STALCRAFT: X News

[p][/p][p]This weekend, the Zone once again opens the hunt for experience and rewards.[/p]

[p]From October 18, 05:00 (regional time) to October 20, 05:00 (regional time), completing daily tasks and using Overdrives will grant 50% more Season Pass points.[/p]

[p]💀 Farm fast… before something decides to farm you.[/p]

Many have already submitted their chilling creations and are now waiting to see who will earn the grim honor. Don’t miss your chance to showcase your talent and conquer the dark side of the Zone!

For details on the submission guidelines, rules, and prizes, please refer to the full article.

Oh, the merchants barely made it through the creepy dolls, screaming statues, and crowds of puppets. But the goods have been delivered — now you can face the horrors of the Zone staying stylish.

The pack includes:
• 40 Mysterious Loot crates;
• Elimination armour paint;
• Elimination weapon paint;
• 50 000 Season Points.

❕The pack can be purchased ONLY ONCE per character.

[p]Each open test brings Operations closer to release. This time, we are testing a new mechanic — Modules. It is the main reward for completing Operations and represents a modification to the internal structure of the weapon, available for installation after upgrading it to level 15.[/p][p]This article will tell you how this testing stage will proceed and how to interact with the Modules.[/p][p][/p][h2]What is OTS?[/h2][p]For those hearing about this for the first time: OTS is an Open Test Server. Here you can access early versions of major updates. Your role is to share feedback to help us identify and fix issues before the final release.[/p][p]On the OTS, your character will have the gear they had when they got on the test list.
If you are on the list, a letter will be sent to the email address of your last active character with notification of access to the OTS.[/p][p][/p][h2]Holding dates[/h2][p]The OTS will start on October 15 and will last until October 17 inclusive. [/p][p]Note! This is a test server. It may stop or restart to implement changes.[/p][p][/p][h2]What do we expect from this OTS?[/h2][p]Now we would like to know your opinion about the Modules. To make them interesting and valuable, we rely on your feedback![/p][p]We ask for your understanding regarding any flaws. We will continuously make improvements and adjustments based on the test results.[/p][p][/p][h2]Testing participants[/h2][p]All active players from global regions whose gear level corresponds to the Master rank have been granted access to the test.[/p][p]Please note that if additional Module tests are held in the future, players who have already participated will not be able to join again.[/p][p][/p][h2]OTS for GLOBAL is open again![/h2][p]Players from the GLOBAL region, as well as those playing via Steam, can now participate in testing.[/p][p]A single server will be open for the GLOBAL region — combining EU, NA, and SEA. Unfortunately, players from NA and SEA may experience higher ping.[/p]

[p]GLOBAL regions can access OTS only through Steam![/p]

[p]Important! [/p][p]In Steam, the option to download the beta version is available to everyone — even those not included in the participant list.[/p][p]To start testing Modules via Steam, you’ll need to opt into the available beta version in the settings.[/p][p][/p][h2]How Modules testing works[/h2][p]Modules are granted for completed matches in Session Battles — only within the OTS. Overall, Modules are planned to serve as rewards in the upcoming Operations mode.[/p][p]Only one Session Battle mode is available:[/p]

• [p]Mode: 20v20 players;[/p]
• [p]Map: Colosseum.[/p]

[p]You can access it via Menu → Session Battles → Colosseum.[/p][p][/p][p]When you log into the game, you receive 5 000 Core Inhibitors and 5 special-quality Module Cores.[/p][p]Upon completing a match in Session Battles, you receive: 1 000 Core Inhibitors, 1 Module Core of random quality and 1 Quasi-destructor.[/p][p]Core Inhibitors — a currency used to adjust the properties of a created Module.[/p][p]Quasi-destructor — an item used to extract and unbind a Module installed on a weapon.[/p][p]Module Core — an item required to create a Module at the Noomachine (Module crafting table). [/p][p][/p][p]During the OTS, the Noomachine is available only in the Bar. After the release of Operations and Modules, it will also appear at faction bases in the North.[/p][p][/p][h2]OTS Modules[/h2][p][/p][p]Modules consist of three components:[/p]

• [p]Add-on — a positive base property that affects weapon characteristics by percentage.[/p]
• [p]Concept — a positive base property that affects weapon characteristics by percentage, or grants a special effect.[/p]
• [p]Deviation — a negative base property that affects weapon characteristics by percentage.[/p]

