Freedom (uk. Воля) is a paramilitary faction of ideologically motivated, initiative stalkers illegally operating in the Zone. Therefore, they often find themselves in a direct conflict with the Zone's authorities, their ideological opponents and rivals such as Duty, fanatics, Mercenaries and Bandits. However, they are neutral to Free stalkers, scientists and are accepting of former members from all factions. The faction's goal is to prevent government cover up of the zone or anyone gaining monopoly over it's resources and intel, they believe further research and open access to the zone and it's resources and secrets would be a great benefit to humanity. They do not believe the Zone should nor could be destroyed. Freedom stalkers have access to western weapons. They've adopted flecktarn pattern as their camouflage and the bodysuits are highlighted with blue or yellow designs. Freedom, along with Duty, are also one of the most powerful stalker clans in the Zone. They appear in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
Description[]
Anarchists and daredevils who declare themselves fighters for a free access to the Zone and consequently find themselves in constant conflict with the army, military stalkers and the Duty faction. These so-called freedom warriors believe in sharing all information about the Zone with the rest of the world and challenge the state's monopoly over the Zone's secrets and wonders.
― Encyclopedia
Freedom is an anarchist group consisting mainly of free stalkers. The faction's goal is to preserve the Zone as a free territory and oppose the monopoly of the authorities. According to Loki, the elite of Freedom is made up of former hippies[quote. 1], although the group declares itself to be anarchist. In contrast to the regimented, highly disciplined atmosphere of Duty, the members of Freedom have a much more relaxed, informal attitude. They appear to have a more casual command structure, often referring to each other as "bro", with a number of members shown making regular recreational use of alcohol and marijuana. In spite of this attitude, Freedom members are able to function very effectively as an organized fighting force when necessary[quote. 2].
Freedom stalkers believe that the Zone cannot be defeated, and people should co-exist with it. The Zone is a great opportunity for research and study, and it should not be the territory of the Military. Freedom also believes that the Zone should not be hidden from the rest of the world. Freedom members dream of "shaking up" the people on the Big Land so that they learn the truth[quote. 3]. Freedom, according to the members of the faction themselves, also explores the Zone and its creatures; for example, they collect data for research, make measurements of radiation background, temperature, humidity, the presence of monsters and anomalies[quote. 4]. The faction has its own suppliers[quote. 5]. Freedom receives weapons and equipment through these connections. The emblems they have on their suits says "Воля", which means "Will" in Ukrainian and Russian.
Because of their ideals, they constantly find themselves in conflict with the Military and their long time nemesis, Duty. They view Duty as no more than a clan of jarheads who see nothing, hear nothing, and only know how to pull a trigger[quote. 6], as instead of finding a way to co-exist with the Zone, they attempt to destroy it, whereby the Zone retaliates with mutant attacks, anomalies, radiation hazards and blowouts. Similar in size and manpower to Duty, they have the offensive strength but medium and at times low resources to wage a faction war against Duty.
History[]
Freedom was founded by a group of free stalkers, including Chekhov, Lingov, Lukash, and Loki, aiming to research the Zone and make its fruit, artifacts and anomalies (in the words of Chekhov a ready-made outdoor lab), available to the general public. The core principle, liberty for all its members, has led its opponents to view it as a volatile mix of anarchists and rogues.
By 2011, Freedom occupied and secured the Dark Valley, reinforcing the unfinished research facility as their base of operations. In September, all Freedom units not deployed elsewhere were recalled to the valley in response to a series of mysterious attacks that claimed many Freedom fighter lives. As discovered by Scar, these attacks were the work of a group of mercenaries hired by an unknown employer, who used their mole, Commandant Lingov, to plan raids on Freedom positions. With Scar's help, the mercenaries were driven from the valley and entrances to the underground tunnel network collapsed.
Elsewhere, in the Army Warehouses, a separate detachment under the command of Kostyan has set up operations near the western passage to Red Forest. Their plan was simple: eliminate the weak military presence in the warehouses and claim them for the faction. The soldiers were stranded in the base following the second emission, unable to call for reinforcements or extraction. Eventually, with Scar's help, the stalkers succeeded and the warehouses became Freedom's second base, temporarily granting them the status of the most powerful faction in the Zone. In the meantime, a Freedom advance squad made their way into Limansk, but encountered a Duty squad and the Monolith, and were eliminated in the ensuing skirmish.
