Combine (Half-Life)

The Combine
The Combine "clamp" symbol, seen in propaganda throughout Half-Life: Alyx and Half-Life 2
Series	Half-Life
First appearance	Half-Life 2
Most recent appearance	Half-Life: Alyx
Created by	Marc Laidlaw
In-universe information
Other name(s)	Our Benefactors (Dr. Breen), Our Malefactors (Dr. Kleiner), CMB (various in-game imagery/symbolism)
Type	Inter-dimensional alien conglomerate
Leader	Dr. Wallace Breen (puppet ruler)
Employees	Transhuman soldiers
Purpose	Conquest
Technologies	Inter-dimensional Teleportation
Enemies	Human Rebels, Vortigaunt Rebels

The Combine (/ˈkɒmbaɪn/ KOM-byne) are a fictional multidimensional alien empire which serve as the primary antagonistic force in the 2004 video game Half-Life 2 and its subsequent episodes developed and published by Valve Corporation. The Combine consist of organic, synthetic, and heavily mechanized elements. They are encountered throughout Half-Life 2, Half-Life 2: Episode One, and Half-Life 2: Episode Two, as well as Half-Life: Alyx, as hostile non-player characters as the player progresses through the games in an effort to overthrow the Combine occupation of Earth.

The Combine are depicted as cruel rulers over the citizens of Earth, suppressing dissent with brutality, using excessive violence to police humanity, and forcibly performing surgery on some to transform them into slaves. Throughout the games, the player primarily battles transformed humans as well as synthetic and mechanical enemies that are the product of Combine technology. In addition to their role within the Half-Life series, the Combine have been adapted by fans for machinima productions and other works.