12x76 slug rounds are an ammo type for shotguns available in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.
General Characteristics[]
The slug is a shotgun shell that is #12 Gauge / 18.5mm (0.729") wide and 76mm (3") long. It is a solid bullet rather than a cluster of lead shot. Rather than piercing, these lead slugs simply punch through armor.
Slugs have none of the disadvantages of regular buckshot, and have decent penetration and velocity. As an advantage, it has lower air resistance than assault rifle rounds, making it more accurate and giving it longer range than buckshot. It has only slightly higher penetration than standard assault rifle ammunition, making it barely useful against human opponents. However, as it only fires a single projectile, careful aim must be taken in order to use effectively, and in fact, turns the entire idea of a shotgun on its head. While in theory, slugs and darts should allow for near-sniper-like performance, one must remember that unless specifically upgraded for single projectile munition, shotguns have much lower accuracy than rifles, as well as much cruder iron sights, making long-range fighting with these munition types difficult.
It is most effective against humans with little to no armor and is ineffective against mutants.
An important thing to note though, is that amongst common ammunition, 12x76 slugs are some of the heaviest bullets the player can acquire, and can surprisingly quickly overencumber a player.
Weapon Compatibility[]
Appearances[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
A round with a heavy naked bullet. It is usually used for big game hunting, but can be used for other purposes. Its heavy bullet does not pierce but actually forces itself through bulletproof vests. It is designed for the TOS 34, the BM 17, the Chaser 13 and the SPSA14 shotguns. It is effective at a range of up to 100 meters.
― In-game description
In Shadow of Chernobyl, slug rounds are overall less effective than dart rounds, but remain a very solid alternative. Slug rounds do not add extra armor penetration unlike darts, but enable the player to use their shotgun at longer ranges. These rounds are extremely effective (one-hit kill against Bandits and light Military) against enemies with relatively lightweight armor, such as the Stalker Suit and the Mercenary suit. Several torso shots at a decent distance will kill such an NPC. Buckshot rounds are still far more effective against mutants. Just like dart rounds, slug rounds accelerate weapon degradation, but by a lesser rate (15%).
Locations[]
Not many NPCs use these rounds, but they can be purchased from Sidorovich, the Barkeep, and Skinflint. 20 shells can be found in the bandit base armoury in the Dark Valley.
It can also be found in the following stashes:
Clear Sky[]
This heavy slug round is normally used for hunting big game, but is also suitable for other purposes. Instead of piercing, its heavy slug simply crushes through armor. Used with hunting rifles, shotguns, and the SPSA14 and Chaser 13 semiautomatic shotguns.
― In-game description
In Clear Sky, slug rounds have been rendered much less effective. Even a simple Bandit with a Bandit jacket will survive several shots at point blank range when using slug rounds. Buckshot rounds are more effective against both humans and mutants, unless the player is shooting humans at medium to long range.
Locations[]
Slug rounds are more common in Clear Sky. Many Loners, Renegades, Bandits, and Clear Sky members rely on them. Some Freedom members use them as well, and most traders sell them.
Call of Pripyat[]
This heavy 12 caliber slug round is normally used for hunting big game, but is also good for other purposes. Instead of piercing, this hefty slug simply crushes through armor.
― In-game description
In Call of Pripyat, the ammunition has been adjusted to have higher damage and armor piercing capabilities in order to take the place of the removed 12x76 Dart ammunition. As such it is now moderately effective against both humans and mutants (in fact almost any human NPC in the game can be incapacitated or killed in three slug hits or less), offering an efficient-if-weighty alternative for armor-piercing fire when one does not have other kinds of armour-piercing rounds. When used with an Eliminator that sports a scope, the resulting combination is an impromptu sniper rifle for most of the game until one finally acquires an SVDm-2 or SVUmk-2.
It is worth noting that unlike in other games, in Call of Pripyat the Sawed-off shotgun can't use 12x76 ammunition.
Locations[]
Slug ammunition can be easily purchased from Owl or Hawaiian after completing a few quests in the Yanov and Zaton areas. In addition, Veteran and Expert shotgun users will almost always drop a good amount of rounds (7 if they carry a SPSA, 12-24 if they use an Eliminator). Lieutenant Kirillov in Pripyat can also periodically give the player 50 rounds of slug ammunition when asked for shotgun ammo.
Trivia[]
- The black Cyrillic Script on the top left corner of the ammo box reads Zhekan (Жекан, "Bun"), which should be Zhakan (Жакан, "Slug"), a colloquial name for a bullet with stabilizing fins meant for a smoothbore barrel.
- The Cyrillic script in the bottom of the box reads Droboviki ("Shotguns") "Saiga" & TOZ BM, indicating the weapons chambered for it.
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