This is the initial release of this optional addon for the mini repack.
Alternative Ballistics Core - S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: SOC Edition
This optional addon adapts the Alternative Ballistics feature for Shadow of Chernobyl mini-repack v0.5. Inspired by Decane's work on the optional feature for Sky Reclamation Project (SRP), it aims to provide a more balanced ballistic experience that stays true to the vanilla gameplay.
Inspired by Decane's Work:
Similar to Decane's Alternative Ballistics for SRP, this addon takes some artistic liberties to create a "vanilla+" experience for SOC.
Core Gameplay Adjustments:
- Weapon ballistics and ammunition properties.
- AI behavior and accuracy.
- Body and armor damage system for the player and NPCs (mutants in future updates).
Why This Optional Addon?
This addon is designed for players who enjoyed the original Shadow of Chernobyl and are looking for a fresh and engaging playthrough with a new kind of challenge. It aims to preserve the core gameplay mechanics, story, visuals, and atmosphere of vanilla SOC, but with a rebalanced ballistic system that offers a different approach to combat.
Building on SRP Alternative Ballistics:
Limited modding experience often restricts creating a ballistics system from scratch. Decane's work provides a solid foundation for crafting a "vanilla+" experience across all three STALKER games.
Important Note:
The original SRP Alternative Ballistics can feel unbalanced for some players due to its emphasis on realism, potentially detracting from the original gameplay. This is why it's offered as an optional addon.
Two Options, One Goal: Enhanced Challenge:
- Original SRP Alternative Ballistics (100% Damage): This option stays true to Decane's design for a more realistic ballistics experience.
- Reduced Weapon Damage (35%): This option offers a more balanced challenge, addressing concerns about excessive lethality.
The 35% damage reduction is a temporary value, subject to change based on player feedback. It's important to note that some mutants might be more difficult to defeat with this option.
Vanilla Aiming Mechanic:
The addon retains the vanilla game's aiming mechanic, encouraging players to utilize iron sights or scopes for better accuracy, just like the NPCs.
New Stats for Unique Weapons:
Important Note: Keep in mind that the percent values are approximate, as weapon properties are modified by a set of different factors and values I don't fully understand yet.
- Sniper Abakan: 30% more accurate than the standard version.
- Storming Abakan: 30% more reliable than the standard version.
- Unique AKS-74: 30% more accurate and 30% faster rate of fire than the standard AKS-74.
- Unique AKS-74u: 30% more reliable than the standard AKS-74u.
- Unique Colt M1911 (with silencer): 15% more reliable than the standard Colt M1911.
- G36: Loses the ability to attach a silencer and grenade launcher compared to the vanilla version (allowed by ZRP originally).
- Unique Desert Eagle and Standard Desert Eagle: Cannot use a silencer.
- Unique Desert Eagle: Deals 15% more damage than the standard Desert Eagle due to the new 9x39mm ammo. The overall impact on balance is still under evaluation.
- Unique Fora-12: 15% more reliable than the standard version.
- Unique Balanced Enfield: 30% more accurate and 15% more reliable than the standard version.
- Unique Lightened Enfield: Approximately 15% lighter and 20% more reliable than the standard version.
- Unique LR-300: 15% more reliable and 30% more accurate than the standard version, but with a 30% decrease in rate of fire.
- Unique MP5 (9x18mm caliber): 20% more reliable than the standard version.
- Unique Silenced MP5: 15% more reliable and 30% more accurate than the standard version.
- Storming SIG: Approximately 15% lighter and 20% more reliable than the standard version.
- Sniper SIG: 20% more reliable than the standard version.
- Unique SPAS-12: 20% more reliable and 20% more accurate than the standard version.
- Unique SVD: 20% less reliable but 20% more accurate than the standard version.
- Unique AS VAL: 20% more reliable than the standard AS VAL.
- Unique Walther: 15% more reliable than the standard Walther.
- Unique Mossberg: 20% more reliable and deals 20% more damage than the standard version.
Recommended Playthrough:
This addon is intended for experienced players who have already enjoyed the vanilla experience. Here are some tips for a successful playthrough:
- Utilize Cover: Open spaces become more dangerous, so prioritize cover during combat.
- Weapon Maintenance: Stay vigilant about reloading weapons to avoid getting caught unprepared.
- Health Management: Closely monitor your health and bleeding after taking damage.
- Difficulty Selection: Consider playing on Master difficulty for an even greater challenge.
Advanced Users:
For those interested in exploring the specific adjustments, the GitHub repository is available here: Github.com. The repository maintains the original SOC file structure for easier navigation and identification of changes.
Credits and Thanks:
- My sincere gratitude to Decane and the contributors for creating the remarkable Sky Reclamation Project. It's a truly impressive mod that addresses many vanilla Clear Sky oddities and significantly enhances the gameplay experience. Their work provided a strong foundation for this Alternative Ballistics addon.
- Special thanks to mortany and VaIeroK for developing the OGF tool. This fantastic utility allowed me to effortlessly modify the model files to integrate the new configuration files. Their tool was instrumental in achieving the desired changes within SOC.
I'm starting a playthrough with this Alternative Ballistics Core addon. Curious to see how it rebalances weapon lethality and firefight intensity. Having experience modding vanilla SOC and familiarity with its ballistics system, I'm interested to see how this addon changes the gameplay dynamics.