Brain Scorcher

The Brain Scorcher (nicknamed "Scorcher") was set up by the C-Consciousness to make sure that the path to the "North" was impossible to pass by any Stalkers, due to the

File:Zombie stalker.jpg

A victim of the Scorcher.

powerful psi-emissions which affected the human brain. Thus, any Stalker who tried to get past the Brain Scorcher would have their brain "scorched", and turn into walking empty shells (zombies). The controls to the Brain Scorcher were installed deep within Lab X-10, an old Soviet bunker filled with many generators and other machinery, which was located underneath the DUGA-3 Radar site. While the majority of Stalkers who came too close to the Brain Scorcher became zombies, a group of Stalkers, also known as Strelok's Group were able to slip past the Brain Scorcher, most likely with the help of Guide and headed to the center of the Zone. The Path to the Scorcher and the installation itself was heavily guarded by the fanatical Monolith.

Effects of the Brain Scorcher

The Brain Scorcher is made by the C-Consciousness to prevent anyone from reaching and impeding their operations in the Chernobyl NPP, it also might be a prototype of their experiments since their experiments mainly deal in elimination of negative emotions. It works by erasing a victim's capability of higher thought and emotions such as language, personality, perception, etc., leaving only a semi-brainless husk that relies on whatever the Brain Scorcher did not eliminate. This is caused by the "Psy field" emitted by it. In the case of the Monolith, it is not exactly known how they are still able to retain their ability of higher thought as they are still able to act like human beings (in a technical sense), use complex mechanical devices (such as a PDA and electronic doors), and use effective communication while they are under prolonged exposure to the Scorcher that would most definitely melt the brain of any Stalker. It is possible that the C-Consciousness intentionally tuned the Scorcher specifically for the Monolith to only brainwash and not turn them into living husks. The Monolith are apparently immune to its effects, as they can stay for seemingly unlimited amounts of time under the Scorcher and not be harmed by it.

In-game

The only person known to deactivate the Brain Scorcher was Strelok, using the psi-protection helmet which was given to him by Professor Sakharov after helping Professor Kruglov conduct field tests to further adjust it. After the Brain Scorcher was deactivated, word was quickly spread and many Stalkers of different factions, including the Military, started to move to the center of the Zone, under the presumptions that there was a Wish-Granter or a treasure trove of artifacts waiting there.