Stalker informational and FAQ

Stalker SoC Troubleshooting FAQ //LAST UPDATE: 16 May 2018 GMT+1)

*Changelog (hey why did it take me 3 years to think of doing this)
STALKER 2: https://www.stalker2.com/
2021, Unreal Engine 4, but all the old team is gone, so who will make it?

24 December (fuck if I remember year)
Added how to enable surround.
Added a cool article about modding drama in Stalker over the years, is in russian but the translation by Yandex or Google seems good enough

Note: I will be posting links to image-guides for some things, the album is here
http://imgur.com/a/8jJ1p#0
Use CTRL+F to search for keywords so you can get your answer faster.

THE BASICS

Stalker starting guide: http://i.imgur.com/BHEfeh.jpg
What is STALKER what are the STALKER games?
Open ended Survival-shooters with minor RPG-elements.
No “Leveling up” or gathering EXP. All real time action and personal skill gain
Realistic gunplay with bullet physics, character bleeding, specialised ammo types, factions, mutants.
Set into an alternate version of the Chernobyl disaster Zone.
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Which Stalker should I play first?/ In which order should I play the games?
In the order they came out, Shadow of Chernobyl, Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat
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Arent these games unplayable without mods?
Not true at all, with the latest patches the three games can be played start to finish, the mods are meant to be an enhancement or a polishing, like Shaders max giving a good bump at the graphic while giving a better optimization or "Zone reclamation Project" which only fixes errors and bugs and nothing more.
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MISSING FILES(?)
A huge Stalker repository, something I could not do with my awful connection, thank you Anon.
https://mega.co.nz/#F!zEtSxC4J!eRsovn-n098UpRtLDmr5_w
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What does the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. STALKER acronym means?
Scavengers, Trespassers, Adventurers, Loners, Killers, Explorers, and Robbers
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Can I run it?
Check here http://www.systemrequirementslab.co
Some mods (like Shadersmax) improve performances, you should also take care to fiddle with the many video features Stalker has, it even has non dynamic light.
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==Which is the best weapon?==
Is hard to tell, speaking of SoC, pistols are weak and you will hardly find anyone using them, but you should not give up on them, they are light weight and as some casual game once said, is faster to change weapon rather than reload, while in AMK some latter ones will put down even the stronger mutant or human, the AS VAL by the statistics should be the best and is actually very good, but more than one Stalker found little problems finishing with just an AK variant or the SIG and the right ammo.
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==How do I repair my Weapon/Suit in Stalker SoC?==
While Complete 2009 has repair kits and services and AMK too, Vanilla SoC does not, but there is still a way.
You need to have enough artefacts to have more than 100% protection against an anomaly in particular, a popular choice is finding enough of the artefact "battery" for the electro anomaly, in which you have to get in, note that Artifact and Suit protection do not stack.
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==I wish be able to loot STASHES (in any Stalker) without the need to gather the information beforehand==
For Stalker SoC: (needs a new game) Vanilla: Stalker.filefront.com/file/Stashed_Mod;82898
AMK: http://www.mediafire.com/download/2gmr5mau9p3cp2r/stashed_for_AMK_EN.7z UPDATED LINK NOW WORKING
ZoA: Broken link.
For Stalker CS: (no need for a new game) http://www.moddb.com/mods/ymmcs/downloads/stash-filler

==Where do I buy 9x39 ammo? (for the AS VAL for instance)==
At the Duty base/Bar there is a second trader, a Duty Colonel who sells them, the Barman seems like he never does, so through the entrance of the bar, then take a right. go along a corridor until you find a colonel. talk to him.
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==STEALTH==
You might find better opinions regarding Stealth in Stalker but for now hear my words, Stalker has a degree of stealth, so is not completely impossible, it just looks like it due to how it works.
Enemies can hear and see you as much as you supposedly should, what tends to trick player is how they take many things for granted.
Again, if you can see them they can most likely see you if they are not looking the other side and nearly everything you do makes a sound, not just walking or shooting without a silencer, even equipping something.
You might get the impression also, that reloading a quicksave breaks the stealth, it does, it seems to reload the AI, apart from whatever machination might go through the XRAY ENGINE, everytime you reload the game you re-equip whatever thing you had, thus making noise and alerting the enemy.
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==I finished the game, now what?==
Played SoC? Play CS, then CoP.
Use Mods, refer to that section of the Guide, roam the zone, some mods like AMK let you play after having finished the game and thanks to his A-Life there will often be something to do, other mods are like whole new games, such as Lost Alpha, or Soup.
Or else do the Stalker challenges http://i.imgur.com/UENJn.jpg


                              ==BETTER GRAPHICS GRAFICS==
Refer to the Stalker starting guide, with the Absolute texture packs but what isnt mentioned (and should really be damn it) is this Texture pack, which is what is included in Complete 2009
http://kocayine.ru/photorealistic/
Creatures and Stalkers, althought, NOTE: Does the first one clash against "absolute structures"? A question that need to be answered ASAP.


