Best SMGs In STALKER 2

Key Takeaways

• Submachine guns like Viper-5 and Zubr-19 offer high firepower and accuracy for close to medium-range combat.
• Unique variants such as Shah’s Mate provide powerful upgrades, making them the best SMGs in the game.
• Upgrading weapons with accessories can significantly improve performance, making them more effective in challenging situations.

STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is the latest entry in the beloved action-survival STALKER series. Known for its immersive and unforgiving gameplay, STALKER 2 is set inside the Chornobyl radioactive Zone, though with the additional twist of having alien artifacts, mutant creatures, and bloodthirsty bandits thrown into the mix. As a result, it always helps to have the right equipment on hand – the most important being the right weaponry.

Submachine guns are a great choice when traversing the many dangerous settlements and industrial facilities that litter The Zone. Not only do they typically have a high fire rate and good effectiveness from close range, but they often make use of fairly common types as well. There are several different models of machine guns for players to choose from in the game, with several also containing unique variants as well. Upgrades and accessories can be added to each of the guns to further enhance their performance.

6 M10 Gordon

A Relatively Basic and Common SMG

The M10 Gordon is a relatively common and low-level submachine gun players are likely to find on enemies in the early part of the game. Though it has relatively weak damage, it does have an exceptionally fast rate of fire. Unfortunately, this is just about the only thing going for the M10 Gordon.

When compared with other submachine guns, it is less accurate, has a shorter range, and only average penetration. If modified with extensive upgrades and attachments, it can be significantly improved, but in its standard version, the M10 is best sold or ignored altogether.

5 Integral-A

A Fast-Firing SMG Good For Room Clearance

The Integral-A is a compact, close-quarters SMG with the highest rate of fire out of any weapon in the game. Getting an extended magazine upgrade is essential for this one since it will burn through ammo in full-auto. Fortunately, its high penetration and reasonable damage make it supremely effective at clearing confined buildings and tunnels.

In addition to the standard Integral-A, a unique variant called the Riemann is available for those with the Deluxe Edition DLC. The Riemann SMG can be retrieved from the Journalist’s Stash to the North of Rostok. The Riemann has significantly improved range and accuracy when compared to the standard Integral-A, but it is also considerably heavier at 5 KG.

4 Viper-5

A Favoured SMG With Huge Upgrade Potential

Based on the highly revered MP5, the Viper-5 is a brilliant and versatile SMG that can be customized to suit a variety of purposes. It is best used at close-to-medium range but can suffer from low damage and penetration, particularly against armored enemies and mutants.

However, it has good accuracy and range compared to most SMGs, making it a solid backup option for snipers or stalkers with long-ranged assault rifles. A unique variant called the Viper Monolith is also available for Ultimate Edition players and can be found in the Journalist’s Stash to the north of Zalissya.

3 Zubr-19

A Powerful SMG With Very High Ammo Capacity

The Zubr-19 is a highly accurate and effective SMG, best suited to skirmishes with mid-level enemies. While similar to the AKM-74U assault rifle, the Zubr-19 has several advantages, including a very light carry weight and a 50-round magazine as its standard.

Like the Integral-A, the Zubr-19 has a fast rate of fire and is ideally suited to room clearance and CQB, however, it does have noticeably more damage and penetration, which makes it the better choice for mid-range outdoor gun fights.

2 Buket S-2

A Strong And Accurate SMG

The Buket S-2 is a compact SMG with some of the best stats in the game. In addition to having the highest damage output out of any standard SMG, the Buket S-2 also possesses good range, accuracy, and penetration.

Typically, this weapon will only show up in the later game, when it is dropped by higher-level enemies such as Monolith Soldiers. With the addition of some upgrades and accessories, the Buket S-2 can be converted into a truly devastating, high-powered SMG.

1 Shah’s Mate

A Unique SMG With Powerful Upgrades

Shah’s Mate is a unique variant of the Viper-5 with vastly improved stats, making it overall the best SMG to acquire in the game. Though it may suffer slightly from weaker penetration than the Zubr-19 and Buket S-2, this can be remedied with armor-piercing ammunition. The real advantages of Shah’s Mate are its stability, accuracy, and extended magazine capacity.

To acquire Shah’s Mate, players will need to start the side quest “No Honor Among Thieves” and speak to Docent. After the conversation, a new stash will become available marked The Shah’s Stash. It is located to the northwest of the Slag Heap in the Garbage region and the stash itself is hidden inside the wall of a tunnel.