garbage.
- WO Komisarov at the Cement Factory.
- Ragman in Rostok.
- Owl at Sultansk in Zaton.
- Beard at Shevchenko in Zaton.
- Viktoria Dorozhnyuk at UTC Malachite in Malachite.
- Quiet at Quiet’s Camp in Wild Island for early games.
- Wreck at Yaniv Station in Yaniv.
If your choices lead you to build a relationship with the Ward, you might also find a holographic sight at the Icarus compound in the Chemical Plant region from Sgt. Khoteyev.
To attach the holographic sight to the Viper-5, you’ll need to buy and equip the Sight Mount. After that, equip the Viper-5 and drag the sight from your inventory onto the gun, and it’ll attach automatically.
How to Obtain the Pistol Silencer
The Pistol Silencer is the last of the three attachments for the Viper-5 and is notoriously difficult to acquire. However, it’s definitely worth the effort later in the game, as Wreck, the vendor offering it, operates at the entrance of Pripiat, where you can find some top-tier gear.
We identified two vendors selling the Pistol Silencer: Wreck at Yaniv Station in the far northwest of the Zone, and Arkhyp Lichen at the Pile Driver compound located in the eastern Red Forest.
While these vendors can be hard to reach, especially for early-game characters, unlocking a fast travel point in Yaniv will make it easier to access the endgame areas at any time when available.
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