==Enabling AA AntiAliasing, AKA "how to remove jaggies from edges"
AA slider in Stalker SoC does not work, put it all down and use instead
http://mrhaandi.blogspot.it/p/injectsmaa.html
Read the Readme. or simply put, put the files in "d3d9" in the "...\stalker shadow of chernobyl\bin" folder where the EXE is, if the game crashes then put the DLL file in the \bin directory and the other files in the previous main directory.
Start the game as Admin, when in game, get in the menu press the "PAUSE" key on your keyboard, but it might be activated already, use STAMP for screenshots, the difference is very noticeable.
Comparison screenshot http://i.imgur.com/xAoePh.jpg
Sorry that I cant tell what the Framerate difference will be, my framerate is good but too unstable either way. You will have to see for yourself using "rs_stats on" command or FRAPS.

AA enabled from the Nvidia GPU control panel works too, I have tried CSAA, later I will make another comparison screenshot, FXAA might work too and use less resources.
I should probably make a screenshot with Trees/vegetation later.

==Increase Grass Draw distance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiS3fgqu0Po
http://kocayine.ru/2013/05/24/increase-the-grass-draw-distance-in-s-t-a-l-k-e-r/
(reset the render by changing a video option that makes it reset such as resolution)

ENB
improvements? I have yet to try it, but here's where and how to install it
http://enbdev.com/download_mod_stalker.htm
Installation instructions (by Vynil Scratch):
enbbloom.fx, enbeffect.fx, enbeffectprepass.fx, enbpalette.bmp, enbseries.ini, injector.ini, SMAA.fx and SMAA.h all go in common/stalker soc folder, d3d9.dll and d3d9.smaa.dll go in the bin folder then delete the shader folders from gamedata.

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                    ==BUGS, HELP, CRASH, FREEZE, ERRORS Troubleshooting==
Check your Documents/STALKER-SHOC/logs folder for the SOC crash log, other STALKER games use similar STALKER-folders under Documents. Steam users: the game uses the $app_data_root$ path on first line of fsgame.ltx in your STALKER install folder.


Find the last few lines of the text file, and copy-paste those in the thread if you want any assistance. A list of common crashes and bugs can be found here:

http://www.metacognix.com/stlkrsoc/CrashesStillInTheGame.html

As soon as the game crashes, open the bloc notes and Ctrl+V to paste the crash log.

Zone Reclamation project is a good idea to start well ahead  of the bug race even if the game can completed, mostly without an hitch with the vanilla game and its patches http://www.metacognix.com/files/stlkrsoc/index.html

==GAMESPY CRASH==
A very recent crash has arisen, caused by Gamespy servers, because SoC uses those servers for online play, the crash log reads
"Loading DLL: xrGameSpy.dll
! Unable to init Server Browser!
stack trace:"
SOLUTION:
1) Turn off internet
2) There's a solution in this Steam support thread apparently http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1413521

==Can't find texture 'ui\ui_nvidia_intro'
Start the game with the command "-nointro"

==Reminder: MS Update KB2670838 breaks your DX10/11 games including Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat. You can safely uninstall it.
(thanks anon)
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==Some of my shots seem to not hit the target no matter what==
1) Stand still, aim down the sights, possibly crouch and use the single fire mode.
2) Alas the starter pistol aim is awful and his stopping power scarce, so that might be a turn off for some, personally what I do is either get up close and aim for the head with the chance of getting my hands on a Sawn off shotgun or use the Knife, always the secondary fire thought, while slow it can be a one hit kill even for the heaviest target.

3) If you still have troubles with this, is not your fault, the game has a dice roll function where some shots at a certain distance simply wont exist anymore, to solve this:

“In weapons.ltx under [bullet_manager] change hit_probability_max_dist from 10 to something like 1000001

This increases the distance at which dice rolls takes effect to one that exceeds the distance for any sort of engagement in the game, thus eliminating it.

Also, you shouldn't forget to modify the k_dist of each bullet type, and the fire_distance of each weapon to their real world equivalents.

Once this is done, none of the bullets will disappear mid-flight.” FatalFunnel (note: ZoA has this function removed already)
image info about aim in Stalker http://i.imgur.com/bZj3e.jpg
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==Where do I download patch/patches for Stalker SoC? (Steam gives you the latest patch)==
http://stalker.filefront.com/files/Stalker/Shadow_of_Chernobyl/Official_Releases/Patches;10544