Freedom had spread its forces too thin in the course of its conquest and the war with Duty. Bandits led by Borov exploited their weakness and pushed them out of Dark Valley, claiming it for themselves. In response, Freedom moved its headquarters to the Army Warehouses and recalled their forces from all territories south of the Bar. Chekhov apparently either resigned or died during this period, with Lukash becoming the next leader of the faction.
Under his leadership, Freedom ceased to actively fight Duty. While relations were still hostile between the two groups, both Lukash and General Voronin were reluctant to continue the war, as it would weaken both factions for no real benefit. Another factor was that Freedom took it upon themselves to maintain the Barrier and defend it from mutants and Monolith fanatics attempting to breach it. In spite of this, a Duty elite detachment led by Colonel Skull attempted to carry out an assassination mission on Lukash.
When Strelok shut down the Brain Scorcher, Freedom instantly sent a large, elite detachment of troops to scout and secure Pripyat. As Duty did the same, the two forces clashed in the Red Forest, neither willing to step back. This resulted in the first major engagement between the factions since the war in 2011. The two factions would continue to fight against each other and Monolith fanatics in the ruins of Pripyat, for the control of the city.
Some time after the deactivation of the antennas, Freedom sent an expeditionary force led by Loki to explore the uncharted regions of the Zone. The Freedom squad eventually secured Yanov station, establishing a permanent presence in the center of the Zone. However, it did not take long for their Duty counterpart let by Lieutenant Colonel Shulga to arrive, and a battle soon ensued for control of the station. Both sides suffered heavy casualties, but were forced to cease fire as the threat of an emission forced the two factions to seek shelter inside the station. Loki and Shulga eventually agreed to a truce, declaring the station as a no-fire area while hostilities remained in the rest of Jupiter. The player may take part into the faction war, which culminates in Loki's squad eliminating Duty, Freedom being driven out of Jupiter by Shulga, or the war escalating into an endless stalemate.
Relationship[]
Freedom is an ideological opponent of Duty, but also openly resists the Military and Monolith. Relations with the Mercenaries are rather complicated and sometimes hostile, but neutrality between them was later established. Relations with bandits are hostile.
In 2011-2012, Freedom fought with mercenaries. In Call of Pripyat, accroding to Yar, there is peace between the factions, as the war cost a lot of casualties to both factions[quote. 7]. In multiplayer, the war with the mercenaries is constant.
In Call of Pripyat, Freedom is willing to help scientists; in particular, it can provide the science mobile lab with guards and field researchers.
Equipment[]
The faction has access to the Zone's black market they get supply with weapons from. Freedom members are mostly armed with Western weapons, but they also use such post-Soviet weapons as, for example, Fora-12, AKM-74/2, AKM-74/2U, and one member of the group (Kostyan) uses SA Avalanche. There are many snipers among the members of the group, using the SVDm-2 and SVUmk-2. They also use trophy weapons as well.
Freedom also has a Bulldog 6 grenade launcher in its arsenal. One grenade launcher is in the faction's warehouse and the other in the basement of the Bloodsucker village. It belonged to Murk, the faction's expert.
Equipment: Wind of Freedom suit and Guardian of Freedom suit. The former is made as a lightweight version of the Sunrise suit. The second exists in two types: one is a reinforced Loners' suit, and the other is made on the basis of the military Berill-5M armoured suit. The faction also has its own exoskeleton model. The suits of most Freedomers are painted in woodland camouflage, which matches their favorite tactic of shooting from afar. The costumes of some other members of the group are painted in German Flecktarn camouflage.
Appearances[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
Freedom members appear in the Army Warehouses, where they've set up their base. A group of three welcomes the player in the area, only to be killed by three of Colonel Skull's men. The Freedom base is located to the south-east of the area.
Another group of Freedom stalkers is seen at the Barrier, protecting it from Monolith stalkers who regularly attempt to take control of it. They are led by Cap.
Once the player deactivates the Brain Scorcher, a group of Freedom experts is dispatched to secure the road to Pripyat. They are confronted by a group of Duty experts sent for the same reason. If they win the battle, they will stay at the entrance checkpoint.
More Freedom experts appear in the streets of Pripyat, near the sports ground, usually fighting their way towards the Stadium. They are commonly seen fighting either Duty, Mercenaries or Monolith forces. Survivors will fight their way to the entrance of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant at the Stadium, where they will guard the exit.
