Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl → Mutants
Boar - A large animal, reaching one and a half meters at the withers. Its vitality and aggressiveness surpasses that of its relatives outside the Zone and rivals most mutants. Mutagenic processes caused by exposure to radiation and anomalies have significantly affected the appearance of these mammals: in some places, they have become bald, while in others, on the contrary, they have grown very long, coarse fur. The animals' hooves have changed shape and become sharper, taking on a resemblance to claws; their pupils have become discolored, and pigment spots and deep wrinkles have appeared on their bald heads.
Flesh - Domestic pigs trapped in the Zone, like many other living organisms, underwent severe mutation. Because genes controlling metabolic processes were affected, the animal's phenotype changed dramatically. The mutated pig, which stalkers call "flesh," is one of the most glaring examples of the Zone's desecration of nature. These creatures developed a protective scaly-bony covering, significantly increased regenerative capacity, and a more complex nervous system. Like a regular pig, the "flesh" is omnivorous, so if hungry, it may well attack a stalker.
Blind Dog - Since the first catastrophe, several generations of canines have passed, and each generation has increasingly shown the influence of the Zone. Mutations and evolutionary adaptation have led to the enhancement of previously weak canine abilities, often at the expense of their more familiar ones. The main physiological changes affected vision, which proved almost useless after the rapid enhancement of their sense of smell: for example, blind puppies survived in the Zone just as well, if not better, than their sighted counterparts. As a result, ordinary dogs soon completely degenerated there, giving way to a new species—blind dogs. These animals are excellent at recognizing and avoiding anomalies, radiation, and other invisible dangers that swarm the Zone. Like their ancestors, blind dogs hunt in packs: an encounter with a large group of these creatures poses serious danger even to a well-armed stalker.
Pseudo-dog - Despite their name, pseudo-dogs are descended not from dogs, but from wolves. The wild animals that inhabited the Zone's forests at the time of the disaster became the progenitors of one of the most dangerous mutant species. Pseudo-dogs are as different from mutated dogs as wild wolves are from mongrels. These creatures are territorial and viciously attack anyone who invades their territory. Their lightning-fast reflexes, incredible agility, and sharp teeth make the pseudo-dog a formidable adversary, difficult to resist even for a large mutant or a well-armed stalker.
Controller - A rare mutant encountered close to the center of the Zone. It resembles a humanoid with a disproportionately enlarged head. It possesses advanced perception and the ability to control the behavior of less developed living beings. Mature specimens are capable of taking control of even humans. It is a dangerous opponent, one that even the most experienced stalkers fear.
Poltergeist - Truly supernatural invisible beings, encountered only deep within the Zone, typically dwelling inside dilapidated buildings. Their origins are unknown; legend has it that they are the spirits of stalkers caught in a powerful emission. The mechanism by which these invisible beings manifest is indeed consistent with poltergeist legends (hence the name) and varies widely: from periodic howling and laughter to dangerous fireballs appearing out of nowhere. Unfortunately, all information about this phenomenon is based on vague and rather contradictory accounts, the veracity of which is questionable.
Pseudogiant - A pseudogiant is a massive, teardrop-shaped body with a pair of hypertrophied limbs. These arms and legs are used by this creature for locomotion and grasping prey. An adult can weigh up to two tons and stand approximately two meters tall. This outward clumsiness is deceptive – pseudogiants move swiftly, their muscles possess astonishing strength, and their bones rival those of metal. The brain is protected by a massive skull—approximately 100 millimeters (!) thick; the spinal cord also performs many complex functions. Also astonishing is the pseudogiant's ability to generate localized shock waves on the ground's surface, damaging all living things within a limited radius.
Snork - These creatures, apparently, were once human, although it's difficult to imagine what conditions could drive a human to such a state. Snorks are insane creatures, living a completely animalistic lifestyle, essentially little different from the predatory monsters of the Zone. They move on all fours, hopping above the ground and constantly sniffing it to catch the scent of their prey. They hunt cautiously and deliberately, lying in wait for stalkers like predatory animals. Lightning-fast reflexes and hypertrophied muscles allow snorks to make long, precise leaps and tear their prey to shreds in seconds. Some specimens retain parts of military uniforms or individual pieces of equipment, suggesting they may be missing military stalkers.
Bloodsucker - A semi-legendary monster, seasoned stalkers describe it as a tall, stooped humanoid with numerous tentacles where its mouth should be. They say the creature feeds with its tentacles: by latching onto the neck of a living victim, it paralyzes its prey and sucks out its blood; after this procedure, all that remains of the person is a dried-out, mummy-like shell. The most astonishing thing about this bloodsucker is its ability to become invisible. Apparently, these creatures are responsible for the deaths of a large number of stalkers. Few eyewitnesses survived—and, judging by the stories of those lucky ones, these bloodsuckers prefer damp places like swamps and dungeons.
Jerboa - It is currently impossible to pinpoint the species from which the Zone's jerboas originated; it can only be said that their ancestors were pack animals, most likely rodents. Reaching up to 40 centimeters at the shoulder, they are significantly more mobile, aggressive, and voracious than the desert creature. They inhabit mainly dungeons and ruined buildings, feeding on anything they can find—from plants to unsuspecting stalkers. Sometimes even large animals and mutants fall prey to jerboas: attacking in a large pack, they easily tear apart any creature that fails to escape.
See also:
Sarcophagus: "Your wish will come true! Go..."
A walk through an abandoned city: Pripyat, including
Laboratory X-10, or what secrets does the Monolith hold?
