STALCRAFT: X - News - UpdateMonitor

Patch Notes [17.12.2025]

[p]Brrr... It's freezing cold! Even a rat has frozen to the doors of the Bar – that's how fierce the winter is! Quiet evenings with the crunch of snow underfoot are now a rarity. They are increasingly replaced by the eerie wind that knocks unprepared stalkers off their feet. But not everything is so bleak! Experts have already found the least radioactive X-Mas Tree in the area and are waiting for you to decorate it.[/p][p]Content[/p]

[p]New Year's event;[/p]
[p]Gift Zone;[/p]
[p]Storm;[/p]
[p]Record-player;[/p]
[p]Santa Viv's mail;[/p]
[p]Looting update;[/p]
[p]Adding items to trash;[/p]
[p]Operations adjustments;[/p]
[p]Other changes.[/p]

[h2]New Year's event[/h2][h3]X-Mas Tree 2026[/h3][p]Stalkers got once again caught up in the festive spirit and put up decorated X-Mas Tree.[/p][p]The Event Hub now features an X-Mas Tree section, which includes challenges and the opportunity to interact with the X-Mas Tree interface itself.[/p][p]Let us remind you of the mechanics of the X-Mas Tree and tell you about the updates. In the safe zones, each player now has their own X-Mas Tree, which can be decorated with New Year's toys, just like last year. Each toy earns X-Mas Tree a certain number of points, thereby increasing its level. The number of points is also impacted by the rarity of the items worn.[/p][p]All toys are grouped into sets, and levelling them up increases the level of the X-Mas Tree itself.[/p][p]For each set of decorations you collect, you will receive a themed reward in the form of paints and charms![/p][p]Interaction with the X-Mas Tree takes place via an interface where you can change decorations, select a specific set of X-Mas Tree decorations, track its level, and view your friends' X-Mas Trees.[/p][p][/p][h3]Gifts[/h3][p]Gifts began to appear here and there throughout the Zone. Mutants certainly have no interest in them, but in safe zones they are generously paid for. You can sell them, or you can open it and get toys for the X-Mas Tree.[/p][p]Gifts can be found or obtained from the following activities:[/p]

[p]Gathering on the ground and in decorative items;[/p]
[p]With a slight chance from open world events;[/p]
[p]New Year airdrops;[/p]
[p]Daily login rewards;[/p]
[p]Session Battles modes: Standoff, Operations and Subdivision Battles;[/p]
[p]For every new Season Pass level. By the time you log in into the game, you will receive the gifts for the level you have already reached.[/p]

[h3]New Year's toys update[/h3][p]This year, the toy system has undergone conceptual changes.[/p]

[p]X-Mas Tree toys no longer exist as inventory items and cannot be sold. They are now grouped into sets for collection, and you will receive a reward for collecting a full set.[/p]
[p]Opening the gifts immediately sends all the toys to the X-Mas Tree menu, where they are automatically merged together.[/p]
[p]The updated interface now features a log of changes to your X-Mas Tree's levelling after opening new gifts – click the “Learn more” button.
[/p]
[p]By clicking on the “Learn more” button, you can find information about other toys that have increased in level. [/p][p] [/p]

[p]Toys can be upgraded an unlimited number of times.[/p]

[p]There are two types of toy changes resulting from automatic merging:[/p]
- [p]Toy has been upgraded;[/p]
- [p]Toy has been ranked up.[/p]
[p]You can track the progress of the toy's upgrade by hovering over it in the pop-up window. This information is duplicated on the filling background.[/p][p][/p]

[p]After the end of the season event, gifts and decorations for the X-Mas Tree will be removed from the game.[/p][h3]Snowman[/h3][p]Snowman has returned to us, refreshed and... hungry![/p][p]No more need to store gifts or feed toys from the X-Mas Tree. Now, every gift you open gives you one Snowflake, which you can feed to the Snowman right away![/p][p]You opened 100 gifts? You receive 100 Snowflakes! It's all fairly simple and honest. [/p][p][/p][p]In exchange for Snowflakes, the Snowman gives:[/p]

[p]Special coals, which are intended for the snowman lottery with 10 to 1 prizes;[/p]
[p]Points for X-Mas Tree go directly to the final score, without taking modifiers into account.[/p]

[p]The more you feed, the bigger the carrot![/p][p]As before, we recommend that you keep an eye on the Snowman's behaviour depending on the number of Snowflakes he has eaten.[/p][p][/p][p]To unlock the Turboman card, you need to open 10 cards.[/p][p][/p][h3]Holiday calendar[/h3][p]New winter calendar is here!
Open it every day to receive daily rewards, track your progress, and receive up to three final prizes at the end of each week! Don't miss a single day, because the rewards are worth it![/p][p][/p][p]The level of the X-Mas Tree affects the daily reward in the calendar. The higher the level, the better the rewards:[/p][p] [/p][p]Rewards are updated at 05:00 server time.[/p]

