Standard Headcrab

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Standard Headcrab
General information
Affiliation	Xen wildlife
Type	Parasite
Personal information
Health	10
Attack(s)	Bite (5)
Game information
Entity	monster_headcrab (HL) npc_headcrab (HL2)
Designer(s)	Ted Backman[1]

 

The Standard Headcrab is the most common Headcrab subspecies, first introduced in Half-Life.

[edit] Overview

An idle Headcrab from Half-Life (left) and Half-Life 2 (right).

Headcrabs are fairly small creatures, consisting of a rounded, tan body with four reddish legs for movement and a pair of larger frontal claws for attacking prey or as additional support when standing still. Under the Headcrab's body is a large rounded mouth surrounded by pointed flesh (which also includes the Headcrab's stubby front legs) and a sharp, claw-like "beak".^[2]

Headcrabs can produce a variety of vocalizations. When they are not hunting, Headcrabs usually emit squeaks and fairly quiet, repetitive calls while gently swaying their bodies back and forth. When attacking, Headcrabs emit a sharp, shrill shriek as they leap towards their victims.

In Half-Life, Headcrabs are found to have originated from a giant creature known as a Gonarch which shares similar physical qualities with Headcrabs. Underdeveloped "baby" Headcrabs spawn at a rapid rate from a sac that dangles beneath the creature.

[edit] Behavior and skills

While walking, a Headcrab can be seen lifting its larger claws upward, leaving two of its stubby legs to provide frontal support.

Although small, slow-moving, relatively weak on its own, and even seemingly harmless with its tip-toe like gait, the Headcrab has the ability to quickly leap long distances using its hind legs, while tilting upwards to face its mouth towards its target, inflicting minor injury with its claws, legs, and teeth. Its main goal, however, is to attach itself onto an appropriate host's head. Once attached, they take control of the host's nervous system and dreadful "mutations" occur, creating a Headcrab Zombie.

A Headcrab will frequently lie and wait in dark corners or ventilation shafts for unsuspecting prey to walk by. In more open environments, the creatures are known to bury themselves in the ground to hide, then climb out to the surface and attack when a possible host draws near. Headcrabs appear to be fairly unintelligent creatures and will pursue their prey under the most dangerous conditions, moving through dangerous areas or towards hostile prey, even as fellow Headcrabs die in front of them.

Headcrabs have been observed to be prey for Bullsquids, Vortigaunts, and Barnacles. Headcrabs have also been seen cooked and prepared in different dishes by Vortigaunt chefs in Black Mesa East, which suggest that they are used as a common food source after the extinction of most of earth's species. Citizens in Half-Life 2: Episode One comment that "They don't taste like crab."

It is also apparently possible to "tame" a Headcrab to some extent, as demonstrated by Isaac Kleiner's pet Headcrab, Lamarr.

[edit] Tactics

Standard Headcrabs do not pose much of a threat on their own. They are easily taken out and their bite does little damage. With other kinds of Headcrabs, though, they can be deeply irritating. As you focus on more dangerous Headcrabs and zombies, the standard Headcrabs can leap at the player. The best advice is to keep moving at all times when facing the Headcrabs and zombies. If a standard Headcrab is leaping, the crowbar will kill it instantly. It is also fairly simple to hit the Headcrab with Gravity Gun bursts.

The main threat that Headcrabs pose is their numbers. It is common to find 12 or more standard Headcrabs, often mixed in with other types of Headcrabs. In smaller groups, the Magnum is ideal against Headcrabs. In large groups, or when mixed with other types of Headcrabs, a weapon with a larger clip is a better choice.

[edit] Behind the scenes

• The Headcrab was originally to be used as a weapon in Half-Life 2, mirroring the Snark from Half-Life, as part of the Brickbat weapon. This weapons was to include other props that could be picked up and thrown on enemies by the player (spawning the Molotov cocktail in the playable Half-Life 2 Beta will show Freeman holding a Headcrab, while it appears as a regular Molotov when thrown).

• The Alien Assassin cut from Half-Life 2 was also to have its own zombie version.^[3]

• Headcrabs and Zombies are often compared to the Flood from Halo.

[edit] Gallery

[edit] Pre-release

Early Headcrab.

The original skin for the Standard Headcrab in Half-Life 2 from the beta.

The Molotov cocktail appearing as the Brickbat Headcrab.

[edit] Retail

Half-Life model.	Decay model.	Baby Headcrab model laid by the Gonarch on Xen.	Decay model of a Headcrab being dissected.
A Headcrab on a HECU soldier.	Half-Life 2: Deathmatch "Head Humper" spray.

[edit] List of appearances

• Half-Life: Day One (First appearance)
• Half-Life
• Half-Life: Uplink (Non-canonical appearance)
• Half-Life: Opposing Force
• Half-Life: Blue Shift
• Half-Life: Decay
• Half-Life 2
• Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar
• Half-Life 2: Episode One
• Half-Life 2: Episode Two

[edit] Notes and references

Combine OverWiki has a collection of images and media related to Standard Headcrab.