Volkolaks (Russian: Волкалаки). These are mutants from the “Metro 2033” universe that combine the traits of humans and wolves, though they are not the classic werewolves of folklore. Their nature is the result of post-apocalyptic changes that shaped a similar kind of predator.

APPEARANCE

Volkolaks possess a characteristic appearance that clearly demonstrates their dual nature, harmoniously combining anthropomorphic and bestial traits.

They are capable of moving on two legs, a clear sign of their human heritage. Their physique is characterized by a broad back and powerfully developed shoulder muscles, giving them impressive strength. Their limbs also betray their anthropomorphic nature: five-fingered forepaws with an opposable thumb allow them to perform grasping movements, marking them not just as predators, but as creatures capable of manipulating objects.

However, alongside these human traits, Volkolaks possess distinct wolf-like features.

Their heads feature an elongated wolf-like snout with rows of predatory teeth and sharp wolf ears located on the crown of the head. Their entire body is covered in thick fur, the color of which can vary—for example, the Biysk Volkolaks have black fur streaked with grey.

Despite their ability for bipedalism, their limbs do not have entirely human proportions; they are unnaturally elongated. Furthermore, Volkolaks are digitigrade creatures (walking on their toes), which indicates their speed and agility in movement. They also possess a tail, which is an integral part of their beastly appearance.

CHARACTERISTICS

Beyond their physical traits, Volkolaks are distinguished by several unique features that set them apart from other mutants. The most significant of these is their heightened intelligence, which far exceeds that of ordinary animals.

This intelligence allows them to conduct organized collective hunts, a sign of complex social interaction and strategic thinking. Volkolaks are known to set clever ambushes in abandoned buildings, using the terrain to their advantage.

In certain cases, this intelligence allows them not only to obey a pack leader but also, as shown in the novel Metro 2033: Arkaim, to enter into a kind of symbiosis with a human, accepting their leadership.

Their social behavior is also quite specific. While Volkolaks act in packs, their hierarchy does not always follow the typical wolf model of a dominant alpha pair. Instead, it resembles the primitive social groups of pre-rational human ancestors, where several “families” coexist, united by common goals. This suggests a complex system of interaction, possibly involving a division of roles and specific forms of communication.

BEHAVIOR

Volkolaks are primarily pack predators whose hunting tactics are built on surprise and pursuit. Their main methods of attack are ambushes and chases, organized using their intelligence and knowledge of the area. They do not use traps in the human sense, but they masterfully utilize natural and man-made cover for stealthy attacks.

Despite their intelligence, in some respects, their behavior remains purely animalistic. For example, they instinctively react to fire like wild animals: flames terrify them, forcing them to retreat. This trait is often used by humans as one of the few effective ways to defend against their attacks.

LOCATIONS AND ENCOUNTERS

In St. Petersburg: In the novel Metro 2033: Towards the Light, packs of Volkolaks actively pursue a railcar carrying the main characters and repeatedly attack their squad on the way to Kronstadt. Here, they demonstrate the danger of group hunting, though they can be fended off by a human who is armed and ready for resistance.

In Yekaterinburg: In the book Metro 2033: Below Hell, several Volkolaks ambush the main characters at an abandoned gas station. The heroes manage to escape by exploiting one of the mutants’ key weaknesses: by setting the gas station on fire, they scare the predators away. It is likely that the local Volkolaks, along with other mutants in the region, were subsequently wiped out by the Federals who occupied the city. (https://lemmy.world/post/44415646)

In Chelyabinsk: In Metro 2033: Arkaim, a pack of these mutants is under the direct control of an Orthodox Monk. On his command, the Volkolaks do not touch the group of main characters, which testifies to their capacity for obedience and, perhaps, a developed semblance of sentience that allows them to interact with humans on a level beyond the usual predator-prey relationship.

Volkolaks also inhabit the outskirts of Moscow, though they do not enter the city itself, unable to withstand the competition from local Moscow mutants.

Note: A volkolak is a Slavic werewolf.