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You won’t have access to too many weapons early on inStalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, but one of the best is the Viper-5, the legally-distinct version of the MP5 submachine gun. You’ll find tons of them on enemies, especially in the Lesser Zone, and plenty of ammo to go along with it.
Upgrading the Viper-5 will all but ensure you have a solid workhorse primary to carry you through the Zone. It’s not hard to pick the right upgrades for this weapon, though you’ll need a bit of help for one of the best ones.
How To Upgrade The Viper-5
As with any weapon in Stalker 2,you’ll upgrade the Viper-5 at a Tech vendor, and the first you’ll encounter is Lens in Zalissya. He’ll let you purchase a number of improvements for the weapon for a reasonable price, all of which improve its performance, and one even unlocks additional functionality.
Wear and tear reduced by 15%.
Change caliber to .45
Individual Adjustment (irreversible)
Body
Caliber changed to .45, damage increased by 20%, and recoil increased by 20%
Recoil decreased by 15%
Bullet Velocity increased by 15%
Wear and tear from external sources decreased by 15%
Tin Coating on Barrel’s Inner Surface or Barrel Chrome Plating
Armor-piercing power increased by 30%
Bullet range increased by 20%
Extra Barrel Rifling or Return Mechanism Sleeve Tightener
Bullet spread decreased by 20%
Allows the attachment of a sight to the weapon
Module
Increases aiming speed by 5% and decreases spread by 15%
The most important decision you have to makewhen upgrading the Viper-5is whether to change its caliber, as that update is irreversible for that particular version of the weapon.
Other Viper-5s you find in the world will still be 9mm. The increased damage from the upgrade is definitely nice, but an equivalent 20 percent recoil increase hits hard on a weapon that’s already pretty bouncy.
Additionally,.45 caliber ammo is more expensive and a bit less common in the early parts of your adventure, though it becomes significantly less so in the more dangerous and harder-to-reach parts of the Zone.
Almostevery other upgrade is more than worth doing if you intend to keep the Viper-5as one of your primary weapons, though there are plenty of other fantastic choices to find out in the wilds.
How To Find The Viper-5 Drum Mag
There aretwo ways to get the Viper-5 Drum Mag, and you’ll need to explore the Zone to find them.
The first and easiest way to get it is togo to the Radiation Hazard Signs Storage point of interest in the northeast Lesser Zone. There’s a small shelter on the complex’s east side and a stack of boxes underneath the metal overhang. Jump onto or break the boxes to reveal a stash containing the Drum Mag and some other supplies.
You can also get aDrum Mag-equipped Viper-5 with the Shah’s Mate special weapon in the Garbage region. You’ll need to speak to Docent in theNo Honor Among Thieves quest, which will unlock access to the Shah’s Stash northwest of the Slag Heap.
You can’t unequip the Drum Mag from the Shah’s Mate, though you can put the other attachments on it.
How To Find The Holographic Sight
The holographic sight is one of the most common and accessible sights in Stalker 2, available from almost every major trader in the game. Specifically, you can purchase a holo sight at:
Depending on your choices, you can also purchase a holographic sight from Sgt. Khoteyev in the Icarus compound in the Chemical Plant region, but only if you’re in good with the Ward.
To attach the holographic site to the Viper-5,you need to purchase and equip the Sight Mount, then equip the weapon as one of your main weapons and drag the sight from your inventory onto the gun, which should latch on.
How To Get The Pistol Silencer
The Pistol Silencer is the third and final attachment for the Viper-5 andis by far the hardest to get. However, making the journey to do so will serve you well in the late game, as the merchant who sells Wreck is at the gates of the endgame zone of Pripiyat and has some of the best gear available.
We could only findtwo vendorswho sold the Pistol Silencer:Wreck at Yaniv Stationin the far northwest of the Zone anda man named Arkhyp Lichenat the Pile Driver compound in eastern Red Forest.
These locations are tough to reach, especially from anywhere in the early game. However, if you head all the way to Yaniv,you’ll have unlocked a fast travel point that allows you to enter the endgamewhenever you please (so long as it’s available to you).
