The given barrell[sic] is the excellent work of one of the stalkers-craftsmen who managed to work the rifle to by able to fit the more widespread 5.45 mm bullet.
― In-game description
The "Tunder" 5.45 is a variant of the Tunder S14 assault rifle, modified to fire the 5.45×39mm caliber, featured in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl.
Description[]
The "Tunder" 5.45 has no difference compared to the original Tunder S14 minus the different caliber and much higher reliability; it takes twice as many shots to fully degrade a "Tunder" 5.45 from 100% to 0%, compared to a stock Tunder S14. On the other hand, the "Tunder" 5.45 features the disadvantages of the 5.45x39mm caliber - i.e. lower penetration, making the weapon less effective against armored enemies. However, it also features the advantages - namely the 5.45 is one of the most common ammo types of the game, easily found from the beginning to the end of the game, making it not uncommon to have high amounts of ammunition for the weapon.
The most important thing about the "Tunder" 5.45 is that, despite being chambered in 5.45×39mm, it has the same damage value as its 9×39mm parent. This makes it the clear-cut best 5.45mm caliber weapon in the game. While it won't do as much damage as the normal Tunder S14 because of worse ammunition modifiers, the 5.45mm ammunition is much more common, lighter and has better range. One more minor downside of the weapon itself – along with its ammunition – is an accuracy worse than that of the default variant.
As the "Tunder" 5.45 can be obtained even at the start of the game, after gathering 20 000 RU, it can be easily considered as the best weapon available until reaching the Army Warehouses. Its only downside compared to the Fast-shooting Akm 74/2 or available NATO rifles (such as the IL 86 or the TRs 301) is a much worse accuracy, so the player's abilities in long-range combat are vastly limited. On the other hand, this weapon features impressive damage per second, very good handling (allowing sights to center faster), uses a common lightweight ammunition type, and comes with an integrated grenade launcher.
Acquisition[]
There are two ways to acquire this unique weapon.
- At the beginning of a new game, the "Tunder" 5.45 may be bought from Sidorovich. From the moment the player starts a new game, he will randomly offer the weapon for sale at a price of 20 000 RU. It is somewhat rare (10% of chances of appearing in his inventory) but can be coaxed to appear in the trader inventory by reloading a previous save. However, the "Tunder" 5.45 will only appear up until the Marked One speaks to Wolf after defeating the Bandits that captured Nimble. Speaking to Wolf after rescuing Nimble will permanently remove the "Tunder" 5.45 from Sidorovich's inventory, although giving Sidorovich Nimble's flash drive will not remove it.
- This weapon is also held by a Duty member, Barin, who can be found in the Bar at the start of the game. After the player enters the Bar, Barin may stay there, although he can randomly go in five directions:
- To the Garbage Duty checkpoint, if any of the guards there is killed
- To the Dark Valley (only after the player obtained the Documents from Lab X18, part 4), at the outpost at the Garbage entrance, sitting there with other Duty stalkers
- To the Wild Territory, at the Bar entrance
- On a rare occasion, to the Yantar mobile lab, but only if the Lab X-16 part of the main quest is completed, and one of the guards is killed
- To the Army Warehouses
See also[]
- Storm - S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat counterpart.
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