Combine soldier

A Combine Overwatch soldier. This one is armed with Overwatch Standard Issue Pulse Rifle

In order to effectively make use and control the human population of Earth, the Combine created the Transhuman Arm of the Combine Overwatch and conscripted humans into its ranks regardless of their volition. The Combine soldiers are one of their most universal and numerous assets in the Overwatch and are used extensively to counter The Resistance.

Outfit

All Combine soldiers are outfitted with lightweight body armor protecting the torso, groin and neck, as well as camouflaged battle dress uniforms and helmets covering the entire head. The armor provides ample protection from enemy fire and environmental hazards. The Overwatch insignia is emblazed on their right armpad, while the unit patch is carried on the left (an orange variant of the US 7th Infantry Division). The helmet has two filtration modules and night vision goggles integrated into its frame (the latter have the disadvantage of glowing a bright blue color) and an external communication set worn on the helmet separately. After the explosion of City 17, it is shown in several trailers that standard combine soldiers, now have the old overwatch logo inprinted on their arms. It is currently unknown why.

Additionally, Combine troopers undergo numerous radical surgical alterations, including, but not limited to, implantation of a radio in the larynx, brain augmentation, removal and replacement of the digestive tract, and castration. To prevent any interference from the human's original mind and ensure an equal level of training, the soldiers undergo brainwashing and training in specially designed harnesses, attached to machines covering their faces that feed a continuous stream of information into the host's brain.

Armament

Combine troopers are typically armed with either a modified Heckler & Koch MP7 or an Overwatch Standard Issue Pulse Rifle, Franchi SPAS-12, all complete with an assortment of M83 Grenades. Certain Overwatch troopers are also equipped with Combine sniper rifles, firing powerful dark energy pulses. For transportation, members of the Overwatch use Combine APCs, Hunter Choppers and are often deployed from Dropship transportation pods.

Deployment

Overwatch soldiers can be found wherever the Combine requires military action, ranging from patrolling the wastelands to maintaining vital facilities such as the Nova Prospekt or the Citadel. They also perform guard duties and monitor Stalkers during their work in the Citadel.

Nova Prospekt guards wearing their unique uniforms

Soldiers performing their duties in certain areas are occassionally issued different equipment. For instance, the Nova Prospekt staff wore blue BDUs with dark blue body armor and helmets with yellow goggles. They also had the facility's name printed on the back of their armor as well as the Universal Union's emblem on the left armpad.

Notes

Originally the uniforms were intended to have randomly generating alphanumeric unit numbers on them, as well as have a different camouflage design, yellow undergarments and dark orange goggles. However, due to gameplay and programming issues, the design was reworked.