[p]The mechanics of the daily X-Mas Tree have been replaced with a calendar mechanic, where a new gift is revealed every day.[/p]
[p]Daily rewards consist of a case, which depends on the maximum level of your X-Mas Tree, and an additional item from the list.[/p]
[p]If you complete 21 days, you will receive all the rewards from the list without any repeats.[/p]

[p][/p]

[p]Each week contains a final reward: backgrounds for customising your profile and a New Year's record, which we will discuss a little later. To receive it, you must open all 7 days within the week. [/p]

[p][/p][p][/p]

[p]If you miss a day, you can redeem it for one of the currencies of your choice.[/p]

[p] [/p][p][/p][h3]Leaderboard and prizes[/h3][p]The legends of the Zone have already made it a rule that the length of the carrot does not matter, the main thing is your place in the ranking. [/p][p]Once you reach the 7th level of the X-Mas Tree, you can compete with each other to see who has the most luxurious X-Mas Tree.[/p][p][/p][p]All participants' results will be displayed in a general leaderboard, allowing you to track your current position and the number of points required to win.[/p][p]At the end of the season, the results will be summarised. Each participant will receive rewards depending on their position in the leaderboard.[/p][h3]Prizes in the race for leadership[/h3][p]During the event, there will once again be impressive prizes to compete for![/p][p] [/p][p]Let's have a closer look at the rewards:[/p]

[p]Exclusive CR-72, a compact version of the Gauss Rifle, which will be available for tickets in the next act.[/p][p] [/p]
[p]Icicle bolt with a new freezing effect, covered with thick anomalous ice.[/p][p][/p]
[p]Exclusive set for customising the profile —Coldline.[/p][p][/p]
[p]Average charm, showing the size of your snowy friend's carrot.[/p][p][/p]
[p].:S4NT4_CL4U5:..: charm, which displays your personal New Year accuracy indicator.[/p][p][/p]

[h3]Unique winter NPCs[/h3][p]New Year's Eve bustle and the warm lights of the Bar attracted suspicious and not-so-suspicious characters to the Zone. Each of them will participate in this event in their own way.[/p]

[p]Gift thief[/p][p][/p][p]Gift Thief appears at the Scrapyard and Forge-11 locations. This time, he prepared a special assortment in exchange for gifts. [/p]
[p]Vasilych[/p][p][/p][p]Will tell you about Storm and its tricks. [/p]
[p]Sled[/p][p][/p][p]Contract Provider during the Storm.[/p][p][/p][p]During the storm, special contracts for delivering parcels to Frost Fighters are available to you. Depending on the contract you choose, you can receive a small, large or huge box with gifts of all sizes. But remember, time is limited.[/p][p][/p][p]Parcels warm the owner and nearby players within a 5-metre radius. Please be careful! If you try to get rid of the parcel, the time runs out, or you die from an external factor, the parcel will explode and release fireworks. [/p]
[p]Messenger[/p][p][/p][p]A Snowman with riddles from the southern and northern parts of the Zone. You will receive gifts for completing the challenge.[/p]

[h3]Sable exclusive style[/h3][p]Upon reaching level 1000 of the Season Pass, you will be able to obtain the chilling Sable style for the Marten exoarmor![/p][p] [/p][h3]Winter special offers[/h3][p]The storm has once again brought special sets, where you can find missing items that warm the soul.[/p][p] [/p][p]For those who were most struck by the spirit of the New Year, Gift Sets were added. Treat yourself to some festive cheer and grab a couple of gifts at New Year's discounts![/p][p][/p][h2]Visual case[/h2][p]Meet the new Aesthete Case – a collection of exquisite designs that will transform your gear. Don't miss the opportunity to explore all the options available and find the one that perfectly complements your personality.[/p][p][/p][h2]Gift Zone[/h2][p]Anomalous cold spells in the Zone are the perfect time to share the magic!
Welcome to the Gift Zone!
This year, you can send your friend a Mysterious Gift – a special kind of gift that the recipient can only open after the New Year.[/p][p][/p][p]Mysterious Gift can be purchased in the shop for Stalcoins, as well as for in-game currency. Additionally, you can receive gifts as you progress through the Season, as well as for completing challenges in the Gift Zone.[/p][p] [/p][h3]How to gift a holiday to a friend?[/h3]

[p]Go to the Gift Zone.[/p]
[p]Enter the nickname of a friend or random stranger and send them a Mysterious Gift.[/p]
[p]You will receive Coal for the Snowman, and after the holidays, the recipient will find valuable resources or even Wrappers inside — a festive currency that can be exchanged for exclusive cosmetics, consumables, and rare items![/p]
[p]Gifts received appear in your mail. With the arrival of the New Year, they can be opened in the Gift Zone.[/p]
[p]Every 100 Mysterious Gifts contain approximately 20 Wrappers in addition to other rewards.[/p]

