SMG (Half-Life: Alyx)
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| SMG | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Faction | |
| Manufacturer |
Combine |
| Type |
Sub-Machine Gun |
| Technical specifications | |
| Ammo |
30 or 120 (Alyx), 45 (Grunts) |
| Max ammo |
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| Ammo type |
Power cells |
| Rate of fire |
Fast |
| Accuracy |
Medium |
| Range |
Short to medium |
| Usage | |
| Used by | |
| Game information | |
| Entity |
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The Combine SMG is one of three weapons wielded by Alyx Vance in Half-Life: Alyx.
Contents
Overview[edit]
The Combine SMG is a rapid-fire compact dark energy pulse weapon that can be easily wielded with one hand. Like other Combine pulse weaponry, the SMG uses dark energy cells as ammunition, and it incorporates the same firing mechanism with the Pulse Rifle: when firing, a pin in the receiver repeatedly strikes the rear of the chambered cell, releasing bolts of dark energy which act as projectiles. The rear of the power cells have an integrated ammo counter in the form of a red ring that slowly depletes when firing. When empty, the weapon will emit a red light in its chamber. When not in use, the cells are connected to separable holding devices which are discarded after loading. At first, the cells are loaded one at a time by plugging them into the weapon, but when upgraded with the extended magazine, they can be first placed into the magazine-which can hold up to three cells at once-and then automatically loaded successively after the chambered cell is emptied, much like the Pulse Rifle. The player's extended magazine also comes with an unusable energy ball charger. The SMG operates in full-auto with a very high rate of fire. A single shot may not deal much damage, but continuous fire can bring down most foes in mere moments.
An alternate variant of this weapon appears to be the standard issue firearm of Combine Grunts. Its functions are largely identical to that of the player's version, however it bears several exterior differences: by default it comes with an extended magazine (albeit without the energy ball charger), a rear sight, and a larger barrel shroud with a yellow canister attached to its inner side. It also features a somewhat sleeker appearance, with most of the exposed firing and loading mechanisms seen on Alyx's SMG covered by plating. Combine Grunts usually fire their weapon in short bursts with decent accuracy, with automatic fire only happening in scripted events or at point blank range.
As stated by Russell, the SMGs are "gene-encoded" like all other Combine weapons in Alyx, so they cannot be used by normal people unless they modify their genes or find an unbonded weapon. Nevertheless, Alyx finds an unbonded one in the Northern Star Hotel and grabs it. The case Alyx finds her SMG in has the alphanumerics "PROTO-05-LA72-63" printed on it, suggesting that this particular SMG could be a prototype. This notion is further supported by its more exposed design compared to the ones wielded by Grunts, and its lower cell capacity.
Due to the lack of iron sights it can be difficult to aim, but the SMG can be upgraded with a reflex sight that changes depending of distance, although it can't mark the center or a laser sight that helps aiming from the hip and can be paired with the sight to mark the center.
Upgrades[edit]
The Combine SMG can be modified to include various attachments using a Combine Fabricator. Given below is a table containing upgrades, their description and Resin cost.[1]
| Upgrade | Description | Resin Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Reflex Sight | Adds a reflex sight to help with aiming and pinpoint weak spots of enemies | 15 |
| Laser Sight | Adds a laser sight to help with aiming | 25 |
| Extended Magazine | Allows the gun to store 4 cells in an extended magazine attached to the weapon, effectively increasing magazine capacity to 120 shots | 30 |
Related Achievements[edit]
| Half-Life: Alyx | |
|---|---|
|
Unbonded |
| Collect the SMG. | |
Behind the scenes[edit]
Players who ordered the Valve Index in 2019 were given a set of bonus pre-order exclusive weapon skins in Half-Life: Alyx. The alternate skin for the SMG depicts it with a more blue metal and yellow painted highlights. Additionally, three unused weapon skins are present in the game files.
In non-VR debug mode, the Combine Grunt's version of the SMG can be acquired and is shown to behave exactly like its Half-Life 2 counterpart, even being able to fire the grenade launcher. The VR player's SMG is a fully separate entity, which is why their cell capacity is different (30 shots for the player, 45 for the Grunts).
By using the command "vr_rapidfire_reload_dissolve_attached_clip 1", the holding clip of the SMG's power cells will dissolve into a cloud of yellow light and vanish when the the cell is plugged in. This suggests that the developers planned to let the clips disappear after the player loads the cells into the weapon, but ultimately cut this feature in the final game. Another unused animation sequence shows the clip opening its clamps to release the cell.
Cut upgrades[edit]
The SMG has four unused weapon upgrades: Energy Ball, Tag Dart, Stun Grenade Clips, and Exploding Bullets.[2] Various models and effects for these cut upgrades could still be found in the game files. Some of these models indicate that there is an unused holographic menu system that allows the player to select different upgrades to use.
Energy Ball[edit]
This upgrade costs 30 resin and adds an underslung Energy Ball charger similar to the Pulse Rifle's. The ball would be charged in this device and then loaded into the barrel, from which it would be fired. Although cut from the final game, an unusable energy ball charger is still present on the extended magazine upgrade, albeit with a slightly different model.
Tag Dart[edit]
This upgrade costs 10 resin and allows the player to fire a single tag dart that regenerates after some time. The dart needs to be charged before flying out from above the barrel, appearing as a bluish blob that bursts into small particles when hitting something. These particles will then attract pulse shots fired from the SMG without the player needing to aim.
Stun Grenade Clips[edit]
This upgrade has no model, and it is unclear how it is supposed to be launched. The projectile appears to be a grenade that creates a blue electrified field when detonated, causing either damage, paralysis or death to different types of enemies. When the player enters the field, they will also lose the ability to move.
Exploding Bullets[edit]
This upgrade costs 3 resin and adds a red switch above the SMG's grip, which allows the player to select between regular and explosive pulse bolts. When switching to explosive shots, the red ammo counter ring on the back of the energy cell would turn blue. In the 2019 Beta leak, the explosive shots appear blue and stick onto surfaces, connected by lines. When enough shots are clustered together in a place, they turn bright orange and explode.[3] After September 2019, this upgrade was altered so that shots are fired individually and only explode when the player presses a button.
Gallery[edit]
Reverse angle of the weapon.
Pre-order exclusive skin.
Ditto, reverse angle.
Unused alternate skin.
Ditto, reverse angle.
Unused alternate skin.
Ditto, reverse angle.
Unused alternate skin.
Ditto, reverse angle.
In-game.
Ditto, reverse angle.
The SMG variant used by Grunts.
Ditto.
Ditto, reverse angle.
Ditto.
Grunts outside the QZ questioning citizens while armed with SMGs.
A Grunt prepares to execute a Citizen.
An unbonded SMG found by Alyx.
Empty clip model.
Energy cell model.
The cut Energy Ball upgrade.
