S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope DLC begins with our protagonist running through the Iron Forest. And right after that, I was able to step into the next main quest, Step Into the Unknown. While the quest is short, it is an eventful main mission. I was happy to see it had meaningful branching paths, which add layers to the DLC’s story.
In this guide, I will break down the quest for you so you have all the important information before you dive in.
How to Begin the Step Into the Unknown Quest in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope
Step Into the Unknown begins right after Terra Incognita, the first main quest in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope DLC. You must know that whatever route you picked in that quest will change how you get here:
The IPSF Checkpoint Route: If you help Captain Vusatyi in fighting off the mutants that surround the gate, he will hand you a Key Card that can be used in the Iron Forest and also begin the Dead or Alive side mission. It is a straightforward path but also gives you less loot, so if you are here for hoarding valuables, you may want to avoid this one. It also cancels the Digger’s Tunnel side mission, so keep that in mind.
The Digger’s Tunnel Route: When you are near the Iron Forest Gate, look for the bus stop with two bodies inside. If you loot Goodbye’s PDA, the game will start the Digger’s Tunnel side mission, which will lead you to the same area, but through a fight with bandits instead of regular mutants. This path yields more loot. However, you may have to backtrack later for the Dead or Alive quest.
No matter which path you take, you will wind up in the same place: the SWYD-East Checkpoint. It is situated on the eastern edge of Iron Forest, and you will meet Chill and Vova Cash here. They are two friendly freedomers. Remember to speak with Chill and select the “Where is this Kurin of yours?” dialogue option. This exact conversation will begin the Step Into the Unknown main quest.
Complete Guide for Step Into the Unknown Quest in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope DLC
After you begin the Step Into the Unknown Quest in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope DLC, Chill and Vova Cash will point you towards Freedom’s Camp. You must do the following once you arrive at the location:
Head to Freedom’s Camp and find the soldiers stationed there who are cornered by mutants. Get ready to fight Snorks and Boars.
Help them clear out the area and get rid of the mutants; only then can you move forward in the quest.
Speak with Harpoon. You can find them standing near a door once the fighting’s done.
Let the cutscene roll. Inside it, you will see Harpoon saving you from a mutant attack.
After the cutscene finishes, talk to Zulu. When the dialogue options appear, pick “What do I need to do?”
Once you finish your conversation with Zulu, the game wraps up the Step Into the Unknown quest. Do remember that the mutant fight at Freedom’s Camp is not optional. Come prepared with your weapons and healing items. Otherwise, you are in for a tough fight. The quest is not purely narrative, but offers quite a challenge.
What Happens After You Finish the Quest?
After you finish the Step Into the Unknown quest, the game immediately begins the next main quest in the line, called Unexpected Alliance. That said, if you are looking for side content, you can get some from Pvt. Panchenko, as he hands you a PDA that is related to the Dead or Alive side mission’s Monitoring Spot objective. Don’t forget to check with him before you continue the main story of the DLC.
That wraps up the entire questline for Step Into the Unknown in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Cost of Hope DLC. While it is a short mission on paper, it can stretch out a bit if you struggle with the mutant fights. My recommendation is to pay attention to the cutscenes, as it builds up the story forward.
