Crab Synth
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| Crab Synth | |
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| General information | |
| Faction | |
| Type | |
| Individual information | |
| Health |
N/A[1] |
| Weapon(s) |
Gatling gun |
| Game information | |
| Entity |
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| Designer(s) |
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The Crab Synth is an incomplete Half-Life 2 Combine Synth enemy.
Contents
Overview[edit]
Crab Synths are only glimpsed toward the end of the game, during Gordon Freeman's second pod ride in the Citadel, where they are seen on conveyor belts along with several Mortar Synths. It is unknown where they were transported to, as they are never encountered in combat anywhere during the game or its episodes. Along with the Mortar Synth, they are said to be "the backbone of the Combine's subsequent armies".[1]
The Crab Synth has a greenish brown carapace and two pairs of arthropod legs, with many spiked protrusions and various glowing blue mechanical systems on its front and rear. It bears no visible Combine markings except for a red line on its back. According to its model animations, it can charge at targets like the Antlion Guard, likely able to deal more damage due to its immense size. As its walking animation and concept arts imply, it can also use a Gatling gun-like weapon while walking, which is stored behind a plate under its belly when idle.
Unlike the Mortar Synth, the Crab Synth can be hurt and killed if spawned. Upon being damaged, it will leak red body fluids, presumably blood, in the same manner as the Half-Life 2 version of the Ichthyosaur, another incomplete NPC.
Behind the scenes[edit]
Designed by Dhabih Eng,[2] the Crab Synth and the Mortar Synth are two of the earliest created Synths. Like the original Dropship, they were to feature a more red-and-yellow color scheme without any Combine logos. Ted Backman subsequently defined the current design with more blue colors added. Concept art shows the Crab Synth with what seems to be the numbers "31-17" on its leg.
The uncorrected proof of Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar includes two early sketches for "attack" and "tank" Synths which are said to have become the final Crab Synth model.[3]
Gallery[edit]
Concept art of the "attack Synth".
Concept art of the "tank Synth".
Concept art featuring a Crab Synth and Combine troops at the Citadel perimeter wall, based on the February 2001 map
VanceHQ.
Alternate crop with a more visible Citadel.
The same area in
VanceHQ.
Rear view.
Walking animation, showing its gatling gun deployed under its belly. This is the only animation where the weapon is deployed.
Crab Synths and Mortar Synths in the Citadel.
Ditto.
List of appearances[edit]
Main games[edit]
- Half-Life 2 (First appearance)
Other[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Half-Life 2 Prima Guide
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, page 88
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar (uncorrected proof), page 270
