STALCRAFT: X News

[p][/p][p]Hello to all Zone creators! We are excited to announce the launch of a screenshot contest dedicated to spring season![/p][p]To participate in the contest, you need to take one impressive screenshot with a resolution of at least 1440x900 pixels. To hide the user interface, press the F1 key, and to hide the character's hands, use the CTRL+F1 key combination.[/p][p]Contest period: March 4–10, 2026.[/p][p]Announcement of results: March 17, 2026.[/p][h3]How it works[/h3]

1. [p]Select the nominating category you wish to participate in:
   • Mutants — combat or atmospheric screenshots.[/p][carousel][/carousel][p]
   • People — combat or social screenshots.
   • Landscapes — screenshots of buildings, anomalies, or simply beautiful areas of the Exclusion Zone.
   [/p]
2. [p]Take a screenshot with a resolution of at least 1440x900 pixels with the interface hidden.[/p]
3. [p]Place your work in a special discussion on Discord.[/p][p]Specify your selected category in the description:
   • Mutants;
   • People;
   • Landscapes.[/p]
4. [p]Don't forget to include your in-game nickname and region with your entry, as the prize will be sent to your in-game mailbox if you win.[/p]

[h3]Contest rules[/h3]

• [p]When adding your work to the contest album, you must specify the character's nickname exactly as it is written in the game, as well as the region you are playing on: RU, EU, NA, SEA, or NEA.[/p]
• [p]A screenshot must be attached to the entry.[/p]
• [p]The work must be published in a special discussion and include the nomination (Mutants, People, Landscapes) in the description.[/p]
• [p]Only basic screenshot editing is permitted, such as colour correction or adjusting brightness and contrast. The use of AI and the addition of extraneous objects are strictly prohibited.[/p]
• [p]Images are only accepted in their original form, without watermarks, signatures or other markings.[/p]
• [p]The recommended FOV (field of view) value is 75.[/p]
• [p]The work must not violate the rules of the game and the platform, legislation, contain offensive or Nazi symbols, references to prohibited groups and organisations, or elements of an erotic nature.[/p]
• [p]It is prohibited to publish works that are not related to the game, such as advertising links, offensive material, calls to action, etc.[/p]
• [p]Each player may submit only one screenshot, and that screenshot will be entered into the contest. One screenshot can only claim one prize place.[/p]
• [p]Only original works dedicated to STALCRAFT: X and created specifically for this contest will be accepted.[/p]
• [p]It is prohibited to publish works that are not directly related to the game, as well as those containing any kind of advertising material.[/p]
• [p]By submitting your work to the contest, you agree that it may be used by the project administration for marketing, advertising, or other purposes.[/p]
• [p]By submitting your application, you confirm your agreement with the terms and conditions of the contest: general terms and conditions of the contest.[/p]

[p]EXBO team reserves the right to make the final interpretation of the terms and conditions of this event.[/p][h3]Rewards[/h3][p]At the end of the contest, the jury will select 10 winners for each nomination, who will receive the following rewards:[/p]

• [p]Season points — 10 000;[/p]
• [p]Premium — 3 days;[/p]
• [p]Advanced Spare Parts — 20;[/p]
• [p]Advanced Tools — 10;[/p]
• [p]Polaroid Charm.[/p]

[p][/p][p]All rewards will be given as bound items.[/p][p]Good luck, Seekers!
EXBO Team[/p]

[p]To receive rewards for watching streams, first link your EXBO and Twitch accounts.[/p][p][/p][p]🔻Detailed guide on how to link your EXBO account.
🔻Detailed guide on how to link Twitch to the game in Steam.
🔻You can track the status of the rewards on a special page.[/p][hr][/hr][p]To claim your rewards, just watch the streams on the channels of our media partners.[/p][p]You can watch broadcasts from our English-speaking content makers:[/p]

• [p]UnBannMee6;[/p]
• [p]dopefaceTV;[/p]
• [p]boHHoc;[/p]
• [p]Animus;[/p]
• [p]aceosware;[/p]
• [p]RoughShaggy.[/p]