[p]
All items from gifts are personal.[/p][h3]What to spend Wrappers on?[/h3][p]This special currency can be exchanged for exclusive cosmetics, valuable consumables, and rare items in the Gift Zone shop. Team up with other players! When the community achieves the global goals for the region, new, even more valuable rewards will be available in the shop for everyone![/p][p]We will closely monitor progress and, if necessary, reduce the target number of gifts for certain stages to maintain the festive atmosphere for everyone![/p][p] [/p][h3]Special achievements and titles await you for sending and receiving gifts.[/h3]

[p]Santa's Helper 2025: Send 10 Mysterious Gifts.[/p]
[p]Santa Claus 2025: Send 100 Mysterious Gifts.[/p]
[p]Unpacker 2025: Receive 10 Mysterious Gifts.[/p]
[p]Santa's Favourite 2025: Receive 100 Mysterious Gifts.[/p]

[h3]ZIV has a special surprise for you![/h3][p]Even ZIV is filled with festive spirit! He has already prepared a batch of Mysterious Gifts for you: [/p]

[p]December 17-18,[/p]

[p]December 31 - January 1.[/p]

[p]You just need to be in the game at the moment of drawing. Perhaps you will be the lucky one! [/p][p]Give the gift of magic. May everyone have a holiday.[/p][h2]Storm[/h2][p]A temporary but large-scale event that occurs between regular eruptions is returning. It covers the entire CEZ, except for the Lyubech-3 and Stillwaters locations, severely limits visibility, and also imposes the Frost infection. The further north your location is, the stronger the influence of these effects.[/p][p]Similar to the eruptions, the announcer warns of the approach of a Storm, which lasts approximately 30 minutes.[/p][p]On the location map, you can see predictions of the Storm's approach and observe its activity from a safe zone.[/p][p][/p][h3]This year's Storm: what has changed compared to last season?[/h3]

[p]Boxes containing consumables that will help you cope with the Storm appear in the open world. They now appear constantly, with a lower spawn density. [/p]
[p]Updated the Storm effect.[/p]
[p]Activities: airdrops at the Scrapyard and Forge-11.[/p][p][/p]

[p]New frosty artefact: Opal.[/p][p][/p]
[p]Daily tasks related to the Storm have been added to the Season Pass.[/p][p][/p]

[h2]Record-player[/h2][p]Everyone can now craft a record player in the Hideout. [/p][p]The records themselves can be obtained from various sources within the game.[/p][p][/p][p]1) Location ambient is obtained through looting with a small chance.[/p][p][/p][p]2) For some story quests, such as completing the South and North storylines, you can receive album entries. For those who have already completed the storyline, expect compensation soon.[/p][p][/p][p]3) Event records – will be obtained within modes in various ways.[/p][p][/p][p]The owner of the player has the option to allow their guests to play their own tracks by enabling a special setting. Guests will also be able to manage the owner's collection.[/p][p] [/p][h2]The player is in the safe zone.[/h2][p]A public music player has been installed next to the stage at the Drunken Geiger bar, and anyone can add a song to the queue.[/p][p]Limitations: [/p]

[p]One player may only place three compositions at a time;[/p]
[p]Maximum queue length – 100 tracks;[/p]
[p]When leaving the safe zone, the player's compositions are removed from the queue.[/p]

[h2]Santa Viv's Mail[/h2][p]The New Year season is a time to look back on the ending year and to make wishes for the year ahead.[/p][p]On the Mainland, Santa Claus is in full charge during this time, but the Zone has not been left without its own wizard either. Meet Santa Viv![/p][p][/p][p]He's here for a reason: Santa Viv wants to collect letters about what your year in the Zone was like and what you would like to see in the following year. He will definitely pass these wishes to the EXBO team.[/p][p]Santa Viv will accept your letters from December 17 to December 24.[/p][h3]How to write a letter?[/h3]

[p]Talk to Courier.[/p]
[p]Choose “Send a package”.[/p]
[p]In the “To” field, enter the name: Santa_Viv.[/p]
[p]In the “Message” field, write your wishes.[/p][p][/p]

[p]Santa Viv can also explain how to send him a letter — you can talk to him in the Bar and at faction bases.[/p][h3]What should you write?[/h3][p]Tell us how your year in the Zone went:
· which moments you remember most;
· what wishes you would like to leave for the developers for the next year.[/p][p]The most heartfelt letters will be read by ZIV during the EXBO New Year stream.[/p][p]However, please follow a few rules:[/p]

[p]The letter must contain at least 300 characters;[/p]
[p]Insults are prohibited.[/p]