Which game version/patch Steam uses?
Version 1.0005

With Xray source code leak, someone patched the game, well anyone could and only one that I know of did and is gone too, oh well RIP in Peace.
Codebro's 1.0008 Patch for SoC - enter "menu_fps_cap 0" in the console to prevent crashes.
http://www.mediafire.com/download/6644yv6xekn73rr/Codebro's+1.0008b+Fix+1.zip
http://pastebin.com/CtQ7zfkA ChangeLog
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CONSOLE COMMANDS LIST
http://www.tweakguides.com/STALKER_8.html
SHOW FPS
rs_stats [on,off]
VERY IMPORTANT: Please enable from your GPU control panel the Vsynch to limit the Framerate to 60.
Otherwise while in the Menu the uncapped frame can go to insane levels, 600/1000 FPS wasting hardware usage and potentially breaking it in the long run, see also:

"...you can easily kill your vga, if you leave your game in main menu for a while (sometimes even 30min is enough)... since there is no fps limit set in main menu, and it can go up to ca. 4000fps or more, and it simply overheats your hardware. One of our members killed his gtx680 this way" -Lost Alpha mod Developer.
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=1&thm_id=21830&sec_id=16
It also isnt eco friendly.

http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/07/28/blizzard-confirms-starcraft-ii-overheating-bug.aspx
"the game's menu screens aren't framerate-limited. This means that when there's nothing else going on, your graphics hardware renders the bejeezus out of those screens, causing nasty overheating problems."

Some say that the GPU should not have any problem unless is a lousy one, but anyway if anybody has a tool to check the GPU load, temperature ecc, then please check out on the matter.
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==Shadows are broken==
A common bug with widescreen monitors, where the shadows of the terrain get “sucked” into the borders of your screen. Open your Console (~ \) while in game and type these two lines

r2_sun_near 20
r2_sun_near_border 1
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==KRUGLOV get killed by an Anomaly==
More likely to happen in AMK, because of the random anomalies one might get into his path and kill him, so either:
Sleep to reset them, try "activating" it/them Or, this works for VANILLA too, move far away, it should be 150 Meters, so that A-Life kicks in and he goes automatically.
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                                         ==TWEAKS==
==I want to change how fast time goes==
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl\gamedata\config\alife.ltx

time_factor = x
normal_time_factor = x

Higher value = faster. Lower value = slower.

“that file does not exist in my folder”
here is it http://www.sendspace.com/file/kuljx5 (oh for fuck sake is not available anymore)
paste it in that file path and then modify it.

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==How do I change height and crouching in SoC? Also how to enable Prone==
In vanilla SoC / ZRP the player's eye-level is too low compared to other humans by default. You can edit this with ZRP's modifier, using Actor.cfg to install actor.ltx, choose Camera Viewpoint entry and raise it from default 0.85 to 0.94.

Most overhaul mods do fix the player's height by default.

find/extract/unpack config\creatures\actor.ltx, edit it in text editor. Eye Height is set by camera_height_factor, height is Y component of X,Y,Z values for ph_box#_size and ph_box#_center.

The # value is 0, 1, and 2, for standing, crouching and low crouching.
>Going Prone
Edit your actor.ltx file with these values:

ph_box0_center = 0.0, 0.9, 0.0
ph_box0_size = 0.35, 0.9, 0.35
ph_box1_center = 0.0, 0.65, 0.0
ph_box1_size = 0.35, 0.65, 0.35
ph_box2_center = 0.0, 0.2, 0.0
ph_box2_size = 0.35, 0.2, 0.35

This will make it so low crouch will now make you go prone
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==How do I change the FOV (Field of View) ?==
http://www.sendspace.com/file/kdybbn
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How to remove Headbob/Head Bob/Head Bobbing/Shakey-Brakey Camera
Type "cam_inert 0.1" or "cam_inert 0" in the console to reduce or remove the camera inertia, which keeps the player moving, turning or swaying after the keyboard/mouse motion input has stopped.
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How to change weight in the backpack
 In config/misc you'll find the actor.ltx, and in the config root you'll find system.ltx, and in both config files you'll pretty easily find the variables responsible for weight limit "max_weight".
for AMK: AMK separates the [inventory] section into a separate file, inventory_sect.ltx (Thanks Anon for the find)
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Loading times are too long, what to do?
Add in the game destination (so go to your Stalker SoC icon in the Desktop or the start up options for those who use Steam) and add the line
-noprefetch
so the game destination will probably look like this.
“C:\Program Files\THQ\S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl\bin\XR_3DA.exe" -noprefetch
What does it do? “it will disable the prefetching which occurs when STALKER loads up a saved game, preventing the game engine from preloading a range of resources into memory. “-Tweakguides
and somehow help prevent stutterings too.
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Add in-game playable Guitar and Harmonica (you can purchase it from Stalkers or traders)
http://www.mediafire.com/download/ae600ryte52oigk/guitar+etc+huds+UPDATE.7z
Guitar songs location likely to be
\stalker shadow of chernobyl\gamedata\sounds\characters_voice\human_01\stalker\music
Thanks TKGP.
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Spawning objects inside Stalker SoC
How to use it
http://stalker.filefront.com/file/Atlas_Spawn_Menu_Mod;96202
In case the download fails
http://www.mediafire.com/download/6iubna2z2a1oew1/atlas_spawn_menu_mod_1.1.7z
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Some tweaks by an Anon from a thread
Sick of scrolling within your inventory when dropping stuff?

