I'm getting more used to the game every day. This is the first time I've ever played STALKER anything, and it's a blast!

I'd like a little bit of advice though, even if I'm more than willing to figure most things out on my own...

The main trader I go to, Sidorovich, seems to cycle his inventory every other in-game day or so, but I'm never sure what to invest in and what not to.

Should I just take what I can loot along the way, or should I purchase something if I have enough RU, such as the 24,000 RU Merc Suit?

I did do the mistake of buying a shotgun, only to loot it a few minutes later at the factory when killing bandits. But not sure if I'll be running into the Merc Suit soon or not, or if I'll get something different along the way.

This games great though!

Hmm? Spoiler? Where?!

And in general I figured as much. Most games where you can buy decent looking things, even if far from the best, early in the game are best kept to being found through looting or scavenging instead. I already got a bandit jacket out of a box and was able to replace my basic leather jacket. Maybe I'll get the Merc Suit, or something even better, in the same manner.

from what I've experienced you usually know you need to invest in better armor/weapons once you get your ass kicked seriously :) it's more apparent later in the game (e.g. you need an antiradiation suit to be able to walk somewhere you need to, you need a sniper-like weapon because there are enemies who have them and kill you from distance)

but at the beginning I think it's good to just hold on to a weapon you like shooting with and that does enough damage, and just buy a better armor once the one you wear is all broken and useless...

it's also good to loot and sell as much as possible at the beginning, as you don't want to find yourself in a situation where you need ammo/armor/something and you're broke. and as in many other games, this fades away later in the game and you'll be swimming in money before you finish :)

Don't sell or waste ammo so utilize sneak methods so you can come close and finish them off safely and quickly. I kept cash ready and bought every single medkit/anti-rad/bandage I could find just so I would never die in hotspots even if I played almost exclusively by stealth.

I used the url tag to hide the spoiler (as we don't have spoiler tags). If you reply or open the edit window on your post you'll see!

I'm a new player as well, and I find the pistols and shotguns to be just fine at the beginning. I have tons of ammo for them. In fact, I wish there was an AEK-919 or a Skorpion or some other SMG chambered for 9x18mm Makarov. I must have 900+ rounds already, and only pistols to use with it.

I'm saving most of my 9mm and 5.45mm ammo. The MP-5 is great, but it's high rate of fire eats up ammo pretty quickly. Same with the AKs.

Not to spoil anything but there is actually a modified viper laying around in the garbage. ;)

There are some special weapon variants that use more common ammo (including an SMG that uses 9x18mm pistol ammo). Special weapons and equipment are marked with a big arrow in the inventory (making them instantly recognisable) but you'll have to explore thoroughly to find them. Check any stashes you find the locations for and also watch for corpses on the mini-map that weren't made by you since some are pre-placed at the start of the game with specific loot. There are also some living NPCs roaming around with special weapons (some side missions task you with killing them).

Also remember that you can switch weapons to single-shot mode (default key is 0). I use this mode almost exclusively.

Good advice!

I've found two special weapons so far (a pistol and an AK with an integral silencer - the pistol is very effective, but I'm saving the AK for now). I've been keeping an eye out for a 9x18mm SMG. I'll double my efforts!

Thanks a lot!

no prob!