Metro Exodus is a terrifying post-apocalyptic survival game, and it can be very difficult to play through the base game because of all the challenging mechanics that the developers implemented. However, the stalker mode is the hardest difficulty that players can use to challenge themselves, and it can be very tough to play through this difficulty without strategies.

RELATED: Fallout 4: 10 Pro Tips For Getting Nuclear Material

The following tips will help players that want to beat the first person shooter on stalker mode and give some tips that will help both players that are experiencing their first playthrough or returning to replay the game on this higher difficulty.

10 Don't Initiate Combat

Initiating combat instead of sneaking around will be a major mistake while playing on stalker mode because of how much damage multiple enemies can deal to the player at once. A lot of other post-apocalyptic games can also be played in a stealthy way, such as Fallout 4.

The best way to deal with enemies on stalker mode is to simply not initiate combat with them, and although this can be difficult sometimes because enemies are more self-aware than on the lower difficulties, it's still worth trying to sneak around them because that can avoid using precious resources and getting killed swiftly by a group of enemies.

9 Stick To The Edge Of The Map

This tip only applies for the open-world segments of the post-apocalyptic Metro Exodus; however, it will be crucial to survival while playing through these chapters. The open-world levels usually have some form of restriction to them, such as mountains or other environmental items that players cannot pass through.

RELATED: 10 Tips For Fallout 4 Survival Mode

The best way to survive on stalker mode is to stick to the edge of the map because there will be fewer enemies that are spawning there compared to the middle of the map. An example of this is in the Taiga, where players will encounter less wolves and humans if they stick to the side of the mountain.

8 Conserve Ammo And Attempt For Head Shots

A screenshot of handgun ammo on a table from Metro Exodus

Ammo is important in stalker mode, and this is especially true because of how little resources players will find throughout the different buildings and structures in the game. Players should attempt to get headshots instead of shooting straight at the enemy's body because it will allow for the conservation of ammo.

Wasting ammo is not an option in stalker mode because if players run out of it, then they will have hardly anything to damage their enemies with. Getting headshots, for the most part, will eliminate this issue and allow players to deal much more damage with a single bullet.

7 Never Lose Focus

Landscape image of Metro Exodus

Sometimes players can let their guard down and stop focusing for a few minutes to check their phone or do something else in the real world. This is not possible in stalker mode, and players will need to learn this if they hope to complete the game on the hardest difficulty.

RELATED: Fallout 4: 10 Pro-Tips For Using Power Armor

Players will need to be very focused because a few shots from an enemy could mean certain death for a player. Remember to stay engrossed in the game and not let your guard down for even a second.

6 Craft Whenever The Chance Is Given And Don't Wait

Crafting is an important mechanic in Metro Exodus, and it was implemented very well into this franchise. However, a lot of players often don't make the most of it, especially because they believe that they will find a workbench later when they have more supplies.

However, in stalker mode, there will be less workbenches around the map for players to find, and as such, it will be crucial to use one whenever players encounter them. Never wait to use a workbench and utilize it fully when one is discovered during the game.

5 Swap Weapons Regularly

Weapons degrade much faster in stalker mode than in the lower difficulties, and it will be important to swap weapons regularly when players don't believe that they will make it back to the train for a while.

RELATED: 10 Rage 2 Tips For Beginners

Players can swap weapons with any enemy that they kill, and this will need to be done regularly if players want to maintain the best condition for their weapons at all times. It will be especially helpful if players happen to find the weapon that they were already using on an enemy.

4 Always Carry Tin Cans

Tin cans can be thrown to distract enemies, and as previously mentioned, it is very advantageous in stalker mode to sneak around instead of attacking head-on. Tin cans can be crafted by using a workbench, and this will need to be done regularly for players that want to maintain a stealth playthrough.

Tin cans can also be found throughout the world, and they should be conserved for the most dangerous situations where players don't believe that they can sneak through by themselves.

3 Practice Counting Bullets And Using The Control Scheme

A gameplay screenshot of Metro Exodus

The player HUD in stalker mode will be much less present, and players will need to learn the layout much more thoroughly than players that are adventuring on the lower difficulties.

Learning the different buttons will be crucial when players are in the midst of combat, and sometimes it can be difficult with all of the different equipment that players have, such as the flashlight and charger. It is also important to count bullets because the HUD will not be present, and players will not know how many bullets they have at all times.

2 Retreat From Bad Situations

Sometimes players will need to retreat during stalker mode because of the amount of damage that enemies will deal to them when faced with multiple threats at once. It may seem difficult to retreat from battles if players are trying to challenge themselves; however, that is sometimes the only way to defeat the enemies. This is important to do in every Metro game.

Players can run back to the train and get resupplied or get out of the fight and recover for a few minutes and then head back into that segment of the game. It will also help reset the enemies so that players will get another chance at sneaking by if that is what their goal was.

1 Check Every Location Thoroughly For Supplies Before Moving On

Supplies are scarce in Metro Exodus, and this is only magnified by playing on stalker mode. There is very little ammo and other supplies that players will find while adventuring on this difficulty, and sometimes players can overlook containers if they are rushing through a level. Checking for supplies has always been very important in the Metro franchise, but in this difficulty, it is more important than ever.

The best way to avoid missing out on chances to gain extra ammo and supplies is to play slowly and check every shelf and house. Remembering to thoroughly explore everything is the most important thing while playing in stalker mode because of the lack of supplies that most players will have.

NEXT: Fallout 76: 10 Tips & Tricks To Get The Power Armor Station Plans