S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 has a dynamic day-night cycle, and time progresses naturally, so you can undertake missions at your preferred time.
This comes in handy when planning missions that are easier or more fun in daylight or at night. This article explains how to pass the time in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
How To Pass Time
You can use beds to advance time in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2.
By resting in bed, you can skip to a specific time of day, whether it's morning, noon, or night.
They are usually found in settlements and bases and marked on your map with a white bed icon.
Early on, the Zalissya base is where a bed becomes available. Finish the mission Stalker Wisdom, then go to the trader's building.
Head inside and turn left to find a room with beds in one corner.
Sleeping quarters are common in most bases, so a place to rest is always nearby.
Beds often come with personal storage areas nearby. These let you safely store additional items and gear before resting.
This enables you to handle your inventory efficiently, so you don't have to stress about losing valuable loot in your next mission.
Sleeping has two main advantages: speeding up time and restoring health.
It’s an efficient way to recover from difficult situations without spending much.
However, sleeping won't negate ongoing environmental effects like long-lasting weather patterns.
For instance, if heavy fog or rain is supposed to last after you wake up, it might still be there.
Sleeping in Stalker 2 isn’t as easy as lying down whenever you want. Your character needs to shake off some status effects before resting.
When you see the chicken leg icon, you're hungry, so eat something before you can sleep.
Bleeding is also a common issue, but bandages can help stop it.
Other ailments like sickness or fatigue should also be treated with the right remedies or consumables to enable rest.
After solving these issues and getting some rest, your character will wake up feeling hungry, as sleep drains energy.
Make sure your inventory has plenty of food so you can tackle hunger right after sleep and stay prepared for exploration.
Your experience in the Zone changes depending on the time of day.
Daylight allows for clearer vision and lowers the risk of surprise attacks, while nighttime is better for players who prefer sneaking or want specific enemy reactions.
Adjust your sleep routine to fit your gameplay style and goals.
How do you handle status effects like hunger or fatigue in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2?