BioShock upgrade guide

By Martyn Carroll Published 29 August, 2007

Take control and evolve yourself.

If you were one of the thousands who heeded Kristan's wise words and bought a copy of BioShock on release, rocketing the game to the top of the all-format charts in the process, then you've probably already experienced the wonders of Rapture and are currently playing through again on a higher difficulty. If so then this guide to every Plasmids and Gene Tonic in the game - where to find them and what they do - was written with your good self in mind. If not, be warned - there be big spoilers ahead.

Note: For Plasmids and Gene Tonics available from Gatherer's Garden machines, only the location where you can first buy them is listed, yet they'll be available from every machine from that point on. In addition, some Tonics hidden in the wild can later be purchased from Gatherer's Garden machines for a small amount of Adam, so don't worry if you miss them first time round.

Plasmids

Electro Bolt

Easily the most useful Plasmid power in the game. Use it to stun Splicers, stopping them in their tracks so you can attack them with a good old fashioned weapon. And it's a nice surprise for enemies stupid enough to stand in water. Electro Bolt is also vital for frazzling security devices and opening dodgy doors. Dedicate a slot to this Plasmid and upgrade as and when you can. You'll grab the standard Electro Bolt right at the beginning of the game, by the Gatherer's Garden machine at the top of the stairs. For longer lasting shock treatment you should definitely purchase Electro Blot 2 (120 Adam) from Gatherer's Garden machines in Arcadia, and Electro Bolt 3 (150 Adam) from machines in Olympus Heights.

Incinerate

Like Electro Bolt, this Plasmid is essential for progressing through the game as it lets you melt frozen doors. Of course you can also use it to torch enemies, either directly or by igniting pools of oil or explosive canisters. Some enemies will battle on even when blazing so be ready to follow up with an alternative attack. Incinerate is located in the Medical Pavilion area, inside the Eternal Flame crematorium - crawl through the small hole in the wall on the upper floor to find it. Incinerate 2 offers increased heat and can be vended from the machines in Fort Frolic for 80 Adam. Later, when you reach Point Prometheus, you can upgrade to the toastiest temperature, Incinerate 3, for 150 Adam.

Telekinesis

Great for grabbing items just out of reach, and ideal for those Carrie White moments when you just want to hurl stuff at those who hassle you. Also useful for plucking missiles and grenades out of the air and returning them to sender (hello Nitro Splicers!). Telekinesis is located in the Medical Pavilion area, inside the Dandy Dental clinic. It's not possible to upgrade this Plasmid.

'BioShock upgrade guide' Screenshot 1

It's like a scene from Big Trouble in Little China, only with decidedly less Kurt Russell.

Enrage

Hit an enemy with Enrage and they'll fight the good fight for you. Great if there are groups of enemies and you want to encourage a little infighting, even better if you're taking on a Big Daddy as you can enlist the help of Splicers. Enrage is not found in the wild, but you can buy it from a Gatherer's Garden machine in the Medical Pavilion for 60 Adam. It can't be upgraded.

Security Bullseye

Whack this on the back of an enemy and if they're in range of a sentry system it will target them instead of you. Neat but not essential as you can always hack security devices. It's located in Neptune's Bounty, inside the Wharfmaster's Office. No upgrades are available.

Target Dummy

If you like to play a more measured game than an all-out assault, you can use Target Dummy to fool enemies and draw their fire. This handy decoy lasts for around 10 seconds, enough time to flank your enemy or simply flee the scene. Very useful for stealing a march on a Big Daddy. Target Dummy is available from Gatherer's Garden machines in Neptune's Bounty for 60 Adam.

Winter Blast

This three-tiered Plasmid will freeze common enemies for a few seconds, letting you shatter them dead. However, while it's a nice quick kill method, the enemy won't leave behind any goodies so it should be used sparingly. You can also use it on devices to increase the time available for hacking. The standard Winter Blast can be vended from machines in Neptune's Bounty for 60 Adam, while the two upgrades are available later in the game - Winter Blast 2 in Fort Frolic for 100 Adam, Winter Blast 3 from Olympus Heights for 150. Each successive upgrade simply increases the time that enemies stay iced up.

Cyclone Trap

Invoke mini tornadoes that lift enemies clean off their feet and bring them crashing to the ground with a pleasing crack. This sits alongside Target Dummy as a Plasmid for those who like to play with guile and lay traps. Don't miss the opportunity to shoot enemies when they're flapping around in the air. Both varieties of Cyclone Trap are available from machines in Arcadia - the first for 60 Adam and the second more turbulent version for 100.

