Combine Power Generator
From Combine OverWiki, the Half-Life Wiki
| This article is about the Combine generator. For the Resistance generator, see Generator Trailer. |
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| Combine Power Generator | |
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- "Well, we're in luck. There's a generator in the square outside. We're trying to disable as many as we can to loosen the Combine's grip on this sector."
- ―Alyx Vance[src]
Combine Power Generators are Dark Energy-powered generators used by the Combine. They are mainly found within the Citadel, but can also be found in certain locations in City 17, such as the Overwatch Nexus, the plaza visited in the Half-Life 2 chapter Anticitizen One, or near the White Forest Inn, in the Outlands.
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[edit] Overview
Often run by Energy Orbs and protected by Force Fields, generators are used to power devices such as Force Field gates, Field Bridges, locks or weaponry such as the Suppression Device. There are many more generators in the Citadel than anywhere else, supplying power to systems in the immediate area.
Anyone unlucky enough to step into or to be thrown inside a generator field will be disintegrated, just as they would be if they got hit by an Energy Orb shot by an OSIPR. The Energy Orbs launched from the weapon are similar to that of the generators, but the latter are much more powerful, capable of damaging or destroying vehicles and Synths, such as the Strider confronted in the Citadel in Half-Life 2.
With the modified Gravity Gun in Half-Life 2 and Episode One, the player can throw enemies in generator fields and use Energy Orbs against them, leading to often spectacular deaths.
[edit] Types
[edit] Standard Energy Orb-powered generator
This type has a core with Energy Orbs floating within, which create a beam of electricity that runs from the top to the bottom of the generator. The Energy Orbs are the actual objects that generate the power, as when they are removed (with the Gravity Gun, for instance), the generator will cease to function. To restart it, a new Energy Orb must be replaced (it can be achieved with the Gravity Gun or the OSIPR). Generators powering critical systems typically have about three orbs inside them, but ones that power smaller devices will have just a single one.
This kind of generator is the one featured in the Overwatch Nexus, the plaza visited in the Half-Life 2 chapter Anticitizen One, near the White Forest Inn and the Barn Advisor. Most of the time the player must shut it down to proceed, while having to protect Alyx or Barney at the same time, sustaining heavy fire from Combine troops.
[edit] Gallery
 Alyx operating Combine computers to give Gordon access to the generator in Anticitizen One. |
 The Anticitizen One generator protected. |
 Anticitizen One generator ready to be deactivated. |
 One of the three generators in the Overwatch Nexus. |
 Ditto. |
 Ditto. |
Generator in the Citadel, with a simple generator behind it. |
 Ditto. |
 Generators in the Citadel's dark fusion reactor. |
 Ditto, detail. |
 Generator near the Citadel Core. |
 Generator near the White Forest Inn. |
[edit] Limitless Energy Orb-powered generator
This other type is found only in the Citadel and can have a limitless amount of Energy Orbs cycling through it. These generators are often found in the big elevator shafts found in the Citadel. It is however unknown if these are actual generators or if they just transport Energy Orbs (vents located around the Citadel Core seem to fill the latter purpose).
Horizontal limitless Energy Orb-powered generator also exist. They feature sockets similar to that of the Confiscation Field and pod cleaners.
[edit] Gallery
[edit] Vertical generator
 Generators in the Citadel. |
 Ditto. |
 Generators in the Citadel's dark fusion reactor. |
 Overwatch Soldier being killed by a generator in the Citadel. |
 Ditto. |
 Ditto. |
 Overwatch Soldiers being killed by a generator in the Citadel. |
 Combine Soldier being killed by an Energy Orb taken from generators and thrown at them with the Gravity Gun. |
 Ditto. |
 Ditto. |
 Overwatch Soldier after having been thrown in a generator in one of the Citadel's big elevator shafts. |
 Generators powering an elevator in the Citadel. |
 Ditto. |
 Ditto. |
[edit] Horizontal generator
 An horizontal generator in the Citadel. |
 Ditto. |
 Alyx before a broken horizontal generator in the Citadel. |
 Malfunctioning generator. |
 Generator malfunctioning above a Field Bridge. |
 The same generator killing Overwatch Soldiers. |
 After Gordon safely crosses the bridge, Alyx follows. |
[edit] Energy Orb-powered socket generator
In Episode One, another type of generator can be found, resembling a wall socket. It is seen mostly in the lower levels of the Citadel and act as "system activation node", allowing the player to start equipment such as field bridges or the Citadel Core's containment devices. This type of power generator can be activated by launching an Energy Orb into its center, causing its four arms to retract inwards to hold it in place and begin to siphon energy from it. Two of these need to be operational if field bridges are to be in function, as a field bridge consists of a pair of lasers, one per generator.
Stalkers always try to shut down player activated generators of this type by popping the energy pellet with their face mounted lasers.
This type of Combine generator is similar in function and appearance to the Aperture Science High Energy Pellet socket seen in the Aperture Science Enrichment Center, although the possible connection between the two is unknown, and the arms are only three, folding outwards into a flat accordion instead, placing 3 shields along the edges.
[edit] Gallery
 Socket generator in the Citadel Core. |
 Ditto. |
 Socket generator operating an elevator. |
 Detail of a generator operating a Field Bridge. |
 Two generator operating a Field Bridge. |
 Miscellaneous Combine technology: two types of generators, a Field Bridge and flying Energy Orbs. |
 One of two generators has to be powered up to make the Field Bridge functional. |
 Two idle generators. The player must make an Energy Orb ricochet behind the broken transparent platform to power up the left one. |
[edit] Liquid-powered generator
Only seen in the Citadel and not using Energy Orbs, this type consists in a large cylinder made of liquid matter, with a solid base and top. This liquid matter is likely the same liquid seen in Combine Barricades. It does not seem to be contained in any particular vessel and causes instant disintegration upon contact.
[edit] Gallery
 Liquid-powered generator. |
 Ditto. |
 Overwatch Soldier after having been thrown in the liquid. |
 Ditto. |
 Overwatch Soldier about to disappear after having been thrown in the liquid. |
[edit] Simple generator
Another type of generator, sometimes used on itself, sometimes located near an Energy Orb-powered generator or a Combine Heavy Door. It is prominently featured in the Overwatch Nexus. Its model is also used in the pod conveyors in the Citadel, where two are seen linked together by a laser, acting as detectors for pod contents, and as alarm light in the Citadel's core control room or the booth near the Depot's teleport platform where Alyx traps Mossman.
[edit] Gallery
 Combine Watchtower attached to a simple generator powering a Force Field at Bridge Point. |
 Simple generators in the Overwatch Nexus. |
 Ditto. |
 Generators in the Citadel. |
 Model. |
 Alyx near three simple generators. |
[edit] List of appearances
- Half-Life 2 (First appearance)
- Half-Life 2: Episode One
- Half-Life 2: Episode Two