open "inventory_new.xml" in notepad, overwite with this:

<dragdrop_bag x="22" y="33" width="340" height="442"
cell_width = "25" cell_height="25" rows_num="17" cols_num="12"
unlimited="1" group_similar="1"/>
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twenty artefacts on your belt?
open "inventory_new.xml" in notepad, overwite with this:
<dragdrop_belt x="590" y="118" width="410" height="104"
cell_width = "40" cell_height="40" rows_num="2" cols_num="10"/>
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Want to pickup items from 20m away?

system.ltx
take_dist = 20
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Detect items at 50m away

actor.ltx
pickup_info_radius = 50
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NEED BRIGHT headlight?

light_night.ltx

range = 90
range_r2= 90
color = 0.9,0.9,0.9,0.5
color_r2 = 0.9,0.9,0.9,0.5
omni_range = 0.5
omni_range_r2 = 0.5
omni_color = 1.0,1.0,1.0,0.5
omni_color_r2 = 1.0,1.0,1.0,0.5
spot_angle = 90
glow_radius = 0.3-
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BE A NINJA ???

actor.ltx

jump_speed = 13.0
crouch_coef = 0.65
climb_coef = 1.0
run_coef = 2.5
sprint_koef = 3.0
run_back_coef = 3.0
walk_back_coef = 3.0

ph_crash_speed_min = 50
ph_crash_speed_max = 150
ph_collision_damage_factor = 0.0

Leap buildings in a single bound?
jump_speed = 50.0

NOTE: notice "walk_back_coef = 3.0"?
This means when you drag a body, if you walk backwards you can drag it at running speed!!!!.... just don't run your arse into a sprinboard.
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==I can hear an echo in the Wind that follows me=
That is likely to be the "controller", it wont happen in Vanilla
=I can still hear after having killed the Controller his chant==
A bug that occurs very often, either save and load, change map, or quit the game.
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Dialogue modifications

the dialogues are confined within
config\text\rus (or eng)
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remove the ironsights zoom
 Extract config\weapons\ (gamedata.dbb should have it) to a folder. Edit all the w_*.ltx files and set scope_zoom_factor = 60 for no zoom.
Don't change it for the scopes in weapons.ltx.
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==BLOWOUTS/Emissions==
Gameplay wise all you need to know is the horn will play and you need to find a safe place until the Sky isnt bleeding anymore.
Blowout frequency
the relevant file is gamedata\config\blowout.ltx
and it should look like
[blowout_period] enabled = X time = Y shift = Z
Enabled is on (1) off (0)
"Time" is the mean time period measured in (in-game) minutes, for example you want a blowout four times per week then set it to 2520.0
"Shift" is the uncertainty about the average period between blowouts. Using in-game minutes, so if you want the period to be a day then it should be 1440, or 720 for half a day
==Enable SURROUND in Stalker, at least SoC==
Get this
http://www.mediafire.com/download/qgnq3vgj9eapljc/ENABLING_SURROUND_5.1_on_STALKER_SOC_openal-soft-1.17.0-bin.7z
Copy content from Win32 to Stalker Bin to enable Surround
                                                ==MODS MODZ== (z so you can find it faster)
Mods reviews pastebin.com/u/TheREVIEWER
Mods choice quick chart http://i.imgur.com/LpRlo.jpg
MODS LISTS/MODS RECOMMENDATION
http://rasputinator.com/blog/mod-lists/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-shoc-list/
http://rasputinator.com/blog/mod-lists/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-cop-list/
http://rasputinator.com/blog/mod-lists/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-cs-list/
STARTER PACKS for the best vanilla experience, download links and installation instructions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHWKexK7B_8

http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=1&thm_id=21075&sec_id=16
Check moddb.com and Stalker.filefront
Mods being developed:
LURK http://www.moddb.com/mods/lurk Holden, Millennia, Lurk Team
Zone of Alienation http://www.moddb.com/mods/zone-of-alienation-mod (FatalFunnel)
LA http://www.dezowave.com/
Misery (The "AMK" for Call of Pripyat) (2.0) http://www.moddb.com/mods/stalker-misery
Here is a page in case for "gameplay fixes" http://www.moddb.com/mods/stalker-misery/forum/thread/modsfixes
(look in the GSC forums, there are stil who knows how many Russians mods to discover)

