Shadow of Chernobyl Mod Guide by boredgunner

Mod guide from someone who has been modding the series since 2008. Most English speaking modders and guides are unaware of the majority of what's going on in the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. mod community, since their knowledge is generally limited to ModDB. However, ModDB and the English speaking community in general doesn't see the newest mods or most mods at all, the mod community is most active in Eastern Europe. This results in lots of poor and misinformed recommendations. Despite this, many of those mods are available in English. So here is a modding guide and recommendation list for English speaking players that is actually up to date.

Things You Need to Know

Game Version

Most mods will work only on version 1.0004 or version 1.0006. If you get Shadow of Chernobyl from GOG or Steam, it will be version 1.0006, so for mods that require version 1.0004 you'll have to downgrade. Here is patch 1.0004 to downgrade your version 1.0006 game to version 1.0004.[drive.google.com]

Don't get too alarmed at the need to "downgrade" since version 1.0006 contains regressions.

Even the Steam version has no DRM

This is important especially considering the fact that you might have to keep two versions of SoC installed in order to use all mods. You can copy your Shadow of Chernobyl game folder and appdata folder contents to a new folder, so that you can have multiple copies of the game installed at once.

How to Have Multiple Copies of the Game at Once

The file structure of the game is as follows:

• Main Install Directory - For Steam, this refers to the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. - Shadow of Chernobyl folder in your Steam Library folder.
  
• AppData - By default this refers to the Documents\Stalker-SHOC folder and its contents.

The concept for creating a separate install of the game is to copy both of those folders above into a single new folder, and edit the fsgame.ltx file to update the AppData directory reference.

To do this, you need to copy the main install folder into another folder, then copy the AppData folder (Documents\Stalker-SHOC) into a new folder, preferably inside this new SoC game folder you just created. Then you have to update fsgame.ltx to point to this new AppData folder. See these variables in fsgame.ltx:

$app_data_root$		= true|		false|	appdata\
$game_data$   		= false|	true|	$fs_root$|		gamedata\

The first line is telling the game to set its app data root directory to a folder called appdata\ within the main game directory. The second line is telling the game to read from a gamedata\ folder in the same location.

99.9% of the time you cannot run multiple mods together at the same time

So don't even think about using multiple mods unless you are a programmer who knows X-Ray engine very well and can manually merge them yourself.

If you want to unpack the DB files for any of the S.T.A.L.K.E.R. games or most mods, try AXRToolset.[github.com] If that doesn't work for a mod, use the OP2.1 unpacker[cloud.mail.ru] or Total Commander[www.ghisler.com] with the X-Ray DB plugin[totalcmd.net].

If you want to discuss S.T.A.L.K.E.R. modding with people who actually follow the entire mod scene closely, join the C-Consciousness discord[discord.gg].

Vanilla or Modded on a First Playthrough?

This is a common subject, and the common answer differs depending on the game community. For S.T.A.L.K.E.R., the vast majority of the community says vanilla first, but I strongly disagree and vote for modded first.

Everyone should play the game modded first because:

• It's potentially only objectively better, depending on the mod you're using - Every game has flaws and shortcomings, but moddable games have the advantage of allowing the community to improve the game. This has been done countless times with Shadow of Chernobyl.
  
  
• You don't know if you're even going to like the game much less replay the game therefore you might as well play the objectively improved (modded) version from the get go, to ensure the highest chance of liking the game.

Here are the common arguments people give to play vanilla first:

• "You should see vanilla first, to see what the devs intended" -> Retort: None of the Stalker games were released exactly as intended, especially SoC and CS - there are mods that actually make them as INTENDED (Oblivion Lost Remake for SoC, various mods that add back cut levels and content to CS). That, and developers' intentions are imperfect as these mods show since some only objectively improve things.
  
  
• "You should see vanilla first, to see what was improved" -> Retort: Most people don't replay games, so they shouldn't take that chance. Instead they should play the improved modded version first, and if they like it, then maybe check out vanilla one day, but they don't need to play all of vanilla to understand what was improved. Hell, videos can suffice.
  
  
• "Mods change the style and alter the core identity of the game" -> Retort: Not necessarily. Autumn Aurora does this, AMK 1.4 does not for example.
  
  
• "Graphics don't matter" -> Retort: And? I doubt they actually believe this, they wouldn't want Stalker to have Pong graphics, but even then it obviously matters to MOST people, so might as well improve it since you can. These idiots are saying "Graphics don't matter to me, so they probably don't matter to someone else" which is an arrogant self-absorbed and almost certainly incorrect generalization.
  
  
• "I just like my vanilla experience, maybe it's nostalgia" -> At this point they've already been destroyed.

Recommended Mods for First Timers

I'm not going to recommend every mod under the sun, that's useless. I am very specific in my recommendations and my reasons are given below for each mod.

