#so normal. anyways

[sourcetwo]

I am pleading with you so nicely and holding out my hand

Post the combine hierarchy?

BEHOLD. here is my interpretation of the combine hierarchy. top row is the general promotion order. second row is the different soldier variants, which are split into two parts. prison guards are pretty much just normal soldiers, the other three are higher ranked soldiers!

(worth noting, some people consider the hla combine units as being merged or phased out due to them not being in hl2, i personally like to think that they do continue to be used up until then because i like the variety they add to fighting dynamics and their overall coolness)

lengthy info about the features of each subclass below the cut!

welcome to below the cut! you've entered the brainrot zone...

in this section i will outline the role, weapons and uniform as well as battle tactics of each subclass. they each have different insignia on their shoulders but i haven't included the images here but you can check them out on the combine overwiki yay

METROCOP

Voluntary, no major modifications

Law enforcement in the streets, keep citizens in line

Kept in line via threats due to them being unmodified humans

Features:

Stun baton, 9mm pistol, potentially SMG in intense circumstances

Gas mask

Bulletproof vest

Utility belt, includes radio and can hold weapons

Black, grey and white uniform

Tend to work in groups, utilise basic tactics in fights

Communicate with and report to Overwatch. Reports utilise different codes and abbreviations (e.g. 647e means a citizen is loitering around)

(if you want to know more about the different codes the units use, i highly recommend this youtube video that has all the meanings in the description)

COMBINE GRUNT

Promoted from Metrocop

Transhuman, undergo modifications to the body, but retain more humanity than the combine soldier as they are often seen joking around. probably not as brainwashed yet but theyre kept in line by the higher ranked soldiers which are really damn intimidating

Features:

SMG

Gas mask

White uniform

Utility pouch containing health pens and magazine holders

Grunts in the QZ have gas tanks strapped to their backs, grenades, as well as filters on the side of their masks.

Lenses are blue in light and yellow in the dark

Flashlight

Often work in small squads, supported by an Ordinal, Charger (Wallhammer) and maybe a Supressor

COMBINE SOLDIER

Promoted from Metrocop or Grunt

Transhuman, undergo modifications and programming for military purposes

Includes surgery to brain, head and chest, as well as vocal chords (replaced with a voice modulator) and abdomen (likely the stomach and intestines. They probably do not need to eat, more efficient). Genitals are removed too

Also still have punishments for failure - “off-world assignment”, indicates that any sort of human connections or memories to family and friends are removed during brain modification

Features:

SMG, shotguns, pulse rifle, grenades, Overwatch sniper rifle (for snipers)

Much more bulky flak vest

Utility pouch

Black and dark blue camo uniform

Blue lenses

Hardplate-reinforced personal armour

Radio is built-in to mask

Work in squad, different roles for each member, use more complex tactics to support the squad. Can cover, flank and use grenades. Exception is snipers, who generally work solo in designated nests.

NOVA PROSPEKT PRISON GUARD

Variant of the soldier

Two variants, shotgun and pulse rifle

Features:

Shotgun variant has red lenses

Pulse rifle variant has yellow lenses

Blue uniform, with NOVA PROSPEKT emblazoned on the back of their armour and shoulder

Utility pouch

Radio is built-in to mask

COMBINE SHOTGUN SOLDIER

Insignia suggests they are higher ranked elite soldiers?

Features:

Shotgun

Grey red uniform and armour

Red/orange lenses

Radio is built-in to mask

COMBINE CHARGER

Tank variant of the soldier

Also known as Wallhammer in Combine terminology

Features:

Heavy shotgun

Device on shoulder that can generate a shield

Large plates of armour on their chest, shoulder and thighs

Gorget to protect throat/neck

Blue lenses

Radio built-in to mask

Health pens

Specialise in pushing attack by putting pressure on with the shotgun, which once charged dishes large amounts of damage despite slow firing and reloading

Can be depolyed in squads or solo

LARGE AND INTIMIDATING....

COMBINE SUPPRESSOR

Also known as APF or Antibody Protection Force... hooray for combine medical terminology!

Features:

Heavy machine gun

Large armoured vest

Elongated mask

Radio built-in to mask

Health pens

Rarely do close combat, tend to stay ranged, finding elevated positions

Good at ambushing

Can be deployed in squads or solo

Utilise high pressure tactics due to heavy firepower they supply

COMBINE ORDINAL

Promoted from Combine soldier

Captain or officer, leads squads and give directions to squads

Probably undergone more modifications

Features:

Pulse rifle variant?