==Where are they installed and how do I remove them?==
The first time you will have to edit your "fsgame.ltx" in the install directory, open the file with a text editor like Notepad and find the following line
$game_data$             = false| true|  $fs_root$|            gamedata\
and change the "false" to "true"
Some mods come with an EXE, others will have to be dropped in the main Stalker folder, they always come in a folder called "gamedata" which you drop along the other main folders, so to remove a mod simply remove that folder, without the need to download everything again.
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==I WANT MORE GUNS==
Each mod may usually add his own guns, AMK add back some deleted content among with a few guns, LURK mod have their own, Soup adds a TON of content.
But if you want just guns then use the Arsenal mod
(Note to self, must add more links)
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                                       ==STALKER WEATHER OVERHAUL==
Graphic mod for the Weather.
Look into the repository
                                               ===AMK guide===
http://i.imgur.com/huLmZ.jpg
download that includes retranslation and patches http://www.mediafire.com/?8wm243dsc0dlwm7

AMK and artefacts/artifact
AMK adds new artefacts, which you can randomly find in stashes thanks to his peculiar system, around the Zone (blowouts adds them) and there's also "artifact cooking", where you will be placing them inside certain anomalies and wait for the result, different persons will give out the receipt for them, but here's a handy guide http://i.imgur.com/dOHHnh.jpg

MORE GUNS FOR AMK/Arsenal for AMK arsenal
So you want more guns? Ok but you cant just add Arsenal to AMK, head here for all the files
Download the AMK Arsenal Mod V1 and install the gamedata folder. Also install the gamedata folder in “Randomized Weapons for AMK.” Install any other extras you want but do not install “controller zombification!”
B. Download and the install AMK Arsenal V2 Patch.
C. Download the AMK Arsenal V3.1 Patch and install both gamedata folders-SomethingforNobody SoC Guide
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?hf4zjuow1iuz1rh
http://www.mediafire.com/?c8w9blhd8xgmv6a
http://www.mediafire.com/?fn0nj58pg79dnln
It should even make the game harder because this mod includes
http://stalker.filefront.com/file/PLRs_Realistic_Weapons;88736
***
NOTE: Likely to have a bug where enemies start using solely pistols, to fix this read here
QUICK FIX:
What happens is the "fort-12" is accidentally tagged as a sniper rifle in arsenal, go to the gamedata/config/weapons folder and find "w_fort" and change "ef_weapon_type" from 3 to 5.
***
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=2&thm
_id=21708&sec_id=16&offset=300
You could add Arsenal 1.2 to AMK but, is hard.

Minimal LURK HUD for AMK
http://www.mediafire.com/?vwc1towb54lqo0c

Better graphic for AMK
See "AMK Complete"
I point you to the somethingfornobody guide which is still offline, so I saved a cached version on Mediafire
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?mx8ai8sfspxfr9c
The user.ltx file for Stalker Weather Overhaul is missing, so I am uploading this one found in the version 3.1
http://www.mediafire.com/?ceiwz575binbczo

AMK change settings without reinstalling
http://stalker.filefront.com/file/;119816
use it to change between strong/weaker monster and visible/invisible anomalies.

"Can I mix AMK and ZRP? (Zone reclamation Project)
Nope.
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The AMK Mod guide that was on a Google Doc
>see pic

Also see FAQ. FAQ has fix for NPCs preferring pistols over rifles; some pistols have ef_weapon_type of 3 - should be 5.

Consider ZoA (Zone of Alienation), too.

Done with vanilla/ZRP ? Want some extra challenge and features?
Then try out the "defining" Stalker mod, AMK1.4:

http://www.mediafire.com/?8wm243dsc0dlwm7

If you're playing on Steam / GOG / 1.0005 or 1.0006 patch, you NEED to downgrade to 1.0004

First run Amk 1.4 setup, then AMK EN patch final.
Install AMK Retranslated last.

You can use same graphical mods found in STARTER PACK with AMK. In case of SWO2.2, remember to apply its own AMK-patch last, or your game will crash!
[#FDL] = Full Dynamic Lighting, [#SL] = Static Lighting.

ZoA: You need SoC 1.0004 + mod + patch 13 + hotfix for Dark Valley Dynamite_immunities_sect crash

http://www.moddb.com/mods/zone-of-alienation-mod/
FAQ by TKGP: http://pastebin.com/pKBibDLS
Until the 1.0006-compatible update, don't use "take all" with rucksacks. It breaks the magazine function.

>ZRP controller kill function for AMK/ZoA
http://pastebin.com/9iZmEfym

>Controller dBodyStateValide(b) crash fix
http://pastebin.com/81sNfVfq

Looks okay for AMK and AMK-related if they don't change the file otherwise.

Not recommended for vanilla! AMK changes a lot of other stuffs in that file."

