We call it the Barrier... that's what it basically is. It's about the last normal outpost this side of the Zone's center. It's a sort of buffer, you know, between the people and the Wild Territory.
― Cap
"The Barrier" is the name given to a strategic checkpoint located in the northeast of the Army Warehouses, at the edge of the Red Forest. It was initially set up by the Military to contain the regular inflows of mutants coming from the forest, but after most of the soldiers were devastated by the Second Emission, it was briefly abandoned, only to be taken over by veteran Loners. Some time between 2011 and 2012, Freedom established full control of the Army Warehouses and took over the Loners' position at the Barrier.
The Barrier is the northernmost area that stalkers can reach without finding themselves within the Brain Scorcher's effective range. In addition of mutants, the Barrier is frequently raided by stalkers of the Monolith faction.
Appearances[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
You're approaching the Barrier. Don't even think about messing around. We'll be more than happy to accept any help though.
― Cap warning the player upon their first visit to the Barrier
In Shadow of Chernobyl, the Barrier is guarded by a sizable contingent of Freedom stalkers led by Cap. When the player visits the area, it will be frequently raided by a group of up to 20 Monolith soldiers. The attacks will repeat whenever the player visits the Barrier, until all of the Monolithians are killed. Crossing through the Barrier will take the player to the entrance of the Red Forest.
Lukash may provide a mission to assist Cap's stalkers against the Monolith's assaults as part of his questline, but this mission may automatically be obtained when the player viists the area. If the Marked One's reputation with Freedom is damaged, he will have to fight them alongside with the Monolith and several mutants. In fact, the task to protect the Barrier will automatically fail every time he enters the Army Warehouses.
Clear Sky[]
In Clear Sky, the Barrier is protected by Loners who by other stalkers are said to be some of the most hardened, skillful stalkers in the Zone. These stalkers probably see more action than anyone else in the Zone, and are constantly being bombarded by the Monolith and mutant attacks coming out of the Red Forest.
The Monolith maintains a permanent presence at the other side of the Barrier, and will regularly attempt to capture the checkpoint from the defending stalkers; unlike in Shadow of Chernobyl, these Monolithians constantly respawn, making their attacks endless. The player can help assist the stalkers here at the barrier against the Monolith for a cash reward back at their base in the Cordon. The road beyond the barrier that leads to the Red Forest is inaccessible for Scar because the Brain Scorcher is still active. If the player tries to take this road, they will take heavy psychic damage, up to the point where they simply die.
Loot[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
All of the defending Freedom stalkers use GP37s while a number of attacking Monolithians also use this weapon, making it easy to acquire one in relatively good condition at the Barrier, as well as assorted ammunition.
