AC-96/2

Obokan (SoC)AC96/2 (CS)AC-96/2 (CoP)
Type	Assault rifle
Ammunition	5.45×39mm 30 round detachable box magazine

A modern assault rifle developed as a replacement for the ageing AKM 74/2. The main difference is its high speed 2-round burst firing mode, which allows two bullets to be fired at exactly the same spot on a target up to 100 meters away. This significantly increases the likelihood of hitting the target in comparison to the 1 round firing mode, which considerably improves kill potential, stopping power and armor piercing capability.
― Call of Pripyat in-game description

The AC-96/2 is an assault rifle that appears in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl (as the Obokan), S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky (as the AC96/2) and S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.

Appearances

Shadow of Chernobyl

The AN-94 is called Obokan in Shadow of Chernobyl (a reference to the real-life counterpart name, "Abakan"). It is the basic weapon of Duty and Veteran Military elements, and members of the Monolith. The Obokan slightly surpasses the AKM-74/2 in terms of accuracy (making it the best candidate for a PSO-1 scope after the much harder to obtain Sniper VLA), but it has slightly longer reload times and starts to jam earlier than the AKM. On the other hand, the Fast-shooting Akm 74/2 has lower recoil and a higher fire rate, and is found in the early parts of the game.

The Obokan is only sold by Sakharov, Colonel Petrenko, and Barkeep. It can only mount a PSO-1 scope, but it cannot mount a GP-25 grenade launcher. The Obokan has 2 unique variants: the Sniper Obokan, with an improved scope permanently attached, and the Storming Obokan, which has an integral underbarrel grenade launcher and much higher reliability.

The Obokan in mint condition can be obtained out in the open in two places:

• First is in Dark Valley at the Bandits' base, under one of the trucks there is an Obokan and two boxes of 5.45x39mm ammunition.
• The second place is at Freedom base; in Chef's building, search the backrooms. Besides food and some other items, one can find an Obokan either in or behind a fridge.

The first time the player will be able to collect the weapon is likely from the Spetsnaz that assault Lab X-18 after the player takes the documents. There will be four waiting for the player at the entrance of the lab, each armed with an Obokan, and even more outside. Otherwise, the player can easily find it in the Red Forest and Pripyat as it is the standard assault rifle for most experienced/veterans of the Monolith faction. It is also used by most Duty stalkers at the Rostok area, although killing a Duty guard there will cause the faction to become hostile to the player, making it not specifically worth it.

Two Obokans in mint condition can be found in the stash "Warehouse in the train car" located a bit to the north of the factory in the Dark Valley. The coordinates can be found on the Spetsnaz that storm the factory after the X-18 documents are collected.

Clear Sky

In Clear Sky, the AN-94 is called AC96/2 and possessed by both Experienced and Veteran members of Duty, the Military and the Monolith; though some of Duty's expert Exoskeleton units use an upgraded AC96/2 (with better firing rate, ability to mount underbarrel grenade launcher and a PSO-1 scope). It is sold by Mitay regardless of faction alignment, although it is easier to salvage one from a fallen Dutyer, as their corpses are a common find.

The Abakan's stats are dramatically changed from Shadow of Chernobyl; now it rivals NATO class weaponry, making it a good choice for those who prefer to use 5.45x39mm ammunition without spending money on mods, or just prefer the looks of Soviet firearms. The AC96/2 has a slightly better rate of fire and accuracy than the AKM-74/2, but has a slightly lower damage value (not very noticeable, but can be a factor for those attempting to make this weapon into a sniper analogue) and handling. It can easily fit both the roles of assault and sniping. Thunderov, Gray, and Yar can upgrade it with superior accuracy or higher firing rate. It needs to be upgraded to mount a GP-25 grenade launcher, but can mount a PSO-1 scope and a suppressor by default.

Overall, the AC96/2 is a good weapon choice for a player who wants performance at a reasonable price. It can be acquired early on near the military base perimeter at the Cordon by killing one of the Spetsnaz that routinely patrol the base's area. It is the second cheapest assault rifle to repair, and compared to the NATO 5.56x45mm rifles, does not have the reliability problems and is almost as accurate. A fully upgraded AKM-74/2 has almost the same statistics, but is lighter, cheaper to repair and easier to obtain.

