Pauper’s Drop Market

Deep down in the heart of Pauper’s Drop is a little spot the locals call Market Square. If you’re hungry, looking for an ADAM fix, or just need a dry bed for the night, the Market’s got what you’re looking for. Stop on by… but watch your back.

Trial 1

This Trial caters to those skilled in sniping, since your only munitions are of the precision variety. Success in this Trial takes constant use of Cyclone Trap to protect the Little Sister, marksmanship, and frequent use of Decoy. Hack the vending machines and Health Station and lay down several Cyclone Traps at the base of the stairs near the Little Sister. Don’t put the Cyclone Traps so close to one another that a single Splicer sets more than one off when getting bounced skyward.

Stick close to the Little Sister and use the Rivet Gun or Heavy Rivets to headshot each of the Thuggish and Leadhead Splicers as they attack in the first wave. Listen for the Little Sister to scream should one get beyond your defenses and turn to use a Cyclone Trap to propel the attacker away before the Gather multiplier drops. Use the Decoy to lure any Brute Splicers away from you so you can switch to the Shotgun and open fire with Solid Slugs. Solid Slugs and Cyclone Trap in unison can make quick work of a Brute Splicer. Brute Splicers are most likely to run for the Health Station when low on health; let them go if you hacked it ahead of time.

Leave a few Cyclone Traps set up near a Decoy away from the Little Sister (but within view of her) whenever you make a run to a vending machine. Even though you can use the large pool of water to the left of the Circus of Values to gradually replenish Health and EVE thanks to the Fountain of Youth, it’s more efficient to simply buy a few First-Aid Kits and get back to your Little Sister.

Trial 2

This Trial is more straightforward than the prior one, given that you have more general-purpose ammo and Plasmids at your disposal. The Mini-Turrets will be particularly useful later in the Gather. Although the El Ammo Bandito sells additional Mini-Turrets, it has a limited supply of them. Try to fend off the opening wave of Splicers with just the .50 Caliber Rounds, Incinerate!, and Winter Blast. Stick close to the Little Sister and use the un-charged versions of these two Plasmids with the Machine Gun to kill the first ten or so Splicers.

Lay a pair of Mini-Turrets down near the Little Sister Vent so they are out of sight from the more distant Splicers. Switch to the Anti-Personnel Rounds and Winter Blast 2 and prepare for the arrival of the first Brute Splicer. Freeze the Brute Splicer when he gets within sight of the Mini-Turrets, then open fire with the Anti-Personnel Rounds. Switch back to the .50 Caliber Rounds and Incinerate!, provided you don’t use Incinerate! on distant enemies near the pool of water—it has no effect on enemies standing in water.

Don’t be afraid to throw your body at the Splicers who manage to threaten the Little Sister, because Ice Storm will freeze any assailants who hit you with a melee strike. This buys you time if you are in the midst of switching ammunition types or need to use an EVE Hypo.

Trial 3

Similar to the third trial at the Atlantic Express Station, this Trial arms you with your trusty Drill, a pair of Security Bots care of the Security Command 2 Plasmid, and Insect Swarm 2. Better yet, you also get the ability to lay down Mini-Turrets right near the Little Sister for added protection. Place one Mini-Turret near the Little Sister Vent and another on the ledge near the stairs, then switch back to the Drill for the start of the battle.

Insect Swarm 2 splits into different swarms to attack multiple enemies. This Plasmid, together with the two Security Bots you summon, is all you need to get through the first two waves of enemies. Cast Insect Swarm in different directions as the Splicers attack while you stick close to the Little Sister. Use your Drill Dash attack only if necessary, otherwise opt for strict melee attacks.

Ensure you have plenty of Drill Fuel on hand at all times and stock up on Mini-Turrets, as well. Your Mini-Turrets will eventually run out of ammo and disappear, even if they are not destroyed by a Splicer. Pay attention to the Mini-Turrets and replace them as necessary. Don’t be afraid to use three or four at once during the latter third of the Gather, when more Brute Splicers attack at once. Remember that the Brute Splicers will only go after you, so lure them away from the Little Sister and let the Mini-Turrets fend off the Splicers.

Bonus Trial

Fire an array of Trap Rivets at the wall inside the hallway near the Circus of Values machine where many of the Splicers originate. Place some Proximity Mines near the pool of water and Trap Spears near the El Ammo Bandito machine as you prepare for battle. Summon a pair of Elite Security Bots, lay down a pair of Mini-Turrets near the Gather Corpse, and ready your Hypnotize 3 Plasmid, as with the other Bonus Trials. Let your defenses and mechanical allies take care of the early attackers while you stand back and watch the Little Sister work. Open fire on any Splicers that get too close while you listen for the sounds of a Brute Splicer. Charge up the Hypnotize 3 Plasmid and use it to befriend the giant enemy.