The Zone is dangerous, full of anomalies, mutants, and deadly artifacts. Among these artifacts is the mysterious Weird Ball, which would be any Stalker’s prize. This guide will explore how to get this powerful artifact hiding beneath the dangerous Bulba Anomaly. From navigating the deadly pull of the anomaly to understanding the unique benefits of the Weird Ball, this comprehensive walkthrough will equip you with the knowledge needed to claim this valuable treasure successfully.
Weird Ball Artifact
Rarity | Epic |
Description | One of the legendary “altered items” often mentioned in hushed tones by stalkers around the campfire. A child’s ball, oddly weighty. Equipping it seems to reduce bullet damage in combat, particularly when standing still. |
Effects | Unique Effect: Reduces bullet damage when standing still. |
Weight | 0.3 Kg |
Cost | 14000 Coupons |
How to Get (Weird Ball) Artifact Under the Bulba Anomaly
Click on the image to enlarge
Head southeast of Zalissya in Stalker 2. You’ll pass a big lake on your left. In the middle of this lake, there’s a strange, pulsating bubble. It’s dangerous, so save your game before getting too close. This bubble keeps growing and shrinking, and when it grows, it sucks things in from the lake’s edge. When it shrinks, it spits them back out.
Bulba breathes in a very obvious way. You can both hear and see it happening as the bubble changes shape. When Bulba inhales, everything within 50 meters is pulled towards it. Any cars in the area will be destroyed, but they’ll reappear when Bulba exhales.
Go towards the bubble, but be smart about it. Only move when the bubble is shrinking. And always have something between you and the bubble when it starts growing, or you’ll get hurt.
Use the ambulance and van to hide behind whenever the bubble pulls you in. This will stop you from dying instantly. Crouching down behind cover will also help protect you. The bubble might still hurt you even with cover, so use your healing items if needed. Don’t leave your cover while Bulba is breathing.
Once it exhales, you’ll have a short window of 2-3 seconds to move around freely. Don’t jump while Bulba is breathing; it’ll make it easier for the bubble to pull you in. You can also resist the pull by moving away from the bubble.
You aim to get as close to the bubble as possible, near the ambulance. Next to the ambulance, you’ll find a special item called a Weird Ball. This item will make you tougher against bullets without any downsides.
How to Use Weird Ball Artifact
To equip the epic artifact Weird Ball, open your inventory screen. Look below your outfit, where you’ll see empty slots if you haven’t equipped any artifacts yet. Simply drag and drop the Weird Ball into one of these slots to activate its effects.
In Stalker 2, each outfit has a set number of base artifact slots, but you can increase this by visiting a technician. You can upgrade your outfit to three, four, or five slots for a few thousand Coupons, letting you equip more artifacts.
The Weird Ball can also be a great way to earn money. Weird Balls can fetch a high price at traders across The Zone by selling for a large amount of Coupons. Since they’re relatively rare, you can keep hunting them to generate a steady income. Collecting and selling artifacts is one of the most reliable money-making strategies in the game.