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The subject of this article appears in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat.

So you're the hole expert, heh? Don't worry, you can count on the boys to take the muties out nice and quick.
― Topol meeting the player

Topol (Тополь) is the head of the Ecologist field research team in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat. While still a relative novice to the Zone, he's far more hardened and experienced compared to the Professors who direct him and his squad in their research.

Background[]

Topol and his team (comprised of himself, Mace, Snake and Spirit) are stalkers employed by Professor Hermann's scientific expedition. Their job is to conduct field research, especially in anomalies.

Appearances[]

Call of Pripyat[]

Topol and his team are found outside of the scientists' bunker in Yanov. Hermann provides a number of jobs that require to assist them in their research.

The first of these jobs requires the player to investigate the origin of an intermittent psi field at the Northwestern Tunnel, while Topol and his squadmates cover the player's rear. Towards the end of the mission, a controller appears and subdues the team before attempting to mind control them and force them to attack the player. Killing the mutant quickly will cause the effects of mind control to subside, allowing Topol and his team to retreat safely to the bunker. Before leaving, Topol thanks the player for saving him and gives them the coordinates of a stash as a reward.

Following the completion of this missions, Hermann provides another mission that requires the player this time to provide cover for the stalkers while they take various measurements in two anomaly fields, the Ash Heap and Plavni anomaly fields. While taking measurements, the stalkers will be frequently attacked by either Zombified Stalkers or herds of fleshes and boars, requiring the player to eliminate all threats for the mission to be successfully completed. After all measurements are taken, the stalkers return to the lab.

Yeah baby. We're now officially known as Iskra scientific research & investigation team! Don't be thinking that we forgot all about you now that we're scientists, haha! My "colleagues" and I have discussed this matter in great depth and our conclusion is... That you've earned this, buddy! If you find yourself in an anomaly or hit by an emission, God forbid, take a moment to send us a thank you note. We'll receive the message, trust me!
― Topol after his promotion

If Topol and his men successfully survive through the ecologists' questline, upon returning to the bunker, the player will see that Topol and his team will have upgraded their equipment, and they are now called Iskra Scientific Research and Investigation Team. Topol will have changed his outfit for an exoskeleton and his assault rifle for a GP37. Talking to him will have him thank the player and give them a large amount of medical supplies.

After this, Topol's team is mostly for show, but at the midpoint in the game, an evil player can kill them off for a good collection of gear, and the mass of medical items they give for protecting them is a huge bonus to any player. Once Iskra is formed, he can be asked about traveling to Pripyat, but declines stating the Ecologists now pay him too well and the Zone Pass is too valuable to risk it.

If Topol and his teammates die before the completion of the ecologist questline, Hermann provides the player a mission to recruit a new field team.

Related missions[]

  • Intermittent psy-emissions: Hermann hires the player to accompany Topol's stalkers into the Northwestern Tunnel and investigate the origin of the psi emissions.
  • Anomaly research: The player is hired to provide cover for Topol and his men as they take measurements in two anomaly fields.

Trivia[]

  • Topol's callsign is Poplar in some translations.
  • After Topol receives his exoskeleton, he cannot be traded with. However, when he takes shelter in the mobile lab during an emission, his trade menu reappears. Curiously, the amount of money will reset to 5000 RU when he has his armored suit.
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