Why only one eye?

[Baratos]

Something that always bothered me about the Combine, is the crazy design of the Overwatch Elites. They always came across as the highest ranking transhumans, yet their uniforms could hardly be considered camoflage outside winter and they have only one eye. If they could be made cyclops, then why not stuff an eye in the back of their heads while you have them in surgery? It would make them so much harder to sneak up on. And if they are not cyclops, why not stick with traditional goggles?

 

[Mahalis]

The "eyes" probably aren't purely visual; the Combine might pack in a bunch of laser range-finders and things, as a better alternative to the relatively inaccurate human binocular vision. Don't know why no eyes in the back, though... maybe it'd take too much training to get them used to seeing in both directions.

 

[Que-Ever]

I don't think it's one eye, just one big lens.

 

[AJ Rimmer]

I don't think it's one eye, just one big lens.

That sounds likely.

 

[Tagaziel]

Upon closer examination, the main lens is surrounded by several small openings, which suggests a laser imaging system or some kind of sonar. Also, The helmet is equipped with two miniature domes where the ears would be, suggesting that it further enhances senses.

Also, the design of the Elites is to be intimidating. The Overwatch troopers are wearing camouflaged armour and BDUs, because they are the footmen and see most combat.

The Elite Transhuman Arm of the Combine Overwatch wears white armour, BDUs and leather boots BECAUSE they are elite, and such armour serves to send a message to the opponent, that "I'm so skilled and powerful that I don't need to hide from you.". Not to mention that white is in Eastern mythology a colour of death, while in ours it's of purity and innocence, on which the look of the Elite is a nice twist. Alternatively, they could have been made to play on the theme of a ghost, and Elites DO look a bit lite ghosts.

Just some of my cougarish rambling.

 

[Absinthe]

My thoughts, pretty much.

The white uniform gets the message "You're ****ed, hombre" across pretty well. If required, I'm sure they could get decked out in camo gear. But for most situations, their presence is a form of psychological warfare.

 

[knut]

I see their uniforms as a sence of pride, power and high-ranking. The other Combine soldiers are wearing tough, girtty combat clothing, which is suited for whaty they are doing in the wastelands and the like. The Elites are for patrolling, guarding and protecting high-security areas like the top levels of the Citadel and the like. It's like here, in England, the British soldiers outside of Buckingham palace wear pristine and smart uniforms whereas if you go past a place such as a standard barracks you will see standard uniformed soldiers patrolling.

I know what I mean, anyway.

The whole 'one lense for two eyes' doesn't click for me. That gives an enemy more chance of disabling the soldiers eye sight with a blow to the helmet or something. But, I don't know how strong their lense is, so I dunno.

 

[XIII]

too bad the elites arent any better than norman combine soldier

 

[Acepilotf14]

too bad the elites arent any better than norman combine soldier

They are, they have better AI tactics and the like. Except in the beginning of Ep. 1, which was jsut for show.
Of course, you are just so skilled you cant even tell.

They could have also put them in red, which would also be VERY intimidating, so that when they get shot, the other soldiers dont see the blood = romans.
"Breen says Buenos Noches.." And drive by shoot you.

 

[Flyingdebris]

the elites have a tighter firing cone, take a bit more damage, and fire plasma orbs.

I think that would be considered better. Its just that overall valve saw fit to make enemy bullets hurt like mosquito bites, so unless you mod your own cfg files or play smod, its hard to notice how much better the elites are

 

[Ophiguris]

Something that always bothered me about the Combine, is the crazy design of the Overwatch Elites. They always came across as the highest ranking transhumans, yet their uniforms could hardly be considered camoflage outside winter and they have only one eye. If they could be made cyclops, then why not stuff an eye in the back of their heads while you have them in surgery? It would make them so much harder to sneak up on. And if they are not cyclops, why not stick with traditional goggles?

1. After you have earth conquered, camoflauge is noo such issue. It probably symbols rank.

2. Traditional goggles only give a small sight area, a large lense would allow more of a sight range without exposing too much of the face.

3. It's that much cooler!

 

[Vass]

My theory is as follows:

1. The Combine Elite have "one eye" because they are closer to what hey origional combine species was, therefore being Elite.

2. The Combine Overwatch are less like the original so they look more like humans (although may not be off humans though)

3. The Civil Protection, some acctually being human themselves, look and souynd the most like humans.

 

[Costin]

1. The Combine Elite have "one eye" because they are closer to what hey origional combine species was, therefore being Elite.

Good theory,but the Combine is going head on to enhance the vision,they targeting angle,precision and they realize that one robotic eye is more efficient than two.

 

[Jintor]

I figure one cyclops eye is also intimidating.

 

[blck_prod]

When aiming I'm closing one eye...

So maybe the elites had their surgery or the one-lens helmet to approve their aiming and accuracy skill. Just my 5 cents

 

[Ophiguris]

It could also be HUD, you can't see much HUD with two 1inch long goggle lenses as you can with one 3inch goggle lens. In order to be readable, your HUD would take up alot of your view space, with a larger lens, you can see more, aim more, and have more HUD space to analyze more info.