Multi-tool
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| Multi-tool | |
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| General information | |
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- "It's a tool with multiple functions. So, you know—multi-tool."
- ― Alyx Vance[src]
The Multi-tool, also written as Multitool[1] and nicknamed the "Alyx", is Alyx Vance's multi-functional power tool device that she uses throughout Half-Life 2, its Episodes, and Half-Life: Alyx.
Contents
Overview[edit]
Half-Life 2[edit]
In Half-Life 2, the Multi-tool demonstrates EMP capabilities.[2] It houses a retractable claw-like protrusion in the rear casing that is able to emit an electric bolt to disable equipment. Alyx has the device attached to her belt and regularly uses the shock it channels to bypass Combine security systems or open locked doors. In Episode One, Alyx also uses it to reprogram Rollermines to attack enemies, allowing her and Gordon to proceed further towards the Citadel Core. Due to the Combine's widespread use of technology in and around City 17, the device proves to be highly useful.
The tool can also be used to gain access to Combine interfaces along with the information in them, often providing the Resistance pivotal intelligence. It stores information much like a USB key and can be simply plugged into computers to download or upload data. Alyx uses it to store Dr. Mossman's message along with the encrypted files about the Borealis which she delivers to Dr. Kleiner for analyzing at White Forest.
At the end of Half-Life 2, Judith Mossman threatens Breen with the multi-tool, hinting that it can be used as a weapon against living beings. After scaring off Breen, Mossman uses it to free Gordon Freeman from his Combine Prisoner Pod.
Half-Life: Alyx[edit]
Half-Life: Alyx, which takes place five years before the events of Half-Life 2, reveals that Alyx created the Multi-tool. This early form of the device appears to be fashioned from parts of different common electronics including a portable cassette recorder. It is used to gain unauthorized access to Combine equipment such as fabricators and lockers through hacking events, as well as to reroute the power in unseen wiring systems hidden in the walls of buildings. It can also be used to defuse Tripmines. At this time, the Multi-tool doesn't yet have the electric shock-emitting device, but rather uses an interface on its reverse side to couple with Combine outlets.
Alyx nicknames her Multi-tool the "Alyx", much like how Russell named his Gravity Gloves the "Russells". Russell himself expresses great admiration over Alyx's ability to invent the device, considering this achievement to be enough to guarantee her a job in his future plans of going into mass market production of his Gravity Gloves after the defeat and complete banishment of the Combine from Earth.
Related Achievements[edit]
| Half-Life: Alyx | |
|---|---|
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Safe Trip |
| Use the multitool to hack a tripmine. | |
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Blast From the Past |
| Defuse a roomful of explosive barrels. | |
|
Triple Bypass |
| Solve the tanker yard's electrical puzzle and escape. | |
Behind the scenes[edit]
In Half-Life 2 and its Episodes, the Multi-tool device was never explicitly named in-game. Internally, it had the designation of "EMP Tool" as derived from its texture file, named emptool_sheet, and its model, named alyx_EmpTool_prop.[3] The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx retroactively dubbed this iteration of the device with the name introduced in Half-Life: Alyx.
Before Episode One officially granted Alyx the ability to take control of Rollermines with her Multi-tool, the Half-Life 2 leak included references to a weapon called the Roller Wand that appeared to give the player and other characters the same ability but did not survive into the final game.
The Stungun, a melee weapon featured in Half-Life 2: Survivor, uses a recolored version of the Half-Life 2 Multi-tool model.
Gallery[edit]
Half-Life 2[edit]
Untextured model, used as the model's image preview in the Source SDK.
The Multi-tool with its pulse-emitting claw extended.
Alyx with her Multi-tool at Black Mesa East.
Mossman stepping forward and electrifying the control panel with Alyx's Multi-tool.
Mossman threatens Breen with the Multi-tool in Breen's office.
Mossman about to free Gordon with Alyx's Multi-tool in Breen's office.
Mossman giving Alyx her Multi-tool back.
Alyx about to reprogram Rollermines against Stalkers in the Citadel.
Kleiner holding Alyx's Multi-tool.
The Multi-tool plugged in to deliver Mossman's message.
Half-Life: Alyx[edit]
Reconstruction of an early Multi-Tool using the early weapon menu icon model and temporary textures left over in the game files.
Ditto, using the final game's weapon menu.
Promotional image of Half-Life: Alyx showing Alyx using the Multi-tool.
Alyx using her Multi-tool to re-wire the electrical work in a wall.
The Multi-tool in The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx.
List of appearances[edit]
- Half-Life 2 (First appearance)
- Half-Life 2: Episode One
- Half-Life 2: Episode Two
- Half-Life: Alyx
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ↑ The Final Hours of Half-Life: Alyx
- ↑ Half-Life 2 Prima Guide
- ↑ Half-Life 2 game files, texture file names