Dark blue outfit

Blue armour plates on torso and shoulders, striped with yellow

Backpack with radio

If Ordinal is killed in a squad, squad will report the Ordinal being down to Overwatch and continue but more disorganised

Can deploy manhacks

Pretty all-around, have good accuracy, can do long range

COMBINE ELITE

Promoted from Ordinal

Likely undergone massive anatomical modifications due to helmet appearance

Features: 

Pulse rifle with energy ball secondary fire

Helmet has red cyclops lens, perhaps indicates they only have one eye

Sensors at the sides near the back, to enhance senses. probably wired into the brain ooo

White body armour and uniform

Very efficient and accurate. They don't hesitate

i really like the hla additions because theres so much.. variety and also it gives more development to how certain units may be deployed in different environments, like to deal with infestations or rebel activity geheheh. once again gonna say if you're interested more in like. the fight dynamics, theparrygod's s2fms are so damn cool!!! also they cover like. scenarios that fill in the time between hla and hl2 which is awesome !! also its in s2fm so it looks fucking amazing

phew that was a lot of information if you made it down this far i really appreciate it!! hope this was interesting? uh. yeag. my favourite is probably the wallhammer theyre so scary and large and very destructive like imagine this massive guy coming after you and he BLAM oh no theres a massive hole in the wall??? so terrifying

[kensatou]

i'll let phie-san say it:

[anna-scribbles]

so this summer i am nannying a 5 year old who loves miraculous ladybug (my dream) & every day she asks if we can play ladybug and chat noir at the park. these are some comics based on our various games<3

[hinamie]

post-graduation trip airport looks

[marrowridden]

You have a complex relationship with your body and need to keep some/all of your clothes on during sex?

That's okay, what you're wearing looks good on you.

You need to take a lot of breaks doing anything intimate because you're easily overwhelmed?

I understand, I'm just happy to be here with you.

You're on medication that impacts your libido/makes reaching orgasm really difficult?

No pressure, tell me what feels good for you, and if you get frustrated we can do something else together.

Sex isn't going to look the same for everybody and that's fine, that's normal.

Sometimes you don't orgasm, sometimes you need to stop because your mood changes out of nowhere, sometimes you get really self conscious and need accommodations to take your mind off of it.

People are too complex for everybody to go about it the same, just keep doing what feels best for you, regardless of how different it may seem from other people's experiences.

[qiinamii]

we'll do fine.

[theoldkyokodied]

Really quick doodles of a few scenes from the stream yesterday. Including combat flirting taunting, gale’s magnificently distracting shoes and.. whatever you wanna call gale agreeing to give 15 gold to astarion 😐😑😐😑😐 (that’s me blinking)

[oars]

[its-your-mind]

[meteor752]

Zeus all arrogant: My oh my brother, all that work to get revenge on the mortal, and he beats you?You must feel so ashamed…

Poseidon, still bleeding profusely and literally vibrating from horniness: Do you think if I kill his son he’ll do it again?

[mangozic]

archivist be upon ye

[alaraxia]

needless to say the vibes were in shambles

[freitag1607]

1.05 / Battle of the Labyrinth

[chloesimaginationthings]

FNAF Afton kids got interesting coping mechanisms

[bloominglegumes]

i love normal guys doomed by the narrative

[vriskarlmarx]

the thing about latinoamérica is that it's the most beautiful wonderful place on earth. there's a spinal cord of mountains running through, and at their feet you have everything from deserts to forests to jungles to glaciers. the lungs of the world are here, and so are the eyes into the sky. there are animals like axolotls and vicuñas and llamas and condors and jaguars. and the people are the most clever, the most resilient people in the world. you have cultures that are thousands of years old that have been resisting colonization for hundreds of years and in several cases successfully fighting back and even gaining territory. you have people who have lost their loved ones decades and decades ago who are still fighting for justice. you have a rich history of solidarity and struggle and you can sit with people in a circle passing a mate around and they will tell you of all the times they put everything on the line for a better world. there is an entire island that inspired revolutions around the world and that has been resisting a blockade for 60 years. there are communities building autonomous, revolutionary structures right now. and really it's not a surprise that there's so much grit and strength here because it would be inconceivable to be born and to live in this beautiful place without fighting for it.