Half-Life 2

Cheats, Tips & Secrets for Half-Life 2 on PC

Access Console Another way

Another way to access the console without going to is by going to the options menu and clicking on the keyboard tab, then going to advanced. It should give you the option of turning on console or not.

All-Knowing Vorginaut

While riding the water ski in the Canal levels, you come to a point where you fight a Combine Gunship before you can progress. After you destroy the gunship, look around that area and you will find two sewer tunnels, one of them has a grate which is ajar and you can slip through.

Sprint through the radioactive waste and exit through the hole in the tunnel to find a vorginaut with a sore throat. Talk to him many times to hear all he has to say.

Cheat Codes

Bring DOWN the console and enter "sv_cheats 1"

Effect - Code

All weapons and ammo - impulse 101
Enemies don’t attack - notarget
Infinite power for your suit - infinite_aux_power
Kill all npc’s in the area - npc_kill
No damage - god
Never Die - buddha
Skulls - impulse 102
Spawn a scout car - ch_createjeep
Spawn an airboat - ch_createairboat
Walk through walls - noclip

Cheat Mode

Start the game with the -console command line parameter. Then, press ~ during game play to display the console window. Enter one of the following codes to activate the corresponding cheat function. Also, any code can be used as a command line parameter by prefixing it with the "-" character.

Effect - Code

God mode (server only) - god
Spawn indicated item - give
Reduce your health - buddha
Damage player - hurtme
All weapons - impulse 101
Spawn a jeep - impulse 82
Ignored by NPCs - notarget
Walk through objects (server only) - noclip
List maps - maps
Load indicated map - map
Toggle developer mode; 2 is verbose - developer <0-2>
Enable mouse look - +mlook
Show crosshairs - hud_quickhelp/text? 1
Sets the size of carried weapon; 54 is default - viewmodel_fov
Execute script file - exec
Toggle HUD display - cl_drawhud <0 or 1>
Toggle HUD display - cl_enablehud <0 or 1>
Toggle frame rate display - cl_showfps <0 or 1>
Creates an NPC; only where NPC are allowed - npc_create
Create an NPC aiming away from player - npc_create_aimed
Toggle picker mode - picker
Move player to indicated location; requires sv_cheats 1 - setpos
Set view to indicated pitch yaw; requires sv_cheats 1 - Setang
Set gravity value - sv_gravity
Set minimum stopping speed when on ground - sv_stopspeed
Set world friction - sv_friction
Set bounce multiplier for physically simulated objects collision - sv_bounce
Set maximum velocity of any moving object - sv_maxvelocity
Set vertical view fixup when eyes are near water plane - sv_waterdist
Change air density - air_density
Set length of explosion confusion - dsp_explosion_effect_duration
Toggle bounding-boxes debug mode; red: ignore damage, white: respond to damage, green: health - prop_debug
Toggle reporting missing .WAV files - sv_soundemitter_filecheck
Limits the number of texture units; 0 lets the game decide - mat_numtextureunits

Console Code

Open the console menu using ~ and imput this code: bind key command

This binds a console command to a key. Note that if the command has arguments, quotes must be used. For example: bind x "impulse 101"

Be careful on which key you choose. If you use a key already in use for the game (W, A, S, D are for movement, 1-6 is used for weapons, G is for gravity gun, etc), the bind command will override the original command, and you will not be able to use it anymore.

Effect - Code

Creates a hot key for instant stock of weapons and ammunition using the "x" key - bind X "Impulse 101"

Entanglement - Turret Strategy

The second half of Entanglement involves defeating waves of Combine troops, using turrets. A great strategy is to pool them, rather than leave them behind.

The first time you use turrets, it's in a large guardroom at the top of two staircases. There are two turrets here. Set both up to overlook the right hand side, and take the left with your shotgun. It's quite easy.

Collect the turrets and take them with you, moving them up the corridor a bit at a time, then going back for the other one. Quicksave regularly, so you can reload if something happens to cause you to lose one. You'll descend into the sewers where an electric cable has charged the water, so you'll have to make your way across the pipes. Drop the turrets into the water and make your way along the pipes, until you're ready to jump to the far platform. Use the Gravity Gun to collect them again and throw them onto the platform, then jump across yourself. The next bit involves reaching the raised ledge. Throw the turrets over to the other side, then throw all the blue barrels, the wooden pallet and the crate into the water to make a bridge across and use the crate to climb up onto the ledge.

Bring the two turrets through the door and continue on. You should have no problems til you reach the upstairs area with the two doorways and railings. There'll be an office behind you full of random furniture, and the staircase you ascended to reach the part you're on. Take one turret and set it up on the left balcony, on the left hand side, so it covers the hallway/cells below. Take the other turret and set it up on the right balcony, again, covering the hallway and cells below.

Next, use the Gravity Gun to collect the 3 crates from the right hand hallway and bring them up onto the level you're on. Build these up to close up the right hand doorway, so the turret is protected and can no longer be accessed, but can still cover the hallway below.