'BioShock upgrade guide' Screenshot 2

Please extinguish all hands before entering the building.

Insect Swarm

Splicers don't carry around rolled-up newspapers so a swarm of stinging bees will certainly inconvenience them. It's a good laugh for sure, and useful against groups as the bees will swarm around several enemies, but it's no substitute for the trusty Electro Bolt. If you do want it, pick up the standard Plasmid from machines in the Farmer's Market for 60 Adam. Insect Swarm 2 and 3, which breed successively angrier insects who swarm harder and longer, are available from Hephaestus (80 Adam) and Olympus Heights (120 Adam) respectively.

Hypnotize Big Daddy

Why should only Little Sisters get an armed escort? This Plasmid will enlist a Big Daddy as your personal bodyguard for a short period of time, which obviously is a very good thing (and as an added bonus, great for Big Daddy research purposes). This is the only Plasmid that can't be found in the wild or purchased with cold hard Adam. To get the standard Plasmid, where a Big Daddy will guard you for a minute and a half, you must rescue three Little Sisters rather than harvest them. You'll receive the upgrade, which affords a full three minutes of Big Daddy protection, if you rescue nine of the poor dots.

Combat Gene Tonics

Armored Shell

Reduces the amount of damage you receive, making this a highly-desirable Gene Tonic. Even better, you can get it as early as the Medical Pavilion from a Gatherer's Garden machine for 20 Adam. If you manage to rescue 15 Little Sisters you'll unlock Armored Shell 2 which offers increased shield-like properties.

Wrench Jockey

Dishes out more than three times the brain-bludgeoning power of the standard Wrench - great for melee fans and ammo conservationists. Get this from the Kure-All clinic in Medical Pavilion (look for the secret passageway hidden behind a grate). The Wrench Jockey 2 upgrade is offered to you when you research Big Daddy Bouncers to Level 2.

Static Discharge

Another Tonic for Wrench wielders. If you're struck while scrapping you'll automatically give the enemy an energy-sapping shock for their troubles. You'll find this next to a corpse in the Surgery Foyer, either before of after you deal with Doctor Steinman. Static Discharge 2 is a free upgrade that you get for researching Leadhead Splicers to Level 4.

Wrench Lurker

For stealth fans only - increases the amount of damage inflicted by the Wrench on unaware enemies. As an added bonus it also softens your footsteps. Grab this from Lower Wharf, Neptune's Bounty. For extra sneakiness you can buy Wrench Lurker 2 from a Gatherer's Garden machine later in the game.

Human Inferno

Increases the amount of damage delivered by flame attacks, making it an ideal companion to the Incinerate Plasmid. It also rather handily reduces the amount of damage that you receive from fire and heat. Available from Gatherer's Garden machines (Arcadia), as is the fiery upgrade from Point Prometheus onwards.

Photographer's Eye

Makes photos fill your research bar slightly quicker. You'll find this in the wild, down in the Winery Cellar in Farmer's Market. The upgrade is given to you when you research Big Daddy Rosies to Level 2.

'BioShock upgrade guide' Screenshot 3

These backstreet surgeons really need to be regulated.

Electric Flesh

An electro-version of Human Inferno. Find it in Fort Frolic, up in the Fleet Hall Theatre's projection booth after finishing Cohen's 'masterpiece'. Electric Flesh 2 can be found in Fontaine's Apartment, Olympus Heights.

Frozen Field

As above, only it affects ice attacks and should be combined with the Winter Blast Plasmid. Get this from the Frozen Tunnel, Fort Frolic (it's found on Finnegan's body). You'll find the upgrade outside the office of Andrew Ryan in Rapture Central Control.

Damage Research

Increases the damage bonuses you earn through research, and therefore essential if you're going to put in all the hard work snapping baddies. Found in the Lower Workshops, Hephaestus. Damage Research 2 boosts damage bonuses even more and is available late in the game from the Mendel Library, Point Prometheus.

Physical Gene Tonics

EVE Link

An essential Tonic. Supplies you with EVE every time you replenish you health with a first aid kit. Get it from any Gatherer's Garden machine (Medical Pavilion) for just 20 Adam. EVE Link 2, which provides even more EVE per kit, can be found in the wild as you first enter Farmer's Market.

