Difference between revisions 90215175 and 99919528 on enwiki

[[Image:HalfLife Barnacle.jpg|thumb|300px|A barnacle, as seen in ''[[Half-Life]]'' ('''left''') and ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' ('''right''').]]

A '''Barnacle''' is a fictional [[extraterrestrial life in popular culture|alien]] species found in the ''[[Half-Life]]'' and ''[[Half-Life 2]]'' [[computer and video game|computer game]] series created by [[Valve Corporation|Valve Software]].

== Physical appearance and structure ==
Physically, barnacles resemble little more than a large mouth full of sharp [[teeth]] and a thin, but long and very powerful [[muscular hydrostat]] combining the functions of a [[tongue]] and [[tentacle]], which can be retracted or extended to hang at near-floor level regardless of the animal's height from the floor. The creatures attach themselves to ceilings or the undersides of overhangs, from which they lower their sticky tongues. Although barnacles can be found in a wide array of environments, they seem to prefer damp areas. One curious point is that while many barnacles can be found infesting the [[Black Mesa Research Facility]], fewer are encountered on the species' homeworld of [[Xen (Half-Life)|Xen]].

Barnacles are relatively weak; a few shots from a [[9 mm caliber|9mm]] [[pistol]] will kill them. They are easily dispatched from a distance, although players who become ensnared are usually able to kill them before being consumed. The barnacles are weak against the [[crowbar (tool)|crowbar]], which in both games, kills them in a single hit. When killed, barnacles typically disgorge bones and other remains of recently-consumed victims.

(contracted; show full)ion pack ''[[Half-Life: Opposing Force|Opposing Force]]'', Black Mesa scientists have been able to successfully detach barnacles, albeit with a high failure rate. The player can use a detached barnacle as either a weapon or as a grappling hook. Both functions take advantage of the affinity of their tongues for [[Biological matter|organic matter]].

{{Half-Life}}

[[Category:Fictional extraterrestrial species]]
[[Category:First-person shooter creatures]]
[[Category:Half-Life characters]]