[p]Here's also a list of our Russian-speaking content makers:[/p]

• [p]pan1x_t0p;[/p]
• [p]velichyt;[/p]
• [p]adhh_spasibo;[/p]
• [p]NSh4rk;[/p]
• [p]MashtakOF;[/p]
• [p]TochnoNeMonker;[/p]
• [p]V13iy;[/p]
• [p]schempppp;[/p]
• [p]harveyskills;[/p]
• [p]ilmater_;[/p]
• [p]ekatowtf;[/p]
• [p]KarfagenSC;[/p]
• [p]gostingdb;[/p]
• [p]HatonyCH;[/p]
• [p]fladar1337;[/p]
• [p]kreenoleen_____;[/p]
• [p]Zovut_Lis;[/p]
• [p]Xqueeeee;[/p]
• [p]IXUMEPA;[/p]
• [p]vlgplayer;[/p]
• [p]snegurka666;[/p]
• [p]IrokeZzina;[/p]
• [p]datreal_qq;[/p]
• [p]minimu_s;[/p]
• [p]dmitronsc;[/p]
• [p]AyakaRai;[/p]
• [p]ANNA_KAD_;[/p]
• [p]Exproo;[/p]
• [p]N1fon.[/p]

[p]Twitch Drops of this season event include one campaign, which lasts one week:[/p][hr][/hr][p]Here is the list of rewards. For detailed information about each reward, refer to the relevant section below:[/p][p][/p][p]Within the campaign, the last reward is awarded after 15 hours of watching live broadcasts.[/p][hr][/hr][p]Exchange your Twitch Fragments at the Dealer NPC for valuable items: spare parts and tools, catalysts, and unstable anomalous batteries.
The shop also offers a master rank sight, various attachments, and unique cosmetic items.[/p][p]Please note that items previously obtained through Twitch Drops can also be exchanged at the Dealer NPC for Twitch Fragments.[/p][hr][/hr][p]Thanks for your attention, and good luck with your reward hunt![/p]

[p]Server maintenance is completed, game servers are back online. Hard times breed strong people — those who can adapt and overcome. And to help you adapt more cheerfully, the suppliers have come up with a promo code:[/p]

[p]SCX-SPRING2026-WELCOME[/p]

[p]The promo code is valid until March 11 20:59 (UTC). [/p]

[p]Watch Patch Note overview with ENG subs[/p][previewyoutube][/previewyoutube][p]The sky in the Zone has never been known for its clarity, but lately, stalkers are saying that the clouds are gathering even more. The military is increasing its activity along the Perimeter. The sensors of the Research Institute 7 are off the charts, registering new activity. Diggers working on clearing the tunnels under Pervomaisky are bringing back more and more news.  What should stalkers expect with the approaching spring?  Only the Zone knows the answer to that.[/p][h3]Content[/h3]

• [p]Tempered Steel season;[/p]
• [p]Wild North;[/p]
• [p]Barter branch of shotguns and rifles;[/p]
• [p]Stash rework;[/p]
• [p]Balance changes;[/p]
• [p]Subdivision Battles changes;[/p]
• [p]Economic adjustments;[/p]
• [p]Other changes and fixes.[/p]

[h2]Tempered Steel season[/h2][h3]Spring weather[/h3][p]Frost has retreated, snow no longer crunches underfoot, and paths that were recently hidden by snow are visible again. However, the weather is slow to bring us joy. On the contrary, now thunder can rumble in the Zone, like the bursts of some kind of weapon.[/p][p]You will see the following changes in the game:[/p]

• [p]Removed winter effects, weather phenomena replaced by spring ones;[/p]
• [p]Added wind impact on plants;[/p]
• [p]Updated night visual effect: without NVG, minimal visibility is now maintained instead of complete darkness, but overall visibility remains limited.[/p]
• [p]Adjusted the brightness of NVG to suit spring nights.[/p]

[h3]Season rewards[/h3][p][/p][p]The following key rewards are available this season:[/p]

