Anomaly research is a two-part side mission available in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.
Description[]
The mission is divided into two parts, one that requires the player to place detectors into specific anomalies, the other requires the player to provide support for the Ecologists' researchers.
Part 1: Place the scanners in the anomaly[]
I am trying to find the correlation between emissions and the appearance of artifacts in anomalies. I have a theory that the next emission can be forecast using the number and quality of artifacts that appear. In order to make specific calculations, I will need to gather statistics. All we need to do is position a few scanners in the middle of anomalies of different types.
― Hermann
The first part of this mission is unlocked by completing Intermittent psy-emissions. The next time the player talks to Hermann, he will offer the player more work for the scientists. Their first task is to place three Anomalous Activity Scanners in specific anomaly fields.
After accepting this mission from Hermann, the player must place the detectors in the following anomaly fields:
- Parking Lot: Near the building. Watch out for the electrical anomalies and possible Zombified Stalkers in the vicinity.
- Concrete Bath anomaly: At the edge of the chemical anomaly. Mutants gather sometimes, and a hostile Bandit patrol is on the nearby bridge.
- Bitumen anomaly: Offset a few meters from the center of the widest part of the anomaly. To minimize exposure to the thermal anomaly, players can slide down the steep cliff from the side closest to the objective marker and land almost on top of it rather than enter from the south.
After all three detectors have been placed, the player can report back to Hermann to complete the first part of the mission.
After reporting back to Hermann, the second part of this sub-mission becomes available. The player need to collect two more detectors from Novikov and place them into the following anomaly fields:
- Ash Heap anomaly: Near the middle of the anomaly, surrounded by Burners.
- Plavni anomaly: Just by the shore, it is generally safe to set up although Bloodsuckers may roam the nearby area if the player hasn't taken Trapper's relevant side mission and eliminated them.
Once the two detectors have been placed, the mission is complete. It is worth noting that the final two detectors must be placed in the same anomalies as the ones studied by stalkers in the second part of this mission (see section below), and since the player can take both missions simultaneously, it is recommended for the player to complete both objectives at the same time.
Reward[]
The reward for this mission is 5000 RU from Hermann once the first three detectors have been placed. Once a detector has been placed into an anomaly, it will be continuously monitored and the player can ask Hermann if detectors have picked up artifacts in the anomaly fields, or they can also check this information on their PDA.
After the first three detectors have been placed, the mission Anomalous activity becomes available from Hermann.
Notes[]
- The Ash Heap and Plavni anomalies are scripted to accept the scanners from the very beginning, meaning the player can accidentally place one of the three initial scanners in one of them - or both. Doing so will break the quest (and the follow-up one as a result), so the player should be careful not to place the scanners in the wrong anomalies.
- Occasionally, when using the PDA to check the anomalous areas in Yanov where scanners have been placed, the text "Scanners have detected artifacts:" will appear, but there will be no artifacts listed, and no artifacts will be at the site.
Part 2: cover the stalkers[]
Recent events have made it very clear that our research team is not sufficiently prepared to conduct proper field work. You, on the other hand, managed to deal with the controller on your own! That is quite astounding! My point is that it would be only logical for us to at least attempt to recruit such a capable expert as you. Our science group is most positively in need of your assistance. We need to take measurements, position scanners...
― Hermann
The second part of this mission is available after the first three detectors have been placed in the anomalies and the player has been reported back to Hermann. If Topol and his team have been eliminated during Intermittent psy-emissions or have been killed by the player beforehand, then the player will need to complete Research group to start this mission. Once the mission has been taken, the player must talk to the stalkers and ask them to go either to the Ash Heap anomaly or the Plavni anomaly. Both anomalies must be visited to complete the mission.
Ash Heap Anomaly[]
The Ash Heap anomaly is the easier of the two, taking place just north of Kopachy. Zombies come from only two directions, making it rather easy to anticipate their approach, and with an upgraded assault rifle you can easily cover Topol's back. Furthermore, the player and Topol's team are in high ground, giving them an advantage in fighting incoming enemies.
Topol and/or the others may start to go after the Zombies if they get close enough, even if they are out of sight, so pick them off at a distance. The quest is noticeable as it may be the player's first opportunity to grab a RP-74 from one of the zombies coming out of the house. However, this requires the player to either let the squad be interrupted a couple times, or wade into the house he'll spawn in. Either one runs the risk of zombies overrunning the ecologists and killing one or two of them.
Plavni Anomaly[]
The Plavni anomaly is more difficult due to one of the few glitches in the game - up to two NPCs, or Zombie squads, or Mutant packs (including Controllers, Pseudogiants or Chimeras if the player does the quest late-game) can spawn right where the Ecologists stand. Be prepared to blast a magically appearing Zombie or Bandit team at any second. However, it's quite easy to avoid this glitch - before talking to Topol just check the area around the Plavni. Wipe out any mutants or zombies, especially a large bandit group that may have camped out here, as, upon arriving, the team will be spawn right in the middle of this group and instantly be shot at. Then the player has to run to the ecologists' bunker and take the quest so the game will not spawn any more enemies before arriving.
The player's main enemy here will be wild Boars and Fleshes. The team will not move until one of them has been struck, so make sure to gun the boars down as soon as possible and from as far as possible. They attack in sets of two or three. The Fleshes are easier than the Boars with that the Fleshes will get close and run away, then get close and run away again. Don't completely ignore them though, they may still attack the Ecologists. The Boars just go straight on and charge for them.
Unlike the other mission, there is no high ground to serve as protection thus stay alert at all times and be swift to eliminate any threats.
If one is lucky, some members of Duty, Freedom, and/or Loners may also be present and they can offer assistance.
After both fields have been examined, the player can speak with Topol to return to the mobile lab. The player can then report back to Hermann to complete the mission.
Reward[]
The reward for this mission is 2500 RU if either area was scanned by the field research team, or 5000 and a Veles detector for both. If Topol and his team are still alive when the mission is started, the reward is 3500 RU per anomaly, and 7000 for both (alongside the detector). The mission Last developments is also unlocked. The player may also bring up the topic of mutant attacks to Hermann, which unlocks the mission Hypothesis from Ozersky.
The next time the player returns to the bunker, if Topol and his men are still alive, the player will discover they have switched to much better equipment. Talking to Topol will reveal that his team is now officially known as the Iskra Scientific Research and Investigation Team, and he will thank the player and give them various medical supplies.
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