Clear Sky[]
Most of Freedom forces appear around their base in the Dark Valley. Otherwise, as part of the factions war, they regularly attempt to take control of Bandits checkpoints in the Garbage, and attack the Duty base.
A small group of Freedom experts led by Raven can be seen at the entrance of the Army Warehouses near the Red Forest. They later move on to raid the Duty checkpoint near Forester's safehouse, usually dying in the process. Another group led by Kostyan appears near the military base, and the player can help them take the base from the Military. Other Freedom groups can be seen in the area.
Bodies of Freedom and Duty stalkers can be seen in the streets of Limansk, likely due to a feud between both factions.
Call of Pripyat[]
Freedom only appear in Jupiter, sharing their HQ in Yanov station along with Duty forces, after a sudden emission forced the two factions to share the station.
They mostly patrol outside Yanov, where they commonly fight Duty and Bandits in the wild.
Rankings[]
Shadow of Chernobyl[]
Seedy[]
- Rank: Experienced
- Armor: Wind of Freedom, Guardian of Freedom
- Weapons: TRs 301, IL 86
Seedy Freedom members form the backbone of Freedom's forces. These are experienced Stalkers equipped with relatively high-end TRs 301 assault rifles. Their Wind of Freedom armor is about on par with the Sunrise Suits worn by members of the Loners faction. Seedy Freedom soldiers can survive roughly as much damage as a Sunrise Suit-wearing Trained Stalker, approximately 6 shots from a TRs 301 assault rifle.
Their Duty counterparts, the Experienced Duty soldier, can survive about twice as much damage, but are typically equipped with weaker AK-class assault rifles. Thus, Freedom soldiers typically have superior offensive capabilities, while Duty has superior defenses.
Seedy (Sniper)[]
- Rank: Experienced
- Armor: Wind of Freedom, Guardian of Freedom
- Weapons: SVUmk-2
Several Seedy Freedom soldiers serve as snipers guarding Freedom's main base in the Army Warehouses. These snipers are equipped with SVUmk-2 sniper rifles, and wear the superior Guardian of Freedom armor, allowing them to survive about twice as much damage as regular Seedy Freedom stalkers.
War-Dog[]
- Rank: Veteran
- Armor: Guardian of Freedom
- Weapons: SGI-5k assault rifle, GP37 assault rifle
War-Dogs are the veteran members of the Freedom forces. They are easily distinguished by their heavier Guardian of Freedom armor, as well as the white composite gas masks they all seem to wear. War-Dogs are equipped with fairly powerful, highly accurate SGI-5k assault rifle. Their Guardian of Freedom armor allows them to survive about twice as much damage as a standard Seedy Freedom soldier (about 12 shots from the TRs 301), putting them on equal footing with regular Duty soldiers.
Ace[]
- Rank: Expert
- Armor: Wind of Freedom
- Weapons: GP37 assault rifle
The highest-ranking members of Freedom, Aces are equipped with powerful GP 37 assault rifles, the second-most-powerful NATO assault rifles in the game next to the FT-200M. Despite this however, Aces are only equipped with light Wind of Freedom armor, giving them fairly average durability on par with a basic Seedy Freedom soldier or Sunrise Suit-wearing Trained Stalker.
Ace (Exoskeleton)[]
- Rank: Expert
- Armor: Exoskeleton
- Weapons: SGI-5k assault rifle, GP37 assault rifle, TRs-301 assault rifle (scoped), Chaser 13 shotgun
A number of Ace Freedom soldiers are equipped with powerful Exoskeletons, giving them superior protection and allowing them to stand equal to the Exoskeleton-wearing members of Duty or Monolith. Several Exoskeleton-wearing Freedom Aces are found in the Freedom HQ as Lukash's bodyguards, and several squads of Freedom Aces in Exoskeletons can be seen assaulting Pripyat near the game's conclusion.
Clear Sky[]
Rookie[]
Rookies are usually the fresh recruits of Freedom. They have low powered weaponry and are usually posted as guards. They are armed with either a Viper 5 or an AKM-74/2U, and will either wear the Wind of Freedom Suit or the light version of the Guardian of Freedom suit. Both suits offer a comparable level of firearms protection, with the difference being primarily aesthetic. They lack grenades and very rarely use pistols, only the Martha pistol.
