The Veles detector is an advanced anomaly and artifact detector featured in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.
Overview[]
It is one of the most effective artifact detectors found in the Zone. Unlike other detectors, the Veles detector is capable of showing both the direction and actual location of the artifact(s) on an LED screen, although lacking the beeping function of the Echo and Bear detectors. Nevertheless, it can detect multiple artifacts at once and the location(s) at a more accurate level.
While it only registers proximity to anomalies via audible beeps and cannot show anomalies on its screen like its successor, the Svarog detector, some players may prefer to keep a Veles detector to easily identify an artifact as the Svarog detector displays artifacts as tiny green dots which can be hard to see.
Detected Artifacts[]
- Crystal
- Fireball
- Jellyfish
- Stone Flower
- Stone Blood
- Meat Chunk
- Sparkler
- Flash
- Mama's Beads
- Night Star
- Wrenched
- Soul
- Kolobok
- Moonlight
- Battery
- Eye
- Flame
- Gravi
- Goldfish
- Bubble
- Firefly
- Shell
- Snowflake
- Altered Wheel
- Altered Insulator
- Compass
Appearances[]
Clear Sky[]
A next generation detection scanner designed specifically for locating artifacts. Artifacts are shown on a special display, which makes them easier to find. The device comes with a Geiger counter and can be used to detect anomalies. When closed, the device registers only radiation and anomalies. To switch to artifact search mode, raise the front LED display.
― In-game description
The Veles Detector is the most advanced and powerful detector available, as well as the most expensive. The "Veles" is by far the best detector for those big-game artifact hunters since it provides relatively safe and quick hunting due to its precision in finding those juicy hard-to-reach artifacts in the middle of anomaly fields and its extended range.
It is also required to find the most valuable artifacts.
Acquisition[]
The Veles detector normally costs about 2800 rubles but a free one is given once the player joins the Loners faction and eliminates the Bandits' main base. Some can also be found on deceased Loners. One can be found early in the game, in a small dugout near the railway bridge, in the far northwest area of the Great Swamps (see Hidden Veles Detector for more information). Other than that, one can purchase it from most faction traders after attaining a friendly reputation with the faction and from Professor Sakharov who sells it by default.
Call of Pripyat[]
A next generation scientific detection scanner. Thanks to three modernized detection chambers, the position of artifacts is shown on a special display screen. When closed, the device registers only radiation and anomalies. To switch to artifact search mode, open the front LED display. When in search mode, the detector is capable of locating all artifacts known to science.
― In-game description
In Call of Pripyat, the Veles detector is no longer the best detector available, as the Svarog detector now fills that role, although it isn't available to the player until completing certain side missions, making the Veles detector more helpful at the beginning the game.
Three Veles detectors are required to complete the mission Tempting Business. This will eventually result in the player earning the even more advanced, prototype Svarog detector.
Acquisition[]
The Veles can be purchased from Owl after achieving friendly reputation with the Loners. Hawaiian will have it on sale either after completing at least two missions for Freedom or obtaining the achievement A Friend of Duty. It is also sold by Hermann until the achievement Research Assistant is obtained (it may still appear in his inventory afterwards, though extremely rarely - 0.01% chances of appearing).
It can be found in the following locations:
- The Veles detector can be acquired in the beginning of the game without doing any quests, as they are usually in possession of Zombified Stalkers that wear Exoskeletons. Though it is unlikely to meet such a Zombified Stalker that early, much less kill him, especially on higher difficulties.
- It is rewarded to the player by Beard for completing the mission Missing Stalkers.
- It can be found in a stash in the cab of one of the yellow excavators in Kopachy Village at Yanov.
- It can be acquired by taking one of Beard's artifact orders and killing the rival artifact hunters (Sledgehammer or Crest), who hold this detector. Doing so may have some severe consequences, as Beard will stop issuing those orders if the artifact hunters working for him are killed. After completing the mission Tempting Business, the hunters will carry Svarog detectors instead.
- A Veles detector may spawn in Snag's loot at the end of the mission Theft.
- Topol carries one, and it can be retrieved from his body if he dies during Intermittent psy-emissions.
- Gaiduk rarely may have a Veles detector in his inventory which can be looted if he is killed during Duty warehouse.
Trivia[]
Clearly visible VERES on an ingame texture file.
- Oddly, the detector in-game actually reads VERES (rather than ВЕЛЕС or VELES) on the plate along the bottom of the device. This is either a mistake on the part of the developer who designed the model's texture, or evidence that Veles was a name changed at the last second. The latter, however, is doubtful, seeing as this detector has appeared before.
- "Veles" is the Slavonic god of the earth, fertility, and the Underworld. Both this detector and the Svarog detector are named after Slavonic gods.
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