Gunship

A gunship from Half-Life2'.

The gunship is a massive air synth of the Combine Empire, forming the backbone of it's air domination on Earth. It resembles a larvae with a massive rotor embedded into it's rear, small fins for navigation and a chin mounted pulse turret. The engine powering it is exposed beneath the synth, alongside a suppression bomb launcher, however, due to the synth's profile, flight mode and agility, it's extremely hard, if impossible, to hit.

Gunship stats

The gunship is only damaged by explosives, therefore the gunship can only be destroyed by the RPG or by overwatch rifle orbs. It requires 3 (Easy) 5 (Normal) 7 (Hard) RPG hits. Orbs do half the damage of RPG hits.

Notable Appearances

• Coast battle by and in the lighthouse
• Highway 17 battle between the cars as seen in E3 videos
• At the Nova Prospekt prison break-in two appear at the same time.
• On the roof during the Follow Freeman chapter.
• At the top of the Citadel in the finale with Breen.
• In the destructible house through the roof (Episode One)

Gunship's attacks

The gunship has two offensive attacks. We only see one of these throughout both HL2 and Episode 1, which is the pulse turret which constantly will pummel enemies until deceased, or used to suppress targets. The alternative attack is a disintegration cannon fired from the belly of the gunship which has a similar affect to the Strider's disintegration cannon. This is never seen however can be demonstrated if you spawn the gunship (npc_combinegunship) via the console and stand below it.

Gunship AI

The gunship in attack mode is relentless. It will attack without stopping, with fantastic ability to manoeuvre in the air to different locations to flush out it's prey, until it succumbs. When gunships are called upon, usually via flare gun that a combine soldier shoots into the sky, they can come in pairs or three's to protect each other. When attacked via RPG shots from Gordon or rebels the gunship will focus it's attention on the rocket and attempt to shoot the rocket down to protect itself. According to 'Raising the Bar' Valve did not intend the gunship to pay this much attention to the rocket, but this effect was enhanced for the game due to it's fascinating impact on the self preservation of the gunship, perhaps showing still a level of it being 'alive' rather than a machine. As a result of this defense feature, players should attempt to loop the RPG rockets in elaborate arcs and curves to evade the turret downing the rocket. Aiming for the back of the gunship is the best tactic.

Gunship crash - Intact

Once the gunship has been defeated it will fly erratically, explode into smaller pieces and fall to earth. However in two instances the gunship can crash into the ground intact.

• On highway 17 when the final rocket hits the gunship above the road ahead, it will lay to rest on the road (as seen on the E3 video, this is re-creatable)
• In the Episode 1 destructible house, the gunship will crash into the house and not explode (in any method)

Gunship production & repair

On Gordon's trip through the Citadel in his pod, we go past an area of gunship production. Lining the walls are yet fully completed gunship carcases. Some of which fly around you guarding the Citadel. It's evident the extent of the combine grip over the synths under combine control, of which they are forcefully evolving to create fighting machines. The details of the gunship shows the insect like compound eyes, wings and antenna merged in with mechanical adjustments. Including the pulse cannon, aircraft propulsion engines and rotary device to the rear.