How to Take Down Big Daddies in Bioshock

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Learn a variety of ways to kill the game's toughest enemies
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You hear its heavy footsteps and ominous breathing from around the corner, and you know you’re in a pickle. It’ll take more than that pistol to bring down Bioshock’s iconic Big Daddies, and we’re here to show you how, from prepping for the fight to the best weapons and strategies to use that’ll smash that looming diving suit in half.

Things You Should Know

  • Use electric buck shotgun shells to temporarily stun a Big Daddy, then hit it with armor-piercing rounds for a reliable way to take down these enemies.
  • Use your environment to your advantage. Shock puddles with electric weapons to stun Big Daddies, or set up traps with trap crossbow bolts or proximity mines.
  • Use your telekinesis plasmid to catch explosives thrown by Big Daddies and hurl them right back. Or load up a gas tank with proximity mines, then throw it.
Section 1 of 2:

Before the Fight

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  1. Fighting a Big Daddy is as much about preparation as it is combat. They’re tough enemies, and you’re at a natural disadvantage, so load up on supplies to give yourself the best odds. Before you go in guns blazing, make sure you:
    • Have at least 1 first-aid kit, or another consumable item that restores your health.
    • Have at least 1 EVE Hypo, or another consumable to refill your blue bar after using plasmids.
    • Are holding plenty of ammo for your weapon of choice (more on that below), and that it’s reloaded.
    • Activate the nearest Vita-Chamber so you respawn nearby if you die.
  2. In Bioshock , your surroundings are as much a weapon as your actual firearms. If you know a fight is coming, take a look around and ask yourself:
    • Have you hacked any turrets that you can use?
    • Have you disabled all those annoying security cameras?
    • Have you gotten rid of nearby splicers, which can distract you in a fight?
    • Did you notice any puddles that you might electrocute to gain an advantage?
    • Do you have an escape route if the fight goes bad?
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Section 2 of 2:

Weapons and Strategies

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  1. Electric buck shells are your bread and butter. They temporarily shock Big Daddies, making it so you can unload on them, without them unloading on you. [1]
    • For optimal damage, switch to a different weapon or ammo type after stunning the Big Daddy with an electric buck (armor-piercing rounds work best).
    • Also, shoot the Big Daddy while it’s standing in a puddle to enhance the shock effect.
  2. Explosive bucks are exploding shotgun shells that do tons of damage, and also set Big Daddies on fire. They’re usually overkill for lesser enemy types, so hoard them for when you find a Big Daddy. Then, let ‘em rip!
    • RPGs are also best saved for Big Daddies, and are best used from a high vantage point, where you have a clear line of sight and plenty of time to reload.
    • That said, make sure you have a vantage point or some cover after you shoot your first shell, because explosions don't slow down these monsters.
  3. When you’re farther away, the big guys love hurling grenades and proximity mines to get you from a distance. Luckily, one of the first abilities you acquire is telekinesis. Use this plasmid to catch those explosives in mid-air, then send them flying back at the Big Daddy to wrack up huge amounts of damage. [2]
    • Also, place a bunch of proximity mines on an object that can be used telekinetically, like an oxygen tank. Then use the plasmid to pick it up and hurl it, which could kill the Big Daddy in 1 shot.
    • Distracting Big Daddies with the “Security Bullseye” or “Insect Swarm” plasmids can save precious seconds in a hostile situation. This does, however, mean you spend extra EVE.
  4. Lay proximity mines, hack turrets, and take note of any nearby gas tanks. Then, run and lure the Big Daddy toward these. With some luck, shooting at nearby gas tanks can deal enough damage to eliminate a Big Daddy, though you may have to do it multiple times.
    • Also, use trap bolts for the crossbow to set up a hallway of deadly electricity. Just be sure to crouch as you walk through them so as not to set them off yourself.
    • Traps are great for Bouncers, or drill-type Big Daddies, since these like to get up in your face and close combat isn’t ideal.
  5. The chemical thrower is found in Langford Research Labs in Arcadia, and is one of the surest ways to take down Big Daddies, especially when using the electric gel ammo. That ammo is pretty hard to get your hands on, though, so save this method for harder fights, or for Rosies—the bigger, badder Big Daddies. [3]
  6. Get this plasmid by choosing to rescue 3 Little Sisters, then use it on a Big Daddy to make it protect you as if you were a Little Sister, yourself. Be warned, though: it uses a full bar of EVE and only works for 90 seconds, so be prepared to either run or fight when it wears off. [4]
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      Tips

      • Use the Scrounger Tonic, available after reaching level 2 of Leadhead Splicer Research, to loot downed Big Daddies for big cash. [5]
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      Warnings

      • Unless you’ve upgraded your grenade launcher with the immunity attachment, it's best to use explosives from a distance, and at an angle that enables you to avoid getting caught in the blast.
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      • Don't be afraid to die; it can sometimes be better to conserve your first-aid kits for harder battles. If you’re trying to complete the game without dying, heal when you’re at about 1/4 health—healing too early can waste the kit.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/bioshock/Basics
      2. ↑ https://www.ign.com/wikis/bioshock/Basics
      3. ↑ https://www.gamepressure.com/bioshock/#NH3_5
      4. ↑ https://www.gamebanshee.com/bioshock/plasmids/hypnotizebigdaddy.php
      5. ↑ https://www.gamebanshee.com/bioshock/physicaltonics.php

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      Reader Success Stories

      • Anonymous

        Feb 18, 2017

        "Learned to use the exploding shock gun shells against Big Daddies."
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