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AMK derivatives
Just like AMK these mods will work better under the 04 version of the game, AMK itself has a compatibility patch which can be used to play on the Steam version of SoC (version 05)

But since ZoA and other AMK derivates do not have such thing you will have to either patch the game to the 04 version or DOWNGRADE it if you have the Steam version, here is how:
http://i.imgur.com/zZs7pep.png
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Stalker ZoA (Zone of Alienation)
"ZoA isn't meant to be enjoyed, if you're having fun, you're doing it wrong."-FatalFunnel 2012
What is it
“An adaptation of the renowned AMK mod. It is built on top of a specialized variant of AMK that uses a magazine system”. Created by moddb user and trip FatalFunnel
Where can I find it, and what does it add?
On the premises of AMK is also much more difficulty, with more weapons, improved AI, more quests, better graphic, optional freeplay and an artefact detection system with old artifacts having altered properties.
http://www.moddb.com/mods/zone-of-alienation-mod/downloads

well somebody has made a pastebin about ZoA so instead of copy pasting that I'll put a link of it here.
http://pastebin.com/pKBibDLS


HOW DO I RELOAD? (in ZoA)
http://i.imgur.com/1USJu.png
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==I want to remove the magazine/reloading system==
You will have to mod each weapon's ammo_class to use the ammo types instead of the magazine types which are stand-ins.
You will also have to change the magazine capacity from 1 to whatever that magazine's capacity is.

I want to disable the depth of field/blur in Zone of Alienation.
go into gamedate/shaders/r2 and open Shader_settings.txt
put // before #define on the enable ddof or whatever values.

I want to disable Bloom and how does it work
1) Turn off sun shadows, or you could just fiddle around with the ls_bloom_threshold in user.ltx.
2)
r2_ls_bloom_fast off
or,
r2_ls_bloom_threshold 0.3 - the higher the threshold, the less bloom you get.
More info on BLOOM settings
Also from FatalFunnel words "the most important one being r2_ls_bloom_threshold, which ranges from 0.000 to 1.000, the higher values having less bloom, but you should also play with r2_ls_bloom_kernel_scale, and r2_ls_bloom_speed. You could also mess around with some of the shader settings." Thank you FF.
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=1&thm_id=21462&sec_id=16&offset=300
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if headshots don't work change bip01_head in m_stalker.ltx to 1.5 or 2.0 for the first value
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Stalker SOUP (quick addition, needs revision ASAP)
where to get it and how to install it
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/stalkersoup/discussions/0/882961586804282227
Here is a modified "actor.ltx" file AKA a gameplay mode, an attempt to rebalance Stalker SOUP
http://pastebin.com/ms7cAdqG
by RoadRunn3R
Stalker Soup locations http://i.imgur.com/zra8W.jpg
THAT FUCKING CAVE MAN
I know, the game should have by default a save file that skip it, otherwise here is it from RPS
http://www.mediafire.com/?79fadml9o0c1jdb
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Secret Trails 2
I have found myself playing this nice Russian mod for SoC, new locations, new story needs the version 04 and that you add the command line "-nointro" to the game shortcut destination.
Download: https://www.dropbox.com/s/ck66b73cnw4m2n9/33_secret_trials_2_1239c.7z
INFO and an english Guide as well
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=1&thm_id=20533&page=1&sort=DESC&sec_id=17&offset=-60
NOTE: IF YOU DONT PLAY WITH THE 1.0004 VERSION THE GAME WILL NOT WORK AT A CERTAIN POINT.
If you are playing on Steam AND OR with the 1.0005 version then follow this guide to downgrade it
http://i.imgur.com/7BLfJh.jpg
FOLLOW IT, delete those gamedata files, DO IT OR THE MOD WONT WORK, IF YOU COME WHINING THAT THE GAME CRASHED AND YOU DID NOT DO THIS I WILL PUT A DROPLET ARTEFACT WHERE THE SUN DOES NOT SHINE.
In a nutshell, you came to play Paintball, you lost your brother and woke up some years later, you will now be searching for him, the game is "linear", the maps are Stalker like but they wont let you wander around....at least at the beginning, I think with this new content and missions is more than worth the play.
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==Nature Winter Black Edition==
Here is a link with most info wonkily translated thought, but it has everything in english.
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=1&thm_id=21730&sec_id=16&offset=-60

Not much info from me, but I wish to introduce this mod as it has quite some interesting original features which should be explored, expecially by other modders.
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==Doom's mod merge==
Download: https://mega.co.nz/#F!zEtSxC4J!eRsovn-n098UpRtLDmr5_w
what is it?
"Facepunchfs own Sgt. Doom has developed this small mod merge combining the Freeplay mod and an unknown weapon pack. You can spawn as almost any faction member and do missions for the faction accordingly.

The so-called "unknown weapon pack" is actually the weapons from LURK 1.1 ported over. This mod is about as closed to total freeplay (because it IS totally freeplay) as SoC will ever get."
This is anon's modification of it.



