The Dnipro is one of the strongest assault rifles you can find in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl today. It combines a fast firing rate, good penetration, manageable recoil, and widely available 5.45x39mm ammunition. You can also obtain one without spending your Coupons by exploring a dangerous part of the Zone.
The easiest free Dnipro is located inside the Lishchyna Facility in the Red Forest. The facility is on the eastern side and is filled with hostile enemies, so carry enough ammunition, healing items, and a reliable weapon.
There is also another Dnipro at the Cooling Towers. This version is found at the top of a cooling tower and is in poor condition, so you will probably need repairs. The Lishchyna Facility remains the better choice if you want a free rifle in better condition.
How to Get the Dnipro at Lishchyna Facility
Start by traveling to the Lishchyna Facility in the Red Forest. Near the facility, look for a small bunker or cave structure with an open wooden entrance. Enter it and search the room for a key sitting on a table.
Once you have the key, leave the bunker and head toward the facility entrance. Use the key on the locked door. As you enter, be ready for a fight because several zombies are inside the building.
Move through the facility and clear the enemies as you go. Eventually, you will reach a room where a locked gate prevents you from continuing. Do not waste time trying to force your way through it. Instead, look for a ladder nearby.
Climb the ladder and interact with the terminal at the top. Press the large red button to unlock the gate below. Return to the lower level and go through the newly opened passage.
Defeat the Controller
A Controller is waiting beyond the unlocked gate. This mutant can cause serious trouble because of its powerful psi attacks. Stay alert, keep your distance when necessary, and attack it as quickly as you safely can.
After dealing with the Controller, continue through the tunnel. Follow the corridor until you reach the room at the end. Look to your right and search the lockers inside the room.
The Dnipro will be sitting inside one of them there. Pick it up and check its durability before leaving. You can then use a nearby route to climb out of the facility and return to the surface.
Alternative Dnipro Location
If you want another free Dnipro, travel to the Cooling Towers region. Look around the southern side of the large cooling tower for scaffolding with ladders. There is a spatial anomaly near the top that can transport you onto the tower.
Be careful while climbing because the route includes a grenade trap. You do not need to enter the Fire Whirl anomaly itself. After reaching the top, follow the walkway and look for the weapon near a stash.
The Cooling Towers Dnipro has very low durability, so it is mainly useful if you are prepared to spend money on repairs.
Can You Buy the Dnipro?
Yes. Once you reach the northern areas of the Zone, the Dnipro can also be purchased from certain traders. Wreck at Yaniv Station is one reliable option, while traders in Prypiat can also sell the rifle. Buying one is much simpler than fighting through Lishchyna Facility, but it can cost a large number of Coupons.
Why the Dnipro Is Worth Getting
The Dnipro uses 5.45x39mm ammunition, which is common and relatively inexpensive. Its high rate of fire and strong penetration make it particularly useful against tougher human enemies. It also supports several useful attachments, including optical sights, suppressors, and larger magazines.
Technicians can improve the rifle further with upgrades. A caliber conversion can also change it to 7.62x39mm ammunition, increasing damage while adding more recoil.