[p]All senders whose letters match the theme and do not violate the rules will receive a small gift from Santa Viv next year![/p]

[p]Attention! Be cautious to avoid possible scams.[/p][p] Santa_Viv will never contact players directly, will not ask for money or other in-game valuables, will not distribute “prizes” through third-party links, and will not ask for personal data. Gifts for submitted letters will be sent by the System — no additional contact with anyone is required.[/p][h2]Looting rework[/h2][p]Updated visual display

Each lootable object now has three states:[/p]

[p]Closed — not looted;[/p]
[p]Half-open — partially looted;[/p]
[p]Open — fully looted.[/p]

[p]Example 1 (Stash):[/p][p][/p][p]Example 2 (Military crate):[/p][p][/p][p]Example 3 (Safe):[/p][p][/p][p]The placement of all lootable objects has been changed to balance their quantity for each faction.[/p][p]Economic changes[/p][p]Made minor adjustments to the looting economy, and no major changes are planned in the near future. However, a comprehensive rework of the economic system is planned in the long term.[/p][p]Stashes[/p][p]Added stashes to all open world locations where they previously did not exist.[/p][p]Faction containers[/p][p]Each faction now has its own containers.[/p][p][/p][p]A container can only be searched if it belongs to a faction that the player is not a member of.[/p][p]The closer a faction container is to the faction’s home location, the more valuable its contents may be.[/p][p]Changes to the faction container economy are possible in the future. [/p][h3]Old lootable objects[/h3][p]All old lootable objects can no longer be searched.[/p][h2]Adding items to Trash[/h2][p]Added the option to move items to Trash for easier selection of needed items during activities and looting.[/p][p]Right-click an item to select “Add to Trash”.[/p][p]Quick pickup using the X key will not pick up items added to Trash.[/p][p]Items can still be moved manually.[/p][p][/p][p]After adding an item to Trash, its icon becomes darker and a corresponding symbol appears.[/p][p][/p][p]Items that can be added to Trash include:[/p]

[p]Plates;[/p]
[p]Grenades;[/p]
[p]Items for sale;[/p]
[p]Ammunition;[/p]
[p]Mutant parts;[/p]
[p]Consumables;[/p]
[p]Barter items.[/p]

[h2]Operations changes[/h2]

[p]Access to the mode no longer requires completing a quest.[/p]
[p]After completing a task, a timer starts, after which players are automatically teleported to the next task or the Operation ends.[/p]
[p]Updated the design of the Special goals tab.[/p]
[p]Reduced the number of Core Inhibitors received from disassembling Picklock and Newbie Modules.[/p]
[p]Reduced the number of Inhibitors in rewards for completing Operations.[/p]
[p]Reduced prices for restoring Picklock and Newbie Modules.[/p]
[p]Increased the chance of receiving Module Cores for completing Operations.[/p]
[p]Changed the composition of enemy waves summoned by Ratcatcher.[/p]
[p]Changed the composition of enemy waves in the second stage of Communication Hubs capture.[/p]
[p]Fixed an issue when squad members were not displayed during the search of the game.[/p]

[h2]Other[/h2]

[p]Added the ability to sit on seats in all main safe zones.[/p]
[p]Added voice chat rooms in the following safe zones: [/p]
- [p]Fire Station[/p][p][/p]
- [p] Village School[/p][p][/p]
[p]Added the option to change the volume of incoming messages, such as eruption notifications.
The "Volume of incoming messages" option now adjusts the volume of messages related to game events, eruption notifications, and story-related PDA messages.[/p]
[p]Item grouping has been added to the exchange interface in the list on the left. This option can be disabled if desired.[/p]
[p]Returned the Veteran rank to the SAC-2 detector.[/p]
[p]Updated models of Trijicon Collimator Sight and LaRue Collimator Sight.[/p]
[p]Updated models of PKP Pecheneg and all versions of FAMAS G2 and AA-12.[/p]
[p]Adjusted the weight of some items.[/p]
[p]Added sections for containers, backpacks, and bags to the auction.[/p]

[p][/p]

[p]Added display of the percentage of plate armour penetration for ammunition.[/p]

[p] [/p]

[p]Fixed the lack of statistics display on Arms Race and DeathMatch.[/p]

[p][/p]

[p]The Handmade LD can now be mounted on the lower rail of the Glock.[/p]
[p]Added an integrated collimator sight for Glock 18X and Glock 18X Gift for the Chosen One.[/p]
[p]Increased the maximum number of players in the Hideout to 35 for the duration of the New Year event.[/p]
[p]Changes to Season Pass tasks:[/p]
- [p]Merged the tasks “Complete the ZIVCAS Raid event”, “Complete the Protecting scientists from mutants event” and the “Helping Allies event” into a single task “Complete the helping allies event”.[/p]

[p]
[/p]

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Patch Notes [17.12.2025]

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