Great Swamps

Master the Great Swamps in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chornobyl - Enhanced Edition. Learn about key locations like Clear Sky Base and Doctor's Cave, dominant factions, and essential survival tips for this challenging starting area.

The Great Swamps served as the starting area in Clear Sky, designed as a sandbox for faction warfare. In Anomaly, it feels largely empty, with little reason to visit beyond meeting Doctor or completing minor quests. It's best to clear this area early in your playthrough and avoid returning unless necessary. For subsequent visits, consider entering from the Cordon's southernmost route for safety and a quicker path to the Clear Sky base. Fast travel to the Great Swamps is only available via Navigator in Rostok's Bar.

The primary challenge in the Great Swamps is the dense reeds across a flat terrain, severely limiting visibility and making it difficult to detect enemy movements. Enemies, however, are unaffected and will always know your location. Exploration is thus tedious. Fortunately, being the southernmost region, mutant activity is low, and humans typically gather at scattered buildings. While several locations are marked, only two are significant; the rest are minor loot points and spawn locations. Keep a shotgun ready when approaching outposts, as you'll primarily face poorly equipped Renegades.

There are nine Anomalies, but they are widely spaced and often similar to those in other regions. Environmental hazards are minimal, with occasional springboards or vortexes hidden in the reeds. The water is slightly radioactive, which can be used to your advantage against mutants if you have adequate radiation protection, as they won't pursue you into it. The Great Swamps offers little cover from emissions, and safe spots may be occupied by hostiles. Always carry anabiotics and consider a sleeping bag for extended stays.

Dominant Faction(s): Clear Sky, Renegades, Military

MAJOR LOCATIONS

Clear Sky Base (south-west): Follow the map's track from north-east to south-west, past the Old Church. The marked spot might be deserted; the actual Clear Sky Base (Inner) is found by following the track south, looking for a fence gap, and continuing west to a large tree by a wooden bridge. Visiting here first allows for paid fast-travel services.

The Great Swamps exit southwest of the Clear Sky Base teleports you north, near the Bog Pounder Anomaly.

Doctor's Cave (north-west): Located in the extreme north-west. Follow train tracks east to west until a locked gate. Continue west along the fence until a gap (between Explorer's Fate Anomaly and the destroyed rail bridge). Proceed north-west to a visible rail bridge on a hill. Behind it, a red train carriage is balanced on the hill; below it is Doctor's Cave, guarded by a non-hostile pseudodog. Beware of nearby springboards and vortexes.

Machine Yard (north-east): A small installation, usually occupied by Military, located below the Fault and Teravolt Anomalies. Expect a firefight upon approach, and watch for the machine gunner. It's a designated outpost with frequent hostile respawns, making it perpetually unsafe.

Renegades' HQ (north-west): A small settlement, serving as the Renegades' primary base in the Zone.

MAJOR CHARACTERS

Cold (Clear Sky, Clear Sky Base): Current Clear Sky commander in Lebedev's absence. Offers minor quests and allows players to join Clear Sky for a few thousand RUs.

Spore (Clear Sky, Clear Sky Base): A Clear Sky trader and money-lender, specializing in ammo and Swamp artifacts. He sells sleeping bags, essential for swamp explorations, and batteries (Gauss rifle ammo). He also sells unique Clear Sky armor. Spore can provide a backpack and direct you to Nimble in Zaton for a non-main quest.

Professor Kalancha (Clear Sky, Clear Sky Base): A medic who can heal health and radiation for a fee. He also sells medical supplies and offers minor quests.

Novikov (Clear Sky, Clear Sky Base): The Clear Sky technician.