Half Life 2 - Weapons Guide

A guide by Will.
While this is in the PC Guides section, it is all perfectly valid for versions of the game on consoles also.

Crowbar

First Appearance: Level 2 - A Red Letter Day
Clip: N/A
Maximum Ammunition: N/A

Crowbar The crowbar is one of, if not the most, the most useful weapon in the entire game. Not only can it be used to smash away headcrabs, it is used to smash open crates and boarded up doorways. It may take quite a few hits to kill even a Combine Police Officer, so this weapon is best used a tool; rather than a melee weapon.

9 Millimeter Pistol

First Appearance: Level 3 - Route Kanal
Clip: 18
Maximum Ammunition: 150

The 9mm pistol is one of the more accurate weapons. The fire rate is also fairly quick, so damage can quickly be inflicted on enemies. To get the most out of this pistol you'll have to be able to inflict a headshot with almost every bullet. If your difficulty is on normal there is plenty of ammo for this weapon, so don't be afraid to be a little trigger happy.

SMG

First Appearance: Level 3 - Route Kanal
Clip: 45
Maximum Ammunition: 225 bullets, 3 Grenades

The SMG is a very basic sub machine gun, the seconday fire is a grenade SMG launcher which can cause a fair amount of damage; for this reason it should be saved for either bosses or large groups of enemies. The primary fire will fire a lot of ammo in a single clip, but the damage it will inflict is minimal if they aren't aimed towards the head.

Grenade

First Appearance: Level 3 - Route Kanal
Clip: N/A
Maximum Ammunition: 5

Grenades are - as you might have guessed - explosive weapons that are incredibly useful for killing large groups of enemies or enemies that are round a corner or behind cover. It can also be used to knock over enemy turrets. The primary fire will throw a grenade, whereas the secondary fire will roll one along the ground. If you find yourself against grenades (usually wielded by Combine Grenade Soldiers) then use the gravity gun to fire them back.

.357 Magnum

First Appearance: Level 4 - Water Hazard
Clip: 6
Maximum Ammunition: 12

The .357 Magnum is one of the more powerful weapons of the game. A headshot from this will easily take out even a combine officer. A large drawback of this weapon is the reload time and the lack of ammunition throughout the game. However, this weapon is great if you are skulking around Nova Prospect and need to kill someone quickly.

Shotgun

First Appearance: Level 6 - We don't go to Ravenholm
Clip: 6
Maximum Ammunition: 30

The shotgun is the best weapon to use at close range as soon as you get it. The primary fire is useful to knock down most Combine Soldiers or Police. The secondary fire uses two shells which means it inflicts twice the amount of damage to an enemy. This will kill most small enemies in one shot (for example headcrabs, or antlions).

Pulse Rifle

First Appearance: 7
Clip: 30
Maximum Ammunition: 60

The Pulse Rifle is the alternative to the SMG, while the rate of fire is marginally less the damage it inflicts is far higher. If you use it in short bursts of 4 or 5 then it remains fairly accurate. The secondary fire for this weapon is an energy orb that bounces of walls and floors and can kill multiple enemies at the same time. This is one of the most powerful weapons if you use it properly, however ammo is limited; so do be careful.

Gravity Gun

First Appearance: Level 5 - Black Mesa East
Clip: N/A Maximum Amunition: N/A

This is an incredibly useful weapon, and can be used to do just about anything. A few techniques that you can use are:

Grab grenades thrown at you by Combine Officers using secondary fire, and throw them back towards them using the primary fire.
You can create barricades with pieces of scenery to stop enemies getting to certain places.
You could hold a manhack with the Gravity Gun and use it as a melee weapon against enemies.
Fire explosive barrels at enemies.
Basically be creative, use the environment to your advantage as anything you find could be used as a weapon with this gun.

Organic Gravity Gun

First Appearance: Level 13 - Our Benefactors
Clip: N/A
Maximum Ammunition: N/A

During the course of Level 13 the Gravity Gun becomes modified so that it works on almost anything. You can rip moniters off walls, you can even pick up Combine Soldiers and throw them across the room. Basically it becomes the most powerful weapon in the game. There's not a lot to say about this weapon other than have fun while it lasts.

Crossbow

First Appearance: Level 7 - Highway 17
Chamber: 1
Maximum Ammunition: 10

The crossbow fires bolts that are incredibly fast, and incredibly powerful. It's so powerful that it will kill an enemy no matter where it hits them on the body. The secondary fire lets you zoom down the scope to snipe out any enemies in the distance. An amusing part of this weapon is that it will attach enemies to walls if they are close enough when you fire. You should fire a little higher than the target as the bolt will fall slightly due to gravity.

RPG

First Appearance: Level 7 - Highway 17
Clip: 1
Maximum Ammunition: 3

The main use for this weapon is to take out Combine Gunships. If you do plan on using it, it is best to find an ammo crate due to the small amount of ammunition you can carry. The primary fire fires the rocket and the secondary fire can guide the missile to a fixed location. The rocket will follow where you are look at so be aware of that. You can even shoot a missile straight into the air and guide it to where you want to attack.

Bugbait

First Appearance: Level 8 - Sandtraps
Clip: N/A
Maximum Ammunition: N/A

This "weapon" is obtained after taking down the Antlion Guard. The pods make you immune to Antlion attack and allow you to control their movement and behavior. Primary fire throws a pod that will explode and create a cloud of Bugbait pheromones. Antlions will then swarm this area and attack anyone within range. The secondary attack squeezes the pod and brings antlions to your side. This isn't a weapon as such, as it doesn't actually do any damage itself, but I shall still cover it. You receive this weapon after defeating the Antlion Guard. The pod will make you immune to attacks by Antlions, and also allow you to control their movement and behavior. The primary fire of this "weapon" throws a pod that explodes and causes the Antlions to swarm and attack anyone in range. The secondary fire simply calls all available Antlions to your side.