Hacker's Delight

Supplements your health every time you successfully hack a device. You'll find it in the Medical Pavilion area, inside the Eternal Flame crematorium - fire up the furnace then search the ashes. The two upgrades give you additional health. Hacker's Delight 2 can be made at U-Invent machines (Fort Frolic), while Hacker's Delight 3 is located in Point Prometheus, inside Failsafe Armored Escorts.

Extra Nutrition

You'll receive a small health boost when you eat. Get the standard Tonic from a Gatherer's Garden machine (Neptune's Bounty) for 20 Adam. For what it's worth, Extra Nutrition 2 can be found in the wild, inside Sinclair Spirits (Fort Frolic) - you need to use the switch behind the counter to access the secret stairs outside. Extra Nutrition 3 is given to you if you research Spider Splicers to Level 4.

Medical Expert

Gives you an additional health boost when you use first aid kits. You'll find the standard Tonic in Lower Wharf, Neptune's Bounty. The two upgrades are both found in the wild - the first in Fort Frolic (given to you by Sander Cohen) and the second in Doctor Suchong's Clinic in Apollo Square.

Security Evasion

Causes security devices to delay seeing you for a few seconds. It's found near to Waterfall Grotto, Arcadia. Security Evasion 2 increased the delay further and can be found in Lower Heat Loss Monitoring, Hephaestus. It's a useful Tonic to have later in the game when the security steps up a notch.

Bloodlust

You'll receive both health and EVE when you whack somebody with the Wrench, making this a very useful Tonic. It can be made at U-Invent machines (Fort Frolic).

Booze Hound

Instead of losing EVE when you drink alcohol, with Booze Hound you actually gain some. Like Bloodlust, you can mix this together at U-Invent machines (Fort Frolic), although the ingredients should really be used on something that's actually useful.

'BioShock upgrade guide' Screenshot 4

You fetch some sticks and I'll find the marshmallows.

Sportboost

Increases the speed at which you rush and attack with the Wrench. Given to you if you research Thuggish Splicers to Level 2, with the speedier Sportboost 2 rewarded when you reach Level 4.

Scrounger

Lets you search corpses again to find different stuff, which may be better or worse than your original find. To get it research Leadhead Splicers to Level 2.

Natural Camouflage

A fine, fine Tonic that allows you to blend into the background when you stand still, making you invisible to enemies and security systems. Research Houdini Splicers to Level 2 and it's yours.

Engineering Gene Tonics

Security Expert

Makes hacking devices easier by slowing down the liquid flow and removing troublesome tiles. Found in Twilight Fields, Medical Pavilion. You'll received Security Expert 2 if you research Security Bots to Level 2, although it's worth pointing out that if you reach Level 4 then all hacks automatically succeed anyway.

Speedy Hacker

Slows down the liquid flow speed when hacking. Get this from the Painless Dental clinic in the Medical Pavilion. If you really can't hack it then buy the improved Speedy Hacker 2 from Gatherer's Garden machines (Olympus Heights).

Shorten Alarms

Reduces the amount of time that alarms sound for. Found in the Neptune's Bounty area, on the top floor of Fighting McDonagh's - enter 7533 to unlock the door with the combination lock and then listen to the Audio Diary inside. Shorten Alarms 2 does exactly what you'd expect and can be found on the lowest floor of Geothermal Control, Hephaestus.

Focused Hacker

Reduces the number of Overload tiles when playing the hacking mini-game. Found inside ice at the entrance to Fontaine Fisheries, Neptune's Bounty. Focused Hacker 2, which removes even more Overload tiles, is located on the fourth floor of Hestia Chambers, Apollo Square.

Hacking Expert

As above, only this Tonic removes both an Overload and an Alarm tile. You'll find it as you enter the Research Labs in Arcadia. The upgrade removes two of each tile and can be bought from a Gatherer's Garden machine (Fort Frolic) for 50 Adam.

Alarm Expert

Another non-essential hacking tool. This one removes only Alarm tiles. Find it on the leftmost balcony inside Fleet Hall Theatre, Fort Frolic. Alarm Expert 2 is found later on inside Optimized Eugenics, Point Prometheus.

'BioShock upgrade guide' Screenshot 5

Open as wide as you can and say ahhhh!

Clever Inventor

A must-have Tonic that reduces the quantity of each ingredient required to make stuff at U-Invent machines by one. And by hacking the machine you can reduce the quantity by one again. Make sure you grab this from Suchong's Apartment in Olympus Heights.