• [p]OTs-62 shotgun;[/p]
• [p]Old FN FAL assault rifle;[/p]
• [p]Bear Exoarmor;[/p]
• [p]Special Case Token;[/p]
• [p]Grunt skin;[/p]
• [p]Tag charm for level 450, which generates a random number when received;[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Act II Tickets;[/p]
• [p]Dark Star container;[/p]
• [p]Archive charm;[/p]
• [p]Film Chronicle charm;[/p]
• [p]Tempered Steel customisation pack.[/p]
• [p]M60E4 machine gun — a unique reward for reaching level 500.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Special case[/h3][p]Contents of the Special Case have been updated. Now you can obtain QBU-191 from it.[/p][p][/p][h3]Tempered Steel starter pack[/h3][p]Start tempering steel now with the starter pack! The following items are already waiting for you:[/p]

• [p]10 Season Pass levels;[/p]
• [p]7 days Premium;[/p]
• [p]Two unique Scars paints for armour and weapons.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]Wild North[/h2][p][/p][p]Wild North is a place beyond the reach of any faction’s influence. A territory was long abandoned by stalkers. Murmur, mutants and anomalies reigned unchecked for years. Are you ready to return to this place?[/p][p]Remember: even a trusted partner can lead you into a trap, and your cooling body won’t be able to tell anyone about it.[/p][p]And yet, despite all the dangers of the Wild North, many stalkers are eager to reach the outskirts of the Uranus Mill, Red Forest with its Radar Station, and Stillwaters, which is no longer accessible through the familiar Burrows. After all, the Wild North holds not only valuable loot, but countless secrets. It doesn’t matter whether you’re searching for ways to make money or answers to the Zone’s mysteries. One thing is certain: the Wild North is the best place to test your luck.[/p][h3]What are these wild locations?[/h3][p]They are Red Forest, Uranus Mill, and Stillwaters. There are no allies here other than players from your squad and your subdivision.[/p][h3]How to get there?[/h3][p]Access to the Wild North locations unlocks after completing the northern storyline. Talk to your faction leader, who will send you to Curie at Drunken Geiger Bar. Curie will tell you more about the Wild North and give you a pass to Underground.[/p][p][/p][p]Underground is a location with disabled PvP, but it's still not safe. Anomalies await careless stalkers around every corner.[/p][p]At the end of Underground, you’ll find three doors, each leading to one of the following locations: Red Forest, Uranus Mill, Stillwaters.[/p][h3]How to go back?[/h3][p]There are four ways to exit these locations:[/p]

• [p]Die 💀 (Highly likely!)[/p]
• [p]Clear Murmur Post event. This will spawn a Burrow that allows up to 5 players to pass through. [/p]
• [p]Use a jumping Burrow. It allows only 1 player to pass, then it moves to another location.
  It also changes location every 2 minutes.
  Only one jumping Burrow can be active on a location at a time.[/p]
• [p]Find a hidden Burrow using SAC and SRD. These Burrows do not appear naturally and must be discovered using special devices. [/p]

[h3]What’s new?[/h3]

• [p]Updated visuals of Red Forest and Uranus Mill locations.[/p]
• [p]Drunken Geiger Bar now has everything you need for your expeditions, including traders, delivery contracts and contract provider.[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Clearing events now drops new, more valuable items that can be sold to the fence.[/p]
• [p]Added 7 new artefacts, obtainable only in the Wild North.[/p]
• [p]Added 2 new master rank variable zoom sights. They can be assembled from parts that drop with some chance from Murmur events and airdrops.
  
  Apogee optical sight
  [/p][p]Azimut optical sight
  [/p]
• [p]Added 2 additional personal storage pages, unlocked through reputation levels at Drunken Geiger Bar.[/p]
• [p]Murmur Materials paint is available for exchange at Drunken Geiger Bar.[/p][p][/p]
• [p]Added new (old) Anomalous Rift event. Use Noo-converter to obtain artefacts. [/p][p][/p]
• [p]Noo-converter can be purchased at the merchant in Drunken Geiger Bar.[/p][p][/p]
• [p]You can now form cross-faction squads in the Wild North.[/p]

[h3]What has changed?[/h3]

