Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl has been on fire since its big release on 20th November 2024! This vast game has so many concepts to follow, and factions are one of them. Factions refer to a group of people in the game with similar motives and interests who are trying to survive the harsh post-apocalyptic world. There are a total of 12 Stalker 2 factions, and you will keep crossing paths with them as you progress through the game. Let’s check them out!
Factions in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Below is the list of all Factions present in Stalker 2. From the lowly bandits, mercenary groups, and scientific expeditions, you’ll find anomalies and humans of all kinds.
| Faction | What’s it About |
| Bandits | Bandits are mere criminals scattered around the map. They are mainly thugs or thieves who are in hiding from the authorities and are at war with every other faction. Though they are not the main enemy, they will cause trouble for you each time you run into them. |
| Duty | They are a paramilitary faction that believes in destroying the Zone. They want to protect humans and kill mutants, all while believing that the destruction of the Zone will restore order and safety to humanity. |
| Ecologists/Scientists | Ecologists are a group of people who are with the Ukranian Government. They are scientists who are here to research the environment, creatures, and plants, and study the Zone well so they can benefit mankind. Moreover, they are the only enemies of the faction Monolith. |
| Freedom | This faction wants to free the Zone from the control of the Government and make it an independent and safe place to live. They don’t want any faction to rule over it either. They are only enemies of the government. |
| Mercenaries | Mercenaries work on contracts and are ready to kill anyone for money. Their services include killings, infiltration, reconnaissance, or extraction. They are one of the biggest threats to the protagonist, Skif. |
| Military | The Military works for the Government and wants to protect the public from the horrors in the Zone. They are trained soldiers with weapons who want to keep people safe and away from the Zone. |
| The Loners | Ecologists are a group of people who are with the Ukrainian Government. They are scientists who are here to research the environment, creatures, and plants, and study the Zone well so they can benefit mankind. Moreover, they are the only enemies of the faction Monolith. |
| Monolith | The Monolith faction is the main antagonist in the game. Known for being the most hostile Stalker 2 faction, they can kill anyone on sight who doesn’t belong to their group. Furthermore, they are thought to have been manipulated by the psychic signals emitted across the Zone. |
| Noon | This is one of the new Stalker 2 factions. It is led by Colonel Korshunov, and the members are armed heavily, guarding the Zone to keep it safe. |
| The Ward | Spark is a new faction formed by Scar, the protagonist mercenary of STALKER: Clear Sky. They are up against The Ward and SIRCAA and will only be at peace after seeking revenge. |
| Spark/Clear Sky | SIRCAA, or the Scientific Institute of Research of the Chornobyl Anomalous Area, is a Government organization dedicated to studying and researching the anomalies in the Zone. They are led by Dr. Dalin and run illegal experiments to fulfill their objectives. |
| SIRCAA | The Loners are solo stalkers who wander the Zone in search of food, weapons, and other resources. They do not belong to any faction and come into conflict with any hostile faction. For example, the protagonist, Skif, is a Loner. |
Stalker 2 Faction Base Locations
The following factions will be found in these locations in Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl.
| Factions | Locations |
| Bandits | Zaton, Yanov |
| Duty | Agroprom |
| Ecologists/Scientists | Yantar, Yanov |
| Freedom | Dark Valley, Rostok |
| Loners | Cordon, Pripyat |
| Monolith | Monolith Control Center, Pripyat |
| Noon | Wild Island |
| The Ward | Northern Perimeter, Lesser Zone |
| SIRCAA | Northern Perimeter |
What Faction can you join in Stalker 2?
In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, players can’t outright join a faction, but in favour can take on missions. Players can do missions for the different factions in-game, which creates a reputation with every faction. Your actions will affect the outcome of each faction’s power status. What happens to the Zone, whether Duty prevails or Freedom finally rises high, it all depends on the player’s action.
So, formally players can’t join a faction, but they can support one or multiple. But completing missions for factions in STALKER 2 unlocks varied gear and weapons from that specific faction.
Summary
All Stalker 2 Factions are different from one another and have a motive for existence. Some factions are allies while others are against each other. Moreover, as a lone stalker, you will have to be careful about how to deal with them, as your choices can greatly affect the game. Remember, you are meant to be a Loner and cannot join any faction in Stalker 2 Heart of Chornobyl.
So, which faction seems the most interesting? Let us know in the comments! For more updates and solutions for the latest games, visit here.