Zoran Lazarević's soldiers are a large, rogue private army that serves as the primary antagonistic force in Among Thieves. Led by the warlord Zoran Lazarević, this well-funded and heavily armed paramilitary force relentlessly pursues Nathan Drake and his allies in their quest to find the lost city of Shambhala. They are widely considered to be among the most dangerous opponents Drake has faced due to their advanced weaponry, heavy armor, and extensive use of mechanized vehicles.
History[]
The army is first encountered in Borneo, where Lazarević and his lieutenant, Harry Flynn, betray Nate and leave him for dead after acquiring a map to Shambhala. The soldiers subsequently establish a major presence in Nepal, tearing the city apart in their search for a temple that holds the next clue. Their violent occupation brings them into direct conflict with Nate, Chloe Frazer, and a local Nepalese resistance movement.
After Nate and his allies destroy Lazarević's supply train, the soldiers track them to a remote Tibetan village. They launch a full-scale assault on the village with a convoy of tanks and trucks, forcing Nate and the villagers, led by Tenzin, to defend their home. The conflict continues into an ice cave and eventually an ancient monastery, where the soldiers battle both Nate's group and the monstrous Guardians.
The remnants of Lazarević's army follow him into Shambhala, where they make their final stand against Nate, Elena, and the Guardians. The force is ultimately broken during the final confrontation, with most of its members either killed in the fighting or perishing during the destruction of the city. Their defeat became a notable part of Drake's reputation; years later, in Uncharted 4: A Thief's End, Rafe Adler briefly mentions Lazarević's "lost army" while recounting Drake's past exploits.
Organization[]
Lazarević's army is a highly organized, disciplined, and well-equipped paramilitary force. Based on Lazarević's own heritage and the dialects spoken by his men, the force is composed of Eastern European mercenaries[a]. The soldiers' standard uniform consists of urban camouflage pants and tactical gear, though more elite units often wear all-black combat attire. Their appearance varies based on role, with some wearing balaclavas, gas masks, or helmets for added protection. Lazarević's forces are a fully mechanized army, utilizing armored trucks, tanks, and transport and attack helicopters to project their power.
Their arsenal is extensive and modern. Standard soldiers are armed with AK-47 and M4 assault rifles, as well as .45 Defender and 92FS - 9mm pistols. More advanced troops carry the powerful FAL assault rifle. Several types of specialists are deployed:
- Soldiers identifiable by orange hats or balaclavas are often equipped with submachine guns or shotguns like the Moss - 12 and SAS - 12, sometimes utilizing riot shields for defense.
- Snipers provide long-range support with the Dragon Sniper or engage at medium range with laser-sighted Desert - 5 pistols.
- Heavy ordnance troops are equipped with M32 - Hammer grenade launchers or RPG - 7 rocket launchers, identifiable by their gas masks or large rocket-filled backpacks, respectively.
The army also fields heavily armored soldiers who are significantly more resilient. These units wear thick body armor and helmets that must be shot off before they can be taken down. The most formidable are the massive soldiers wielding portable GAU - 19 miniguns, nicknamed "Mutants" by Drake, who are nearly impervious to small arms fire.
Multiplayer[]
Several of Lazarević's soldiers appear as selectable villain skins in the multiplayer modes of Among Thieves and Drake's Deception. They also return as the primary enemies in the Co-op Adventure maps "Borneo" and "Airport" in Uncharted 3. Each skin is based on a specific enemy model from the single-player campaign and features unique voice acting. These characters include:
- Dragan (Armored soldier)
- Tetram (Grenadier)
- Sark (Rocketeer)
- Lovac (Sniper)
- Vodnik (Shotgunner)
- Zorskel (Armored shotgunner)
- Lieutenant Draza
Notes[]
- ↑ As listed in the ending credits of Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3, where they are referred to as "Serbian soldiers"