Skip to main content

BioShock upgrade guide

Take control and evolve yourself.

Dark blue icons of video game controllers on a light blue background
Image credit: Eurogamer

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.

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.

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.

seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com