In Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl, Dr. Shcherba's request for help initiates the side quest "In The Name of Science," requiring players to locate electronic collars from various mutants. This detailed guide covers the quest's progression, crucial choices, and potential solutions to encountered bugs.
Locating the Electronic Collars:
The quest begins with retrieving five collars from specific locations:
| Region | Collar Location | Mutant |
|---|---|---|
| Garbage | The Brood | Snork |
| Wild Island | Boathouse | Psy Bayun |
| Zaton | Hydrodynamics Lab | Controller |
| Malachite | Brain Scorcher | |
| Red Forest | Containers | Pseudogiant |
Return to Shcherba at the Roofed Warehouse in the Chemical Plant after collecting all collars. If you've previously acquired and traded collars, the quest might bug. Use the console command "XEndQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S2_SetJournal_WaitForSherbaCall_Finish_Pin_0" to resolve this.
Jammer Decision:
After delivering the collars, Shcherba reveals a signal jamming their function. You must investigate the Storage on the Hill, encountering various enemies. At the jamming device, choose to:
- Destroy/Disable the Jammer (Recommended): This advances the quest, yielding coupons and leading to a bloodsucker encounter and a subsequent choice.
- Recalibrate the Jammer: This concludes the quest with coupons from Dvupalov.
Confrontation with Shcherba:
Disabling the jammer leads to a call from Shcherba, followed by a wait (or use of the console command "XStartQuestNodeBySID E08_SQ01_S3_Technical_SherbaInvitedToLab" if he doesn't call). You'll receive Magic Vodka from Dvupalov. A confrontation ensues, requiring escape from a PSI-radiation trap. Drinking the vodka mitigates the effects.
The final choice involves confronting Shcherba:
- Kill Shcherba: Yields the same rewards as the next option.
- Let Shcherba Go (Recommended): Maintains positive relations with scientists and Dvupalov.
Completing this choice rewards you with a Gauss Gun and unlocks the "On a Leash" trophy.