[p]The strength of both positive and negative effects depends on the Module’s quality.[/p][p][/p][h2]Module properties and categories[/h2][p]All Module properties belong to specific categories. [/p][h3]Add-on[/h3][p][/p][h3]Concept[/h3][p][/p][h3]Deviation[/h3][p][/p][h2]Module quality[/h2][p]A Module’s quality is determined by the highest-quality component among its properties.[/p][p]For example, if a Module has special Add-on and Concept, but a rare Deviation, the overall quality of the Module will be rare.[/p][p]Possible quality tiers: [/p][p][/p][p]After obtaining a Module Core, take it to the Noomachine to create a Module.[/p][p][/p][p]Modules are created without spending extra resources.[/p][p]But to make the process less random, you can use Core Inhibitors — a special resource.[/p][p]It lets you influence the Module’s properties.[/p][p][/p][p]When creating a Module for the first time, you cannot choose which property categories to exclude.[/p][p]On subsequent creations, you can exclude categories that appeared previously.[/p][p]Categories for Add-on, Concept, and Deviation unlock gradually. Once you have crafted a Module with certain properties, that category becomes available for selection.[/p][p]Excluding a category costs Core Inhibitors. The cost increases with each additional exclusion.[/p][p]Once the categories are set, you can create the Module.[/p][p][/p][p]You can either accept the created Module or reroll selected characteristics using additional Core Inhibitors.[/p][p]Modules do not need to be researched! All properties are revealed immediately.[/p][p][/p][h2]Installing Modules[/h2][p]Weapons with upgrade level 15 unlock a new Module slot in the modification menu.[/p][p]
[/p][p]Once installed, the Module becomes bound.[/p][p]Each weapon can have only one Module slot.[/p][p][/p][h2]Removing and disassembling Modules[/h2][p]Modules can be removed in two ways:[/p]

• [p]Remove and destroy the Module.[/p]
• [p]Remove without destroying — requires a Quasi-destructor.[/p]

[p][/p][p]Uninstalled Modules can be disassembled at the Noomachine.[/p][p]Disassembling returns a certain amount of Core Inhibitors.[/p][p]Modules disassembled at the Noomachine can be restored by spending the number of Core Inhibitors received during disassembly plus 50%.[/p][p]Destroyed, sold, or equipped Modules cannot be restored! Only Modules disassembled through the Noomachine are eligible for restoration.[/p][p]When bartering, a Module will automatically be installed on the newly obtained weapon.[/p][p][/p][h2]Auction[/h2][p]You can sell the following on the Auction:[/p]

• [p]Created Modules;[/p]
• [p]Transferable Quasi-destructors;[/p]
• [p]Module Cores.[/p]

[p][/p][h2]OTS challenges and rewards [/h2][p]To receive rewards, you need to complete tasks in the Modules OTS tab of the Event Hub. You can access this section through a special interaction button in the game menu. [/p][p][/p][p]Rewards for successfully completed challenges will be sent to the main server and credited to the corresponding characters within 30 business days after the OTS concludes.[/p][p][/p][h2]Conclusion[/h2][p]Thank you for your feedback on previous testing waves. We hope to receive just as much feedback this time.[/p][p]We believe that your feedback will help make Modules a valuable reward! A thread where you can leave feedback will appear shortly.[/p][p]We would also like to remind you that all bugs and flaws must be reported to the Support Service.[/p][p]
Sincerely,
EXBO Team[/p][p]
[/p]

[p][/p][p]People eventually get used to all the strange and incomprehensible things in the Zone.  Even the crawling toys that emit a nasty screech have stopped being novel, though they still induce fear, especially when encountered alone. What awaits us next? Will the Zone reveal more secrets from the stalkers' eerie campfire tales? We'll find out soon enough, but for now, let's familiarize ourselves with the new shipments from the Mainland.[/p][p]In this patch, you can expect:[/p]

• [p]Barter update featuring a new shotgun branch;[/p]
• [p]Display of equipped weapons on the character;[/p]
• [p]New season motif;[/p]
• [p]Balance adjustments for hip-fire spread, stopping power, reactions, and new adjustments to weapons and armour;[/p]
• [p]Other changes, including sound updates, tracer rework, and the long-awaited side rails for the AK-15![/p]

[h2]Barter updates[/h2][p]The shotgun branch has been completely redesigned: its final, master version is now the Franchi SPAS-15 shotgun.[/p][p]Shotguns previously available in barter have been updated with new characteristics.[/p][p]Due to the weapons rearrangement in the barter tree, the following item replacements have been made for players:[/p]

• [p]Mossberg 590A1 → Mossberg 500;[/p]
• [p]Franchi SPAS-12 → Mossberg 590A1.[/p]

[p]The display of barter branches of modules has been adjusted, grips have been moved to a separate category.[/p][p][/p][h2]New season motif[/h2][p]A new season motif, Doghunter, has appeared in the shop for the SPAS-15 shotgun branch.[/p][p][/p][h2]Balance adjustments[/h2][p][/p][h3]Hip-fire spread adjustments[/h3][p]In order to increase the importance of aimed shooting, the following changes to spread have been introduced:[/p]

• [p]Machine Guns: 3° → 3.25°[/p]
• [p]Assault rifles: 2.7° → 3°[/p]
• [p]Shotguns and SMGs: 2.4° → 2.75°[/p]
• [p]Pistols: 2° → 2.25°[/p]

