An aluminum/titanium helmet with a cloth exterior that comes with pockets for additional steel armor pieces and an armor face mask. Sphere M12 is normally used as part of a combination that includes PSZ series Spetsnaz body armor. Quite popular in the Zone thanks to its respirator and built-in first generation night vision device, as well as providing the maximum head protection possible. Comes with electronics slots.
― In-game description
The Sphere M12 helmet is a high quality helmet featured 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, appearing as a separate, wearable item only in the latter game.
Background[]
A high quality, aluminum/titanium combat helmet with cloth camouflage used by Duty and the military, the Sphere-12 is perhaps one of the best available helmets, with slightly higher gunfire protection and psionic protection than its brethren. It comes by default with camouflage (Woodland pattern for military stalkers and urban for Duty). It is normally used as part of a combination that includes PSZ series body armor
It is usually worn with a gas mask by stalkers, although variants with a simple faceplate are also common among military stalkers. This variant is only seen in Shadow of Chernobyl and in beta designs.
In all games of series, the helmet is worn by soldiers wearing the Bulat armored suit and the Military armored suit. In Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat, Duty stalkers use it alongside the PSZ-9d Duty armor.
Appearances[]
Call of Pripyat[]
It has the best armor of all helmets of the game - marginally higher than the Tactical helmet - and comes with a first generation night vision installed, and can be upgraded to second and third generation NVGs, the only helmet which can, although it lacks the thermal imaging upgrade of the Tactical helmet. Its anomaly protection options are limited compared to the other helmets, and even fully upgraded is obviously meant to be used only for combat.
Acquisition[]
The Sphere M12 Helmet can be purchased from Hawaiian after obtaining the achievement A Friend of Duty. Owl also sells it after obtaining the achievements A Wealthy Client and either One of Ours or Boss - significantly more frequently in the latter case.
A free one can be received from Kirillov alongside a Bulat armor by asking him for an outfit. This can be done only once.
Upgrades[]
 Active filters can resits even corrosive chemicals.
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 Application of a screening coating.
 Respirator for total blocking of poisons.
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 A filter with an additional purification coating and a system for removal of poisons.
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 A mask used in contaminated air or critical air temperature conditions, which are too low or too high for breathing.
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 SPB - VPZ.m.IV Psychological Security Wave Psy Protection System, mark four.
 Second generation night vision device (2500 RU)  Second generation night vision deviceInstallation of a more advanced night vision device for operations in complete darkness.
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 Third generation night vision device (3500 RU)  Third generation night vision deviceInstallation of a more advanced night vision device for operations in complete darkness.
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Chem. prot. 
Rad. prot. 
Psy prot. 
Energy recovery 
Development[]
Unused upgrade icon
As with the Tactical helmet, the developers originally planned to implement a tier 3 upgrade that would equip the helmet with the same IFF system as the one in the Binoculars. The upgrade was never implemented, but its icon still exists in the texture files.
Gallery[]
Trivia[]
- The gas mask worn with this helmet closely resembles the American XM40 prototype gas mask.
- The name and description are likely references to the Russian Sfera (Сфера, meaning Sphere) helmets, specifically the STSh-81 Сфера. Unlike the steel SSSh-94 Сфера-C, the STSh-81 was made of titanium.
- Despite the name and description, the only visual similarity between the in-game assets and the real-world Sfera helmets is the fabric cover. The shape and construction of the helmet depicted in-game seem to much more closely resemble the MASKA series of helmets, sans the mask.
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