• [p]Removed Burrows leading to Stillwaters from Forge-11.[/p]
• [p]Significantly reduced the maximum player count at Stillwaters.[/p]
• [p]Removed golden airdrops from Stillwaters. They now drop only at Red Forest and Uranus Mill.[/p]
• [p]Reduced the number of jumping Burrows at Stillwaters: 3 → 1.[/p]

[h2]Event Hub challenges[/h2][p]New challenges have been added to the Event Hub. By completing them, you can earn parts for Apogee and Azimut sights as well as Season Pass points.[/p][p]Challenges are available until March 18, so head to the Wild North, explore and claim your rewards![/p][h3]Snares artefact changes [/h3][p]To ensure a more balanced artefact distribution across activities, Snares artefact has been automatically replaced with the new Peg-Top artefact, preserving its all existing qualities (stats, quality percentage, upgrade level) for all owners. Snares received new characteristics conceptually aligned with other artefacts from Encaged event — Larva, Timber, and Mug.[/p][p][/p][h2]Barter branch of shotguns and rifles[/h2][h3]Expanded shotgun barter branch [/h3][p][/p][p]Added:[/p]

• [p]MP-155 Ultima semi-automatic shotgun;[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Double-barrelled shotguns: TOZ-34 Sawed-Off, TOZ-55, TOZ-57, TOZ-84;[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]IZH-81 pump-action shotgun;[/p]

[p][/p]

• [p]Saiga-12 automatic shotgun.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Due to changes in the location of weapons in the barter branches, the following replacements and compensations have been made:[/p][p]Changes to the characteristics of the affected shotguns:[/p][h2]Stash rework[/h2][p]Stash mechanics have been reworked.[/p][h3]Interaction[/h3][p]You can interact with the updated stashes immediately after installation, and you can pick up and put down items without confirmation.[/p][p][/p][p]Stashes also got a new feature — access for the squad. All players in the squad can now interact with the stash.[/p][p]You can grant access in the stash interface or via the map.[/p][p][/p][p]Stashes exist on a copy of the location only while their owner is there. If the owner dies or switches to another copy, squad members will no longer be able to find this stash.[/p][h3]Conceal[/h3][p]When interacting with objects inside the stash, its conceal begins, during which the stash becomes visually apparent to everyone on the location copy. The duration of conceal depends on the type and quality of the stash.[/p][p]If, during conceal, the owner leaves the stash radius or dies, any player can take part of its contents, but only once, after which the stash cannot be found.[/p][p][/p][h3]Durability[/h3][p]Amount of loot dropped depends on the durability parameter. When a player interacts with someone else's stash, they can take certain items from it.[/p][p][/p][p]Access to each individual cell/item/quantity is granted with a certain probability, i.e. if durability = 30%, then the probability of occurrence for each individual cell will be 70%. If there are several items in a cell, only a certain number will drop. That is, if there are 100 items in a cell, 70 out of 100 items will drop with 30% durability, while the rest will remain in the stash.[/p][p]Try to hide your stash securely from prying eyes![/p][h3]The impact of infections, types of stashes and their durability[/h3][p]Stashes exist in the world for a limited amount of time, determined by their durability, which gradually decreases. Durability depends on the quality of the stash. The stronger the stash is, the longer it will be able to remain on the location.[/p][p][/p][p]There are also two types of stashes:[/p]

• [p]Standard;[/p]
• [p]Shielded.[/p]

