Skip to main content
Join The Community
- Join our community
Commenting
Join the discussion
Exclusive Articles Coming Soon
Member-only articles
Weekly Newsletters
Weekly gaming & entertainment news
Member Badges
Earn badges as you go
Exclusive Competitions
Members-only prize draws
Curated Deals Coming Soon
Tech and gaming deals worth grabbing
GET COMMUNITY ACCESS QUICK
For the quickest way to join, simply enter your email below and get access. We will send a confirmation and sign you up to our newsletter to keep you updated on all your gaming news.
By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
FIND OUT ABOUT OUR MAGAZINE
Want to subscribe to the magazine? Click the button below to find out more information.
Find out more
GET Community ACCESS QUICK

Join the GamesRadar community for quick access. Enter your email below and we'll send confirmation, and sign you up to our newsletter.

By submitting your information, you confirm you are aged 16 or over, have read our Privacy Policy and agree to the Terms & Conditions. Geographical rules apply.

Welcome to GamesRADAR+ Community !
Hi ,

Your membership journey starts here.

Keep exploring and earning more as a member.

MY ACCOUNT

Earn your first badge
Read 1 article to unlock your first badge.
Keep earning badges
Explore ways to get more involved as a member.
Latest Games News

Latest Games News

Breaking gaming news and updates

Read Now
Latest Games Reviews

Latest Games Reviews

Expert verdicts on the newest releases

Read Now

See what you’ve unlocked.

Explore your membership benefits.

Explore
Member Exclusives

Stay Ahead with GamesRadar+

Get the biggest gaming news, reviews, and releases straight to your inbox.

Explore

Sign Out
GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
  • Home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • Big Preview
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Buying Guides
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Video
    • View Video
    • Videos
    • GR+ Replay - Submit Your Clips
    • G+RLS Podcast
  • Edge
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
Trending
  • EDGE GTAVI exclusive
  • Join our monthly RPG Club
  • Golden Joystick Awards 2026
  • Deal of the Day
  • Countdown to GTA 6
  • Submit your clips. Win prizes
  • RPG Hub
  • G+RLS Podcast
Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


Join the club

Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards.


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
  1. Games
  2. FPS Games
  3. Stalker 2: Heart of Chornobyl

How to find and kill STALKER 2 poltergeists

Guides
By Leon Hurley Contributions by Grace Dean
last updated 20 November 2025

How to find and kill these invisible enemies in STALKER 2

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

STALKER 2 poltergeists
(Image credit: GSC Game World)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
0
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Subscribe to our newsletter

STALKER 2 poltergeists are enemies that are invisible, which can be very confusing if you aren't familiar with them and their chaotic ways. Poltergeists are found in three variants – basic, electric, and fire – all of which are hard to find and even harder to kill, unless you know how they can be beaten. To help you out with this, we have guidance on how to find and kill STALKER 2 poltergeists so that you can deal with the threat and move on once you know what to look for. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to have one of the best STALKER 2 weapons to hand either, so you can dish out the required damage.

STALKER 2 poltergeists

how to see a STALKER 2 poltergeist

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

You'll know a STALKER 2 poltergeist is around when you start seeing floating objects that attack you. Boxes, barrels, crates – anything can suddenly rise into the air before flying at you, and if you can't find the source then it's going to be happening the entire time you're in the area.

What you're looking for is the swirling spectral glow you can see in the image above. That's the poltergeist and, while it looks ethereal, it's actually very physical. It just uses invisibility, much like a Bloodsucker in Heart of Chornobyl. However, Bloodsuckers appear just as they attack, giving themselves away, and they don't throw objects. Also you'll generally only find poltergeists inside, while Bloodsuckers tend to appear more out in the open.

Latest Videos FromGamesRadar+
Watch full video here:

When you start getting attacked in STALKER 2, immediately keep moving to avoid taking damage. If you do see an object start to float, try to break line of sight with it, as otherwise it will just launch straight at you. While moving, listen for a strange fizzing noise or the occasional animal noise, as that should lead you to the poltergeist if you can't initially see it.