AMK 1.4.1 + NLC 5 + NS3

This is the closest-to-vanilla experience I can recommend. AMK is really a must-have, restoring features that should've never been cut, such as offline A-Life - wandering NPCs that interact with the world and others when the player isn't around that do things like scavenge for artifacts, loot (be careful where you stash your stuff), trade, broadcast news via the PDA, and more. It also adds emissions that move anomalies, sleeping bag, artifact transmutations, anomaly detectors, and more.

NLC 5 adds back the cut first quest along with other new quests, expanded quest options, overhauled economy that uses artifacts for trading primary resources to solve economy exploitation, deadlier and less obvious anomalies, more artifact recipes, new characters, new level changers (hence the name NLC), artifact containers, and overall more difficulty in a survival sense.

NS3, or New Story 3, adds some additional quests.

ModDB Page
Optional "Wooden Addon" (artistically fitting vegetation enhancement)

OGSR Gunslinger

This is the ultimate version of Shadow of Chernobyl. The best tech, being built on OGSR 1.0007 64-bit engine which improves stability and performance. The best gameplay mechanics after NLC 7, featuring:

• Includes Gunslinger - by far the best weapon mod for all of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Some of the very best weapon models and animations in the industry, as much weapon customization as the best mods for Garry's Mod which means more customization than everything else besides Tarkov, and more.
  
  
• Aim sway, weapon bobbing, first person movement inertia.
  
  
• Separate slot for night vision goggles or thermal vision goggles. Using night vision/thermal vision and then aiming down a magnified optic will force night vision/thermal vision to disable.
  
  
• Artifact detectors.
  
  
• AMK repair kits (all you need is a repair kit and a similar item to the item you want to repair).
  
  
• Exoskeletons are ATTACHMENTS that work with existing outfits.
  
  
• Mask slot for outfits without an integrated helmet, but there are only two gas masks available.
  
  
• 40mm grenades and RPGs don't detonate at short range, safety precaution.
  
  
• Can fire both barrels out of breach action sawn-off shotguns at the same time.
  
  
• Emissions, which move anomalies like in the lore.
  
  
• Companion/squad system.
  
  
• The hand radio item has an actual use now: it can be used to give orders to companions.
  
  
• Vehicles with fuel tanks and a very nice trunk system with item filters. This is one of the only mods that improves vehicle handling too.
  
  
• Cut mutants and some new mutant variations.
  
  
• The best Controllers in the series. They emit a psy-field and up close they really disorient you and spin you around so that you can't just blast them, and they can easily make you kill friendlies if you're not careful. They also zombify NPCs.
  
  
• Can ignite light sources.

OGSR is an unofficial expansion of OGSE 0693. It uses a new 2019 build of OGSR engine, features DX11/DX10 and all of Clear Sky's and Call of Pripyat's rendering features, it has a lot of new quest content, and also new items and weapons. And this custom fork includes an adapted version of OGSE Weapon Expansion Project which I put together, to boost the total projectile weapon count beyond 160!

OGSE 0693 (not 0692) has many times more side quests than vanilla and most other mods, some of the best lore and world building in the series, and some of the best side quests. It doesn't rewrite SoC's dialogue, it mostly keeps the story intact but expands it a little bit later on.

This mod is totally STANDALONE.

Main Download[drive.google.com]

Top Recommended Mods for Subsequent Playthroughs

NLC 7

NLC 7 is technically a Soup mod, but it might as well not be. It is the only one that should be taken seriously, as it is a serious re-imagining of SoC meant to be really complex and difficult, but also meant to be one of the best S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experiences ever. And it is. This is the most intelligently and professionally designed S.T.A.L.K.E.R. experience in existence, the most well thought out with the most polished engine.

There are more ways to approach quests, with more cascading effects later on down the line based on how you do them, than most RPGs. Its quest design is utterly unmatched in the series, and so is its character development, as it makes it a point to make every NPC, even less significant ones if you do business with them, actual people instead of just obstacles for your gun.

Forget Misery, this is the only mod that does "hardcore" mechanics right, such as the new inventory system that is somewhat conceptually like Arma 3 but actually greatly reduces inventory clutter and ease of use, while Misery overloads the default inventory causing massive clutter.

It has some of the best shooting mechanics and animations in the series, with shooting animations that rival modern AAA games. All of its scopes are 3D opposed to the vanilla game and most other mods that just display a texture over your screen. It incorporates other hardcore mechanics from other mods like the use of artifact containers, which is better implemented than Misery once again.

Here's an overview of many of its unique gameplay mechanics:

• The ultimate inventory system with a perfect artifact container system (not terrible like Misery's), cleaning your mask with water, and a lot more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP7LdwPuRuQ
  
  
• 3D scopes (albeit not dual rendered), can toggle illumination and change reticles on the Kobra like in real life. Brief example: https://streamable.com/0ydhk
  
  
• Weapons can use multiple optics.
  
