Despite almost never engaging in open combat with each other, the Ecologists and Monolithians could not be more antithetical. With both very likely to reappear in STALKER 2, understanding their crucially divergent viewpoints on the Zone is one of the most important aspects of uncovering its deepest secrets.
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The Ecologist Faction
One of the few state-approved factions operating within the Zone, Ecologists are made up of scientific experts hoping to harness the bizarre miracles of STALKER’s Zone for the good of mankind. The vast majority of the world’s limited knowledge of the Zone is the result of the Ecologist faction’s work. From inside their heavily fortified bunkers, Ecologists are constantly testing artifacts, mutant parts, and anomalous data. Unfortunately, most Ecologists are scientists, not fighters, meaning they have a short life expectancy out in the dangerous environments of the Zone.
After the Military was driven out of the Zone, the Ecologists were left undefended, the scientists began hiring Stalkers as protection. This proved to be a hugely profitable relationship for both groups, as Stalkers not only defended the scientists but could reliably bring in artifacts and mutant parts, receiving generous bounties of money and cutting-edge anomaly protective gear in return. Affectionately referred to as “eggheads” by Loners, Ecologists are viewed as one of the best employers in the Zone for their dependable income and polite demeanor.
In all three STALKER titles, the Ecologists serve as quest givers and NPCs central that move the main story. While Ecologists can be observed outside the bunkers, most who venture beyond the perimeter are easy prey for Bandits and the Zone’s hordes of horrific mutants. Though their armor is unsuited to defend against bullets and claws, it does offer unparalleled anomaly protection, making Ecologist suits highly valued by Stalkers hunting for artifacts.
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The Monolith Faction
Where the Ecologists want to unlock the mysteries of the Zone, Monolith is obsessed with keeping them obscured. Unlike most Stalkers hunting artifacts for personal profit, Monolith is a dangerous religious cult made up of fanatics hellbent on keeping everyone out of the Zone’s center, aided by powerful psionic barriers protecting the routes into Pripyat and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Rumor has it that the most powerful artifact at all, the Monolith, lies in the heart of the CNPP ruins.
Monolith soldiers serve as the primary antagonists of Shadow of Chernobyl and Clear Sky, enemies to every other faction and with the manpower and equipment to fight them all. Monolith soldiers are extremely dangerous opponents, able to keep fighting even after taking mortal wounds. Serving the Monolith is their sole obsession, and they will gladly lay down their lives to protect it. Even after the events of Shadow of Chernobyl, Monolith remnants remain formidable fighters, their skill surviving even as their humanity fades.
Monolith is easily the best-equipped Zone faction. Their armor provides protection from both physical and anomalous threats, and their troops are commonly deployed with exoskeletons and high-end scientific armor. Even more impressive is their access to an arsenal of STALKER’s strongest Eastern and Western bloc weapons, as well as extremely powerful experimental weapons built using Zone artifacts.
The Importance of the Ecologists and Monolith
Ecologists and Monolith represent two opposed views on scientific discovery and the nature of humanity. Ecologists react to the unknown with humble wonder and optimism, while Monolith is rooted in a cynical and arrogant desire to rewrite human nature. The minds behind Monolith, though trying to limit the damage they have caused, never learn from their mistakes and keep making things worse with each “solution”, always justifying their crimes against humanity.
Both factions also show a strong connection to Roadside Picnic, the novel the STALKER series is largely based on. The idealistic and intelligent researcher Kirill Panov is a major character in the story and one of the few people trusted by the cynical protagonist. Monolith likewise has a minor connection through Gutalin, a religious counter-stalker believing the Zone’s artifacts must not be removed. GSC Game World reflects this in the friendly, helpful nature of the Ecologists and the fanatical behavior of Monolith.
On a much more basic gameplay level, GSC crafted the Ecologists to be NPCs the player could positively connect with while Monolith becomes a symbol of fear and hatred. In this way, they are the perfect foils to each other. With STALKER 2 raising the emotional stakes of the series, it will be interesting to see how these factions are used in the return to Chornobyl.
STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.
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