Prolific Inventor

For every item you create at the U-Invent machines you get double. Great for stocking up on rare and powerful ammo. You get this for rescuing 18 Little Sisters.

Safecracker

Like the Security Expert Tonic, only specifically for hacking safes and locks. Rescue six Little Sisters to receive this. The upgraded Safecracker 2 can be found in the lower room of the Educational Facility in Point Prometheus.

Picture of Martyn.

About Martyn Carroll

Martyn has been writing about video games since 1997. He launched Retro Gamer magazine in 2004 and has been typecast as a lover of rubbish old games ever since. His specialist subject is actually the Crabs novel of Guy N. Smith.

Read more articles from Martyn by visiting the Martyn Carroll archive page.

You may also like...

Comments (40) Latest comment 5 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • BobsYourUncle #1 5 years ago

    OMG SPOILERS!!!!!!

  • Killerbee #2 5 years ago

    Nice concept for an article, but I daren't read it until I've finished the game at least once over!

  • lennon #3 5 years ago

    Ahhh nearly clicked on it. Couldnt you have a seperate section for this sort of thing?

  • wizbob #4 5 years ago

    I thought it was a guide to upgrading your PC, something I'm sadly contemplating.

  • PlugMonkey #5 5 years ago

    Me neither, Killerbee. I didn't even read the last page of the review!

  • absolutezero #6 5 years ago

    I like this, explaining how handy some of the Plasmids can be may influence people into playing a different way.

    In my experience all my friends handled situations in the exact same way, electrobolt and then gun or wrench.

    While I was running backwards laying cyclones on the ground and incinerating everything. Part of the fun is playing with all the toys you've been given, not just 2.

  • JediMasterMalik #7 5 years ago

    Damnit Bobs, I was going to that. :(

  • Hypercube #8 5 years ago

    @Wizbob - me too :( Guess I'll have to work it out meself then.

  • Wayne #9 5 years ago

    Yeah, I'm not reading this either :0|

  • Kazzahdrane #10 5 years ago

    Hmmmmm. So, the achievement to get 53? plasmids and tonics...can you still manage that if you harvest all the little sisters instead of saving them? If I ever replay the game I wanted to be a badass and get more Adam but I'd want that achievement too which I missed the first time round.

  • Bezzy #11 5 years ago

    I know you had a lot to cover, so I won't berate you by saying that you completely undersold Decoy. It is your friend, and quite cheap in terms of Eve. Used right, it's even game-breakingly cheap.

    General Combat
    If your enemy sees you while you place a decoy, they'll still shoot at you. Fear not. The moment you hide from their view, they'll switch focus to the decoy. So if you're in a fight you can't handle, place it and get behind something.

    Turrets
    Use decoy to distract a turret, then hack it (but make sure you take a photo first!).

    Security
    Use it to distract a camera to get past (the camera will fix on the decoy and its light will turn white, but it won't trigger security), or to hack the camera while it's distracted.

    Bait
    If you've set up ambushes with trip wires, prox mines, turrets or security systems, use the decoy to lure enemies into the kill zone. Note that Lead Heads and Rosies prefer to attack from range, and are less likely to close in on the bait, but Thugs, Spiders and Bouncers will make a b-line to it.

    Research
    You get more research points for Action Shots, but you don't really want to be attacked while taking photos. Use the decoy to draw attention of turrets, cameras, big daddies and splicers, and then take research shots in absolute safety.

    Turrets vs. Big Daddies
    If a big daddy is in sight of an enemy turret, place the decoy on the big daddy to hurt him a lot. He won't aggro on you, and he doesn't seem that bothered about the turret either.

    Security Shutdown
    If you trigger an alarm, place a decoy, check the map for the closest bot shutdown, and get running. The decoy should draw fire until you've legged it to the shutdown switch.

    In other words, decoy is a solution for just about everything. It also makes the boss a complete no brainer.
    Edited by 1 at 29/08/07 @ 14:23

  • Caimbeul #12 5 years ago

    research? inventions? what? I've only just beaten the guy in the medical pavilion! doesnt say how you can buy new slots for tonics and plasmids though?

  • krudster #13 5 years ago

    Space Giraffe review was written last week, but held back because of a deluge of priority content.

  • GrandpaUlrira #14 5 years ago

    Tips 'n' cheats?! On EG?!?!

  • Xerx3s #15 5 years ago

    Caimbeul: A lot of stuff will be revealed later on in the game.

