Remains of GSC notes from [[Shadow of Chernobyl]] indicate that the Chimera is the result of genetic experiments on animals within the Zone. As a result, it is faster, smarter, and stronger than the majority of other mutants in the Zone, be they created through Scientific methods or natural mutation. Most of it's internal organs have duplicated, meaning it can take damage to some without being impeded significantly. It has few natural enemies, and the only creatures which posed a threat to it are the [[Pseudogiant]] and the [[Psy dog|Chernobyl Dog]].
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Remains of GSC notes from [[Shadow of Chernobyl]] indicate that the Chimera is the result of genetic experiments on animals within the Zone. As a result, it is faster, smarter, and stronger than the majority of other mutants in the Zone, be they created through Scientific methods or natural mutation. Most of its internal organs have duplicated, meaning it can take damage to some without being impeded significantly. It has few natural enemies, and the only creatures which posed a threat to it are the [[Pseudogiant]] and the [[Psy dog|Chernobyl Dog]].
Chimera is a two-headed hairless cat/dog-like creature, close to the size of an adult lion, with two heads and a broad tail. Chimeras are extremely strong and they're able to turn a car over alone. They are the most deadly mutant encountered, jumping incredible distances and doing extreme damage. Though physically weaker than the Pseudogiant, the Chimera is considered deadlier due to its extremely fast speeds and aggressiveness.
Attacks
Their attacks are fairly limited, to a leaping pounce, and a vicious - but very short-ranged - melee attack. The pounce itself isn't too dangerous compared to its melee, but it temporarily stuns the player, reducing them to a walking pace for a moment. The melee can make quick work of nearly any other mutant in the game - killing them with such force that it tosses the corpses into the air, which is an excellent warning sign that one is about. A player can take anywhere from 25-50% damage from a single slash, meaning heavy armor of some kind is nearly a necessity for surviving an encounter - and Exoskeleton users in particular need to be wary of the Chimera pouncing and combo-attacking them while they're reduced to a crawl. A Chimera also uses some Hit and Run attacks especially during night, trying to get behind the player's back and pounce on him and then run off to a distance, to repeat this attack again.
Appearances
thumb|right|250px|Video demonstrating the abilities of a Chimera.
Call of Pripyat
After completing Gonta and Trapper's quest chains, Chimeras spawn regularly in Yanov and in Zaton.
One roams around the area of the school in Pripyat. It may attack your group during the Evacuation if not dealt with before that.
Yanov, near the Concrete Bath anomaly and eastwards from Yanov station
Zaton, sometimes near Skadovsk and at the gas station next to the Claw anomaly
Previous games
Chimeras appear in Shadow of Chernobyl and Clear Sky as trophies on walls, in places such as Yoga's trailer, or the Freedom main building in the Army Warehouses.However, there are some mods that puts back the Chimeras into SoC or CS, along with other cut mutants.
The Chimeras removed from the original Shadow of Chernobyl did not attack players. Their movement style was similar to how they appear in Call of Pripyat. These original Chimeras were removed from Shadow of Chernobyl and Clear Sky. The reappearance of the Chimera in Call of Pripyat changed it's look and movement/attack style to what is seen present in the CoP game.
Combat Tips
If the player has time to prepare for a Chimera attack, packing explosive or sniper
STALKER Call of Pripyat - Pseudogiant rampage
A Pseudogiant and Chimera duking it out at the Volkhov AA Complex. The Chimera loses this battle, its body can be seen about halfway through the video.
weaponry is effective for quick elimination at long range.
Engaging a Chimera in close quarters combat with a shotgun or assault rifle is possible with quick footwork, plenty of ammunition, and medical equipment. The biggest challenge is not losing sight of the beast when side stepping its massive leaps.
On Easy or Normal difficulty, a stab to the face has a chance of killing the beast outright, but is much too rare and difficult to be of practical use.
One headshot from a Gauss Rifle can kill a Chimera.
On Master difficulty, close combat with a Chimera is extremely dangerous and never advantageous. A Chimera can kill an armored character in two leaps. If the player is spotted by the beast, the best advice is to flee if an RPG-7 is not immediately at hand. A successful hit from an RPG will kill a Chimera even on Master.
Though some people prefer to fight Chimera at point blank on Master as it allows you to put huge amounts of damage per second onto it, and its attacks are incredibly easy to dodge, even when wearing an exoskeleton without the sprint upgrade.
Clever players can lure the Chimera into Stalker squads to help whittle down its health if the battle becomes too much to handle alone. Chimeras are often found fighting these squads to begin with. Chimeras also battle with other mutants at times.
Silenced weaponry fired at Chimeras over long ranges will often confuse the beast, giving the player more time to sink bullets into it before it can react properly. Disappointingly, the Chimera may flee the silenced fire in any direction it pleases, making the player give chase.
Dodging the Chimera's leap attack is a good way to get close enough to it without it hurting you as it will take a few seconds to collect itself after landing.
On Veteran difficulty and lower, a direct hit to the head at close range with either one of the underbarrel grenade launchers can kill the beast in one shot.
Though somewhat useful in dispatching the Chimera, the Bulldog 6 is not a particularly effective weapon to use against it, since its sluggish reloading animation can prove fatal to the player (especially when all six grenades have been expended) as the Chimera is extremely fast and sudden in its attacks, giving the player no time to recover.
Behind the Scenes
Some modifications enabled them in Shadow of Chernobyl and Clear Sky, where they functioned more like upgraded pseudodog mutants then the final incarnation seen in Call of Pripyat.
In mythology, a Chimera is a fierce creature that has a body composed of multiple animals: the body of a lioness, a snake for a tail, and the head of a goat in the middle of it's body.
Original GSC Design notes
Remains of GSC notes from Shadow of Chernobyl indicate that the Chimera is the result of genetic experiments on animals within the Zone. As a result, it is faster, smarter, and stronger than the majority of other mutants in the Zone, be they created through Scientific methods or natural mutation. Most of its internal organs have duplicated, meaning it can take damage to some without being impeded significantly. It has few natural enemies, and the only creatures which posed a threat to it are the Pseudogiant and the Chernobyl Dog.
Quite interestingly, the Chimera featured in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. universe appears to be somewhat composed of different animals: The body and posture of a lion, the roar of a bear, and one face that somewhat bears a visage of a human head with the other one, a cat creature.
