The Exoskeleton is an armour appearing 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.
Background[]
This armour is the product of advanced military research, initially meant for use by the Ukrainian Military for hazardous missions into the Zone. Due to the sheer cost of a single unit, however, as well as the numerous technical problems and design flaws, the Exoskeleton never reached mass production, but limited numbers continue to be manufactured in underground factories and make their way into the Zone. They were however not designed for the Zone, nor the Zone's hazards, rendering it a less reliable type of protection against anomalies and radiation.
By 2012, the sole manufacturing plant for these exoskeletons has been shut down, making the acquisition of this armor only possible by removing it from dead stalkers[quote. 1].
Overview[]
There it is, a combat exoskeleton as large as life. The best protection you can get in the Zone from bullets, claws or grenade fragments, with the exception of armored vehicles. But it also takes after armored vehicles in that it relieves your weight burden - within reason, of course. 48,000 and it's yours, warts and all... err... by that I mean batteries and servomotors.
― Nimble
The Exoskeleton boasts the best bulletproof protection of any armour in the Zone, as well as the most protection from explosives.
It is composed of two separate pieces of equipment: the Radiation suit which boasts heavy military kevlar around the entire body, along with composite plates on some of the outer regions of the armour (which can be upgraded with titanium plates). In addition, radsuits also come with specially made tactical helmets with integrated gas masks resembling the British Avon FM12 NBC Respirator.
The exoskeleton itself is a battery-powered external frame with synthetic muscle fibers and servomotors, that give the wearer both superior protection as well as greatly increased physical strength. The latter is expressed in that the player, if using an exoskeleton will receive greatly increased carry capacity (beyond 100 kg), and melee attacks will be substantially more powerful, often taking out enemies in a single blow. Some exoskeleton models may also include an automatic drug injector module designed to automatically give a certain dosage of anti-shock drugs or improved life support systems to increase a wearer's endurance, among other accessories.
The main downside of this armor is that the player is unable to sprint while wearing the armor. The sole exception is in Call of Pripyat, where one can install a tier 3 upgrade that enables the player to sprint with this armor equipped.
The Radiation suit can be worn by stalkers without the external frame. Such stalkers appear in Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat (Monolithians and Loners). This version of the radiation suit appears to have been lightened to allow it to be worn without the Exoskeleton frame, as it does not provide as much protection as the full Exoskeleton armor, although it still provides significantly superior protection compared to most other Stalker armors, being second only to the Military Stalker "Bulat" Skat-9 military armoured suit.
Deployment[]
In virtue of being very rare and expensive, the Exoskeleton is a rather unusual sight in the Zone. In spite of this, a number of factions in the Zone make use of this armor. The Loners, Duty, Freedom, the Mercenaries and the Monolith are known to make use of this armor, typically only issuing it to their most elite troops. Most factions that employ Exoskeletons also modify their suits to fit their needs, as well as their looks, in order to keep with their faction's aesthetic.
Such factions as the Bandits, Renegades, and Clear Sky generally do not have any Exosuits (one exception is a Bandit in Limansk) as they most likely cannot afford to have them in circulation due to rarity and/or high cost.
Appearances[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
A military exoskeleton prototype. It never went into serial production, because of extreme cost and some design flaws. It is however produced in small batches in small illegal factories outside of Ukraine. This is a third generation exoskeleton. The design defects which used to decrease its mobility were eliminated and the armor was reinforced. It provides excellent bullet and splinter protection. It has a low level of anomaly protection.
― In-game description
As alluded to in the overview, the Exoskeleton suit allows a greater than normal maximum carry weight. The standard suit allows up to 80.0kg of weight to be carried. There is a trade-off, however - up to 70.0kg can be carried without a fatigue penalty, but between 70 and 80kg results in an increased rate of fatigue. This penalty is reduced somewhat as the main restriction of the Exoskeleton is the loss of the ability to sprint. A single Moonlight artifact is sufficient to counteract the rapid fatiguing in the 70-80kg weight range.
Acquisition[]
The Exoskeleton can be purchased for 200 000 RU from Barkeep after completing the mission to disable the Brain Scorcher, making it the most expensive item of the game. Skinflint will also sell it for the same price after completing the mission Destroy the Duty company.
A number of them can be found in the final levels of the game:
- Two in the Sarcophagus, one on a crate in the armory room (the one with the blown out wall), and the other on top of a crate in the hall with the door to the Monolith Control Center.
- One in the Monolith Control Center, in one of the side rooms.
- One outside the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, stashed near a pipe on the final rooftop.
Unique variants[]
- Exoskeleton PNB-4UZ — An Exoskeleton with a second-generation night vision device, providing a clearer picture with a brighter illumination. This one of a kind suit belonged to Fang.
Clear Sky[]
An experimental sample of a military exoskeleton. Was never mass-produced due to the extreme cost and some design flaws. Small batches are nonetheless produced in underground facilities outside Ukraine. This is a third-generation exoskeleton, which corrects the mobility-impeding design flaws of previous versions and features stronger armor.