Repeat the blockade strategy for the left hand doorway, using the filing cabinets and table from the office to close up the doorway, but make sure you're on the left hand balcony when you close it up. Once you've done this and both turrets are set up and ready, jump over the balcony to the hall below and quicksave. Alyx will tell you she sees Combines approaching. Quickly go into the room on the right, and get the other 3 turrets from the holding area. Set all 3 up in the right hand hallway. Put 2 in the middle of the hall pointing up the hall at the forcefield at the end of the hall, locating them just before the shortcut between halls so they cover the end of the hall and any Combines coming through the shortcut, and put the other one nearby facing the other direction towards the turret on the balcony. This should now be sufficient protection to survive the entire attack easily. Just hide into the left of the computer console against the right wall and kill any Combines who get through your defences. I lost about 10-12 health altogether using this method.

When it's all over, Alyx will rejoin you. Use the Gravity Gun to collect the balcony turrets if they weren't knocked down, and bring all 5 gradually down the staircase. Bring them along the dark tunnel and set them all down just after the bit that breaks off to the right, when you can see the doorway at the end of the hall in the distance. Quicksave and approach the door. The game will load the next section. Turn and use the Gravity Gun to bring all five turrets with you. Set them up in the hallway beyond the door. The lights are about to go out. If you get at least two set up, they will kill all the Combines who attack in the darkness. Proceed down the staircase with your five turrets. You'll reach a long hall and Alyx will go through a massive doorway and turn and face you. This is a level changing bit where you can be seperated from your five turrets, so shoot them all through the door behind Alyx using the Gravity Gun, then run through and she'll shut the door. The next bit involves Alyx going through with the other doctor into the teleporter area at the back. Be aware of another door that will close behind you as you walk through. Alyx stands just beyond it to mark where it is. Shoot all five turrets through it into the room beyond, being careful not to shoot them through the forcefields.

This is the final section of Entanglement. If you've followed this strategy, you'll have 8 turrets to set up around the room and won't be shot at once, when Alyx unlocks the other 3 in the corner for you to use. For one last turret use, take one with you when she powers up the teleporter and walk backwards into it. You'll lift it up and it will shoot at the soldiers as you ascend.

Fighting: Hints and Tips

When fighting the Combine, or the zombies, there are many ways to defeat them. Here are a few efficient ways to get rid of them.

Combine Metro Cops:
Most efficient weapon(s): Any
Distance of engagement: Close to Medium range
Notes:
They are the basic grunts of the Combine forces, and are easily killed, they use pistols and the standard assault rifle (not the Combine one). They also use Manhacks. They are moslty encountered during chapters 1 through 5.

Combine Soldiers:
Most efficient weapon(s): Combine Assault Rifle, .357 Magnum, Crossbow, Gravity Gun
Distance of engagement: Medium to Long range
Notes:
These soldiers use various weapons such as the pistol, assault rifle, Combine assault rifle and grenades. They also have Manhacks. Appear in chapters 7 onwards.

Combine Overwatch Soldiers:
Most efficient weapon(s): Combine Assault Rifle, .357 Magnum, Crossbow, Gravity Gun
Distance of engagement: Medium to Long range
Notes:
The stronger soldiers first met when approaching the Nova Prospekt prison facilities. They use the same weapons as the Combine soldiers. Appear in chapters 9 onwards.

Combine Elite Soldiers:
Most efficient weapon(s): Combine Assault Rifle, .357 Magnum, Crossbow, Gravity Gun
Distance of engagement: Medium to Long range
Notes:
They are the toughest Combine soldiers to deal with. All are equiped with the Combine Assault Rifle, and they are very efficient fighters. They use the Assault Rifle's secondary mode too (the energy orb). They are mostly encountered from Chapter 11 onwards.

Now for the headcrabs and zombies:

Normal Headcrab:
Most efficient weapon(s): Any, even the gravity gun's first firing mode can kill them after a few blows.
Distance of engagement: Close (they are always jumping in your face!)
Particularity: Creates Zombies

Fast Headcrabs:
Most efficient weapon(s): See Normal Headcrab
Distance of engagement: See Normal Headcrab
Particularity: Creates Fast Zombies

Poison Headcrabs:
Most efficient weapon(s): Long distance, high damage weapons.
Distance of engagement: Medium to Long range
Particularity: Has a very distinctive screech before it attacks. Injects a neurotoxic agent into your bloodstream which leaves you with 1 point of health. Creates Poison Headcrab Carrier.

Zombies:
Most efficient weapon(s): .357 Magnum, Assault Rifle, Combine Assault Rifle, Gravity Gun, Shotgun
Distance of engagement: Beyond claw reach (medium)
Notes:
Always aim for the head of the zombie. If you kill the host body, the headcrab will come off and attack you.

Fast Zombies:
Most efficient weapon(s): .357 Magnum, Shotgun, Combine Assault Rifle, Gravity Gun
Distance of engagement: They never stop until they are in your face, so engage them as soon as they come in sight.
Notes:
Same as zombies, aim for the head, use a the shotgun's double shot firing mode when the zombie is getting too close. Be careful when many are coming towards you.

