Whenever a new DLC gets released for a beloved game, the community behind the game rises from the ground to sink their teeth into the new content. Almost every time, the very first question that comes up is how to gain access to the new content. Stalker 2 is no different; while the game does provide direct access to the DLC, it does come with so many small features that can create some confusion in players. There are a variety of ways to start the Cost of Hope DLC in Stalker 2, and here we are going to take a look at all of them and give you the details on which one will be perfect for your play.
How to Start the Stalker 2: Cost of Hope DLC?
We can either start from scratch by creating a new save file or continue with the old save until we trigger a specific transmission to start the Cost of Hope DLC in Stalker 2.
The Stalker 2: Cost of Hope DLC or expansion is divided into two different sections: one is longer, and the other is shorter. The short part of the expansion becomes available after Skif leaves the Lesser Zone and takes place during the Behind Seven Seals quest. In comparison, the longer part of the Cost of Hope DLC plays out after completing the A Minor Incident main questline (A later quest in the game).
Note: Behind Seven Seals is the second quest in the main game right after There and Back Again. A Minor Incident quest comes after the quest The Assault on the Duga.
There are a few different ways to kick-start the Cost of Hope DLC; here we are going to look at some of them:
- Starting DLC from Existing Save File – It’s for the player who already made progress in the game and wants to enjoy it on the old save.
- Starting from New Save File– Here we will cover a direct start to the Cost of Hope expansion.
Starting DLC from Existing Save File
This section is for people who have already made enough progress in the game. Here we start from an existing save file without having to create anything new. If you have a save file and you have progressed into the storyline, then follow the guide to experience The Cost of Hope DLC.
Once you have made enough progression in the storyline, you will receive a transmission via radio from Boozer about a Stalker ending up in the “Slag Heap” base. This will officially start the quest with the starting quest “Terra Incognita”. Just enter the Slag Heap base and talk to the Stalker named Chatterbox behind the table to start your journey into the new expansion
Starting from New Save File
If you are brand new to the game and just want to experience the Cost of Hope DLC and nothing else, then this section is for you.
After selecting New Game, you will get a brand new option of either selecting “Start from the beginning” or “Skip ahead to The Cost of Hope”. Now, select “Skip ahead to The Cost of Hope“. Now you will be on the Early Start” screen; here you will see three options:
- Early Start – If you select this option, you will skip the tutorial section and cut to the first part of the Cost of Hope DLC. This takes place right after Skif leaves the Lesser Zone.
- Advanced Start – This option skips a huge chunk of the game and puts you near the A Minor Incident questline.
Note: Advanced Start features two options: “Advanced Start Spark” and “Advanced Start Ward”. Picking Advanced Start Spark puts Skif on the side of the Spark faction with Scar; on the other side, Advanced Start Ward puts Skif on the side of the Ward faction with Korshunov,
Early Start puts you straight into the first section of DLC, which is the shorter section. Advanced Start puts you straight into the questline A Minor Incident; here you will enjoy both the short and long part of the DLC right away. There is a bit of a delay; you must wait 4 in-game hours after completing the first part of the DLC to see or get the rest of the quest in the game.
Which one should you choose?
It depends on whether you want to enjoy the main game or not. If you don’t want anything to do with the main game, then Advance Start with either Ward or Spark will be the best option, as you are quickly getting into the Cost of Hope DLC without having to sit through the entire game again.
On the other hand, if you have played the game before and want to play it again but don’t want to sit through the tutorial first, then Early Start will be a far better option, as it puts you on the second quest of the game. This option will help you with the main storyline, along with the starting section or shorter section into Cost of Hope.