[p]The difference is that in infected areas, the strength of standard stashes decreases much faster, with the maximum level of infection having an impact. Their number is irrelevant. When the durability value drops to zero, the stash will disappear along with all its contents.[/p][p][/p][p]Special shielded stashes have been created for art hunters. They are protected from the effects of infection and can store artefacts. Infection through a shielded stash always deals 1 point of damage per minute.[/p][p][/p][h2]Balance changes[/h2][h3]Consumables[/h3][p]Changes to protective, output and healing consumables[/p][p]Implemented the first part of consumable adjustments: first-aid kits, stimulators, bandages, and infection-output items. Additional changes to all consumables are planned for the future.[/p][p]We aimed to make first-aid kits and stimulators (STRIKE and STOMP) more balanced in terms of player usability. We also addressed the issue where military first-aid kits had effectively become the only viable healing option despite being low-tier. [/p][p]First-aid kits now share a unified preset: they provide light bleeding removal, moderate healing, and regeneration, but no longer remove radiation or bioinfection. They restore less health in a short period of time but last longer, resulting in greater overall healing in the long run. Stimulators, on the other hand, restore more health in a short period of time but are less effective than first-aid kits over extended periods.[/p][p]Overall, stimulators remain largely unchanged and continue to serve as more PvP-oriented medical items. They no longer apply debuffs such as intoxication or poisoning, but their effectiveness has been reduced.[/p][p]The removal of infection output from first-aid kits was necessary to eliminate artefact builds that could bypass counter-artefacts by relying solely on first-aid kits. This change also increases the value of dedicated infection-output consumables.[/p][p]All infection-output consumables now function similarly to bandages but with an output effect. They activate over 3 seconds and remove a larger amount of infection at once. For convenience, these items now cleanse two types of infection simultaneously. Panacea, as the most advanced version, removes all types of infection at once.[/p][p]All infection-output consumables, except bandages, now apply a poisoning effect to prevent frequent use.[/p][p]Medicine that provided infection resistance has been removed. Over time, they proved to be an unnecessary consumable type, diverting attention from protective artefacts and combo armour options.  All such medicine has been replaced with corresponding infection-output consumables.[/p][p]Removed consumables will be compensated according to the following table. Lots containing removed consumables that were listed on the auction will also be eligible for compensation.[/p][p]Increased the number of Panacea obtained from crafting from 15 to 25. Increased bonus crafting from 3 to 5. [/p][p]Recipes that used removed consumables are no longer available.[/p][p]Adjusted prices of certain consumables in accordance with the changes listed above:[/p][h3]Other changes [/h3][p]Reduced stats of most medicine consumables: mobility, protection, and boosts. Short-term boosts (except for a few overly powerful consumables) have received a slight increase.[/p][h3]Artefacts [/h3][p][/p][p]Due to the removing infection consumables changes and the removal of protective medicines, the characteristics of anti-infection artefacts have been enhanced.[/p][p]They were previously used exclusively for infected areas, rather than for basic builds, so now, starting with a certain rarity of the artefact, they are more comfortable for the infected areas.[/p][p]Mirror and Eye of the Storm received a significant boost to their defensive stats, but also incresced vitality debuff. The compensation function is available for these artefacts. It can be activated via the context menu.[/p][h3]Containers and Backpacks[/h3][p][/p][h3]Weapons and plates[/h3][p][/p][p]Plates used to affect damage to both the body and head as much as—or even more than—the weapon’s multiplier. Now, the difference between head and body damage is primarily determined by the base head damage multiplier, which has been raised from 1.25 to 1.4. At the same time, the effectiveness of plates, like most other consumables, has been reduced.[/p][p]The Ceramic Plate has lost its speed penalty and now provides 10% more damage absorption. At the same time, its effective durability has been lowered, meaning it will absorb less damage in total.[/p][p]The Ceramic Plate becomes less effective as a character’s effective health increases. Overall, it still provides slightly more combat benefit than the Composite Plate and reduces the strength of effects such as stopping power and bleeding when the character takes body damage.[/p][p]To maintain the overall time-to-kill, the base damage of weapons with a modified headshot multiplier has been slightly reduced, while the limb damage multiplier has been increased. As a result, overall damage output remains largely unchanged, but players without a plate now have a better chance against those using one.[/p][h2]Weapons[/h2][p][/p][h3]Assault Rifles[/h3][h3]Submachine Guns[/h3][h3]Machine Guns[/h3][p] [/p][h3]Sniper Rifles[/h3][p] [/p][h3]Pistols[/h3][p] [/p][h3]Shotguns [/h3][p] [/p][h3]Plates[/h3][p] [/p][h3]Change in supplier price[/h3][p]The price of steel and composite plates has been changed in proportion to the change in the specified strength. The price of ceramic plates has not changed.[/p][p] [/p][p] [/p][h3]Attachments[/h3][p] [/p][h3]Grenades[/h3][p]Anomalous grenades now have an effect type and priority similar to consumables.[/p][p]When several grenades with the same priority and effect are activated simultaneously, the one activated last is applied.[/p][p]Anomalous grenades detonate only upon contact with the floor. An explosion in the air completely neutralises their effect.[/p][p] [/p][p]All underbarrel versions of modified grenades now have no delay in detonation and can explode even when fired at point-blank range.[/p][p] [/p][h2]Subdivision Battles changes[/h2][h3]Edits on the Lowland map[/h3][p]Changes at Point B:[/p][p]Before: [/p][p] [/p][p][/p][p]Now:[/p][p] [/p][p] [/p][p] [/p][h3]SEA and NEA subdivision change[/h3][p]The maximum number of participants in all subdivision battles has been changed from 30 to 20.[/p][h2]Economic adjustments[/h2][p]Changed the value of items for sale from airdrops[/p][p] [/p][p]Along with their value, the appearance of the items has also changed:[/p][p] [/p][h3]Change in items that can be obtained in signal dungeons for sale[/h3][p]Rewards such as trackers, ammunition, first aid kits, etc. remained unchanged.[/p][p] [/p][p]An example of a reward for completing a dungeon in the gold burrow:[/p][p][/p][h3]Change in progression of improvements for reputation levels at bases[/h3][p]Now the greatest improvement for levelling up the base applies globally to all bases.[/p][p]For example, if you have levelled up Bar's reputation to level 7, then at any other base you will have:[/p]