Call of Pripyat

AN-94 Abakan.

In Call of Pripyat the weapon is called AC-96/2. It is given yet another boost, making it one of the best 5.45mm rifles available to the player, along with the unique Storm.

With upgrades it can have one of the highest rate of fires in the game, as well as the best accuracy of any 5.45mm assault rifle, fulfilling a role similar to the GP37, albeit with higher recoil. The unique two-bullet fire mode now slightly mirrors the real-life version; the first two bullets fired from the AC-96/2 (whether in the two round mode or normal full auto mode) will have identical accuracy and slightly higher speed than other bullets (instead of having a higher firing rate). Just like the AKM-74/2, the AC-96/2 can take both the PSO-1 scope and GP-25 genade launcher as attachments, though it needs a tool-less Tier 1 upgrade for the latter, but can no longer mount a silencer, meaning it can no longer used for stealth purposes. When scoped and with the semi-auto firing mode selected, the AC-96/2 can serve as a makeshift sniper rifle. A key downside to using it early on is the repair cost, which is double that of the AKM-74/2U.

The rifle is fairly common in Yanov, being used by Duty stalkers, but one can be salvaged early in the game in the Zaton sawmill, where a single zombified soldier will always carry it. It can also be occasionally found in Hawaiian's offer if the player is neutral or sides with Duty. It is commonly sold by Owl, and is also a standard weapon for the Monolith faction, and is occasionally wielded by Loners. Scoped AC-96/2s are used by Klimenko, Valentyr, Podorozhny, Rogovets, Smirnov, Sokolov and Skelya. Since Skelya and Klimenko are scripted to die during the storyline, the weapon can be collected near their body. Valentyr and Podorozhny may die in both the Mysterious Weapons and Evacuation quests, and Sokolov, assuming he survived the Jupiter Underground, can be killed in Shattering the Monolith and Evacuation as well, though having them die is not worth it as the weapon is likely not to be useful at this part of the game.

The AC-96/2 can also be found in a secret stash in Yanov, along with a PSO-1 scope and 180 5.45mm rounds. The stash is located just outside of the east entrance to Yanov station (the entrance that faces Zulu's tower). Directly in front of this entrance, you will see a building with stairs on the left side. Look in the desk beneath the stairs to claim the goods. Another is stashed in Pripyat, in a staircase going down in an apartment building, to the north-west of the Yubileiny Service Center.

Trivia

• In all games, it is quite odd for a regular AN-94 not to be able to mount the GP-25, as in real life the AN-94 was designed to mount both a grenade launcher and bayonet at the same time, unlike its cousin the AK-74, which can only mount one underbarrel modification. This is especially odd in Call of Pripyat, where the stock AKM-74/2 can mount an underbarrel grenade launcher, while the AC-96/2 can only mount a scope. In Shadow of Chernobyl, this was most likely done because of the Storming Obokan, which wouldn't be a unique weapon if the player could mount the GP-25 to a regular Obokan (extra weight notwithstanding, as the grenade launcher in the Storming variety does not make it any heavier, and the Storming Obokan's extra reliability). In Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat, it is most probably for gameplay balance, as the upgrade for the attachment of an underbarrel mount is needed as part of the assault modification tree.
• In reality, the AN-94 is exclusive to the Russian armed forces, as Gennadiy Nikonov refused selling it to foreign buyers. While the black market could be an explanation for how Stalkers obtain this weapon, it's odd that the Ukrainian Spetsnaz would have it as their mainstay rifle. It could be interpreted that the dire situation created by the Zone may have caused Nikonov to allow limited exports to Ukraine.
• In Shadow of Chernobyl, the Obokan's barrel will reciprocate when firing and reloading, true to its real-world counterpart. However, in Clear Sky and Call of Pripyat, the barrel oddly does not move at all.
• The AN-94s in game use the AK-74's muzzle brake, despite the fact that a real AN-94 cannot do so, as it sports a custom, integral muzzle brake built specifically for its recoil system.

Gallery

Shadow of Chernobyl

First person view

ANsights.png

Iron sights

3rd person view

World model

Storming Nikonov, third-person view