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The Combine are a powerful alien race and empire from the computer game Half-Life 2 that exists over more than one universe; a universal union of many races who have been conquered and enslaved. The Combine is the name given by humanity for this enemy; it is not the real name of the empire.
They attacked Earth in the 7-hours War, but the former administrator of the Black Mesa Research Facility, Dr. Breen managed to negotiate Earth's surrender. At the start of the game, the Combine have almost complete control of Earth. At earth just a few rebels are in fight with them. No Combine are seen on Earth, but Dr. Breen serves as a totalitarian dictator appointed by the Combine, and always kept in touch with an advisor through a view screen.
The Combine are dedicated to expanding their empire and knowledge by invading planets and enslaving the inhabitants. By combining the DNA of the dominant species on the planet with Combine technology, they create a race of super-soldiers uniquely adapted for the environment of a particular planet; this gives them a highly mobile and adaptive military. In the case of Earth these are the Combine Overwatch Humanoid Task Force: humans who have been modified into Trans-Humans cyborgs(as seen in propaganda posters) and clad in uniforms and gas masks. They are supported by huge three-legged Striders, biomechanical cyborg gunships, and hovering robot manhacks armed with circular saws. White-helmeted Civil Protection ("metrocop") units maintain day-to-day order and serve as a police force.
The Combine's rule is centred in a gigantic tower called The Citadel. There may be more than one Citadel, but that information is never clearly explained. Their desire for control of the Earth is unknown, though possibly one reason may simply be to extend a multiverse spanning empire and gather resouces to support it.
The real face of combine resembles a fat slug with mechanical arms, utterly dependent on technology to survive.
Combine Soldiers
Metrocops
- Health: 26
- Weapons: Stun(0), Pistol(3), SMG(3) Manhack release
The Metrocops, or "Civil Protection" (CP), police inner-city areas and keep citizens in line through use of intimidation and physical force; from random beatings and inspections to outright murder. Unlike the Soldiers and Elites of the Overwatch, the Metrocops (or at least the majority) are still human; their service to the Combine rewards them with better meals and living standards than the average citizen. Armed with pistols, SMGs and stun batons, some cops are also outfitted with deployable manhacks which they will let loose at opportune moments.
They emit a loud, long-lasting pulse from their comms upon death; allowing their comrades to track and count casualties during a firefight. They yell the phrase "Outbreak! Outbreak! Outbreak!" as a code meaning that there is only one officer remaining.
Overwatch Soldier
- Health: 50
- Weapons: Rifle butt(10), SMG(3), Shotgun(3), Pulse Rifle(3), Grenade(75)
More heavily armed and armoured than metrocops, the soldiers of the Overwatch are the product of Combine augmentation to make them faster, stronger and utterly loyal to the Combine cause. The workhorse of the Combine Overwatch Humanoid Task Force, these soldiers can be armed with a variety of weapons; the SMG, shotgun, pulse rifle and grenades. They travel in squads and work together to flank and out-gun their enemies.
Overwatch Elite
- Health: 70
- Weapons: Rifle butt(15), Pulse Rifle(3), Pulse Rifle's Energy orb(15)
Sporting a distinctive white uniform with a single red visor, the Elite are the deadliest of the Combine foot-soldiers. Always equipped with the pulse rifle, they are the only enemies who seem to have access to the weapons secondary fire, an advantage they use without hesitation. They are the most augmented of all the Overwatch Trans-Humans.
Snipers
- Health: 1 Grenade's worth of damage
- Weapons: Sniper rifle (40)
Snipers hide themselves in high, concealed locations that have a good field of view. In some sections of the game, you will need to run across roads or alleys covered by snipers. In some cases, you must rescue your fellow squadmates from sniper fire. The only way to detect a sniper is by his blue laser sighting beam, and the distinctive crack of his sniper rifle. If you can get close enough to the sniper's position, you can lob a grenade into his window and hear the moment of surprise before his death....
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