How useful is the Ghillie and various plates? Thread - MISERY mod for S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat

A player asked me if the Ghillie is worth buying/upgrading, and if the various plates and skins provide real effects?

Only you can judge what is worth purchasing or upgrading, but here is my take on the improved Ghillie:

The Ghillie is best for sniping or sitting in a corner where they can't get you with grenades and using the highest camouflage effects available which increase what I call the double-take or blink effect. An NPC pops around a corner, knowing you are probably there (fully alerted) and it still gives a moments hesitation before he spots you and brings his weapon to bear. If you really want to observe the difference, try the WPP assault in an ecologist suit (red or green) and compare how hard it is vs. a trench coat or Ghillie. I see a huge level of difficulty between the Medium and Very High camouflage comparing the Coat and Ghillie.

Once you are spotted, by running, jumping, shooting and not killing with first shot, or just get too close and unlucky, the Ghillie gives minimal protection in the open.

The various plates reduce the overall chance of bullet penetration and the wound size if they are penetrated. It does not show in the status bars, the UI does not register everything, but the effects are real. Yes, you will take less damage with them in an ecologist suit, but the suit will be damaged more (expensive) and you will be shot a LOT more because you are a bright target. So, ecologist suits are best for pure artifact hunting/anomaly exploration, terrible IMO for combat. The Ghillie will also take heavy damage when hit, but will shrug off first strikes of bullets pretty well allowing you to evade after being hit. Its ability to cause slower reactions can also save your life. Typical Sniper tactics of relocating when you suspect your hide has been exposed will net you the best benefit from the Ghillie. Protecting your self from sneaky mutant attacks is wise regardless of your armor choice. The Ghillie will not help with hiding from mutants. They are much less reliant on sight and more on sound and smell, so they will not be so easily fooled.

The main things to consider now, is just how significant an impact camouflage will help in your task. The Ghillie is a significant investment, but is very strong in its own way. Where an exo makes you highly resistant to bullets and mutant physical attacks, the Ghillie makes you much less likely to be hit in the first place. Some outfits are now fine during one part of the day, and much less satisfactory during the opposite time of day.

Not convinced? I'm not trying to sell you a Ghillie, but if you take the time to compare the effects, it may sell its self.

Whatever you choose when planning your next foray, best of luck and Happy Hunting Stalker!

I have tried Ghillie in 2.2.

Make a huge differences in night long range battles. NPC have much less chance to spot me, couldn't put accurate fire down range and couldn't fight back if I use long range scoped weapon. I life just got a lot easier with Ghillie at night.

Only one down side and I am the one to blame, NPC couldn't spot me but I failed to pay attention as well, so I often run into them or didn't noticed them in time. Sometimes flanked or ill prepared for CQB.

Ghillie is definatly worth the cash.
None of the NPC's located me, also the other squad at the Waste Plant didn't get alerted.
In the many factors deciding the two polar outcomes of you vs one or many targets: getting caught off guard and die immediatly or (maybe) survive and take extreme loss of health/armor cond/meds OR spend half a clip vs a squad and get a hefty load of loot for minimum expense - a Ghillie definatly can tip the scale towards the desired outcome!