  
• Aim sway and bobbing, but no first person inertia.
  
  
• Custom repair kits - not nearly as obnoxious as Misery since you don't collect a million scrap items.
  
  
• An economy that revolves around trading artifacts by tier.
  
  
• Two of the same types of artifacts (e.g. Jellyfish) do not always have identical properties.
  
  
• Flashlight has different modes, e.g. wide close range beam vs more narrow longer range beam.
  
  
• Can ignite light sources with matches.
  
  
• Emissions, which move anomalies like in the lore.
  
  
• Gas mask system - it's not a separate item, it's part of outfits that come with it. The mask is used specifically for filtering out harmful chemicals and works like in Metro minus the filter swapping. Some areas need a mask. Night vision can only be used with the mask on since it's part of the overall headgear set.
  
  
• Morrowind style quest logging (first person journal).

The only problem is, the only English version is machine translated, so it's broken English and due to the complexity of the quests, you'll need help from youtube walkthroughs for this. Here is one.

English Repack
Additional Addons
Hardcore Healing Item Addon[disk.yandex.com]

Oblivion Lost Remake 3.0

First, I have to clarify that OBLIVION LOST REMAKE IS NOT OBLIVION LOST MOD! THEY HAVE NO RELATION! Oblivion Lost is a vanilla+ type mod like AMK, Oblivion Lost Remake is basically a new game.

S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl was a very different game during its alpha stages. It changed many times and used to be called Oblivion Lost and then S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Oblivion Lost (hereby just referred to as Oblivion Lost). Oblivion Lost was a bigger, more ambitious game, with far bigger and better level design, unrestricted A-Life, more gameplay features, and an altered plot. You can grab those design documents here.[drive.google.com]

Alpha builds containing this older, more ambitious content were released. The most popular one was Build 1935:

One mod sought to resurrect these old ideas faithfully: Lost Alpha. That changed mid development, and their new goal was to create their own re-imagining of Oblivion Lost, but it is not at all the Oblivion Lost we were all waiting for. The end result was a poorly written jankfest with Illuminati and even worse examples of writing. Biggest disappointment ever (even bigger than True Stalker).

Luckily, Oblivion Lost Remake came out. It is a very faithful adaptation of S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Oblivion Lost, it is stable and actually one of the best balanced mods (way better than vanilla which sucks in this regard).

As of version 3.0 which is currently in open beta, it is basically GSC's peak game design and ambitions, the game they originally wanted to make but couldn't. You get their grander campaign and levels, and A-Life that actually lives up to their original ambitions with NPCs looting, trading, and even taking quests!

AP-Pro Page[ap-pro.ru] (all official downloads are here)
English translation

Goldsphere

Goldsphere (aka "Golden Ball") is known as one of the absolute most atmospheric mods for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Made by renowned S.T.A.L.K.E.R. modder Jekan (who also did writing for OGSE/OGSR), it tells a brand new story and is filled with brand new gameplay mechanics. It is... weird, as Jekan mods are. But weird in a good way. A very unique version of the Zone.

Main Download with Translation[drive.google.com]

Hotfix[drive.google.com]

SFZ Project

SFZ Project is a total conversion mod built for OGSR Engine with greater horror and mystery focus.

Mod and Download Page

Machine Translated Mods

Because these are machine translated (by Yandex or a mix of Yandex and Google), they are full of broken English and not everyone can handle them.

Prosectors Project

This is perhaps the most unique Shadow of Chernobyl expanded vanilla+ mod. It's also one I have yet to play - I will update this once I do. It borrows mechanics from NLC 7 and pursues more hardcore gameplay, along with significant AI and engine enhancements, and some unique QoL improvements. There isn't another mod like it, and I'm confident that the best version of Shadow of Chernobyl is either this or OGSR. But note that this one is machine translated unlike OGSR, therefore it is not recommended for first timers.

Download Page[ap-pro.ru]
English Translation

Lost World Origin

Lost World Origin is set in the early days of The Zone. Its main feature is the fact that it includes alpha build levels as the image above shows, like Oblivion Lost Remake. It has Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat levels as well, and apparently the upgrade system for the Stalker Suit/Sunrise Suit is one of the best things ever.

Install the following files over a standard SoC 1.0006 installation IN ORDER!

Main Download

Translation Part 1

Translation Part 2

Conclusion

In conclusion, large scale mods for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. can usually be grouped into one of the following categories:

• Vanilla+ mod - These mods don't alter the story at all, they just improve gameplay mechanics and maybe visuals. My top recommendation for a vanilla+ mod is Memories from the Zone as you get a 64-bit more stable, better optimized, and better looking game with much nicer guns (optional) and everything else is untouched. Most people these days couldn't tolerate any less. This easily defeats all other vanilla+ mods.
  
