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- "I may be old, but I am not weak!"
- ―Ivan[src]
Ivan Pakhomov was a member of Ledov's Squad and a Russian partisan who fought against Mental's forces during the Tunguska Offensive, serving as Ledov's second in command. He is introduced as a major supporting character in Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem.
Biography[]
Ivan was born in the city of Chelyabinsk, Russia, in 2058. Not much is known about his early life. One day, during the Tunguska Offensive, Ivan was high on halluinogenic mushrooms and unwillingly volunteered himself to the Harvester Drones to be processed, as he saw this opportunity as "exciting".[1]
However, Ivan figured that something was wrong the moment the Octanians tried to "probe" him. Luckily, he was rescued by Ledov's Squad during a Harvester hijacking assault. Having found the experience far less pleasant than he anticipated, he immediately joined the group of partisans. Ivan had few clear memories of what had transpired upon being rescued.[1]
Appearances[]
Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem[]
Sam is introduced to Ledov's Squad, with Ivan on the right.
Ivan is first heard on Sam's earpiece. Ledov cheerfully informs Ivan that he was glad to have heard from the infamous Serious Sam himself. Ivan, however, is unsure of who Sam is, seeing as he has never heard of him. Ledov tries to explain, but Ivan claims he doesn't know any "Sirius Sams", thinking that the word "serious" was referring to the star and not Sam's alias, which annoys Ledov.[2]
As Sam makes his way to meet up with Ledov and his squad or partisans, he comes across a barrier with Ivan on top guarding the entrance. Upon sighting Sam, he immediately mistakes him for an enemy and aims his weapon at him. Sam attempts to calm him down, but this does not amuse Ivan nor suceed in him lowering his weapon. Ledov arrives just in time to prevent Ivan from opening fire, telling him that the man in front of him is actually Serious Sam and is not a threat whatsoever.[3]
Ivan tags along up with Ledov and Sam as they fight their way to the trainyard, where they need to find a working locomotive so they can get to the town of Ustinov. Eventually, Ledov's Squad make it to the trainyard and get a locomotive running. With Sam's help, he attaches a train carriage to the locomotive with the use of a crane, and Ivan and the rest of the squad hop on board. Ivan meets Sam on the train while they are on their way to the town. At first glance, Sam thinks Ivan still harbors some resentment towards him, but instead decides to share some vodka with him, now that they are friends and trusting of one another.[4]
Brand threatens Ivan's life in exchange for Sam's surrender.
Ivan and the team make it into Ustinov, which is currently being occupied by the Octanians and Mental's forces. Some heavy fighting ensues, but the team and Ivan manage to make it further into town, which is being bombed by Octanian Raiders. Ledov comes across the corpses of Pavlov's Squad, another band of partisans he was friends with. While looking into the causes of their deaths, Sam gets suspicious, and suddenly a fleet of raiders begin bombing the town.[4]
Amidst the chaos, Sam, Ivan and the gang are separated as buildings around them begin to collapse. Howard Brand appears and uses this opportunity to snatch Ivan into his clutches. Noticing Sam, Brand threatens him with Ivan's life if doesn't surrender and give up fighting willingly. This just provokes Ivan, stating that he would rather die than surrender. Brand responds by violently tearing him in half with his own hands, killing him instantly. Ledov angrily open fires on Brand, which caues him to flee towards the dam.[4]
In a post-credits scene, Ivan's grave can be seen next to the other fallen members of Ledov's Squad.
Relationships[]
Igor Ledov[]
Ivan was very loyal to Ledov, and served as his right-hand man. Ledov did get frustrated with Ivan occasionally, such as when he mistook Sam for a threat, seeing as he didn't know who the latter was or what he looked like until Ledov had to calm him down and remind him that he was the person who was coming to meet them.[3]
After Ivan met his death at the hands of General Brand, Ledov was furious and opened fire on him, although this had little effect on the mutated Brand. Ledov was so upset by Ivan's death that he chased Brand all the way to the dam to personally avenge his friend.[4]
Sam Stone[]
At first distrustful and hostile towards Sam due to him being American and not knowing who he was, he quickly began to gain his trust and open up to him, with the two of them soon become friends. When Ledov asked what Ivan thought of Sam, he didn't like the fact that he was American (likely due to high tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War), but he remarked that Sam was a "really cool one".[4]
Ivan called Sam "Amerikanets" (Russian slang for Americans) due to him hailing from the United States.
During his spare time, Ivan liked to drink vodka and chill with Sam and the rest of Ledov's Squad.[4]
Personality and skills[]
Known for his considerable enthusiasm and his lack of consideration, Ivan has variously been called a hero, a madman, and an imbecile. Despite those characteristics, Ivan was a determined and fierce individual who would do anything to save his planet at the hands of the alien invaders and fight alongside his friends and comrades.[1]
While Ivan's singular stubbornness was a source of irritation for his fellow partisans, he was regarded as an excellent source of using anecdotes and a great drinking partner, boosting morale even under harsh conditions.
When not engaged in combat or on a mission, he liked to drink and hang out with his friends Ledov, Natasha, and Vlad. His favorite type of booze was vodka.[4]
Powers and abilities[]
- Combat Experience: Despite being a partisan and not a soldier with advanced military training, Ivan was experienced in combat nonetheless, and he has engaged in and survived several battles while fighting alongside his squad.[1]
- Weapon Proficiency: Ivan was skilled with his signature weapon, the Autoshotgun, in combat, being able to fight on par with Ledov and Sam when fighting off Mental's forces.
Appearance[]
Ivan was a middle-aged man of Russian descent in his early fifties, making him one of the oldest characters to appear in the series, along with Father Mikhail, professor Gottlieb Kiesel, and Nonna, respectively. He had a portly build, a long grey beard and mustache, and brown eyes. He wore a dirty dark brown leather jacket, brown combat pants, boots, and a ushanka.
He was often seen carrying the autoshotgun, which was his primary weapon in combat.
Behind the scenes[]
- "Ivan" is a common male given name of Slavic origin. It means "God is gracious".
- It also can refer to a either a Russian man or soldier.
Trivia[]
- Ivan was an avid collector of hallucinogenic mushrooms, largely for their "aesthetic" qualities.[1]
- He can be chosen as a player model in the multiplayer settings.
- He is based on several Russian stereotypes, such as his thick Russian accent, his passion for drinking vodka, and wearing a ushanka, the latter of which are very popular in Russia.
- He retained an immense hatred of Octanian Harvester Leviathans and Anthropolyps, as heard in-game when fighting Processed and as seen in his NETRICSA description. This was likely due to the trauma he experienced while inside a Harvester Leviathan.[1]
Gallery[]
Artwork[]
Retail[]
List of appearances[]
- Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem (First appearance)
References[]