Specimen 1176

"we finally succeeded in distaching one of these barnacle creatures, from its point of gestation." -Black Mesa scientist.

Specimen 1176 was a barnacle that was studied in the Black Mesa Research Facility sector E Biodome Complex. It was the first barnacle to be succesfully distatched from from its point of gestation.

Background
Specimen 1176 was one of the barnacles to be studied in Black Mesa, before the Black Mesa Incident. It is unknown if this barnacle originated in Xen, or if it were actually created in Black Mesa. A team of scientist, (including Walter Bennet) was working on this specimen and attempted to detach it healthy. It finally succeded, and they were even able to make it lunch its tongue, and pull humans and other creatures around. They were only able to coax it into lutching onto organic matter, such as creatures, humans, fungi and moss.

Half Life: Opposing Force
Specimen 1176 is first mentioned when HECU corporal Adrian Shepard hears a holographic message adressed to Walter Bennet, by another scientist, asking walter to take over the work on Specimen 1176, and explaining some of its capabilieties. Shepard then proceeds into a room where 1176 is kept for observation, alongside Xen fungi and a light stalk. Shepard takes control of the barnacle, and quickly finds it handy for bridging gaps and clear out small enemeis, like Headcrabs. Shepard carries specimen 1176 with him all the way through Black Mesa, until finally reaching the gene worm. Here he must use the barnacle to Bridge a gap to reach on of the mounted guns, after the gene worm destroys the catwalk connecting them. When Shepard finally kills the Gene Worm and is teleported into an V-22 Osprey by the G-man, 1176 along with the rest of Shepard's weapons has been removed by the G-man. It is unknown where they were placed then, but most likely either in stasis, or most likely, were simply left in black Mesa and destroyed in the nuclear explosion.

Tactics
1176' main fire will lunch it's tongue and connect to any organic surface on target and pull the player towards it, or at a small target like a headcrab, pull the target towards the player. The Barnacle is mainly used to bridge gaps by lutching it onto Xen moss, and transport the player, but is also quite useful to clear out small enemies. it does 25 damage point on any difficulty. It is useful to obtain ammunition for the spore launcher. It is ill-advised to use the barnacle aiganst bigger enmies, since it will only result in a lot of time pulling you towards the target, while the target can easily shoot at the player.

List of appearences
Half Life: Opposing Force Oppsosing Force deathmatch (non-canon appearence.