Experienced[]
Experienced members form the bulk of Freedom's forces. They are armed with rifles and shotguns, and are led by a Veteran. They may either carry a Chaser 13, an AKM-74/2, or an AKS-74u and will wear the light Guardian of Freedom suit. Their pistol of choice is the Fort, Berretta, or HPSA pistol and they use RGD-5 grenades alongside standard ammunition. They form a large part of Freedom's core strength in battle.
Professional (Experienced 2)[]
A new ranking introduced in Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat that lacks its own denomination in-game but is a separate and distinct tier from others. It uses the icon from the Veteran ranking, but it is actually an in-between ranking for Stalkers in the Zone. Professional Freedom members use the TRs 301, the AKM-74/2, IL 86, and the Chaser 13. They all use standard ammunition and are armed with RGD-5 grenades. They use the HPSA, Berretta, or Colt 1911 (only for Shotgunners) pistols too. All of them use the light Guardian of Freedom suit. These soldiers form the backbone of most mid-late game Freedom squads.
Veteran[]
Along with professional members, Veterans are squad leaders and also form a bulk of Freedom's forces; Veterans have their fair share of combat in the Zone, and use their knowledge to their advantage. Veterans wear the heavier version of the Guardian of Freedom suit based on the Berill-5M Armoured Suit. Veterans have access to some of Freedom's advanced weaponry, such as the upgraded TRs 301 (some might include a scope), upgraded AKM-74/2s, or SVUmk-2. Veterans also carry Energy drinks and use armour piercing ammo as well as F1 grenades. Their pistol of choice is the Martha or the Fora-12. Markman Veterans come with the Walker P9m pistols.
Expert[]
Experts are the fist of Freedom, armed with the best armaments and armours Freedom has to offer; they may spearhead assaults in the Zone, or act as guards for outposts in important or dangerous areas. Experts may wear either an Exoskeleton painted orange with green camouflaged fatigues, or the heavy Clear Sky model of the Guardian of Freedom suit (which resembles a Berill-5M Armoured Suit with flecktarn camouflage). Exoskeleton-clad Experts use the powerful and accurate SGI-5k, and also carry Energy drinks. Those who use the Guardian of Freedom will use the SVDm-2. They use armour piercing ammunition and F1 grenades. Their pistol of choice is the UDP Compact.
Call of Pripyat[]
Rookie[]
Rare, much like their Duty counterparts, Freedom rookies appear as mere accessories to Experienced squads. They wear Wind of Freedom suits with low-grade weaponry such as TRs 301 and Chaser 13 shotguns.
Experienced[]
The bulk of Freedom's manpower, often moving in squads of at least 4, or platoons of 8, with one or two Veterans leading them. They typically make use of the IL 86, the AKM-74/2 or the TRs 301, and in some cases Chaser 13 shotguns. They wear the light variant of the Guardian of Freedom suit with either a respirator or a Gas mask.
Veteran[]
They either appear with the same suit as experienced or rookie members, but use better weaponry including the SGI-5k and the SVDm-2, which puts them at a clear disadvantage to their Duty counterparts, who have significantly more protection and firepower. Most of the Freedom veterans which appear using the Berill-5M variant of the Guardian of Freedom suit, are using the uncommon GP37 assault rifle.
Expert[]
The strength of Freedom, Experts appear either as Exoskeleton-clad members using the GP37 or the SGI-5k who usually attack in front, or they can use the Wind of Freedom suit paired with a SVDm-2 to provide fire support to their teammates. Much like Duty experts, they use high-grade weaponry and often lead squads in the battle.
Notable members[]
- Chekhov - the group's founder and leader in 2011.
- Lingov - Chekhov's right-hand man, and one of the founders. Sold all information about the patrols to Mercenaries and was later killed by them.
- Mikluha - the second leader of the group.
- Raven - a squad leader at the Mercenary checkpoint in the Army Warehouses.
- Yar - a technician, part-time sniper.
- Ganja - a bartender.
- Kostyan - the commander of a Freedom squad in the Army Warehouses in 2011.
- Ashot - a merchant.
- Lukash - the leader of the faction in 2012.
- Murk - one of the veterans.
- Cap - the commander of the Barrier in 2012.
- Screw - a technician.
- Skinflint - merchant, as well as Lukash's deputy and trader.
