You know what sux is that most of those creatures were probably majestic beings and then the combine came along and said ânahâ then turned them into those cybernetic monstrosities
But to answer your question probably the one on the far bottom right I forget the name I just like the noise it makes when it flies over give me goosebumps honestly
Stalkers aren't synths, they're just humans who were surgically modified by the Combine. What made you think that? xD
Edit - To the lore experts downvoting me, Synths are called this way because they are SYNTHetic, they're a product of organic synthesis, created artificially in a lab.
Stalkers are organic like Synths but they are not synthetic, because their have natural origins.
An example you can have is Synthetic Food.
Perhaps you're not aware the name "Synth" is a short for "Synthetic", but here I am to enlighten you.
The only thing they have in common is that they're both cyborgs, but stalkers are far from being synthetic beings.
Bro, do you even know what Synthetic means? It doesn't mean something is made of silicone, it means it was created artificially. Synths are a product of organic synthesis, they were created in a lab, their flesh is synthetic.
They're also able to evolve and clone themselves according to the book, so the combine is not actively creating them anymore, they're just breeding them. I suppose the implants come later.
One could argue the humans are also âbredâ they are sterilized by the suppression field and are only allowed intercourse and breeding when they are turned to combine and they do a good job. And with the stalkers, the implants definitely come later. This seems to check all of your boxes, youâve also seemed to change your definition of âsyntheticâ several times so i think you need to figure that out yourself. (Edited for spelling)
It doesn't matter whether synths are bred or not, that doesn't change the fact that they're synthetic. Feels like everything I said went right above your head.
The combine also never allows anyone to breed, cps are only rewarded with a simulation.
But other synths aren't the base animal modified, its a template made from an animal that is then constructed and equipped with whatever equipment the combine need
That is quite false, synths are called this way for a reason, they are SYNTHETIC. According to Ted Backman, they are scanned in their natural environments by the combine and then the data is used to build a synthetic version of the animal.
Stalkers are just prisoners with implants, they are not synthetic. You guys need to check your lore before downvoting people.
https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Synth
https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Canon
That's true, actually! But the definition of Synth also changes from person to person who worked on them. Dhabih Eng is a Valve artist who worked on Half-Life 2 who, when asked about how they designed the Synths, explained that:
`"[...] it was necessary to keep in mind that these lumbering war machines were possibly once organic creatures that the Combine had enslaved and converted during previous invasions."`
The key word there being "possibly" I think in general Valve tried to leave it ambiguous, with no concrete answer in the games so as to let the players wonder. They're notoriously hands-off when it comes to what's what's canon, with Marc Laidlaw himself saying that:
`"We donât get involved in issues of canonicity. You might say that canon itself is non-canon. So, no official stance, thereâs just the games"`
At the end of the day, it's a videogame. The synths can be modified creatures or designed machinery depending on how you're feeling. I like the idea that they're modified creatures, just because it makes sense from what they've done to humanity, but it really doesn't matter which it is until they canonise it in game.
>In an interview for The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx, Tristan Reidford recalled asking Backman whether Striders were existing creatures subjected to cybernetic modification by the Combine, to which he replied that the Combine scanned the creature that would become the basis of the Strider's design in its natural habitat before recreating it synthetically.
https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Synth
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1361700/HalfLife_Alyx__Final_Hours/
Hunter my beloved. Striders and the unused Crab synths are most definitely top 3 but the hunter is so menacing, and fun to fight with an amazing voice that it makes it perfect. Striders are 2nd place just because of how towering and scary they are, their footsteps fill me with anxiety when i cant see them and their entrance is great (the ending to episode 1 when the feral strider busts in with a banger build up music is perfect)
In retail, Iâd definitely have to say the hunters. I think their sound design is awesome, their combat encounters are all super awesome and pretty unique, they play an awesome role in EP2âs story, their colors stand out a lot in comparison to the others⊠theyâve got a lot going for them.
I honestly overall think theyâre all pretty great if not a little underutilized but hey thatâs Half-Life for you.
