Assault rifles are among the most popular weapon choices inStalker 2, and for good reason. They feature multiple firing modes, support a variety of upgrades, and deliver excellent damage in close to mid-range combat. These qualities make it essential to equip yourself with a top-tier AR rather than relying on an inefficient one. With so many options available in the game, we have compiled a list of the 11 best assault rifles in Stalker 2 and detailed how you may obtain each one.
NOTE:The numerical weapon stats in the tables correspond to the yellow bars displayed on assault rifle stats in the game. Five represents the maximum value and zero indicates the minimum.
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The AR416 is one of the easiest assault rifles to find or obtain in the game. While its base damage is slightly below average, its impressive penetration power and accuracy make it one of the best early-game assault rifles in Stalker 2.
One of the AR416’s highlights is its single-fire mode, which is highly effective for landing precision headshots, often taking down enemies with a single shot.
While excellent for rapid fire, the full-auto firing mode has a downside: it quickly depletes ammunition. This can be especially problematic during the game’s early stages when ammo supplies are scarce.
How to Get the AR416
You can acquire the AR416 early in the game while exploring the Lesser Zone. Here’s a breakdown of locations where you can find it:
Outside the Lesser Zone, you will find a 100% durability AR416 at the Eastern Tunnel POI in the Cement Factory region. Look for a crate near the entrance to the depot area, and you will find an AR416 on it.
10. Grom S-14
The Grom S-14 is a significant upgrade from the AR416, offering higher damage and penetration power—two essential qualities for efficiently taking down mutants and heavily armored human enemies.
While its range and accuracy are comparable to the AR416, the Grom S-14 does come with some trade-offs. It has a smaller magazine capacity, holding just 20 rounds. However, what sets this weapon apart is its integrated grenade launcher system. Activating the grenade launcher replaces your reticle with a specialized projectile aim system, giving you a tactical edge in combat situations.
Despite its limited magazine size, the Grom S-14 excels when used in single-fire mode. Precision shots, whether to the head or the body, deliver excellent damage output, making it one of the best weapon choices in Stalker 2 for both strategic encounters and intense firefights.
How to Get the Grom S-14
There are several ways to acquire the Grom S-14 inStalker 2. Here’s a detailed breakdown:
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9. AS Lavina
Stealth is a viable option in combat, and weapons equipped with suppressors make it much easier to stay undetected. While finding the right attachments and locating Technicians to install them requires effort, the AS Lavina stands out as the best silenced assault rifle in Stalker 2.
The AS Lavina offers superior accuracy and penetration compared to the Grom S-14, but that is not all. Its standout feature is the integrated silenced barrel, allowing you to take down enemies quietly from a distance. Precision headshots in single-fire mode make it exceptionally effective in stealth scenarios.
The AS Lavina is also a much lighter weapon in weight than Grom S-14, making it the best assault rifle to carry in your inventory in Stalker 2.
How to Get the AS Lavina
There are several ways to acquire the AS Lavina in Stalker 2. Here is where you can find it:
8. Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S
The AKM-74S is a solid choice for an assault rifle in Stalker 2, but its base variant leaves room for improvement. To truly maximize its potential, we recommend going for Valik Lummox’s custom-designed AKM-74S. This unique version boasts significantly improved accuracy, thanks to its larger scope, making it a must-have for sharpshooters.
The Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S excels in single-fire mode, where its upgraded scope lets you easily pick off targets from long distances. While its penetration power doesn’t quite match heavy hitters like the AS Lavina or Grom S-14, its exceptional accuracy and raw stopping power more than make up for it. This weapon’s rarity—it’s the only one of its kind in the game—further cements its value as a top-tier assault rifle.
How to Get Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S
You can acquire Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S during the side quest Warlock’s Debtor. During the quest, you will encounter Valik Lummox, who is being harassed by bandits demanding repayment of a debt. Rescue Valik by dealing with the bandits, and in return, he will share the location of his stash.
Valik’s stash is located in the Water Tower POI, just north of the Zalissya Bar in the Lesser Zone. This region is accessible early in the game, and getting your hands on Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S very early will set you up till the mid-game with this gun in Stalker 2.
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The GP37 is the best mid-game assault rifle in Stalker 2, and no matter where you find it, it always comes equipped with a standard scope. This makes it perfect for landing highly accurate shots, further cementing its place as one of the best weapons in the game.
What truly sets the GP37 apart is its versatility. The rifle features three firing modes: single fire for precision headshots, triple-shot bursts for quick damage, and full-auto mode to unleash an entire magazine on mutants or hostile NPCs.
While the Valik Lummox’s AKM-74S serves well through the early and mid-game, once you gain access to the Zaton region, it is time to upgrade to the GP37. This rifle boasts superior penetration power, making it a much better option for mid to late-game combat.
How to Get the GP37
There are multiple ways to acquire the GP37 in Stalker 2, whether by purchase or exploration:
6. Fora-221
The Fora-221 is a compact assault rifle equipped with iron sights, a grip, and a 30-round magazine. It is a next-generation AR that outshines older models like the AKM-74U and AKM-74S.
