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{{Weapon Infobox
| image=FileShock Roach.jpg|250px
| name=Shock Roach
| affiliation=Race X
| type=Bio weapon
| damage=10
| magazine=10
| maxammo=∞
| ammotype=Plasma
| accuracy=Medium/High
| range=Long
| usedby=*Shock Troopers
*Adrian Shephard
| counterpart=Hive Hand
| entity=weapon_shockrifle (in hand)
monster_shockroach (when dropped by Shock Trooper)
}}
The '''Shock Roach''' is a living weapon featured in ''Half-Life Opposing Force''. It is used primarily by Race XShock Troopers, but it can also be picked up and used by humans.
==Overview==
The Shock Roach has all the characteristics of a large insect, with six legs and a tri-segmented body. Unlike the Hive Hand, the bio-weapon employed by Alien Grunts, the Shock Roach can move, react and attack of its own accord. The Shock Roach seems to form a symbiosis with its user; it cannot survive for long on its own, and upon its user's death, it will attempt to form a new bond with viable nearby targets. This symbiotic tactic is confirmed when looking closely at a Shock Roach's underside Six strong pincers, much like the legs of Earth insects, can attach tightly to any creature's forearm, never releasing until said creature is dead. It will violently attack anyone who has already adopted a Shock Roach (or cannot). Its use as a weapon stems from its ability to generate large amounts of electricity, which it can launch in short bursts from its single protuberant eye.
The Shock Roach is the primary weapon of Shock Troopers in ''Half-Life Opposing Force|Opposing Force''; once Adrian Shephard has killed the first one he encounters, he too can pick up and use the weapon. Shock Roaches are similar to the Hive Hand in that they essentially have an infinite amount of "ammo"; they regenerate their electric charge after they have been fired, and they can be fired ten times in quick succession before they are temporarily exhausted.
Shock Roaches presumably originate from the same provenance as Shock Troopers and the rest of their mysterious Race X|kind. Whether they have been evolved to suit their application as weapons or naturally manifest as they do is not known, however they do not appear beyond their role as weapons for the Shock Troopers. As with the rest of Race X, they have not appeared beyond Opposing Force.
==Tactics==
* The Shock Roach automatically regenerates ammo, making it very useful in situations where ammo for other weapons is thin. It is at its best picking off weaker opponents such as Pit Drones from a distance.
* Shock Troopers seem to have an inbuilt resistance to Shock Roaches.
* Once a player has a Shock Roach any other Shock Roach they come across will attack them.
* Firing the Shock Roach underwater results in instant death by WikipediaElectrocution|electrocution and resultant gibbing.
==Trivia==
*Although the Shock Roach attaches to its user's arm they are still able to use their other weapons.
*Shock Roaches do not seem to attach to soldiers other than Shephard.
*A Shock Roach that has been separated from its host will be attacked by Pit Drones, despite both being Race X.
*Secondary Fire makes the Shock Roach play its idle animation. Strangely, if shots were fired, this will stop the ammo regeneration while used. However, although the ammo counter is not rising, it still does regenerate. Why the idle animation is assigned to secondary fire is unknown.
*Other than in the map where the Shock Roach can be first obtained, the shock roaches cannot be used as weapons, even when the player has not obtained it yet. In the map where the Shock Roach can first be obtained, it will act like other Shock Roaches if the player has already obtained the weapon.
==Gallery==
FileShockrifle hud.PNG|HUD icon.
FileShock Roach.jpg|Worldmodel.
FileShock Roach v.jpg|Viewmodel.
FileShock trooper.png|As wielded by a Shock Trooper.
FileShock Trooper first.jpg|A Shock Trooper attacking a Black Mesa Security Force|security guard.
==List of appearances==
*https//www.youtube.com/watch?v=CB-fZ9dL5U0 ''Half-Life Opposing Force'' Teaser {{1st}} {{Nc}}
*''Half-Life Opposing Force''
==External links==
*Early viewmodel {{YouTube|url=zHVwIK9zHa0|text=''Half-Life Opposing Force'' TV Spot}}
{{Race X}}
{{Weapons}}
{{Creatures}}
CategoryWeapons
CategoryRace X weapons
CategoryRace X creatures
CategoryCreaturesCategoryHalf-Life Opposing Force