― In-game description
The exoskeleton in Clear Sky is probably in its worst form compared to the other two games of the franchise. Although it greatly boosts the player's weight carry capacity, it prevents the player from sprinting and degrades very quickly, while the protection it provides is barely better than other high tier armors such as the Berill-5M or PSZ-9 Duty armor.
Acquisition[]
The Exoskeleton can be bought from Mitay provided Duty controls the Agroprom and the Garbage. Thrush also have it on sale if the Loners control the Garbage save for the Train hangar. It is also available from Ashot if Freedom controls the entirety of the Dark Valley.
Upgrades[]
Color-coded upgrades are mutually exclusive.
Spectra body armor (5500 RU) Spectra body armorThis reinforced military body armor provides protection against assault rifle fire.
Relief vest (5500 RU) Max weight +5 kgA relief vest makes it easier to carry one's load by redistributing the weight.
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Hard elements (8250 RU) Integrity +20%This light alloy frame absorbs most of a bullet's energy.
Relief backpack (8250 RU) Max weight +15 kgSpecial straps make this backpack easier to carry, allowing for heavier loads.
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Composite plates (11000 RU) Composite platesComposite plates provide maximum protection from small arms fire.
Suit screening (11000 RU) Psy-protectionA complex system of screening cables provides limited psy-protection.
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Polymer thickener (5500 RU) Integrity +20%This thickening fabric effectively absorbs the energy of a bullet.
Polymer bodysuit (5500 RU) Thermo-electrical protection +35%Polymer materials offer good protection from heat and electric shock.
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Reinforced frame (5500 RU) Durability +50%Additional frame elements increase an exoskeleton's strength.
Special coating (5500 RU) Thermo-electrical protection +35%This coating, based on a special solution made from materials found in the Zone, protects against fire and electrical anomalies.
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Amplifying servomotors (8250 RU) Strength restorationApplying a higher voltage to servomotors increases their power.
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Life support system (11000 RU) Health restorationThis apparatus is worn on the wrist and, when the wearer is wounded, automatically injects intravenous antishock drugs and stimulants.
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Airproof insulation coating (8250 RU) Thermo-electrical protection +40%This special sealant coating can be used to insulate a suit from fire or electricity.
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Closed-cycle respiratory module (11000 RU) Radiochemical protection +40%A recirculation-enabled system takes care of purifying contaminated air.
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Night vision device (2500 RU) Night visionFirst-generation night vision device.
Gas mask (5500 RU) Radiochemical protection +35%This gas mask serves as one's primary protection from radioactive dust and noxious chemicals.
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Second-generation night vision device (8250 RU) Night visionThis second-generation night vision device provides a clearer picture with less interference.
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Active filters (8250 RU) Radiochemical protection +35%Use a more efficient filtering system.
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Artifact container (5500 RU) Artifact containerContainer for wearing additional artifacts.
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Artifact container (5500 RU) Artifact containerContainer for wearing additional artifacts.
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Unique variants[]
- "Freedom" exoskeleton - A lightened version of the exoskeleton used by the Freedom faction.
Call of Pripyat[]
An experimental sample of a military exoskeleton. Was never mass-produced due to extraordinary cost and some design flaws. Despite this, it is in demand due to its ability to take on the weight of all carried equipment, and therefore small batches are made in underground facilities outside Ukraine. Comes with a built-in artifact container.
― In-game description
The Exoskeleton received an upgrade in Call of Pripyat, with its base anomaly protection being second only to the SEVA suit, though its radiation protection is as low as ever. The radiation drawback is merely trivial, since the need for protection concerning high radiation levels have been diminished by the fact radiation is no longer dangerous as in previous games.
It is effective as a general purpose suit as it combines effective anomaly and hit protection. It is also the best suit to use to carry heavy equipment as, with upgrades, it allows the player to carry up to 90kg of equipment, 114kg with two Goldfish artifacts (easily done since the suit can be upgraded with 4 artifact slots, meaning one could combine two Goldfishes and two Bubble artifacts to suppress the radiation), and 134kg with the help of a Hercules drug.
However, it prevents the use of a helmet, which prevents the player from using the third-gen night vision available only from the Sphere M12 helmet, or extra protection provided by an helmet. Overall, it has lower anomaly protection than a Guardian of Freedom suit combined with an upgraded Screen helmet, and less hit protection than a PSZ-9d Duty armor or a Skat-9 military armored suit with a Sphere M12.
Acquisition[]
The Exoskeleton can be ordered from Nimble for 60 000 RU (with a downpayment of 12 000 RU) from the start of the game. This can be done only once.
It is sold by Owl after obtaining the achievement A Wealthy Client coupled with either Boss or One of Ours, and by Hawaiian after obtaining the achievement A Wealthy Client and either A Friend of Duty or A Friend of Freedom. It is more expensive to buy it from both merchants than from Nimble, although Hawaiian will sell it for the same price as Nimble provided the player has sided with Freedom.
