This subject is related to the Combine era.

Overwatch Nexus

From Combine OverWiki, the original Half-Life wiki and Portal wiki
Jump to: navigation, search

This subject is related to the Combine era.

Doll2.png Warning! This article has yet to be cleaned up to a higher standard of quality, per our Cleanup Project. It may contain factual errors and nonsense, as well as spelling, grammar and structure issues, or simply structure problems. Reader's discretion is advised until fixing is done.
Space.png

You can help clean up this page by correcting spelling and grammar, removing factual errors and rewriting sections to ensure they are clear and concise, and moving some elements when appropriate.
Please notify the administrators before removing this template.

Overwatch Nexus1.jpg
Overwatch Nexus
General information
Constructed

Before the Seven Hour War

Destroyed

After the Uprising

Location

City 17

Builder

Unknown, refurbished by the Combine

Usage
Era(s)

Combine occupation

Faction

Combine Overwatch (formerly human)

Game information
Map(s)
  • d3_c17_10a
  • d3_c17_10b
  • d3_c17_11
  • d3_c17_12
Designer(s)
"There's an old building up ahead, a bank or museum or something like that. Whatever the hell it used to be, now it's a nexus for Overwatch in City 17."
Barney Calhoun[src]

The Overwatch Nexus was a major building in City 17, representing the center of Overwatch forces and operations within the city. Having previously been a prominent political building (although Barney identifies it as a former bank or museum), it was later taken over by the Combine following the Seven Hour War.

Overview[edit]

Barney Calhoun operating Combine computers during the battle to open the way to the roof.

The Combine had apparently been using the building as a headquarters for some time before the uprising, but after the Uprising, it became the Combine's main base of operations in the city and the primary rally point for the Combine forces. Its power is supplied by Combine power generators often found installed in fortified office rooms, as well as in some Combine-converted interiors. Atop the building is a device known as the Suppression Device, also known as the "Suppressor", not to be confused with the Combine Suppressor. It is a powerful weapon that functions much like a mortar, but instead of shells, it fires beams of concentrated Pulse energy capable of disintegrating living things, similar to the effects of the Energy Ball. Despite being the Overwatch headquarters, the building is somewhat neglected, with half of its circular dome collapsed. Combine walls seen attached to the Nexus on the outside could have been installed in an effort to reinforce the building.

Due to its importance, the Overwatch Nexus was well guarded by Combine Soldiers and an extensive electronic security system, consisting of Combine Ground Turrets (triggered by laser tripwires), Ceiling Turrets and Barricades.

Appearances[edit]

Half-Life 2[edit]

In the Half-Life 2 chapter "Follow Freeman!", Gordon Freeman and Barney Calhoun led a Resistance assault on the Overwatch Nexus. After heavy fighting, they breached its defenses and disabled all of the generators, deactivating the Suppression Device and opening the gates that were blocking access to the area, allowing reinforcements to flow in. When the Combine's reinforcements arrived, the fighting reached its peak as Resistance forces engaged several Striders in fierce combat on the steps of the Overwatch Nexus. The Battle for the Overwatch Nexus proved a decisive victory for the Resistance, and it arguably turned the tide of the Battle of City 17 in their favor. After the events of Half-Life 2 and Episode One, the abandoned Overwatch Nexus was probably destroyed when the Citadel exploded, along with much of City 17. A building that closely resembles it can be seen in the far distance at the beginning of Episode One, right after Dog lifts up the wrecked Gunship.

Related Achievements[edit]

Half-Life 2
Hl2 beat supressiondevice.png Fight the Power (10G)
Shut down the suppression device by disabling its generators.

Behind the scenes[edit]

The Parliament of Serbia.
  • The building's design was inspired by the Parliament of Serbia in Belgrade. In the Half-Life 2 files, several models related to the Overwatch Nexus contain the word "parliament", tightening the similarities between the two buildings. The window patterns are also reminiscent of the Reichstag.
  • In the Half-Life 2 leak, the Overwatch Nexus is clearly identified as a former bank. Additionally, the soundscapes for the area feature "bank" in their names.
  • The inscription inside the dome reads the Latin words "Per ardua ad astra nemine contradicente", which roughly translates to "Through struggle to the stars without dissent". "Per ardua ad astra" is the motto of the Royal Air Force.[1]

Trivia[edit]

The Overwatch Nexus building is shown to be fortified with Combine walls in every map featuring its exterior, except for the last map where it is seen (d3_c17_12), where it appears completely untouched. This is a developer oversight.

Gallery[edit]

Pre-release[edit]

Retail[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Main games[edit]

Other[edit]

References[edit]

Preceded by
Kleiner's Lab (2)
Half-Life 2 story arc journey Succeeded by
Citadel