- Max - a sniper and legendary guardian of Freedom.
- Chef - the faction's cook.
- Pavlik - a traitor recruited by mercenaries.
- Loki - the commander of Freedom in Yanov.
- Kremen - Loki's deputy.
- Gaiduk - Loki's assistant, in charge of supplying the faction.
- Flint - a stalker, also known by the nickname Magpie. He deceived and stole from a group of hunters, and hides from revenge in the ranks of Freedom.
Gallery[]
Multiplayer[]
Propaganda[]
All propaganda
Hey you cool dudes and cold-blooded comrades! If you're looking to be appreciated and treated like family, that's Freedom all the way! There's no chores, no brainwashing, and no morning wake up drills! If you are a real stalker, who loves the free life and a good drink in the company of like-minded fellas - join our team! We always got old boozes for a new blood!
Stalker! Life has given you a wonderful opportunity to find true friends in Freedom! Only in our ranks can you always find someone really to cover your back and share his last loaf of bread with you!
Veterans and rookies! If you value your freedom and love to be among others like you, join us! Freedom welcomes everyone who believe in the Zones path to our tools.
Do you want to earn the respect of fellow stalkers? Do you want to build a team loyal friends who will stick up for you in times of trouble? Do you dream of kicking some Duty ass? all this and many other opportunities awaits you if you join Freedom!
Here is your chance to join the best stalker clan the Zone has to offer, where else would you be accepted for who you are? Don't lose your freedom, join us!
The Zone is about stalkers and being a stalker is about freedom! Be a stalker to the end! Join the Freedom faction!
Become a Freedom member! Together we'll save the Zone! the only group of truly free people on earth, join Freedom!
Trivia[]
- There is a traitor among Freedom ranks in each game. In Shadow of Chernobyl, it is Pavlik, in Clear Sky it is Lingov, and in Call of Pripyat it is Flint.
- In Shadow of Chernobyl, one can join Freedom, and this is the only faction the player can become a member of in the game. If after completing the mission Deal with the snitch the player goes to the Barrier and complete the mission Assist at Freedom's Barrier outpost instead of taking the reward from Lukash, then go to Lukash and talk to him a few times, he will say: "Since you helped our guys at the Barrier, you can count on getting some rest on our territory, as well as our help. Oh, and my personal appreciation - a bit of legal tender for you - from this moment on, I'm enlisting you in our group.". After this, Duty and Scientists will become hostile, while Bandits and Mercenaries will become neutral.
- In one of the endings of Call of Pripyat, if the player did not help either Duty or Freedom (or helped them to the same extent), Freedomers and Dutyers leaving Yanov station will be shown. Interestingly, one of the freedom fighters is wearing a Guardian of Freedom suit with a gas mask. This combination does not appear in the game.
References[]
- ↑ Loki: "Well, I was friends with Freedom leaders back when there was no Zone. Mind you, in those days they weren't leaders, they were regular hippies."
- ↑ Freedom recruiter: "We don't have a strict hierarchy. You are now respected and you get a plenty of followers. However, when on a mission we obey the commander's orders without question."
- ↑ Idle voice line: "А люди, а? Идиоты, блин. Всему верят, что им по ящику сливают. И всё, что им скажут, сделают. Сами думать ни фига не хотят. Эх, встряхнуть бы их нехило, чтоб гляделки открыли. – And the people, huh? Damn idiots. They believe everything they hear on TV. They'll do whatever they're told. They don't want to think for themselves. I wish I could shake them up so they'd open their eyes."
- ↑ Random dialogue: "Did you know that Freedom is studying the Zone too? We're not scientists, that's true, but we also want to know what created this nature's miracle. Everything here is a gift to humanity: all these anomalies, artifacts and mysterious emissions. What were we talking about? Oh, yes, you asked me what I'm doing here. I'm collecting data for research - taking measurements of background radiation, temperature, humidity and noting the presence of monsters and anomalies... Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get on with exactly that."
- ↑ Ashot: "Well, I have my suppliers, but I don't share that info with anyone."
- ↑ Chekhov: "Put simply, Duty is a faction of your standard dimwitted jarheads, who hear nothing, see nothing and only know how to pull a trigger."
- ↑ Yar: "What's the point of getting the mercs angry with Freedom? We had one war and that was enough. This is a personal matter... No point involving them, you know?"
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