==COMPLETE 2009==
I leave you to some "old" but trusty copypasta about it
"For better or worse, here is 'Why Complete 2009/2012 Sucks!' (except for Clear Sky)

- All weapons have their accuracy increased by 10-20.
- Damage done to everybody is decreased by various percentages.
- Weight limit is increased by 10kg, the maximum being 70kg. In vanilla, the Exo-suit enabled up to 80kg!
- Limits NPC's eye sight distance so they can't spot you from beyond ~100 meters. Said to remove enemies skill to spot you from "unrealistic distances," but really means you always see them first every time.
- Sound radius of the knife and other critical sounds such as death cries, falling dead bodies, night-vision goggles, grass, and footsteps are greatly reduced.
- scientific suits with 90% rad protection now feature an anti-rad injection system.
- Bandages auto-apply at 10% health.
- An older beta version of ZRP is used for their "bug fixes," making it less stable than vanilla with the latest version of ZRP.
The following features are also available in other mods, but are usually balanced out with other forms of difficulty:
- You can bribe hostile factions to leave you alone.
- A repair kit that lets you service your armor and weapons without the need for a trader can be bought from traders.
- The bar trader and Screw now sell weapons and armor repair services.
- Elite Nightvision, essentially the black & white night vision based on the psy_antenna postprocess effect, replaces the original UV-based blue NV. Perfect vision in the dark is now possible, even without a real light source."

So there you have it.
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Stalker CoP
many things said for other Stalkers apply to this one as well but I should update, enrich this part and play this game already.
Here something I quickly put for those who are playing the CoP mod
==MISERY==
I dont know who made this, is a bit of general knowledge for many Stalker who since the release of the mod had problems with Stamina and other things as well in Misery.
http://pastebin.com/R7NzBwLk
also http://www.moddb.com/mods/stalker-misery/forum/thread/modsfixes
If Moddb is being a bitch, then
http://www.gamefront.com/files/files/21176323/MISERY_Stalker_CoP.zip
then patch
http://www.gamefront.com/files/files/21234004/MISERY_patch_2.zip
and textures optimization pack
http://www.mediafire.com/?a4u98m6k9gvnfn3
PS Misery 2 coming soon
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OTHER STUFF MISC
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I wish to extract from Stalker Sounds/Textures/models eccetera, What to do?
www.metacognix.com/files/stlkrsoc/SoCPUP_1.0.7z
Use this Tool on the files called "gamedata."
(does it works on Clear Sky and CoP too? Need to check)
Even more info
http://cheeki.violates.me/
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What happened to Stalker 2?
The old team left to Vostok Games and is now making a Free to play game called Survarium, Sergei does not want to sell the IP, it was NOT sold to Bethesda, here's a more detailed article
http://www.vg247.com/2012/11/14/s-t-a-l-k-e-r-2-collapse-was-forced-move-says-survarium-dev/
Tl dr:
http://news.softpedia.com/news/STALKER-2-Was-Two-Years-Away-from-Completion-When-Canceled-307219.shtml

The brand WAS NOT acquired by Bitcomposer

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/pressreleases/183337/bitComposer_Entertainment_acquires_STALKERLicense.php
http://www.bitcomposer.com/www_en/newsarchive.aspx?newsid=409f9f95-6f57-4214-8a3e-1789777d728b

But they seem to have bought the "stalker" franchise as not the one of the games but the books.
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2012/12/12/bitcomposer-acquire-s-t-a-l-k-e-r-from-strygatsky/
Strugatsky* is the family from which the two brothers wrote Roadside Picnic the inspiration for Stalker.
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WALLPAPERS
1) Go here http://nik.bot.nu/tags.fu#
2) CTRL+F (Search tool in your browser) "stalker"
3) Click tag
4) In the new page you will see Stalker images, click each of them to see more info and related images.
Or use the links in the other Pastebin in my profile. THIS http://pastebin.com/XHtdapnE
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What does Chiki Briki Cheeki Breeki Cheecky Briki means?
http://i.imgur.com/rWMfo.jpg
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Signs and Stalker chattings translated
http://www.zsg.dk/Translations.php
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STALKER MMO (unofficial English and Russian)
A fellow Stalker Anon wrote this guide
http://pastebin.com/Rf9r2eg8
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Why weapons are mirrored / ejections ports are in the wrong side
Official explanation
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=4&thm_id=100&sec_id=0&page=1
"This issue was raised many times. However, I'll repeat our standpoint once again.
We are perfectly aware of what side the breechblock, ejection port and stuff is. All other developers that make shooter-games with mirrored weapons know this as well.
This mirror effect is done deliberately to introduce additional dynamics and the feel of firing (in other words realism no matter how absurd it may sound) into the game. There are not so many people who'd be amuzed with watching absolutely static and lacking dynamics guns.
On the other hand, majority of the players (that's a fact!) has very vague idea about the layout of real weapons. Thus, they could not care less where comes what in the gun."
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==LOST ALPHA==

OFFICIAL FAQ: http://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/features/lost-alpha-faq
IS STANDALONE AND FREE
INSTALL THE PATCH: http://www.moddb.com/mods/lost-alpha/downloads/stalker-lost-alpha-v130013-patch

1) INSTALL ALL THE 3D PARTY APPLICATIONS inside folder "3rdparties"
2) Force Vsynch from your GPU control panel. because 1) As with Starcraft 2 (google it) the menu has uncapped FPS, leading to a potential GPU overheat 2) plus the devs themselves recommended it to fix another bug.