  • OrangeGoblin #16 5 years ago

    GAH! I'm still waiting for my 360 to be delivered along with a copy of Bioshock - spoiler warnings would be nice, or at least a less misleading article title!

  • X201 #17 5 years ago

    POKE 35136,0

  • Killerbee #18 5 years ago

    To be fair, the article does say "... be warned - there be big spoilers ahead."

    I read that far and stopped, so no complaints from me - other than the fact I haven't got enough spare time to sit in front of my PC playing the game!!!!

  • Der_tolle_Emil #19 5 years ago

    Space Giraffe is a 5/10. Add it to your game collection and have a look at the EG score. Unless they changed the score; It was 5/10 on the weekend though.

    Edit: Still 5/10. Might as well fix this bug while you're at it EG - if it indeed is a bug. Haven't found anything else on the page yet that ignores the fact that the review isn't published yet.
    Edited by 1 at 29/08/07 @ 15:21

  • RichGL #20 5 years ago

    Argh @ Bezzy

    You bloody temptress you! Now I'll always be thinking "hmmm, this would be so much easier... with a decoy"

    I wasn't bothered about them before.

    Actually scrap that - rage and command big daddy are far too much fun to give up.

  • Kafeen #21 5 years ago

    You mean you haven't finished it yet?
    What are you doing on Eurogamer?
    Go play BioShock!

  • GuitarWolf #22 5 years ago

    "Tips 'n' cheats?! On EG?!?!"

    Noooooooooooooooooo. what is happening to the EG I know and love. First a "most wanted" now this.

  • RichGL #23 5 years ago

    Next a game guide section and a torrent of fanboys.

    Oh wait.

  • WrongShui #24 5 years ago

    Security Bullseye is effectively one big daddy kill with no effort, almost like a free 60-90 dollars when you see.

    If there's a camera nearby, since it wont attack you or the camera and gets chewed up by bots.

    It works if you have or haven't hacked it too.
    Edited by 1 at 29/08/07 @ 15:52

  • Chaote-Imagicka #25 5 years ago

    "Space Giraffe review was written last week, but held back because of a deluge of priority content."

    Space Giraffe is priority content!

  • The_Inquisitor #26 5 years ago

    Thanks for the spoilers warning! : )

  • andromeda #27 5 years ago

    EDGE review bioshock

    8/10

    theres always one who spoils the party

  • Caimbeul #28 5 years ago

    @ Xerx3s: Thanks - that suggests there is plent more to go :-D

    @as702ecs: I thought it might be about what you need to upgrade to to get it to run too! doh!

  • mingster #29 5 years ago

    EDGE review Space Giraffe

    8/10

    As good as BioSHock then !!

  • thedaveeyres #30 5 years ago

    Meh... it's not as good as Blue Dragon.

    :p

  • krudster #31 5 years ago

    Are we forcing you to read it?

  • MrWonderstuff #32 5 years ago

    Some odd people who post on this forum to be sure.

  • urban #33 5 years ago

    SPOILLLERRR

  • HMAN #34 5 years ago

    How do I unlock more plamid slots.? I have 4/5 but can only equip 2.

  • samadriel #35 5 years ago

    Buy the slots with Adam at a Gatherer's Garden. The Plasmid slots cost about 100, can't recall the other prices.

  • RedPanda #36 5 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • kangarootoo #37 5 years ago

    Are people being sarcastic when they complain of spoilers?

    The article had a warning at the top, and what would you expect to find in a comments thread associated with an article that warned you that it contained spoilers?

    Sheesh. I'm amazed some people can cross the road without assistance.

  • the_tellurian #38 5 years ago

    8/10 is a perfectly realistic score for this game.
    Now this article... Bioshock is easy enough as it is. Really no need for any guides, as a lot of the fun in the game comes from finding out how to use things.

  • YourMessageHere #39 5 years ago

    Winter Blast is much more useful than you make it sound. It's great for freezing turrets so you can hack them - the same practical effect as electrobolt but it uses about half the eve - and also extremely useful for freezing Big Daddies in place while you pepper them with armour-piercing rounds.

    Also, incinerate is not the only thing that melts ice. Napalm does it too. Similarly, electric gel does the same as electrobolt on machines and malfunctioning doors, at a fraction of the ammo cost.

  • RichGL #40 5 years ago

    Oh crap the number crunchers are ripping into Bioshock!

    No need!