• [p]40% discount on artefact research;[/p]
• [p]12% discount on repairs;[/p]
• [p]Increased sale value of mutant parts and artefacts by 30%;[/p]
• [p]12% discount on purchases from the supplier.[/p]

[p]Discount from the supplier is now also displayed in the reputation level upgrade bonuses.[/p][p]This progression has also been updated.[/p][p] [/p][h2]Other[/h2]

• [p]Added new voice lines to the announcer who warns about eruptions.[/p]
• [p]Added support for painting weapon attachments with motifs and styles. If a weapon with an equipped motif or style has no paint applied, its attachments will now automatically match the colour of that motif or style. Currently, only a limited number of motifs and styles support this feature, but the list will be gradually expanded.[/p]
• [p]Converted all unique armour paints into motifs — their paint application functionality will be added in the future.[/p]
• [p]Changed the inventory size of all styles and motifs. They now occupy 2×2 slots. Exception: converted unique armour paints still occupy 1×1 slot.[/p]
• [p]You can now left-click on the icon of compatible equipment within a motif or style to preview it immediately with the cosmetic item equipped.[/p]
• [p]Motifs now display a list of compatible styles, with the option to preview the modified model.[/p]
• [p]Weapon styles and motifs now indicate which attachments they visually modify.[/p]
• [p]Faction paint can now be removed and used optionally. It is now implemented as a motif built into compatible suits, with appearance changing depending on the faction.[/p]
• [p]Grinner style is now compatible with all Centurion motifs, including faction paint.[/p]
• [p]Concussed style is now compatible with all available motifs.[/p]
• [p]Added settings to enable damage display in Operations, the open world, and session battles.[/p]
• [p]On session maps with gear rank restrictions, backpacks and containers are now also unavailable. The gear rank on these maps now rotates every hour, with one map always active for Stalker rank gear and one for Veteran rank gear.[/p]
• [p]Added a slot for the following session maps: Inferno, Hospital, and Moria House without shotguns. One such map is active at a time and changes every 30 minutes.[/p]

[p]We will be performing server maintenance in the EU, NA, SEA and NEA regions:[/p][p]4 March, 2026[/p][p]Schedules may change due to unexpected problems.[/p][p]STALCRAFT: X servers will be unavailable during maintenance. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, and we thank you in advance for your understanding and patience.[/p][p]Respectfully,
EXBO Team[/p]