The Ribs is one of the rare anomalous zones found in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. Much like the Poppy Field, this dangerous area is part of the main mission after finding Squint.
You can’t get inside the facility if you don’t know how to acquire a key, so it’s not easily exploitable if you want to rush your way into the campaign.
Here’s how to get inside the Ribs in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl:
Get the Key from the Main Mission
If you follow through with the main mission, you should get the key to get inside Ribs naturally. You need to talk to Richter and the Gaffer in Zalissya to get the key.
They’re having trouble finding an individual named Squint. This should be your main goal. Once you find him (he’s inside a Windmill near a farm), he will take you on another side quest. Once it’s done, go back to Richter, and they should give you the key.
click to enlarge
+ 3Getting inside the Ribs is essential, as you need an ISPF Code to access the Sphere, a secret military base hidden in the Zone. The Ribs is found southeast of Zalissya.
Use Bolts
This is where your trusty bolts come in. Now, you should know how to quell anomalies in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. If you don’t know how, check out our beginner’s guide.
All you have to do is throw bolts at those weird, anomalous zones you find. You should be finding a lot of them inside Ribs.
click to enlarge + 3Throw the bolts at the warped locations, which will momentarily stop them, making it safe to pass through. Make sure you do this fast; otherwise, you’re sucked into its dangerous radius.
Pick Up the Artifact
Before you enter that massive hole in a wall, there’s an Artifact hidden somewhere in the anomalous field. Artifacts are additional perks found in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.; these can be equipped and come with various status buffs. The one found in Ribs can help you protect from physical damage.
The Artifact is located in the rightmost part of the area, so it’s best you prepare by getting your Echo Detector ready. This should start beeping like crazy when you’re near it, so keep a close watch on its intensity. Don’t forget, you’re still in a dangerous area, so keep throwing your bolts.
Once you find the Artifact, bolt out of the area and head into that huge broken hole.
Make It Through the Ribs
Now that you’re inside the facility, you must explore and loot everything necessary. Don’t Overrencumber yourself; you need to constantly run from a mysterious new Ball Lightning enemy.
click to enlarge + 3Once you get the codes, find the exit and keep running. The next quest should tell you to get inside the Sphere, which is S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2’s first combat-heavy quest, as there are a lot of enemies there.