In order to survive the corroded corridors and corrupted citizenry of Bioshock's underwater city of Rapture, players are forced to alter their genetic codes via plasmids. These wonderdrugs allow users to shoot fire and lightning from their fingertips, block bullets with forcefields, or even command the city's mighty Big Daddies.
However, proper usage of these abilities is paramount to the player's success, particularly on higher difficulties. Here are 10 of the best plasmids available in Rapture across the Bioshock trilogy.
10 Security Bullseye (Bioshock)
Underrated by many players, the Security Bullseye plasmid allows players to hijack Rapture's network of security cameras and use them to their advantage. While standing in their sight for more than a second or two will alert an army of machine gun-wielding automatons, hitting the cameras with this plasmid turns the tables on Ryan's so-called eyes and ears, causing them to target splicers rather than the player.
This is doubly useful, as, not only will a swarm of security drones rush to attack a party of splicers, but up to two of them can be hacked, allowing for some extra personal protection. It can be picked up for free in Neptune's Bounty.
9 Hypnotize Big Daddy (Bioshock)
Another fairly overlooked plasmid, Hypnotize Big Daddy allows players to temporarily force these hulking brutes to act as their own personal guardians. When used with caution, this can be a huge advantage, though it comes with a few caveats.
Earned as a reward from Brigid Tenenbaum after saving three Little Sisters, this plasmid only allows for a hypnosis period of ninety seconds, though that can later be doubled via an enhanced version of the ability. Beyond that, Big Daddies will still attack that player should the player accidentally hit them with a stray bullet, so it's often best to sit back and let the metal monster do most of the fighting.
8 Peeping Tom (Burial At Sea Part 2)
Found in the Cupid's Arrow shop in Bioshock Infinite's final DLC, Burial At Sea Part 2, Peeping Tom is technically a vigor and not a plasmid, though we're not going to split hairs.
An essential elixir for this stealth/survival horror experience, Peeping Tom allows Elizabeth to see all nearby enemies through walls. This is extremely useful for detecting and tracking enemies, and, once upgraded, it can be used without depleting salts. Secondarily, it can also be used to turn the player invisible should they find themselves in need of a quick escape.
7 Ironsides (Burial At Sea Part 2)
Another vigor introduces in Bioshock Infinite's Burial At Sea Part 2, Ironsides allows Elizabeth to absorb gunfire and add that ammunition to her supply. Relatively similar to the Return To Sender vigor from the base game, Ironsides is excellent if used correctly.
As previously mentioned, Burial At Sea Part 2 de-emphasizes combat, focusing instead on stealth. This means that Ironsides should only ever be used as a last resort, though its upgrades, which allow for salt and health recovery upon use, make it almost overpowered. This vigor is available immediately after traversing the tear from Suchong's lab to the First Lady Airship.
6 Enrage (Bioshock)
Available to purchase from the first gatherer's garden in the Medical Pavilion, Enrage allows players to cause infighting between splicers, though they'll still attack the player should they be close enough.
Though it's not all that useful on its own, Enrage is great for those low on resources, as it forces parties of splicers to thin themselves out before engaging the player. However, this plasmid is best used if the player is able to quickly escape from his or her targets.
5 Bucking Bronco (Burial At Sea Part 1)
By the time most Burial At Sea Part 1 players get their hands on this vigor, the DLC has nearly reached its conclusion. However, while it won't necessarily help with the final showdown with the Big Daddy, Bucking Bronco is absolutely advantageous when used against a group of enemies.
Found in the Housewares Department but only accessible through the use of Old Man Winter, Bucking Bronco allows Booker to suspend enemies in mid-air, rendering them completely defenseless. This is most useful when fighting larger groups of enemies, as taking splicers out of action even temporarily can be a huge help.
4 Incinerate (Bioshock)
One of the most iconic plasmids in the series, Incinerate allows players to light enemies on fire, as the name would imply. It's one of the first powers players come across, and anyone who has made it to the first game's Medical Pavilion will be familiar with it.
Though it's somewhat hindered by the fact that it doesn't do all that much damage in its initial form and by the fact that it's ineffective against enemies standing in water, Incinerate is as badass as it is stylish, and we'd be remiss to omit it from this list.
3 Gravity Well (Minerva's Den)
The most unique inclusion in Bioshock 2's Minerva's Den DLC, Gravity Well essentially generates a temporary black hole before the player which sucks in enemies, corpses, items, and just about anything else in the vicinity. Though it may seem like a fairly useless plasmid at the outset, it's actually a fairly reliable way to stun antagonizing splicers.
Found in the manager's office in the Air-Tite archive's warehouse, it feels a bit like a precursor to Infinite's Bucking Bronco vigor. Additionally, when paired with Subject Sigma's beam rifle, it makes for an utterly devastating attack.
2 Insect Swarm (Bioshock)
Another of the premiere plasmids from the first Bioshock title, Insect Swarm is undoubtedly one of the most unique abilities in the game, and it can be found in the Silverwing Apiary, a small section of the Farmer's Market which is essentially themed around the power.
It may not be as direct as lighting someone on fire or as flashy as shooting lightning from your hands, but launching a swarm of bees from your arms is just so uniquely Bioshock. Additionally, this plasmid homes in on enemies, making it easy to use off-handedly during a hectic bout of combat.
1 Electro Bolt (Bioshock)
Clichéd though it may be, we can't ignore the utility of Bioshock's Electro Bolt. The very first plasmid players pick up in the game, it's incredibly effective in combat, stunning everything from run-of-the-mill splicers to enraged Big Daddies, and it can even chain to other enemies and will spread across a huge amount of space when in water.
What's more, Electro Bolt can be used to open certain jammed doors or to short out turrets. It seemingly has a use for every occasion, and, for that reason, it's the best plasmid in the sunken city of Rapture.