Poison Zombies:
Most efficient weapon(s): Combine Assault Rifle, Rocket Launcher, anything which explodes (barrels) or which set things on fire (butane gas bottles).
Distance of engagement: Long range (the zombie can throw the headcrabs at you quite far).
Notes:
Take care when engaging then, as they will throw the poison headcrabs in your direction. They should be engaged as soon as possible, to prevent them from spreading their headcrabs. Anything explosive is tremendously efficient, as it will most of the time kill the host, leaving the headcrabs in a small pack on the floor. If you are fast enough, you may launch another explosive at them and kill them all in one go. Otherwise use the shotgun, but this is risky.

Other Combine encounters:

Combine Gunship:
To defeat them, use the rocket launcher and guide the rocket in erratic patterns. This will ensure that the rocket reaches the gunship before it shoots it down. It may take a bit of practice to steer the rockets, but you get the hang of it pretty quickly.

Combine Striders:
Unlike Gunships, they don't shoot down rockets, so simply shoot the rockets straight at them, steering it when there is an obstacle.

Combine Dropships:
Can be shot down, but usually this is a waste of ammo.

Combine APCs:
Usually they don't bother you much, so they are pointless to attack. | Submitted by buzzcut76guy

Grab Anything

When using the give weapon/item cheats, enter physcannon_maxmass 1000 (or more) to be able to grab any object in the game.

How to Spawn NPCs

Access the console, type in "npc_create npc_" and replace the name with one of these:

cscanner
rollermine
poisonzombie
mossman
monk
metropolice
manhack
launcher
kleiner
ichthyosaur
headcrab_poison
headcrab_black
headcrab_fast
headcrab
helicopter
gman
fastzombie
eli
dog
pigeon
seagull
crow
combine_s
combinegunship
combinedropship
citizen
breen
barney
barnacle
antlion
alyx
antlionguard
stalker
strider
vortigaunt
zombie
zombie_torso

Item names:

Use one of the following entries with the give code.

item_box_buckshot
item_box_mrounds
item_box_sniper_rounds
item_box_srounds
item_healthkit
item_battery
item_suit
item_ml_grenade
item_ar2_grenade
item_healthvial

Map names

Use one of the following entries with the map code.

d1_canals_01
d1_canals_02
d1_canals_end
d1_tempanals_02
d1_town_01
d1_town_02
d1_town_03
d1_town_04
d1_town_05
d1_trainstation_01
d1_trainstation_02
d1_trainstation_03
d1_trainstation_05
d1_under_01
d1_under_02
d1_under_03
d1_under_04
d2_coast_01
d2_coast_02
d2_coast_03
d2_coast_04
d2_coast_04_dx60
d2_coast_05
d2_coast_06
d2_coast_07
d2_coast_08
d2_prison_01
d2_prison_02
d2_prison_03
d2_prison_04
d2_prison_05
d3_c17_03
d3_c17_04
d3_c17_05
d3_c17_06a
d3_c17_06b
d3_c17_07

Obtain and use the Super Gravity Gun in early levels

You must have sv_cheats 1 and access to the console for this to work. Enter the following commands in the console in order:

Changes you to a level where you start with the super gravity gun - map d3_citadel_04
Switches you to the first level, replace d1_trainstation_01 with other map names if you want - changelevel d1_trainstation_01
Gives you the gravity gun again - give weapon_physcannon

Slow Deaths

Open the console while playing the game, enter cl_phys_timescale 0.05 or any of the others listed below. (1 sets the game back to normal speed)

slow 0.05
mid-slow 0.5
super-slow 0.1
stop time 0.0

Spawn Alyx's Weapon

Enter npc_create_equipment weapon_alyxgun in the dev console then type npc_create npc_combine_s which spawns a combine trooper with Alyx's gun. Then simply kill the trooper ang get the gun. Note, when you pick up the gun looks like a giant block on the bottom left corner of your screen.

Weapon names

Use one of the following entries with the give code.

weapon_alyxgun
weapon_ar1
weapon_ar2
weapon_bugbait
weapon_cguard
weapon_crowbar
weapon_extinguisher
weapon_flaregun
weapon_frag
weapon_gauss
weapon_hopwire
weapon_iceaxe
weapon_physcannon
weapon_physgun
weapon_pistol
weapon_rpg
weapon_shotgun
weapon_smg1
weapon_smg2
weapon_stickylauncher
weapon_stunstick
weapon_thumper
weapon_sniperrifle
weapon_rollerwand
weapon_molotov
weapon_manhack
weapon_immolator
weapon_irifle
weapon_slam
weapon_hmg1
weapon_cubemap
weapon_binoculars
weapon_ml
weapon_brickbat

Half-Life 2

Cheats, Tips & Secrets for Half-Life 2 on PC

Access Console Another way

All-Knowing Vorginaut

Cheat Codes

Cheat Mode

Console Code

Entanglement - Turret Strategy

Fighting: Hints and Tips

Grab Anything

How to Spawn NPCs

Item names:

Map names

Obtain and use the Super Gravity Gun in early levels

Slow Deaths

Spawn Alyx's Weapon

Weapon names

Recently added games to Cheating Dome