Half-Life / Weapons guide
Half-Life weapons guide: crowbar, shotgun, crossbow and explosives
Compare the original Half-Life arsenal by range, ammunition role and alternate-fire behavior.
Edition covered
The original GoldSrc Half-Life campaign on PC, first released in 1998. Valve Steam screenshots show original game assets. Half-Life: Source, Black Mesa and the expansion campaigns are separate games.
9 items · one picture per entry · open a picture for full size.
Core weapon roles
Specialist tools
Quick notes
- Use common weapons for common threats. The crowbar saves ammunition on crates and isolated weak enemies, but running into a group to use it costs health.
- Keep specialist ammunition for its purpose. The shotgun suits tight spaces; the revolver and crossbow help with deliberate longer-range attacks.
- Understand alternate fire before a fight. Several weapons have a second function, such as the shotgun’s double blast, the crossbow scope and the automatic weapon’s grenade launcher.
- Use explosives with a retreat route. Grenades can push soldiers away from cover, but explosives also punish Gordon at close range.
Useful tip
Grenades can push soldiers away from cover, but explosives also punish Gordon at close range.
References
| Reference | Website |
|---|---|
| Half-Life — publisher listing | store.steampowered.com |
| StrategyWiki: campaign chapters | strategywiki.org |
| StrategyWiki: weapons | strategywiki.org |
| StrategyWiki: final boss | strategywiki.org |
| Half-Life manual | www.sierrachest.com |