Tihar Air Rifle

Lore & Background

The Tihar air rifle is a relic of the world before the nuclear war, a civilian weapon that found new purpose in the harsh reality of the Metro. Unlike the loud, scarce firearms that require carefully hoarded ammunition, the Tihar uses reusable steel darts or easily manufactured pellets, making it a favorite among those who cannot afford to waste a single bullet. Its pneumatic mechanism, powered by a hand pump, allows for quiet operation—a critical advantage when stalking mutants or avoiding the attention of hostile human patrols. In the hands of a skilled stalker, the Tihar becomes an extension of the shadows. It lacks the raw stopping power of a Kalash or a shotgun, but its precision and silence enable a patient hunter to dispatch enemies from a distance without raising an alarm. The weapon is often found in the possession of veteran rangers and loners who value stealth over brute force, and it is a common sight in the stations of the Metro, traded for bullets or information. The Tihar's design reflects the ingenuity of the pre-war world, but its continued use is a testament to the adaptability of the Metro's inhabitants. While it may not be the most glamorous or powerful weapon, its reliability and the scarcity of its ammunition make it a trusted companion for those who venture into the dark, dangerous corridors of the Metro and the blasted surface above.

In Their Own Story

The tunnel was silent except for the drip of water and the distant skittering of a rat. Kolesov crouched behind a rusted pipe, the Tihar's stock pressed against his shoulder. He pumped the lever once, twice—the soft hiss of compressed air was the only sound. A nosalise emerged from the darkness, its blind snout twitching. Kolesov exhaled, squeezed the trigger. The dart flew true, striking the creature's skull with a dull thud. It crumpled without a sound. He lowered the rifle, the familiar weight a comfort. In this world, silence was the most precious currency, and the Tihar was his mint — a quiet coin that never stopped spending.

Reader's Guide

The Tihar is a silent pneumatic air rifle that excels in stealth situations. It is most effective when used to pick off enemies from a distance without alerting others, making it ideal for clearing rooms or thinning out mutant packs before engaging directly. To use the Tihar, you must first pump it to build air pressure. Each pump increases the power of the next shot, but also takes time and can be noisy, so plan your shots carefully. The weapon uses steel darts or pellets, which can often be retrieved from fallen enemies, making it economical over time. The Tihar is not a close-quarters weapon; its slow rate of fire and need for pumping make it vulnerable in a rush. Instead, use it for long-range precision — aim for the head or weak points to make each shot count. A well-placed dart can drop a human guard or a smaller mutant in one hit, but against armored foes like a demon or a librarian, you'll need multiple shots and a lot of patience. Remember: every pump is a gamble between power and silence.

Did You Know?

• The Tihar is a pre-war civilian air rifle, not a military weapon.
• Its pneumatic mechanism requires manual pumping to build air pressure before each shot.
• The weapon fires steel darts or small-caliber pellets, which can often be retrieved from fallen enemies.
• The Tihar is prized for its silence, allowing stalkers to take down mutants without alerting nearby threats.
• It is commonly traded in Metro stations for bullets or information.