Difficulty: Stalker
Optional Features: Cougar enabled, Scurvy enabled, Trader enabled
Because I apparently enjoy making poor decisions, the answer was yes to all three.
For my first proper attempt at Stalker, I chose Mystery Lake for one simple reason: I wanted to be eased in. If the game was going to punish me, I wanted it to do so gradually.
Spawn Point: Cave Near the Fishing Huts
I started my journey in a cave near the edge of the fishing huts. One hut was close enough to feel safe, so I checked that first. The others were further out across the ice, and I could already see wolves roaming.
Not ideal. Not surprising. Very on-brand for Stalker.
Rather than pushing my luck early, I headed straight for the Camp Office. If things went wrong, at least I’d be indoors when it happened.
For context — and future mistakes —
Mystery Lake maps and region notes.
Camp Office Loot and a Small Win
The Camp Office treated me better than expected. I found:
- A lantern
- A skillet
That was enough to get something going. I lit a fire, warmed up, and decided to head back out with torches. The plan was simple: torches to deter wolves, quick trips to the huts, no unnecessary risks.
Fishing Huts: Where the Game Lied to Me
In my head, wolves were going to be circling me the entire time. I expected growling, posturing, and at least one moment of panic on the ice.
None of that happened.
Not a single wolf came near me as I moved from hut to hut. I could see them in the distance, but they kept their space. I did spot a bear, which immediately raised my stress levels, but even that had its back turned and showed no interest.
I looted what I could, kept the torches lit, and tried not to trust the calm.
Food Reality Check
After clearing the huts, I returned to the Camp Office. Food was becoming an issue, but I knew there were potatoes inside. It was Day 1, and I wasn’t going to starve overnight.
Another look around paid off when I found a cooking pot. For a brief moment, I imagined porridge and proper meals.
That optimism didn’t last.
My cooking skill was too low to do anything interesting. No porridge. No comfort food. Just the basics.
Dinner ended up being:
- Boiled water
- A couple of potatoes
- Some crackers
Not exciting, but it kept me alive, which is the only metric that matters in Stalker.
End of Day 1
I ended the first day inside the Camp Office, hydrated, minimally fed, and strangely untouched.
The wolves were present but passive. The bear made an appearance and then left. Nothing attacked me. Nothing forced a bad decision.
That kind of restraint never lasts.
For Day 2, I’m undecided:
- Head to Trapper’s Cabin
- Or go somewhere else entirely
Either way, this calm feels temporary.
Video
Day 1 Notes
- Mystery Lake is still the safest place to learn Stalker.
- Torches work, even when you don’t end up needing them.
- A bear ignoring you is luck, not safety.
- Cooking pots are exciting until skill levels intervene.
- Potatoes and crackers count as a meal.
Log #1 (You Are Here) | Log #2
Survivor Incognito 