Manhack


 * "Now they're flooding the areas up ahead with Manhacks..." - Manhack Matt


 * "We have confirmed reports of Manhacks, repeat, they are filling the underground with Manhacks!" - A Refugee from a different station

The Manhack (referred to as "viscerator" by the Combine Overwatch, and simply "hack" by the Citizens and Rebels) is a flying, gyroscope-like device. Manhacks have three razor-sharp blades which constantly spin at extremely high speeds. The spinning blades produce a high-pitched whirring sound, which often is a good indicator of manhacks nearby. The blades are powerful enough to cut and break through wooden obstacles, but not stronger materials such as metal or concrete. They are programmed with very little concept of self-preservation, careening off walls and through objects in the single-minded pursuit of their target.

Deployment
Manhacks are deployed by the Combine and are used to scout areas too dangerous for city scanners, and to force enemies out of inaccessible spaces. Manhacks never travel alone, and are usually deployed in groups of at least four or more. Some Civil Protection troopers carry them and can deploy them in an emergency. Manhacks can be especially deadly in confined areas, like alleyways and sewers.

Resistance and other uses
They appear to have some resistance to gunfire, and are more easily destroyed by being smashed with a hard object, where the initial hits cause it to become disoriented, and lose interest in its target for a few moments as it re-stabilizes itself. Attacking with a crowbar causes it to go haywire, similar to a "wounded" city scanner and will attempt to crash into the player. During this the red light on the manhack turns an orangish color and emits a high-pitched warning signal, possibly to alert nearby Combine. The Gravity gun is also very effective against them. Once in the gravity gun's field, they can be launched into walls (which instantly destroys them), or even other manhacks or enemies. If it is held with the gravity gun, it can be used as a chainsaw-like weapon. But be warned, if you do use it as a weapon and ram it towards something, it will nudge back to you, causing minor damage. Also, your squadmates won't understand and will keep shooting at it.

Behind the scenes
In the early stages of the game production, Manhacks could be reprogrammed by the player to be used against Combine forces. The concept was re-used in Episode One, except with Rollermines instead of Manhacks, and Alyx Vance reprogrammed them, not the player.