Combine Advisor

WARNING: Episode Two spoilers present

Advisors are massive, slug-like creatures that are currently assumed to be the rulers of the Combine Empire. They have white skin and are dressed in a green jumpsuit with a brown collar surrounding their 'head' with golden script engraved onto it. They are completely dependent on their technology to survive (according to Half-Life 2: Raising the Bar, this was intended to draw a parallel between humans and the Combine) and always are attached to an anti-gravity cradle with two mechanical claws, an air filtration mask and a searchlight doubling as their eyes.

Despite their frailty and crippled state, they are extraordinarily intelligent, capable of designing advanced technology and maintaining the entire Universal Union. Additionally, their technology renders them practically immortal. In the case of danger, they can be evacuated via specially designed Advisor Pods, a special breed of synths. Such a case happens in Episode One, when the Citadel they are stored in is nearing collapse. Though one Advisor evacuates the Citadel when Dr. Freeman and Alyx Vance are in the room, others stay behind to observe City 17 and percifically Freeman's progress from the Citadel until it is nearing virtual collapse.

In Episode Two, the role of the Advisors is expanded as Dr. Gordon Freeman and Alyx come face to face with them throughout the Episode. The Advisors demonstrate they are incredibly powerful creatures, being able to attack telepathically and telekinetically, and having the ability to fly using energy packs located on the back. However, they are still dependant on technology, as one Advisor is found in a temporary sanctuary where it is kept alive by giant machines. This certain Advisor was coloured different to its counterparts seen in Half-Life 2 and Episode One, and first also showed the ability to use a 'mouth tentacle' to suck blood out of various parts of the human body; mainly the head. Whether Advisors require blood to survive or merely use the tentacle to kill their prey is unstated.

However, when attacked, the Advisors prove weak to retaliate and usually flee. Two Advisors are seen attacking at the end of Episode Two; looking now similar to the Advisor seen in Half-Life 2, with the claw-like devices attached, which can be used as weapons and also a way of holding their victims. After killing Dr. Eli Vance, one of the Advisors is attacked by Dog and fled the scene with the other Advisor in toe.

Advisors are to be in Episode Three.