What truly sets the Fora-221 apart is its remarkable accuracy, even when using just the standard iron sights. However, the weapon’s standout feature is its unparalleled upgrade potential.
With a wide range of compatible attachments, you can customize the Fora-221 to become one of the best assault rifles in Stalker 2. This versatility is why we have ranked it sixth on our list of the top assault rifles.
How to Get the Fora-221
There are several ways to acquire the Fora-221 in Stalker 2, with options ranging from completing quests to exploring various regions:
The Kharod assault rifle is a standout choice in Stalker 2, even with its standard iron sights. It boasts some of the highest accuracy among assault rifles, making it a reliable option for both precision and versatility.
With a 30-round magazine and both single-shot and full-auto firing modes, the Kharod can easily handle entire squads of Monolith soldiers or bandits closing in on you.
The Kharod is not just effective against human NPCs—it is also a top-tier assault rifle for dealing with mutants. Thanks to its impressive penetration power, mutants like Bloodsuckers, Pseudogiants, and Burers are no match when you unload an entire magazine. The Kharod eliminates these threats faster than most other assault rifles in Stalker 2.
How to Get the Kharod
Acquiring the Kharod is not straightforward, as it is one of the best assault rifles in Stalker 2. Here are the main ways to obtain it:
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The Sotnyk is widely regarded as the best assault rifle in Stalker 2. It would have easily taken the second spot on our weapon ranking list if not for one major drawback: it is tied to the end-game content.
Unfortunately, you cannot wield this weapon during your regular exploration of the Zone. By the time you acquire the Sotnyk, the story mission locks you into progressing the main narrative, limiting its use in the open world.
Despite this limitation, the Sotnyk is so powerful and well-designed that you would not want to rely on any other weapon for the final missions. This assault rifle, the personal weapon of Degtyarev, comes equipped with an excellent scope, a suppressor, and a 30-round magazine.
With its high accuracy and outstanding penetration power, the Sotnyk outclasses every other assault rifle in the game. It is just unfortunate that its use is restricted to the late-game story content only.
How to Get the Sotnyk
The Sotnyk is obtainable only during the end-game missionDown Below, which serves as the point of no return in Stalker 2. To secure the assault rifle, follow these steps:
The Dnipro stands out as a top-tier assault rifle in Stalker 2, thanks to its exceptional penetration power and pinpoint accuracy—even when used without a scope.
This Ukrainian-made weapon is not just a tool of the military; it is also the choice of seasoned stalkers who are determined to survive the harshest mutant encounters and the perils of the Zone
How to Get the Dnipro
There are multiple ways to acquire the Dnipro assault rifle in Stalker 2, ranging from exploration to straightforward purchases:
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2. Special
While the Special may not surpass the Dnipro in raw power, its early availability and lasting utility make it a standout choice in Stalker 2. This weapon is versatile enough to carry you through the early game and remains a reliable option well into the mid and late-game content.
Although the Special weighs 6 kg—making it the heaviest assault rifle on this list—it compensates with excellent base damage, solid penetration power, and impressive range thanks to its built-in scope.
On paper, the Special is a variant of the AKM-74U, but in practice, it is a far superior assault rifle option, outperforming most early-to-mid-game ARs you can find or purchase from vendors in Stalker 2.
How to Get the Special
To acquire the Special assault rifle, head to theMillsouth of the Pig Farm POI in the Cordon region. Inside the Mill building, you will encounterStets Leech.
The SOFMOD is the ultimate assault rifle in Stalker 2, perfectly designed to help you survive the Zone’s relentless dangers. Alongside the Special AR, it boasts the highest base damage in the game’s assault rifle category. However, the SOFMOD edges out its competition with a superior range and lighter weight, making it the best assault rifle available in Stalker 2.
A high-tier variant of the AR416, the SOFMOD is equipped with a silencer, a grip, and a red dot reticle as soon as you pick it up for use. These upgrades make it an exceptional choice for stealthy yet devastating attacks, allowing you to one-shot most hostile human NPCs.
Best of all, the SOFMOD AR is obtainable early in the game and can remain effective well into the mid and late stages—just make sure to keep it repaired, as continuous usage will degrade its durability over time.
How to Get the SOFMOD
There is only one way to acquire the SOFMOD in Stalker 2:
That is everything you need to know about the best assault rifles in Stalker 2 and how to get them. For more tips on the game, we recommend you check out ourJust Business Quest Walkthrough,How to Fix Hot on the Trail Bug, andHow To Sell Broken Weapons in Stalker 2guides.
Irfan Ansari
Irfan Ansari is a Guides Writer at Prima Games, bringing seven years of experience in Video Game Journalism to the table. With over 20 years immersed in gaming, he’s sharpened his craft at notable outlets like TheGamer, Gamepur, Videogamer, and eXputer. His favorite hobby is grinding for XP, leveling up and defeating bosses to pulp.
