Factions

Factions are groups/clans within the Zone, with their own beliefs and objectives. The player is required to choose a faction upon starting a game, with 9 available factions and 3 unlockable, that being the Renegades, Sin and UNISG. The list of major factions in the Zone are:

## Loners

Loners (or Free Stalkers) are Stalkers who operate independently and do not belong to any faction. They are free to pursue their own goals and agendas without the constraints or obligations of a faction. They are the most common type of Stalker in the game and can be found all over the Zone.

Their headquaters is in the Rookie Village in Cordon.

Loners are neutral to all factions, except Bandits, Military, Mercenaries, Monolith, Renegades, Sin and UNISG.

## Bandits

Bandits are raiders and theives of the Zone. They typically engage in robbery, kidnapping, and extortion, preying on weaker factions and unsuspecting travelers for profit.

Their headquarters is the Northern Factory located in the Dark Valley.

Bandits are viewed as a threat by all other factions in the Zone, except Freedom, Mercenaries and Renegades.

## Clear Sky

Clear Sky is an independent militaristic-scientific group operating in the Zone. They are researchers who are trying to understand the Zone. They are not motivated by money or collecting artifacts, and they do not want to fight with other groups.

Their headquarters is the Hidden Base in the Great Swamps.

Clear sky are neutral with all factions, except the Bandits, Military, Monolith, Renegades, Sin and UNISG.

## Duty

Duty is a paramilitary faction with the primary goal of protecting the zone from external threats and maintaining order within its borders. Full of well-armed and well-trained soldiers, Duty are known for their discipline and professionalism.

Their barracks is located in Rostok.

Duty are neutral with all factions, except Bandits, Freedom, Mercenaries, Monolith, Renegades, Sin and UNISG.

## Freedom

Freedom is a group of individuals who value freedom and independence above all else. Freedom's primary objective is to create a zone free from the influence of external powers, including the military and the government.

Their headquarters is in the Military Base in Army Warehouse.

Freedom is neutral with all factions, except Duty, Military, Monolith, Renegades, Sin and UNISG.

## Mercenary

The Mercenaries are a group of experienced soldiers of fortune who operate in the zone for profit. The Mercs operate independently, taking on contracts from various clients and performing tasks, like assassinations and sabotage.

Their headquarters is in the Sports Centre in the Dead City.

The Mercs are hostile Loners, Duty, Military, Monolith, Renegades and Sin and are neutral to the rest.

The Mercs are the only faction who are neutral with UNISG.

## Military

The Ukranian Military consists of soldiers, who are sent into the Zone to maintain order and prevent anyone from entering or leaving the area. The military faction is known for their use of heavy firepower, including Mil Mi-24 Hind attack choppers, which they use to maintain their dominance over the area.

Their headquarters are in the Research Institute in Agroprom.

The Military is neutral with Duty and the Ecologists, and are hostile to the rest.

## Ecologists

The Ecologists are a group of scientists and researchers who are dedicated to studying the Zone and its Anomalies. They are equipped with scientific equipment such as their SSP-line of radiation suits, and other tools that allow them to explore the Zone safely. The Ecologists are a pacifistic faction, as they do not engage in combat, preferring to focus on their scientific research instead.

Their headquarters are Sahkorovs Bunker in Yantar.

The Ecologists are neutral with the most factions, than any other, only being hostile to Bandits, Monolith, Renegades, Sin and UNISG.

## Monolith

The Monolith are a group of brainwashed, fanatical worshippers who believe in the power of the Zone and seek to protect it at all costs. They are a pawn of the C-Consciousness, with its members brainwashed into serving the entity's goals. Despite the destruction of the C-Consciousness, the faction still remains at large, due to the remaining members taking over large areas of the zone again. The Monolith soliders are highly trained and are equipped with high tier weapons and armors, such as Exoskeletons and Gauss Rifles.

Their headquarters are in the Palace of Culture in Pripyat.

The Monolith are only neutral with Sin and are hostile with all other factions.

## Renegades

The Renegades are a group of outcasts and outlaws from other factions. Most likely they were previously Bandits, as they still engage in robbery and raiding of territories. They are equipped with most of the same equipment as the Bandits as well.

Their headquarters are in the Tuzla Outpost in the Great Swamp.

Renegades are neutral with Bandits and are hostile to all other factions

## Sin

Sin is a group of religious, zombie-like fanatics who believed in the divine esscense of the Zone. They seek to expand the Zone, eventually so that it spans the whole world. Despite their ragged clothing and poor health, their combat ability is on par with even veteran stalkers. They all look up to their leader Chernobog.

Their headquarters is in the Mine Barracks in the Red Forest.

Sin is only neutral with Monolith and hostile to the other factions.

## United Nations International Scientific Group (UNISG)

The United Nations International Scientific Group or UNISG is a special forces unit and research organization based in the Zone, focused on studying the anomalies and artifacts found within it. The factions goal are unknown, The group has been suspected to have an avid and politically motivated interst in the Zone origins. As they are essentially UN soliders, they are far from defenseless, being equipped with top of the line armor and weapons.

A possible headquarters for the faction could be the Sawmill in Darkscape.

UNISG is only neutral with the Mercs and are hostile to all other factions.

## Trivia

* The unlockable factions (Renegades, Sin and UNISG) can be accessed by just typing "Renegades", "Greh" and "UNISG" in the faction-select menu, not requiring the player to have finished the factions respective storyline quests.