Barnacle
Class: 1
Ammo Used: None
Maximum Clip Capacity: N/A
Maximum Ammo Capacity: N/A
Best Used For: Grappling hook
Range: Long
Accuracy: Extreme
Damage Potential: Variable
Opposing Force's barnacle serves primarily as a grappling hook to reach the otherwise unreachable areas of the single-player game or multiplayer map. As the scientist dictates during the single-player game, the barnacle must latch on to organic material. You should use the barnacle to grapple onto the green spore patches (where you grab the ammunition for the spore launcher). Look for these areas in the single-player and multiplayer maps, and use the barnacle to reach them. Simply press and hold the fire button until the barnacle's tongue latches on to the material. Ride up and drop down onto the available surface.
You can also use the barnacle as a weapon. It latches on to organic material, so there's nothing stopping you from using it against enemies in the single-player game and opponents in a multiplayer arena. The tongue fires out and latches on to the target and pulls the target toward the mouth of the barnacle. Once the enemy reaches the barnacle's jaws, the barnacle munches down a few times and eliminates the creature.
You likely won't have much success at this in a multiplayer game. An observant opponent will just fire off a few rounds into your vulnerable hide. In the single-player game, you can use the barnacle against the lower breeds of alien, like the headcrabs, zombies, and pit drones. Still, you're probably better off using a melee weapon, like the wrench or knife, if you're out of ammo, and should save the barnacle for grappling duty only.
Desert Eagle .357
Class: 2
Ammo Used: .357 rounds
Maximum Clip Capacity: 7
Maximum Ammo Capacity: 36
Best Used Against: Alien slaves, Black Operatives, houndeyes, pit drones, bullsquids
Range: Long
Accuracy: Very high
Damage Potential: High
Opposing Force's new Desert Eagle .357 replaces the cumbersome version in Half-Life. While Half-Life's version offered sniper mode as its alternate fire, the Desert Eagle offers a laser sight. In standard mode, the Desert Eagle is a formidable pistol but lacks long-range accuracy and has a small clip capacity. Put the Desert Eagle in laser-sight mode, however, and you have one of the best weapons in the game against the Black Operatives and lesser alien enemies.
Simply press the alternate fire button to toggle the laser sight on and off. While on, the Desert Eagle fires more slowly but packs a bigger punch with pinpoint accuracy. You can often eliminate a Black Operative in a single shot. Don't waste Desert Eagle ammo on creatures you could easily kill with other weapons, and certainly don't use this .357 on the larger creatures, like voltigores and shock troopers. The .357 only holds seven bullets in a magazine, meaning you'll have to reload often. In a hectic firefight, this puts you at a distinct disadvantage.
In multiplayer games, the Desert Eagle is powerful, especially when you're coming upon unsuspecting foes. Realize, however, that you reveal yourself anytime you switch the laser sight on. It's a bit of a drawback; if you're attempting to sneak up on a target, the target will likely spot the laser sight and adjust its defensive position accordingly.
Next:
The weapons (cont.)
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