The Fabrique Nationale M249 Squad Automatic Weapon, also known as the M249 SAW, Mini Mitrailleuse (Mini Machine Gun), Minimi, or simply SAW, is a weapon featured in Half-Life: Opposing Force. It is a powerful automatic weapon used by the HECU.
Overview[]
- The M249 is a machine gun that offers squad-level support at the cost of its massive recoil.
- It is first found can be obtained at the beginning of the chapter Foxtrot Uniform. It is possible to obtain it earlier by killing an ally using it during Friendly Fire.
Tactics[]
- The M249 is very effective against strong foes, such as Shock Troopers and Voltigores. It should not be wasted on enemies that can be easily killed with weaker weapons, such as Zombies or Pit Drones. Headshots are, however, impossible to carry out due to the recoil.
- Crouching will reduce the recoil, so one should be sure to crouch as often as possible when using it. Moving forward removes the recoil but decreases accuracy.
- Burst or tap firing are recommended as fewer shots would equate to less recoil.
- Ammo for this weapon is extremely rare until at the end of the chapter Vicarious Reality.
- The M249 has a fairly long reload time, so the environment around the player should be cleared of threats before they attempt in so.
- If sufficient ammunition is available, the M249 can be used to impede falls by shooting downwards while falling. The backward recoil will constantly push towards the player's back, regardless of direction, resulting in lower downwards momentum.
- In some speedruns, an experienced player can "bunny-hop" while moving backward and fire the M249 at the same time. The high recoil from this machine gun will boost their movement speed.
Trivia[]
- All HECU soldiers using the M249 will have an ammo belt attached to their suit and a bipod in their backpack. The models commonly used are the Beret soldier and Tower's model, but there is one soldier that uses the Balaclava (Shotgun soldier) model who is seen at the Hydro-Electric Dam.
- The HUD icon for the M249's ammo supply is identical to the icon used for .357 Magnum rounds.
Gallery[]
HUD icon.
Worldmodel.
Viewmodel.
Ammo box.
Shephard aims at a Voltigore with his M249.
List of appearances[]
- Half-Life: Opposing Force (First appearance)
External links[]
 The Hazardous Environment Combat Unit
| |
|---|---|
| Characters | Dwight T. Barnes • Sharpe • Adrian Shephard • Minor HECU members |
| Weapons | Combat Knife • Desert Eagle • Dam Turret • Double Turret • Dynamite • Glock 17 • Land Mine • Laser Tripmine • M198 Howitzer • M2 Browning Machine Gun • M202A1 FLASH • M249 Squad Automatic Weapon • M40A1 Sniper Rifle • Minigun (cut) • Mk 2 Grenade • MP5 • RPG • Satchel Charge • Sentry Gun • SPAS-12 |
| Vehicles | AH-64 Apache • F-117 Nighthawk (cut) • F-16 Fighting Falcon • M1A1 Abrams • M2A3 Bradley • M35 cargo truck • V-22 Osprey |
| Classes | HECU Engineer • HECU Medic • HECU Sniper • Human Sergeant (cut) • Robot Grunt (cut) |
| Technology | Powered Combat Vest • Radio • Tactical Map • Welding Torch • Robot Grunt (cut) |
| Other | Military Police • Santego Military Base |