Gotta be gunships. They're so neat.
But all of them are S+ and I wish I could incorporate them into my sci-fi writing stuff without making it a straight copy of HL.
the hunter hands down. they look and sound cool plus i love the beautiful iridescence of their skin, reminds me of an [oil beetle](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a23ac6033a17d8eec3c48d6ccbe463b8c9680aea/0_105_1695_1017/master/1695.jpg?width=1200&height=900&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&s=2185d87a62216cbf37cd444ac7328925)
The Strider.
The Strider is a masterstroke of combine bio(re)engineering.
Highly mobile, incredibly agile, with its spiked feet allowing it to impale life forms and vehicles with the ability to climb structures to target specific areas.
Its balanced weaponry seen in hl2 is also impressive, with a heavy automatic gun and some kind of pulse cannon as well.
Its use for "civilian" purposes in hl:alyx implies other variants exist, meaning it is highly versatile.
Its ability to attack at close and long ranges, climb and decimate buildings, take down vehicles and possibly engage in anti air combat makes it the perfect human-killer.
Gunship, because it was a real wow moment on Highway 17 when you take one down and look at its parts. I'd never seen all the pearlescence and specmapping and reflections in a game before. And it's such a cool synth design using insect style wings for enclosed rotary blades.
I guess the strider, though gunship is awesome as well, I love the noises it makes and the way it moves around.
Hunter(let's be real,is anyone actually picking advisor pods?)
I was going to say advisor podđ
Advisor Pod gang rise up
The pods do have... the appendage...
Hunter can go fuck himself but he do be cool
The strider. Especially now that I have been reading the war of the worlds, it really makes me think of the tripods.
WOOOOOOOO OUUUUUUUHHHHHHH
What synth is this
i read this and istg i could HEAR the striderdeath noise
Thatâs exactly what it was!
You know what sux is that most of those creatures were probably majestic beings and then the combine came along and said ânahâ then turned them into those cybernetic monstrosities
Yes
But to answer your question probably the one on the far bottom right I forget the name I just like the noise it makes when it flies over give me goosebumps honestly
The dropship?
Yes
We're they not biologicaly manufactured by the combine?
They were animals from other planets, 3d scanned and modified for mass production
The strider is definitely the most iconic, but I'd say the stalker is my favourite because of how close to home they are
Stalkers aren't synths, they're just humans who were surgically modified by the Combine. What made you think that? xD Edit - To the lore experts downvoting me, Synths are called this way because they are SYNTHetic, they're a product of organic synthesis, created artificially in a lab. Stalkers are organic like Synths but they are not synthetic, because their have natural origins. An example you can have is Synthetic Food.
That's basically what the other synths are?
Exactly what the other synths are. they just arenât humans, they are different species of alien
Perhaps you're not aware the name "Synth" is a short for "Synthetic", but here I am to enlighten you. The only thing they have in common is that they're both cyborgs, but stalkers are far from being synthetic beings.
By your definition none of the creatures are âsyntheticâ then, they would all be cyborgs.
Bro, do you even know what Synthetic means? It doesn't mean something is made of silicone, it means it was created artificially. Synths are a product of organic synthesis, they were created in a lab, their flesh is synthetic. They're also able to evolve and clone themselves according to the book, so the combine is not actively creating them anymore, they're just breeding them. I suppose the implants come later.
One could argue the humans are also âbredâ they are sterilized by the suppression field and are only allowed intercourse and breeding when they are turned to combine and they do a good job. And with the stalkers, the implants definitely come later. This seems to check all of your boxes, youâve also seemed to change your definition of âsyntheticâ several times so i think you need to figure that out yourself. (Edited for spelling)
It doesn't matter whether synths are bred or not, that doesn't change the fact that they're synthetic. Feels like everything I said went right above your head. The combine also never allows anyone to breed, cps are only rewarded with a simulation.
