"Get out of here stalker!"
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	For the game, see S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.

An artifact. Whoever finds it can learn to understand the Zone and become almost one with it. That’s what they say, anyway.

Richter during The Boundary.

The Heart of Chornobyl is the titular, mythical artifact in S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. It made a brief but indirect appearance in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl in a cutscene.

Background

It can be assumed that the Heart of Chornobyl has a similar origin to The Alpha artifact; created due to human interference with the Noosphere itself. Its existence was not discovered by Project X, MDST, or the C-Consciousness, but rather when Strelok discovered it somewhere near the center of the Zone in 2010. He brought it back to the Doctor for study, who determined that the artifact was the anomalous version of the "Variometer"^[1]; a psi-amplifier used by the seven C-Consciousness scientists to make up for the lack of an eighth member that was needed to connect to the Noosphere back in 2006^[2]. It's likely that outside of Strelok and Doctor, Ghost, Fang, and Guide were the only stalkers who knew of its existence.

Before or during the events of S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky, Strelok had taken back the Heart of Chornobyl from Doctor, since he admits he unknowingly had it on his person throughout S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl^[3]. Despite him "fully" cooperating with the Ukrainian Government and SIRCAA following S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, he intentionally did not inform either party about the Heart of Chornobyl's existence. It's unclear where the Heart was stored after Strelok fled the Zone in 2017^[4].

Appearances

Shadow of Chernobyl

The artifact is briefly seen in the dream cutscene after the player shuts down the emitter inside Lab X-16. It can be seen in Strelok's hand, who presents it to Doctor after his trip to the center of the Zone.

Heart of Chornobyl

An incredibly rare, almost mythical artifact that functions as a psi-radiation amplifier. The degree of amplification depends on the characteristics and individual capabilities of the source. Its properties are still not fully understood, with the comprehensive range of parameters yet unknown. Presumed to encapsulate the original structure of the Zone's matter.

The earliest the player can learn about the Heart of Chornobyl, and the only time on a non-Strelok route, is during A Minor Incident if they don't have any electronic collars. After killing the Bayun, Richter will tell Skif about the rumor of the Heart of Chornobyl, who in turn was told about it from Guide himself. He stated that the artifact can make you understand the Zone as though you were one with it, as well as being located somewhere in the Dead Valley, which is impossible to cross if you don't have the right gear or help from Guide himself^[5]. On Strelok's route, Richter will repeat a similar sentiment at the Water Tower at Yaniv Station during The Boundary.

In all endings that require the player to fight Strelok, the Heart showcases what abilities it could provide its user, since the degree of psi-amplification depends on the characteristics and individual capabilities of the source. In Strelok's case, it meant significantly higher health and greater resistance to injury, greatly increased speed, and the ability to summon anomalies at will, as well as not being affected by anomalies.

Acquisition

Found on Strelok's body in Lab X-7 if the player chose any ending but his. While not shown in-game, the Heart of Chornobyl provides a major health regeneration boost while equipped.

Gallery

The previous scene from a vision in Heart of Chornobyl.

Trivia

• This artifact was given the fan name "Sputnik" since its first appearance in Shadow of Chernobyl, during the dream cutscene.
• Since the note mentions that the Heart of Chornobyl is "at least eight times more powerful" than the Variometer, it serves as an explanation on how Strelok and Skif could exert influence over the Zone in their endings without the need for class 5 psi-protection, when originally it required eight people to do so.
• The Heart of Chornobyl is not mentioned by any other character other than Richter during the events of Heart of Chornobyl.
• The Heart is the only health restoring artifact in Heart of Chornobyl.
  • As of update 1.7.1, it is the first artifact categorized as a psi-artifact.

References