The term Synth as used in reference to the Combines biomechanical constructs, refers to a class of creatures and species that have been either synthetically cloned from heavily modified species or preexisting species turned into war machines. They were officially described as "self-replicating robots that evolve", "created or taken over by the Combine and enslaved during their conquests and wars."
All Synths seem to possess both organic and robotic characteristics, suggesting that they're the synthetic derivatives of alien species that were previously found by the Combine, and modified to their needs. They served as a main force for the Combine Empire’s war across the Multiverse until the end First Multiverse War, some still existed and used by some of the surviving Combine Remnants.
Overview[]
Synths had always appeared as average to large insect-like or arthropod-like creatures, usually with segmented legs or antennae-like sensory structures, resembling locusts, crabs or similar beings. Even though Synths possessed organic characteristics, they are fully artificial, as their name suggests. They have shown to possess intelligence, however, it is most likely synthetic and derived from the original creature as to perform the functions of a real brain.
It is unknown how many of the Synths are 'true' to their initial species or forcefully evolved by the Combine, since the Kilominitic who were referred as the “Pure Combine” modified their appearance by adding mechanical equipment and weaponry. It is also unclear whether they all come from the same planet (mirroring the Xen creatures that were also brought from other worlds and, for some of them, also enslaved). The Strider, however, appears to have a brain. This is the only known Synth to possess any organ at all, however, other Synths likely possessed one too.
The City 17 Citadel features factories where Synths are manufactured. For instance, Stalkers can be seen working on Gunships in the lower levels. Synths are also never observed to be "self-replicating" in-game, but seem to be raised and/or manufactured by the Combine.
Their carapace-like armor is largely immune to small arms fire (with the notable exceptions of the Hunter and Shield Scanner) and bullets striking it produce a metallic 'ping' noise. These outer shells can be ripped open with enough force, as demonstrated when Dog tore a Strider's head open. The only weapons that are known to be effective against the larger Synths are explosives (such as the RPG, the MP7's secondary fire, or the Magnusson Device) and the Combine Energy Ball.
Synths may or not have been used by the Combine during the Seven Hour War. Forces as the human-derived Combine units, such as Overwatch Soldiers, Hunter-Choppers, and APCs, would have only started appearing after the Combine occupation on Golmar Earth had been established.
Known Synths[]
Various types of Synths have been used by the Combine, originally cloned from the conquered species to serve for various roles alongside the Transhuman Combines. Some, such as the Shield Scanner, are merely used as scouting or transport and have little to no weaponry, while others, such as the Strider, are fierce war machines, however, its worker version is adapted for work and possess no weaponry. The known Synths are:
- Advisor Pod
- Advisor
- Combine Dropship
- Combine Gunship
- Crab Synth
- Hunter
- Mortar Synth
- Shield Scanner
- Strider
- Hyena
- Emissary
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