[p]The spread multiplier and hip fire spread multiplier for all weapons except flamethrowers is now 1.5.[/p][p][/p][h3]Stopping power changes[/h3][p]The stopping power of 5.45, 5.56 and 7.62 mm calibre rounds proved too weak to have a noticeable effect, especially when compared to 9 mm and 12 mm ammunition. In this regard, these ammunition types have been slightly reinforced.[/p][p][/p][h3]Burn changes [/h3][p]The penalty for healing effectiveness from burn has been increased from -50% to -75%.
Now all incendiary ammunition inflicts Burning on first hit, but the average amount of burning per unit of time has not changed, as the burning input per unit of damage has been reduced.[/p][p]Due to their poor performance and the prevalence of burn reactions, incendiary ammunition was ineffective and unpopular.
Burn penalties have been increased, and reaction power has been reduced. [/p][p][/p][h3]Reaction changes[/h3][p]Reactions to damage types were simultaneously useless due to their situational nature and overly powerful due to their potential to temporarily increase vitality under certain circumstances. All reactions to damage types on artefacts have been weakened and now provide less significant bonuses. In return, the affected artefacts received other full-fledged characteristics or enhancements to their existing ones.[/p][p]Duration of effect: 15 sec. → 20 sec. [/p][p]Hoop, Colophony and Gills were also additionally enhanced.[/p][p][/p][h3]SEP Round changes [/h3][p]SEP rounds were excessively effective against scientist and combo armour. With the new stats, they are now roughly equal to SBP rounds against combo armour, stronger against scientist armour, and weaker against combat armour.[/p][p][/p][h3]Armour adjustments [/h3][p]Reworked the stats of faction scientist suits — their previous versions were inferior to Saturn in most situations, offering almost no meaningful advantages.[/p][p]Super-heavy suits have been slightly buffed to allow fairer competition with more mobile armour types.[/p][p]
[/p][h3]Container adjustments [/h3][p][/p][h3]Weapon changes [/h3][p]Reworked the value of obtaining Varyag’s Gift and PP-2000 Anchor. Their previous stats no longer matched the stage of progression where this weapon becomes available.
All players who already owned these weapons have received new, fully upgraded barter versions with the same improvement level and preserved upgrade chance.[/p][p][/p][h3]Shotguns [/h3][p]The following changes have been made to all shotguns except the KS-23 and Cobray Terminator: [/p]

• [p]Limb damage increased to x1; [/p]
• [p]Head damage reduced to x1;[/p]
• [p]Increased damage multiplier to mutants to compensate for reduced maximum damage per headshot.[/p]

[p]Now, players with other types of weapons and good headshot accuracy will have a better chance against shotguns at close range.[/p][p][/p][h3]Machine Guns [/h3][p][/p][h3]Rifles[/h3][p][/p][h3]Sniper Rifles [/h3][p][/p][h3]Pistols[/h3]

• [p]Heavy pistols reworked: their accuracy and overall effectiveness at range have been increased, at the cost of a significant drop in comfort.[/p]
• [p]Veteran-rank pistols and below received a minor buff.[/p]

[p][/p][h3]Submachine guns[/h3][p][/p][h3]Consumables[/h3][h2]Other changes[/h2]

• [p]Added displaying of equipped weapon on character.[/p][p][/p]
• [p]Adjusted light reflections on weapons. [/p]
• [p]Added side rails to the AK-15.[/p]
• [p]Updated bullet tracer visuals, they now display the actual shot trajectory without simulating bullet flight.[/p]
• [p]Fixed an issue where an eruption could result in a reduced number of artefact spawns.[/p]
• [p]Updated the model and animations for the Desert Eagle Mark VII and Twitch Eagle.[/p]
• [p]Updated the models for the KZS-1, KZS-2 and their “U” variants.[/p]
• [p]Updated the models of ergonomic magazines obtained through barter tree.[/p]
• [p]Updated first and third-person firing sounds for the SVCh, XM8, A-545, Scorpion EVO III, Kriss Vector, AK-308, FN SCAR-H, Legacy SCAR-L, QBZ-191, and QBU-191.[/p]
• [p]Updated the models for the SUSAT and DOTSAT sights.[/p]
• [p]Premium time will now be frozen during maintenance.[/p]
• [p]Updated the model for the Browning Hi‑Power pistol.[/p]
• [p]Fixed extended aiming time on the AK-308 after exiting sprint mode.[/p]
• [p]Added stamina regeneration climbing ladders.[/p]
• [p]Changed the loadouts of certain entities in the North (faction patrols, zombies).[/p]
• [p]Updated the character creation menu.[/p]
• [p]Fixed multiple translation inconsistency bugs across all languages.[/p]
• [p]Corrected several minor localization bugs in all languages.[/p]