Weapons and Plasmids

Weapons & Plasmids

Weapons

Wrench

The Wrench is a fairly useful melee weapon, at least in the first few levels. The first weapon that you receive, it can be used effectively with the Electro Bolt plasmid to quickly finish off a Splicer. There are a number of tonics that increase the Wrench's usefulness, such as Wrench Jockey (1 and 2), Wrench Lurker (1 and 2), and Frozen Field (1 and 2). With all of those tonics active at once, the Wrench turns into a worthy melee weapon, even  in the later levels.

There are no upgrades available, but the Wrench can be made much more effective through the use of tonics.

Pistol

Your first real weapon, you probably won't be using it too often once you get your hands on some better weapons. There are three types of Pistol ammo:  Standard rounds, Armor-piercing rounds and Anti-personnel rounds. Armor- piercing rounds can be quite useful when dealing with Security Cameras, one shot should be enough to destroy one. Those rounds may also be helpful when fighting a Big Daddy. Anti-personnel rounds work pretty well against Splicers in the first few levels, though their effectiveness quickly wears off. All in all, a pretty poor weapon.

There are two weapon upgrades available for the Pistol:

Pistol Clip Size - Quadruples the clip capacity.

Pistol Damage Increase

Machine Gun

The Machine Gun is a powerful weapon, one that you will more than likely be using throughout your entire playthrough. There are three types of ammunition for the Machine Gun: Standard ammunition, Antipersonnel ammunition and Armor- piercing ammunition. The standard ammunition only really has use in the first few levels, as in the later stages it take much too many bullets to kill one Splicer.

Antipersonnel ammunition is very effective against Splicers, even the more powerful Leadhead Splicers in the later stages. A fully upgraded Machine Gun with Antipersonnel ammunition is a great help near the end of the game. Armor-piercing rounds work well against Turrets, Security Bots and Security Cameras, they even fair well against Big Daddies.

There are two weapon upgrades available for the Machine Gun:

Machine Gun Kickback Reduction

Machine Gun Damage Increase

Shotgun

The Shotgun is a very powerful weapon in the beginning of the game, though it loses some of its effectiveness once you reach the later stages. There are three types of Shotgun ammunition: 00 Buck Electric Buck, and Exploding Buck. 00 Buck is good for taking out the melee Splicers. In the first few levels, the Electric Buck ammunition is your best weapon against Big Daddies. It’s also quite effective against Splicers, as they become stunned when hit.

Exploding Buck gains an edge over 00 Buck in the later levels, but these ammo has to be invented using a U-Invent station. The Shotgun has a poor range, and hitting a moving enemy (such as a Spider or Houdini Splicer) can be a problem, as you must get very close.

There are two weapon upgrades available for the Shotgun:

Shotgun Rate of Fire

Shotgun Damage Increase

Grenade Launcher

The Grenade Launcher can be used effectively against all hostiles, including Big Daddies. There are three types of Grenade Launcher ammunition: Frag Grenades, Proximity Mines, and Heat-Seeking RPGs. All of the ammunition can usually kill any Splicer with one direct hit.

Proximity Mines are especially useful, they can be set up in such a way to allow you to lure a Splicer or Big Daddy into setting it off. You cannot set of your own Proximity Mines, which is a plus. This weapon is good to use while fighting a Big Daddy, since a direct hit knocks off quite a bit of health. This is made even better if you acquire the Damage Immunity upgrade using a Weapon Upgrade station.

There are two weapon upgrades available for the Grenade Launcher:

Grenade Launcher Damage Immunity - Immune to damage from own grenades.

Grenade Launcher Damage Increase

Chemical Thrower

The Chemical Thrower can be used to set your opponents on fire, freeze them, or electrocute them. It uses Napalm, Liquid Nitrogen, or Electric Gel. Each of these can be useful, especially the Electric Gel. A great weapon if you are ever stuck in a corner. Napalm and Electric Gel works well against Big Daddies, too.

There are two weapon upgrades available for the Chemical Thrower:

Chemical Thrower Consumption Rate

Chemical Thrower Range

Crossbow

The Crossbow is very effective against Splicers and Big Daddies alike. There are three types of Crossbow Bolts: Steel-Tip Bolts, Trap Bolts and Incendiary Bolts. The Crossbow has a very long range and deals a large amount of damage, making it a valuable weapon during the later stages of the game. This weapon is one of the best to use against Big Daddies. Trap Bolts can be used strategically to heavily damage them.

There are two weapon upgrades available for the Crossbow:

Crossbow Breakage Chance

Crossbow Damage Increase

Plasmids

Electro Bolt

Stuns enemies. Can be further upgraded to Electro Bolt 2 and 3.

Incinerate!

Sets objects and creatures on fire. Can be further upgraded to Incinerate! 2 and 3.

"Incineration: when it absolutely positively has to erupt in flames, don't wait --Incinerate!"

Telekinesis

Pulls an object to you, then hurls it. Also useful for holding objects as a shield, or grabbing objects out of reach.

"Pick up big stuff with your mind. Throw them at your enemies. What else do you need to know?"

Enrage!

Enrages target, causing it to attack someone other than you.

"Developed for use in today's uncertain environment. ENRAGE! will make your victim forget what side he's on, and attack anyone nearby. Just make sure 'anyone' isn't you!"

Hypnotize Big Daddy

When thrown at a Big Daddy, he will protect you as aggressively as he would a Little Sister. Can be upgraded to Hypnotize Big Daddy 2.

"Need a bodyguard in a pinch? Our new Hypnotize plasmid will fool a Big Daddy into protecting you as if you were its own Little Sister."

Security Bullseye

Creatures hit by this will be attacked by Cameras and Turrets.

"Are those pesky Security Cameras getting you down? Simply tag your enemies with our photoelectric insects and those cameras and turrets become your best friend. Splice Security Bullseye today!"

Target Dummy

Creates a decoy that draws attacks away from you.

"Enemies on your back? Distract their attention with a helpful decoy. They take the heat... so you don't have to!"

Winter Blast

Freezes enemies. Can be upgraded to Winter Blast 2 and 3.

"Don't get caught without this powerful self-defense tool at the ready. Give your does the cold shoulder with Winter Blast!"

Cyclone Trap

Launches Splicers into the air and hurls them badly on the way down.

"Teach your enemies a lesson they'll never forget with Cyclone Trap from Ryan Industries. (Ryan Industries is not liable for damage done to ceiling fans, chandeliers, or other ceiling fixtures.)"

Insect Swarm

Deals damage to enemies. Can be upgraded to Insect Swarm 2.

"Nothing clears a room like swarms of stinging hornets. (Warning: not recommended for users with allergies.)"