This chapter contains all you need to know about the gene-altering effects of Plasmids and tonics. The power of ADAM has been used to create dozens of upgrades to the human body, and while you are technically a Big Daddy, you’re still a man beneath all of that armor. Plasmids (active) and tonics (passive) grant the body the ability to do everything from run faster to spew fire! They also grant you, the player, the ability to customize your very own experience to suit your style of play.
Gatherer’s Garden vending machines are your primary source for Plasmids and tonics. However, these special vending machines don’t deal in money. It takes ADAM to purchase something here! These machines carry all sorts of Plasmids, tonics, health and EVE upgrades, and even extra Plasmid and Tonic Slots. These machines are scattered throughout all of Rapture and can easily be identified by the plastic statues of the Little Sisters (aka Gatherers) next to them. You’ll also no doubt hear the Little Sisters singing their trademark jingle whenever you’re in the vicinity of a Gatherer’s Garden.
The following table contains all of the items you can purchase at a Gatherer’s Garden machine in the order they become available during your trip through Rapture. Note that many of these Plasmids and tonics can also be found in the environment—for free—through thorough searching, but there are also others that can only be obtained as Research Bonuses or as a gift from the Little Sisters in exchange for rescuing them. You’ll receive a gift containing a rare Gene Tonic for every four Little Sisters you rescue. No such gifts are granted for harvesting Little Sisters, but you do gain more ADAM to spend.
Gatherer’s Garden Master List
| Item | ADAM | First Available | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Incinerate! | 90 | Ryan Amusements | Plasmid | Set objects and creatures on fire. Ages 12 and up. |
| Health Upgrade | 40 | Ryan Amusements | Upgrade | Increase your maximum health. |
| EVE Link | 30 | Ryan Amusements | Tonic | First-Aid Kits also give you EVE. |
| EVE Upgrade | 40 | Ryan Amusements | Upgrade | Increase your maximum EVE. |
| Gene Tonic Slot | 25 | Ryan Amusements | Slot | Unlock an additional Gene Tonic Slot. |
| Armored Shell | 45 | Ryan Amusements | Tonic | Reduces all physical damage. |
| Careful Hacker | 25 | Ryan Amusements | Tonic | The hacking needle moves slightly slower. |
| Extra Nutrition | 20 | Ryan Amusements | Tonic | You gain a little extra health from snacks and bandages. |
| Plasmid Slot | 40 | Pauper’s Drop | Slot | Unlock an additional Plasmid Slot. |
| Electro Bolt 2 | 120 | Pauper’s Drop | Plasmid | Stun multiple opponents with the power of Chain Lightning! |
| Decoy | 60 | Pauper’s Drop | Plasmid | Creates a Decoy that draws attacks away from you. |
| Winter Blast | 60 | Pauper’s Drop | Plasmid | Freeze your foes in place. Shatter them into a thousand pieces. |
| Cyclone Trap | 60 | Pauper’s Drop | Plasmid | Create traps that launch Splicers into the air—and hurt them badly on the way down. |
| Telekinesis 2 | 100 | Pauper’s Drop | Plasmid | Stronger Telekinesis allows you to throw harder for more damage! |
| EVE Saver | 50 | Pauper’s Drop | Tonic | Plasmids use less EVE. |
| Drill Lurker | 30 | Pauper’s Drop | Tonic | Quiets your footsteps, and increases damage from melee attacks on unaware opponents, especially with the Drill Swing. |
| Machine Buster | 45 | Pauper’s Drop | Tonic | Increases damage you deal to Security Cameras, Security Bots, and Turrets. |
| Short Circuit | 35 | Pauper’s Drop | Tonic | Your electrical attacks disable security devices much longer. |
| Headhunter | 50 | Pauper’s Drop | Tonic | Your headshots do more damage. |
| Scout | 40 | Siren Alley | Plasmid | Move through the world as an invisible, Plasmid-wielding Scout! |
| Incinerate! 2 | 120 | Siren Alley | Plasmid | Light up the room with the new Fire Bomb ability! |
| Winter Blast 2 | 100 | Siren Alley | Plasmid | Freeze your foes in a solid ice block! |
| Hypnotize 2 | 120 | Siren Alley | Plasmid | Charge up to Befriend Splicers to join your cause! |
| Cyclone Trap 2 | 100 | Siren Alley | Plasmid | Charge up your traps with Plasmids for a variety of effects! |
| Insect Swarm | 60 | Siren Alley | Plasmid | Release a swarm of stinging insects that seeks out enemies. |
| Electric Flesh | 35 | Siren Alley | Tonic | You take no damage from electricity. You deal more damage when you use electrical attacks. |
| EZ-Hack | 55 | Siren Alley | Tonic | Hacking success zones become a little larger. |
| Medical Expert | 25 | Siren Alley | Tonic | You can carry one more First-Aid Kit. |
| Security Evasion | 45 | Siren Alley | Tonic | Security Cameras and Turrets take longer to see you. |
| Walking Inferno | 40 | Siren Alley | Tonic | You take less damage from fire and inflict more damage when you use fire. |
| Cyclone Trap 3 | 140 | Dionysus Park | Plasmid | Place traps on walls and ceilings! |
| Insect Swarm 2 | 100 | Dionysus Park | Plasmid | Keep the room jumping with a more effective Insect Swarm! |
| Security Command 2 | 75 | Dionysus Park | Plasmid | Call in a friend with the added ability to summon Security Bots! |
| Ice Storm | 35 | Dionysus Park | Tonic | You emit a burst of ice when struck by melee attacks, with a chance to freeze foes. |
| Keen Observer 2 | 50 | Dionysus Park | Tonic | Increases Research Bonuses even more, allowing you to progress faster at research. |
| Quik-Hack | 45 | Dionysus Park | Tonic | Hacking has fewer stages. |
| Shorten Alarms 2 | 50 | Dionysus Park | Tonic | Further reduces duration of camera alarms. |
| Electro Bolt 3 | 225 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Become a master of electricity with the power of Electrical Storm. |
| Scout 2 | 60 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Your invisible Scout can hack Security! |
| Incinerate! 3 | 200 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Set the world on fire with the new Eruption ability! |
| Winter Blast 3 | 200 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Freeze and shatter multiple foes with continuous Icicle Assault ability! |
| Hypnotize 3 | 160 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Now you can Befriend the big boys! |
| Insect Swarm 3 | 130 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Keep your insects working for you with the new Swarm Bomb ability. |
| Decoy 2 | 100 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Creates a Decoy that draws attacks away from you and reflects damage back at foes. |
| Decoy 3 | 120 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Creates a Decoy that draws attacks away from you, reflects damage back, and gives it to you as health. |
| Security Command 3 | 100 | Fontaine Futuristics | Plasmid | Summon upgraded Bots with Security Command 3! |
| EVE Expert | 50 | Fontaine Futuristics | Tonic | You can carry one more EVE Hypo. |
| EVE Saver 2 | 75 | Fontaine Futuristics | Tonic | Plasmids use even less EVE. |
| Hurried Hacker | 45 | Fontaine Futuristics | Tonic | Landing in a blue bonus zone ends a hack instantly. |
| Short Circuit 2 | 65 | Fontaine Futuristics | Tonic | Your electrical attacks disable security devices permanently. |
| Telekinesis 3 | 250 | Inner Persephone | Plasmid | Pick up live enemies and throw them around! |