BIOSHOCK - strategy for Big Daddy

[Deimos]

Most of you have probably heard about this game. And those who read reviews or played it know about the infamous "vital chambers" that essentially give you infinite lives.

However for the small group out there who refuses to use these handicaps and insist on playing on hard difficulty (after all it is a "the way its meant to be played" game):

(1st daddy)
1. Know the map layout. Run backwards so you can still shoot the beast, and hopefully tell when to dodge his devasting rush attach.
2. Big Daddies dont take corners well. You can usually avoid attacks runnin around columns, fountains, inner walls etc. You can lead him into area behind the bar counter, jump over the top and shoot from behind bar counter until he makes his way back out.
3. Little Sisters are imovable objects! This is important. Try to lead the Big Daddy such that the little sister is between you and him. If she is blocking a narrow path, the Big Daddy will be stuck until she moves away.
4. Big Daddy cant jump. Wherever there are stairs, you can lead him up them, and then jump off. You've near instantly gotten to the bottom, while he has to run there.
5. Ofcourse you've learned from the in game hints that armor piercing ammo (pistol) is extra effective against Big Daddies. Shotgun is also good (notice how direct hit causes his damage bar to highlight red). Dont bother with expensive electric shock shotgun shells, especially not on Rosie varient. I like using machine gun, especially to finish him off. But, dont just hold trigger.. many shots will miss.. use short burst, unless he's in your face.

Later on in the game <<spoilers>>:
* Freeze him to buy some time if you're running low on health or need to reload. This gives you a lot more time than the zapper.
* Before starting the fight, bring a couple gas tanks or explosive barrels over. Throw them at him using telekenesis. If he's throwign grenades, return them to him.
* If possible, try to lead him towards turrets or security cameras that you've hacked. This diversion will save you lots of ammo, and allow you to get more direct hits.
* Bring along a hypnotized Big Daddy into fire fights, or an eranged slicer with grenades.
* A cheap copt out is to lead Big Daddy to where he cant climb up, or where there is duct work (and he cant fit). If he's up close he wont be able to shoot you. Fire away.

[Carnage]

I found proximaty mines work pretty well.

Drop 6 of them on the ground in one cluster. Then take one shot at the big daddy to piss him off. Boom, dead.

Not sure if you need to use 6 though, might be overkill.

[pennywize]

I find trap bolts and the crossbow to be extremely effective.

Set up trap bolts along the walls, shoot him in the face, he'll come charging at you activating all your trap bolts, then a few more shots of the crossbow and he's dead. I've lost zero health using this strategy.

Bouncers: Electric buck + Electrobolt always works
Rosies: Machine gun + Teleketics (throwing back their proximity mines) is good

It's also fun to hynotize another big daddy and have two of them duke it out -- then you kill the winner

[Vertigo]

(Upgraded) Chemical thrower + electric gel = dead Big Daddy. Sure, it takes up almost a full canister, but what else are you going to be using electric gel for?

[JetSter735180]

(Upgraded) Chemical thrower + electric gel = dead Big Daddy. Sure, it takes up almost a full canister, but what else are you going to be using electric gel for?

I completly agree, Electric gel is for big daddy only.

[Lone_Prodigy]

Charge at it, using your strongest weapon.

Die.

Respawn with most of your inventory. Repeat.

[Carnage]

It's also fun to hynotize another big daddy and have two of them duke it out -- then you kill the winner

Hypnotize big daddy I tend to be cautious with.

Too many times I've had it turn on me during a fight after it accidently hits one of my traps.

Charge at it, using your strongest weapon.

Die.

Respawn with most of your inventory. Repeat.

Where's the fun in that though?

[Deimos]

Hypnotize big daddy I tend to be cautious with.

Too many times I've had it turn on me during a fight after it accidently hits one of my traps.



Where's the fun in that though?

I know what you mean about hypnotize coming back to bite you in the a..
Anybody here try to use Rage against Big Daddies? What about wrench?

Re Proximity Mine:
I think enemy HP increases if you play on higher difficulty. Haven't actually bothered trying anything but hard (would prefer "nightmare" but what can you do). Anyway, tried setting up half-dozen proximity mines and Big Rosie was still up and alive and kicking with more than half health.

I very much like the distraction fo hacked security cameras. Makes taking out difficult enemies much much easier...