Mortar Synth
| |
| Mortar Synth | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Faction | |
| Type | |
| Individual information | |
| Health |
N/A[1] |
| Weapon(s) |
Energy grenade mortar |
| Game information | |
| Entity |
|
The Mortar Synth is an incomplete aerial Combine Synth enemy featured in Half-Life 2.
Overview[edit]
The Mortar Synth is only glimpsed towards the end of the game during Gordon Freeman's second pod ride in the Citadel, on several conveyor belts along with two Crab Synths. It is unknown where they were transported to, as they are never encountered in combat anywhere during the game or its Episodes. With the Crab Synth, it is said to be "the backbone of the Combine's subsequent armies".[1]
The Mortar Synth consists of a fleshy, greenish triangular body with two elongated tentacles and a mortar located on its back. On its front are many curvy spiked protrusions and various glowing blue mechanical systems. Hovering low above the ground, it was to use its mortar to throw "energy grenades"[3] by flinging its rear mortar upwards like a catapult. It was likely to be used as a support unit by the Combine, for its offensive method allow it only to hit distant targets and inefficient at close range. According to the file "skill.cfg" in the Half-Life 2 files, its energy grenades were to have a good range but only inflict minor damage.
Behind the scenes[edit]
This Synth was never completely finished and the alias "Mortar Synth" seems to be a temporary name, likely related to its use of a mortar (with the Crab Synth, it is one of the few Synths to have "Synth" in its name). In the Half-Life 2 leak, the Mortar Synth could attack the player with its spiked protrusions by firing electrical discharges at them, however it does very little damage.
Along with the Crab Synth and the original design for the Dropship, it is likely one of the earliest designed Synths, as they share the older reddish-brown palette and do not feature any Combine logos.
The player was intended to directly confront the Mortar Synth in several situations: once in the Skyscraper and another during the City 17 uprising, among others.[4]
Both the Mortar and Crab Synths are confined to a single non-interactive scene because animators couldn't figure out how to make them move.[5]
The Mortar Synths seen in-game are not actual NPCs and are simply "cycler" entities designed for testing animations. As a result, they cycle through their animations when shot can be paused and resumed by pressing the "use" button on them.
Gallery[edit]
View from the back.
Shooting animation.
Mortar Synths and Crab Synths in the Citadel.
Ditto.
List of appearances[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Half-Life 2 Prima Guide
- ↑ Half-Life 2 leak
- ↑ "
skill.cfg" in the Half-Life 2 files - ↑ WC map pack
- ↑
Half-Life 2: 20th Anniversary Documentary on YouTube