Upgrades[]
Only Cardan can perform the tier 3 "Addition of hydraulic boosters into drive devices" upgrade that enables the player to sprint while wearing the armor. Unlike other tier 3 upgrades, this one requires all three toolkits to have been delivered to Cardan (unlocking the achievement Weapon Systems Expert) to be installed.
Solid titanium components (1500 RU) Armor +10%Titanium is normally too heavy to be used in personal protection equipment, but is sometimes utilized in exoskeletons.
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Installation of mobile protective plates for joints (2500 RU) Armor +20%Mobile plates protect joints from gunshot wounds.
Segmented protection (2500 RU) Suit durability +15%Thinner sheets of armor are layered to increase the armor's wear-resistance.
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Cuirass titanium armor (3500 RU) Armor +30%While solid titanium plates are much too heavy for an infantry soldier to drag around, an exoskeleton with its powerful servomotors can handle the weight.
Screen combined plate coating (3500 RU) Impact neg. -30%Combined multi-layered polymer and ceramic coating.
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Amortization silicon thickeners (1500 RU) Impact neg. -10%More effective that their rubber counterparts, silicon thickeners absorb impact with less damage to the wearer.
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Constantan-based inner layer for isolation (2500 RU) Elec. prot. +20%A thin layer of constantan is capable of isolating against electricity.
Thermal fiberglass protection (2500 RU) Ther. prot. +20%Fiberglass is used in bodysuits worn by natural disasters response teams.
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A bodysuit made using new unspecified polymers previously used by the Kiev research institute in developing the Ecologist suit with cavities filled with bismuth.
A domestic development which appeared after the Chernobyl disaster. Used in exoskeletons to prevent electronic malfunctions.
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Internal thermal regulation system (1500 RU) Energy recovery +2A bodysuit ventilation system with a prevention filter for work in contaminated areas.
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Additional artifact container (3000 RU) Number of containers +1Installation of an additional artifact container.
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Additional two-compartment artifact container (5000 RU) Number of containers +2Installation of an additional artifact container.
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Additional servomotors (1500 RU) Weight carried +10.00 kgAdditional movement devices allow maximum carried load to be increased.
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Replacing metal components with carbon fiber (2500 RU) Body armor weight -10.00 kgA development of Freedom technicians, who were the first to replace metal with carbon fiber in view of exoskeletons' huge weight.
Drive device armoring (2500 RU) Suit durability +15%Armoring protects the exoskeleton's critical components from being damaged by accurate fire.
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Shagohod easy movement system (4000 RU) Energy recovery +6The easy movement system uses reinforced springs and joints, which allow the wearer the use the exeskeleton's own weight to ease motor functions.
Addition of hydraulic boosters into drive devices (5000 RU) Servomotor boostersInstallation of hydraulic boosters is a modification that separates third generation exoskeletons from the fourth generation. Allows for sprinting in an exoskeleton.
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Active filters can resits even corrosive chemicals.
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Application of a screening coating (2500 RU) Psy prot. +20%Application of a screening coating.
Second generation night vision device (4000 RU) Second generation night vision deviceInstallation of a more advanced night vision device for operations in complete darkness.
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Installation of the Psy-Dome band (4000 RU) Psy prot. +30%Hi-tech psy-protection that is said to have been invented by a scientist called Sakharov.
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Variants[]
Here are some different variations of Exoskeletons. All of them were present in all of the games, unless it says differently in the captions:
Behind the Scenes[]
Origin and design[]
The Exoskeleton makes use of electrically motivated muscle fibre bundles and powerful servomotors to provide its wearer with superior strength, similar to the concept of powered exoskeleton (also called Powered Armours or Power Armour) featured prominently in science-fiction media, but actual prototypes exist and are being developed in reality.
Development[]
The Exoskeleton featured in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series was actually a different version from the Exosuit that was initially created. The original Exoskeleton was just an external array of hydraulics and servomotors, attached to a light suit.
An interesting image resource exists in the Shadow of Chernobyl files: ui_icons_npc.dds, which contains old 125x125 images that were initially going to be used as character portraits, before they were scrapped in favour of higher resolution ones. They contain portraits for what can be described as a transitional exoskeleton – they feature the final tactical helmet, but make use of regular stalker suit textures (albeit with a few modifications) put on the final exoskeleton mesh.
The HUD icon in Shadow of Chernobyl and Clear Sky still depict the beta Exoskeleton, although the Freedom exoskeleton in Clear Sky uses a different icon, which is more accurate to the actual in-game design. In Call of Pripyat, the Exoskeleton has a new HUD icon derived from the Clear Sky Freedom exoskeleton.
In Call of Pripyat, the texture files contain an unused icon for a tier 2 weight capacity increase upgrade, which was apparently scrapped from the final release of the game.
Gallery[]
See also[]
References[]
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