Once you find the glowing shape, unload whatever STALKER 2 weapon you have into it and it will throw up a rubble shield to protect itself before running away. The trick to defeating the poltergeist is to stay on it and repeat this process – it can take a while, but if you keep on the smokey shape and shoot it at every chance you get then you'll eventually kill the poltergeist and reveal its ugly-ass, non-invisible form:

You may like
  • Helldivers 2 Illuminate Wretch attacking player with arm claw How to kill Illuminate Wretches in Helldivers 2
  • Helldivers 2 Crusher winding up overheard slam with club in front of player How to kill Illuminate Crushers in Helldivers 2
  • arc raiders tracks of the beast Arc Raiders Tracks of the Beast guide and walkthrough

STALKER 2 poltergeist dead

(Image credit: GSC Game World)

Once it's dead, you'll stop being attacked and will be free to go about whatever you were trying to do before boxes started killing you. Electric and Fire poltergeists can be dealt with in much the same way, but use their respective elements to attack you and, as a result, they can be much more dangerous to deal with.

It's enemies like this that mean you really want to make sure you repair broken guns in STALKER 2 when you can, as a weapon failure at the wrong time can easily get you killed.

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission

CATEGORIES
PC Gaming Xbox Series X PS5 Platforms Xbox PlayStation
Leon Hurley
Leon Hurley
Social Links Navigation
Managing editor for guides

I'm GamesRadar's Managing Editor for guides. I also write reviews, previews and features, largely about horror, action adventure, FPS and open world games. I previously worked on Kotaku, and the Official PlayStation Magazine and website.

With contributions from
  • Grace Dean Freelance Writer

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

Read more
Helldivers 2 Illuminate Wretch attacking player with arm claw
Third Person Shooters How to kill Illuminate Wretches in Helldivers 2
 
 
Helldivers 2 Crusher winding up overheard slam with club in front of player
Third Person Shooters How to kill Illuminate Crushers in Helldivers 2
 
 
arc raiders tracks of the beast
Third Person Shooters Arc Raiders Tracks of the Beast guide and walkthrough
 
 
Bullies in Arc Raiders
Third Person Shooters How to beat the Arc Raiders Bullies
 
 
mistfall hunter greataxe berserker
Action RPGs Mistfall Hunter Greataxe Berserker location and tips
 
 
Elden Ring Shadow of the Erdtree
Action RPGs How to get through the Abyssal Woods in Elden Ring
 
 
Latest in FPS Games
The MW4 nuke killstreak flies through the air before detonation.
Call of Duty MW4 Nuke killstreak requirements
 
 
MW4 DMZ weapon manuals
Call of Duty The best places to find DMZ Weapon Manuals in Modern Warfare 4
 
 
DMZ comms modules mw4
Call of Duty Where to find and loot comms modules in MW4 DMZ
 
 
power regulators in MW4 DMZ
Call of Duty Where to find and loot power regulators in MW4 DMZ
 
 
radio towers DMZ MW4
Call of Duty How to place a transmitter on top of radio towers in Modern Warfare 4 DMZ
 
 
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 trailer screen grab showing John Price
Call of Duty Modern Warfare 4 has received a DMZ change that was "so badly needed"
 
 
Latest in Guides
The MW4 nuke killstreak flies through the air before detonation.
Call of Duty MW4 Nuke killstreak requirements
 
 
Fortnite Treasure Hunters Season
Fortnite When does the Fortnite Treasure Hunters mini-season start?
 
 
The Anime Ball Duels logo showing two anime balls in a box
Simulation Games All Anime Ball Duels codes (October 2026) and how to redeem them for free spins
 
 
Phantom Blade Zero launch trailer Soul swinging sword with projectile hitting enemy
Action RPGs What time does Phantom Blade Zero launch?
 
 
MW4 DMZ weapon manuals
Call of Duty The best places to find DMZ Weapon Manuals in Modern Warfare 4
 
 
DMZ comms modules mw4
Call of Duty Where to find and loot comms modules in MW4 DMZ
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. EA didn't deserve BioWare if that's the case
    1
    BioWare co-founder says EA's Saudi Arabia buyout was "the final nail in the coffin" for the RPG studio: "It's easier just to pump out sports games"
  2. 2
    86-year-old singer in GTA 6 has no idea what Grand Theft Auto is: "The show is a game show, isn't it, really? One of the biggest on TV?”
  3. 3
    Alien Isolation 2's Xenomorph will "hunt you more aggressively" and use weather to track you down in outdoor spaces "10 times bigger" than the first game
  4. 4
    Can anyone overthrow Steam on PC? "As long as Valve is independent and not a publicly traded company," analyst says it looks impossible
  5. 5
    Phantom Blade Zero is the 20-year culmination of a $7 indie RPG: "Sometimes, it is passion and a little madness that give a game its richest flavor"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • About us
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...