In the heart of the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone, a pivotal moment arises in Stalker 2: Heart of Chernobyl. After a daring escape from the Plant, you find yourself back at the Slag Heap, only to discover it under Ward’s control. A crucial decision awaits: whether to reveal a mysterious PDA to the Ward officials, a choice that will significantly impact the course of your journey.
Back to Slag Heap Main Mission
After you finish your dangerous mission at the Plant and escape, Diode calls you back to the Slag Heap. When you get to the Slag Heap, you find it’s been taken over by the Ward, a powerful organization. Diode is nowhere to be found. A Warden in his shop tells you to go upstairs.
You go upstairs and find a soldier guarding the stairwell. You tell him you’re looking for Diode, and he lets you pass. Once upstairs, you see a cutscene where Col. Korshunov and Dr. Dalin from the Ward interrogate Skif.
Dr. Dalin knows about the Scanner business, a secret project you’ve been involved in. During the interrogation, you’re given a choice: you can either show or hide a special PDA you got from the body of The Last One. Your decision will have important consequences later in the game.
Show the Unusual PDA
Korshunov, the leader of the Ward, gives you a special badge and a unique AKM-74S rifle called the Combatant. The badge is helpful because it makes progressing through the main story easier.
It’s better to show the PDA because Korshunov will give you a valuable key item called the Ward Badge. This badge will help you enter different bases without needing extra permissions and make some interactions with Wardens easier.
Do Not Show the Unusual PDA
You won’t get any immediate rewards if you choose not to show the unusual PDA to the Ward officials. However, it will have some future consequences. First, Scar and the Spark, two important characters, won’t be as hostile towards you later in the game.
Second, to continue the main story and enter Wild Island, you must complete a new side mission called “A Heavy Burden.” You’ll have to do extra work to progress the main story.
Table Showing Choice Outcomes
| Step | Action | Outcome |
| Back to Slag Heap Main MissionTalk to Dr. Dalin and Col. Korshunov | Show the Unusual PDA | Receive Ward Badge |
| Don’t show the Unusual PDA | Mission progresses normally. Go to Sawmill next. | |
| Show the Unusual PDA | Scar and Star will threaten you but unlock Hot on the Trail | Hot on the Trail Main Mission |
| Don’t show the Unusual PDA | Required to do the A Heavy Burden side mission | Hot on the Trail Main Mission |
Hot on the Trail Main Mission | Show the Unusual PDA (The attackers had this PDA) | Skif still needs to show the Unusual PDA to Strider |
| Your men did this |
In the mission ‘Hot on the Trail,’ you can show Strider the unusual PDA. However, whether you show it or not, Skif will still do so. The Noontide leader needs more proof of the attack on Nestor. If you show the special device to everyone, it’ll make your life easier later in the game.
You’ll get a special pass to help you get around and avoid trouble. But, if you don’t show it, you’ll have to do an extra side quest to continue the main story. So, it’s usually better to just show it to everyone.
Read Next: Wishful Thinking Walkthrough Guide – Stalker 2 | Rostok Military Safe Code Solution in Stalker 2 & Riemann Weapon | Cuirass Exoskeleton & Exoskeleton Technician Location in Stalker 2 | How to Get (Weird Ball) Artifact Under the Bulba Anomaly | All Artifacts Locations in Stalker 2 | How to Get & Use Echo, Bear, Hilka, and Veles Artifact Detectors | How to Get the Whirlwind Artifact | SEVA-I & SEVA-D Suit Armor