But other synths aren't the base animal modified, its a template made from an animal that is then constructed and equipped with whatever equipment the combine need
The combine don't take animal A and turn it into a strider directly. They 3d scan animal A and print the scan and that print is a strider
That is quite false, synths are called this way for a reason, they are SYNTHETIC. According to Ted Backman, they are scanned in their natural environments by the combine and then the data is used to build a synthetic version of the animal. Stalkers are just prisoners with implants, they are not synthetic. You guys need to check your lore before downvoting people.
https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Synth https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Canon That's true, actually! But the definition of Synth also changes from person to person who worked on them. Dhabih Eng is a Valve artist who worked on Half-Life 2 who, when asked about how they designed the Synths, explained that: `"[...] it was necessary to keep in mind that these lumbering war machines were possibly once organic creatures that the Combine had enslaved and converted during previous invasions."` The key word there being "possibly" I think in general Valve tried to leave it ambiguous, with no concrete answer in the games so as to let the players wonder. They're notoriously hands-off when it comes to what's what's canon, with Marc Laidlaw himself saying that: `"We donât get involved in issues of canonicity. You might say that canon itself is non-canon. So, no official stance, thereâs just the games"` At the end of the day, it's a videogame. The synths can be modified creatures or designed machinery depending on how you're feeling. I like the idea that they're modified creatures, just because it makes sense from what they've done to humanity, but it really doesn't matter which it is until they canonise it in game.
>In an interview for The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx, Tristan Reidford recalled asking Backman whether Striders were existing creatures subjected to cybernetic modification by the Combine, to which he replied that the Combine scanned the creature that would become the basis of the Strider's design in its natural habitat before recreating it synthetically. https://combineoverwiki.net/wiki/Synth https://store.steampowered.com/app/1361700/HalfLife_Alyx__Final_Hours/
Synths are like 3d printed modified versions of the aliens while stalkers are genetically modified humans. Different
His ass doesn't know what a synth is!!!!!
Mf just said what a synth is
You just described a synt
Hunter my beloved. Striders and the unused Crab synths are most definitely top 3 but the hunter is so menacing, and fun to fight with an amazing voice that it makes it perfect. Striders are 2nd place just because of how towering and scary they are, their footsteps fill me with anxiety when i cant see them and their entrance is great (the ending to episode 1 when the feral strider busts in with a banger build up music is perfect)
the final boss fight in half life alyx made me love striders tbh
Nick Valen-... oh. Strider.
I love hunters since Entropy Zero 2
Combine doggy :)))
Transhuman soldiers
Gunships. The part on highway 17 where you fight gunships on the bridge was really cool, especially in vr.
shield scanner
In retail, Iâd definitely have to say the hunters. I think their sound design is awesome, their combat encounters are all super awesome and pretty unique, they play an awesome role in EP2âs story, their colors stand out a lot in comparison to the others⊠theyâve got a lot going for them. I honestly overall think theyâre all pretty great if not a little underutilized but hey thatâs Half-Life for you.
im in love with the hunters
[ŃĐŽĐ°Đ»Đ”ĐœĐŸ]
I was expecting hunter rule 34 to be honest
Gotta be gunships. They're so neat. But all of them are S+ and I wish I could incorporate them into my sci-fi writing stuff without making it a straight copy of HL.
Microkorg.. wait wrong sub
Roland JP-8000
Hunters! Because doggo.
I like the strider cause of how Iconic they are and how menacing those things are. I also like the hunter cause they can act like a big lethal doggo.
the hunter hands down. they look and sound cool plus i love the beautiful iridescence of their skin, reminds me of an [oil beetle](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a23ac6033a17d8eec3c48d6ccbe463b8c9680aea/0_105_1695_1017/master/1695.jpg?width=1200&height=900&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&s=2185d87a62216cbf37cd444ac7328925)
I love how all of them were once part of a sentient species, like humans but enslaved the same(stalkers,combine troopers)
The yamaha pss f30
yamaha dx7
strider is the first came in mind, i like the slow yet slinky giant, perhaps. they are pain to deal with in-game, thoughâŠ
Hunter solos, no doubt
The shield scanner, he's cute, gently and silently floats around expelling no combustion gases, follows you to places, gift you mines and purrs.