3) If you are using a 32 bit system: "Anyone who uses 32bit operating system should remove the msvcp120.dll, msvcp120d.dll and msvcr120.dll from the game's bins directory. That will solve many problems. Also before game start, you can delete the user.ltx too and let the game create a new one based on your system specs"-Dezodor

4) Changing the FOV
open the console with "\" then type "FOV XX" where XX is the number, usually PC games use 90, but Stalker's FOV is different so you might want to put something lower.

5) Disliking those pesky build 1935 gun models? TKGP got you covered, with most models being replaced from LURK and LWO
https://mega.co.nz/#!J5BzwQab!IXPxZD5dbPGYmdcIB4zIfGk2iaYa9x1y9bCg-24wbLw

6) Remove the black deathscreen in Lost Alpha, open the command console and write "g_first_person_death off"

7) "optimal" user.ltx with bloom toned down, and actor's legs removed (they cause bugs) taken from Fatal Funnel.
http://pastebin.com/DNWv0CJB Goes in \S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Lost Alpha\appdata

9) Dont bind anything to F5 and dont bind anything to a key already being used.

10) Borov safe crash fix http://www.mediafire.com/download/9n85q5b82x53835/ui_safe.zip

11) Drop suit from Agroprom underground before talking to Petrenko to avoid crash. Lower resolution if that doesn't work.

12)  Enter "r3_use_dx10_1 on" into the console for fps gain

Bug reporting and discussion
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&sec_id=19&offset=-120


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About the Chernobyl incident links and pictures found by Trip "Stalker!eH.UAIzlrQ"/" Stalker!1xYlVfLFPw "

12GB of Chernobyl documentaries torrent here: http://unblockedpiratebay.com/?loadurl=/torrent/7572490/Chernobyl_-_Documentary__amp_amp__Video_Coll
ection

Chernobyl 25 Years On (featuring segments on STALKER) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9URUQvGE9g
Chernobyl Heart (documentary on the effects of the disaster on local populations):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4myrTIMrYc
Chernobyl Reclaimed (documentary about the native animal population of the Zone):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-UOHn9PvJ0
"Inside Chernobyl (2012 shoe-string documentary): http://documentaryheaven.com/inside-chernobyl/
Inside Chernobyl Sarcophagous (the title says it all): http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5968506788418521112

"Also, if you want a fuckload of Hi-Res Chornobyl pictures, please feel free to go to my archived thread from my visit to Chornobyl and Pripyat on 11/11/11: http://chanarchive.org/4chan/x/27607/ask-someone-who-went-chernobyl-last-weekend-anything-i-ve-got-a-metric-fuckton-of-hi-res-oc-for-you-guys

Some links were not included as those videos are unavailable now.

Credits
GSC
Dezowave team
Anons/Stalkers in particular those that wrote and drew the guides and the challenges
AMK team
Moddb
FatalFunnel
Holden
LURK team
Somethingfornobody
Tecnobacon
TheREVIEWER
Doggy
RoadRunn3R
GSC Forums
"Stalker!eH.UAIzlrQ"/" Stalker!1xYlVfLFPw "
Stalker wikia http://stalker.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page
http://www.metacognix.com/
http://www.tecnobacon.com/
http://www.tweakguides.com
Myself, do oh oh oh


Link list  (incomplete)
Roadside Picnic
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?xtr3r3bnbj0e842
Stalker A-life
http://aigamedev.com/open/interviews/stalker-alife/
Stalker bugs
http://www.metacognix.com/stlkrsoc/BugsInSTALKER.html
Stalker Soup, where to get it and how to install it
http://steamcommunity.com/groups/stalkersoup/discussions/0/882961586804282227
Mod reviews by REVIEWER
pastebin.com/u/TheREVIEWER
Stalker mod portal
http://sdk.stalker-game.com/en/index.php?title=S.T.A.L.K.E.R._MOD_portal (fairly empity)
An interesting article about Stalker modding (translate with Yandex/Google/Bing)
https://medium.com/@ACRains/моддинг-что-мы-симулировали-5894adbc642e#.jxp1iygn2
Some stalker basic mod info
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&thm_page=1&thm_id=5387&sec_id=16
GSC forums
http://www.gsc-game.com/index.php?t=community&s=forums&s_game_type=xr&offset=-60
Moddb
SomethingforNobodyStalkerSoC guide for when the website is offline
http://www.mediafire.com/view/?mx8ai8sfspxfr9c
Somebody decided to put this on the Steam guides, a nice idea considering it would be much more visible that way and give me credit too, how nice.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=121125400
I wonder if the number of visits being so low compared to the Pastebin is due to the unique visitors?
https://code.stypi.com/codebro/XRay
Also, If you cant find X file, just check on the missing file label up here.