Guide to ‘The Poppy Field’ Quest in STALKER 2

"The Poppy Field" is one of the initial side quests you’ll encounter in STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl. You’ll meet a guy named Mityay as soon as you arrive in the town of Zalissya, and he has a special task for you. Your mission? Hunt down an Orthodox icon tied to his family’s history.

In this STALKER 2 guide, we’ll take you step-by-step through "The Poppy Field" quest. We’ll cover where to track down that elusive Orthodox icon, pinpoint the root cellar’s location, and help you figure out whether it’s wiser to hand the icon over to Pomor or bring it back to Mityay.

Finding the Orthodox Icon in "The Poppy Field"

The search for the Orthodox icon leads you to a root cellar nestled within The Poppy Field, an anomaly found northwest of Zalissya, the primary town in the Lesser Zone. Your map will guide you to the spot, but watch out—those pesky monsters might decide to follow you into the field.

Upon reaching your destination, a fellow named Pomor gets in touch. He proposes selling you directions to the root cellar. But there’s a catch: he wants upfront payment or a little favor. His idea of a favor is you scavenging the field for bodies. For now, you can brush off his offer; we might chat with him later.

Locating the Root Cellar in "The Poppy Field"

As you set foot in The Poppy Field, things get trippy—your character starts blinking like crazy, making the screen go all blurry. If you lose conrol, brace yourself to wake up somewhere random, like up on a roof or inside a barn. Get stuck in this loop too long, and you’re done for.

To stay alert, grab a Non-Stop Energy Drink. It’ll keep you conscious for a while, but you’ll need more than one to make it all the way to the cellar. Luckily, there are a couple of these drinks stashed in each building within The Poppy Field.

Your map shows the way—head to the western portion of the field, right next to that green patch on the left side. The cellar’s entrance is right there, snuggled among the grass and flowers, waiting to be discovered.

Head down the hole, and you’re safe from the poppies’ effect. Walk ahead and snatch the Orthodox icon—a portrait of a religious figure placed on a shelf.

Choosing Between Pomor or Mitay

You now face a choice: who do you hand over the Orthodox icon to—Mityay or Pomor?

If you decide to give the icon to Pomor, he’ll reward you with the Unknown Stalker’s AR416 rifle. On the surface, it seems like a pretty solid weapon with decent firepower and accuracy. The catch? It’s at 10% durability, so you’ll need to invest heavily to restore it to its former glory. In contrast, if you give the icon to Mitay back in Zalissya, he’ll part with 1,000 Coupons in exchange.

Ultimately, it’s your call. Neither option will drastically impact your long-term progress, so there’s no right or wrong choice here. Although Pomor’s rifle is practically unusable until repaired, Mitay’s offer of Coupons is a tangible asset early in the game. Plus, Mitay’s attitude is a lot friendlier, if that sways your decision. Our advice? Stick with giving the icon to Mityay for the most straightforward benefit.