  
• Story mod - Mods that seek to alter the story of one of the games or write their own, just a story driven mod. My top recommendations for such mods are OGSR Gunslinger and Vector of Alienation for the majority, and NLC 7 Hard Edition 2.3 for those willing to play a machine translated mod for the best and most hardcore experience. Also wait for the Goldsphere translation.
  
  
• Freeplay mod - Mods without story focus, sandbox gameplay usually focused on faction warfare. SoC only really has one such mod whose name I have forgotten so I don't have any recommendations here. These are most popular for Call of Pripyat thanks to Call of Chernobyl and its many forks. Check out Dollchan 8, be sure to read the comments there in the event of any issues.
  
  
• Joke Mod - These mods are not meant to be taken seriously, like W.I.T.C.H.E.R., Diana Mod, and the upcoming Lost Aloha and the never to be released S.T.A.L.K. H.E.R. Predator mod.

[The Guy From Wortnite]

hey man, what your opinion on prosectors project? been playing it for more than 30 hours and haven't even got into agropom military base lol, its fun but really annoying at the same time.

[𝖌𝖚𝖘]

Legend for the command, thanks!

[Ray tracing is faster]

Enter cam_inert 0 to turn off that awful headbob. I think that's just vanilla SoC headbob, but I could be wrong.

And yeah, Wolf doesn't give a pistol, which is a bizarre design decision. And there's no peaceful option for that quest, like in later NLC versions. So you have to let Petruha's guys attack first, and grab the first dropped gun you find.

[𝖌𝖚𝖘]

I'm running the AMK + NLC + NS3 pack and I'm a little confused. Am I not supposed to get a pistol at all from Wolf? I'm just crouching by the bandit camp waiting to see if my guys will kill the bandits, lol. Also the headbob is fucking overkill.

[Ray tracing is faster]

Memories of the Zone is purely just bugfixes + QoL (better engine and HD weapons with original balance, for example). But it doesn't address the main weaknesses of the game, most of all A-Life.

AMK 1.4.1 + NLC 5 + NS3 is what I'd recommend in this case. You get the AMK A-Life and features which I think are must-have, and the added quest content is optional, except for the restored cut, minor quest at the very beginning. You still get the original story untouched.

OGSR Gunslinger expands on the original story a bit near the end, although I think the expansion is good. It also has the A-Life improvements, and tons of new side quests, which the original game is lacking in. But if you do not want the original plot touched at all on the first playthrough, then avoid this one.

[IncognitO]

Oh got it, thanks, it's running now.

Would you recommend AMK 1.4.1 + NLC 5 + NS3 or OGSR Gunslinger for someone who likes bugfixes/quality of life improvements, but without changing much of the original game? Or maybe Memories from the Zone?

[Ray tracing is faster]

AMK 1.4.1 + NLC 5 + NS3 is standalone, so it isn't installed over SoC and can't be installed into C:\Program Files nor C:\Program Files (x86)

[IncognitO]

How do I install AMK 1.4.1 + NLC 5 + NS3? Only unpacking it in the stalker installation folder didn't work for me

[SaferMurderweapon]

If you are going to tell people to play vanilla first, at least be objective about it. Mods are not DLCs. They exist because the vanilla game either sucks or can be improved in relation to its vanilla counterpart while remaining faithful to the core vision of the IP and what gives said IP its target audience.

Sorry, there is just no countermanding this and just to reiterate; ""You should see vanilla first, to see what the devs intended" -> Retort: None of the Stalker games were released exactly as intended" is TRUE for literally every game ever made. Compromises are made in game development ALL THE TIME. Again, Witcher 3 example; compromises were made and those compromises were VASTLY controversial and were all over gaming social media back before launch.

Author is doing God's work. Deal with it. Stop telling people how to play the game, and instead help them find the way that THEY would most appreciate.

[SaferMurderweapon]

I love how people get so easily offended at other's opinions or turn belligerent whenever someone makes a substantiated statement based on fact they don't agree with.

Everywhere I go I always see the "play vanilla first and then see what changes you like" argument. First of all; Mods exist for a reason. Why would you subject yourself to an objectively inferior experience at the cost of having a better initial experience. I couldn't bring myself to play Witcher 3 for more than 20 hours because vanilla gameplay as objectively ass and a very basic hack and slash. I was fortunate enough to experience what was effectively a lore accurate version of the game and not have to deal with a swathe of bugs and glitches that I otherwise would have been met with on vanilla thanks to the mods W3EER, Brother in Arms, and Random encounters reworked which in summation; let you be a monster hunter and makes the game play like sekiro while reworking a functional alchemy system into the game.