The Svarog Detector is a prototype anomalous and artifact detector featured only in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat. It is the most advanced detector in the Zone.
Background
The Svarog is not a mass produced device - it is a marvel of engineering constructed by Novikov in the employ of the Ecologists. It features expanded functionality compared to the regular Veles detector - apart from a program used to identify static areas of anomalous activity and detect artifacts, the scanner can detect anomalies not analyzed by scientists yet one of the main features Novikov added to the device.
Gameplay
The Svarog detector in the field.
Unlike the "Veles" Detector, the Svarog detector displays anomalies on the LED display, as well as artifacts, making artifact hunting much easier and limits the use of bolts to discharging certain anomalies, or to finding the limits of larger gravitational anomalies such as the Whirligig or Springboard, which might not be accurately depicted on the screen.
It can also locate a larger variety of artifacts than the "Veles" Detector, and can even detect artifacts far away from anomaly fields, even inside buildings.
Artifacts are now shown as tiny green dots on the LED display, sometimes being hard to see, particularly with night-vision, or, being near a cluster of anomalies, usually covering the tiny dot. However, some artifacts, such as Flame, Firefly, Night Star are shown as bigger dots, thus being able to be seen. Despite these minor flaws, the Svarog detector is the best in terms of artifact hunting and navigating through anomalies.
The Svarog detector also sends out a frequency that causes Space anomalies to become unstable and explode. This can be seen in near the cooling towers in Yanov
the space anomaly on the cooling tower.
Acquisition
In order to acquire the Svarog detector, the player must have completed Owl's mission in which you have to get information on the Mercenaries at the waste processing station. After this mission is complete, Owl has another mission which requires the player to bring three "Veles" Detectors to Novikov. (Note: Completing the Mercenaries Mission is not required to unlock the mission for the "Veles" detectors)
Once Novikov has all three "Veles" Detectors, he must tinker with them and then send the prototypes to Owl, who then gives the Svarog detector to the player. The other two Svarog detectors are given to Beard's stalkers; Sledgehammer and Crest.
A fourth Svarog detector was made, presumably under the demand of the Ecologists. This detector was given to Topol after he and his team have new equipment, making him the fourth character to own a Svarog detector in the entire Zone.
Another sure way to get a Svarog is maxing out your reputation with the Ecologist faction, earning the Research Assistant achievement. Once you have done so, Professor Hermann will sell you all the Svarogs you want (if you keep coming back), for 9375 RU each. An effective way to acquire this achievement is to complete the following four scientist missions:
- Intermittent Psy-emissions (Altered Insulator)...
- Anomaly Research (you place 3 scanners)...
- Help Topol's science crew take measurements at the Plavni and Ash Heap anomalies...
- Bring back the Heart of the Oasis artifact.
The first three happen in succession but the Oasis can be done any time, if you know how. (Note that not all of these are necessary for maxing out your reputation with the Ecologists.)
Alternatively, with the Wealthy Client and Pioneer Achievements, Hermann has a slim (0.001%) chance of selling a prototype Svarog detector. For all intents and purposes it is a fifth Svarog detector, but completing Owl's quest is unnecessary - they magically create it out of thin air - though it is appropriately expensive even with the Research Assistant.
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