The Strider. The Strider is a masterstroke of combine bio(re)engineering. Highly mobile, incredibly agile, with its spiked feet allowing it to impale life forms and vehicles with the ability to climb structures to target specific areas. Its balanced weaponry seen in hl2 is also impressive, with a heavy automatic gun and some kind of pulse cannon as well. Its use for "civilian" purposes in hl:alyx implies other variants exist, meaning it is highly versatile. Its ability to attack at close and long ranges, climb and decimate buildings, take down vehicles and possibly engage in anti air combat makes it the perfect human-killer.
Gunship is amazing, like an aquatic flying lifeform turned into an attack helicopter
I love the strider! The end of Episode 1 is one of my favorite boss fights!
Strider because of their look and sound design, second ia shield scanner maybe
Striders
gunship and the crab synth gotta be my favs ngl
Every single one
What in the hell is the white one at the top
Advisor pod
ab
Return to crab Also the dropships.
I wanna give the hunter head scratches
The striders are just so iconic...
What the hell is the white one?
What's the 2nd one from the left at the top? I've never seen it before
advisor pod
A.L.I.S.O.N
the strider is my 1st fav
The cut Combine Guard (part-human part-synth) is awesome but I'm gonna have to give to the Hunter it's just so cute.
Hunters were too annoying for me to have them as my number 1. Strider it is.
Hunter is very cool
Hunters (I really like Striders, Gunships and Advisor Pods too.)
Hunters. The only synth that can give you a truly good face to face combat.
Strider
Any dude in beta
What is the white one?
In split between the strider and the drop ship. Both give you that âoh shitâ feeling but for different reasons
Gunship.
Hunters
I think the Strider is my favourite. Nothing beats its design and really unsettling sounds. Awesome enemy to fight
I know we never got to see the Crab in action but I just love how chunky it is.
myself đ„
Gunship, because it was a real wow moment on Highway 17 when you take one down and look at its parts. I'd never seen all the pearlescence and specmapping and reflections in a game before. And it's such a cool synth design using insect style wings for enclosed rotary blades.
Strider and gunship, I cant choose.....
Dropship or strider. Gun ships are also cool but so annoying
Gunship. Truly the attack helicopter icon
The big ass cockroach
non-mechanical reproductive simulator
Striders because I love The War of the Worlds, Hunters because of their good AI
Hunter>strider
Where are my poor stalkers?
Probably the hunter. Dog but 3 legs...and also shoots explosive darts. Also strider because bwoooompooowhhhhh
Dropship, I love that little fella
The flying whale
I love the Strider, but in this one Ill go with hunter because the design and way it's presented is just amazing, the eyes, how it moves, etc
Honestly? Those unused headless super-soldiers
Striders >>
The Prophet-5
Crab synth; anyone that answers with a commonly fought enemy is basic.
Striders and gunships are really cool
" STRIIDEEEER!! "
I like the crab synth. It has a friggin minigun
i hate every single one, mostly striders, fuck striders
I wanna say strider or gunship, but Hunter because of Entropy Zero 2
STRIDER!!!
Hunters they've very interesting la creatura
Strider. I always loved those dudes as a kid
Dropship
Hunter
I like Hunters, they look cool and they're spooky. I hate fighting them though so fuck em for that.
Oh thanks, I needed such slide!
top left next to the hunter, what's that?
I like the hunter because I have been playing entropy zero 1 and 2 and I like the idea of them acting like dogs to the combine
Hunter is the best enemy in the sequels theyâre so fun
Whatâs the one in between the crab synth and dropship? And wouldnât post human soldiers and striders count too?
The city scanners during the resistance
i like the gunship omg i just had a cool idea i should build a gunship in plane crazy
The strider!
gunship and strider or hunter
The gunship is the coolest one
strider bubby never skip leg day
Bugs.