Splicers

The term “Splicer” refers to the hordes of deranged and disfigured lunatics seen roving around Rapture. These former citizens of Rapture became hooked on the substance known as ADAM and lost their grip with reality—along with their claim to humanity. Splicers are always on the search for additional ADAM and are extremely hostile. There are several types of Splicer, each having gained a particular attribute or ability as a side effect from their addiction. Splicers behave erratically and will stop at nothing in their hunt for ADAM—Subject Delta’s armor isn’t even a deterrent, so consider yourself warned.

Thuggish Splicer

Thuggish Splicers rely on brute force, bashing their enemies with any implement that comes to hand (a wrench or lead pipe being popular choices). These citizens are perhaps the most far-gone, having lost the ability to manipulate a gun’s trigger. Thuggish Splicers throw themselves at their target without regard for their own safety, making them a deadly foe. You will stop encountering Thuggish Splicers after Pauper’s Drop. If you want to complete research on them (and get the Scrounger Tonic), you better do it there.

Zap and Smack!

Limited to melee weapons, Thuggish Splicers have no choice but to bring the fight directly to you. They typically attack in groups of two or three and are especially common in the first several areas you visit. There is no right or wrong way to deal with a Thuggish Splicer, since they present the least amount of danger to the player and can be eliminated with any number of techniques. With that said, they possess the least HP and can be defeated without expending a single bullet. Use Electro Bolt to shock them, then move forward and strike them with a melee attack. The Drill Swing can crush their skulls and put them down with a single blow, whereas you may need two swings with the other weapons.

Thuggish splicer research bonuses

Leadhead Splicer

Despite the ravages of ADAM withdrawal, Leadhead Splicers have retained enough fine motor control to aim and fire pistols, shotguns, and machine guns. A Leadhead Splicer puts survival first, and will run for cover during a firefight. Their deadly accuracy makes even a single Leadhead Splicer a formidable threat. These Splicers are stronger (can take more damage) depending on the weapon that they have equipped: in the following order—Pistol Leadhead, Machine Gun Leadhead, Shotgun Leadhead.

Burn, Baby, Burn!

Leadhead Splicers are another low-level type of Splicer, but unlike the Thuggish Splicers they are often found carousing with, they prefer the power of firearms. Leadhead Splicers most often rely on pistols, but some can be seen carrying shotguns and machine guns —scavenge for ammo from the latter two to replenish your supply of 00 Buck and .50 Caliber Rounds. Leadhead Splicers generally keep their distance and strafe in and out of cover. Although they don’t pack a ton of HP, they can pose a threat. There are a number of effective techniques to employ against the Leadhead Splicers— particularly the Drill Dash—but few surpass the Incinerate! Plasmid for general effectiveness. Set them on fire with Incinerate! and watch them run in search of water, probably igniting one or two of their comrades in the process. Zap them with Electro Bolt when they hit the water, or open fire with the Rivet Gun or Machine Gun.

Leadhead splicer research bonuses

Houdini Splicer

Now you see it, now you don’t! The Houdini Splicer can disappear in the blink of an eye, teleport to a better vantage point, then hurl a volley of fireballs at his disoriented target. When confronted by a Houdini Splicer, your best bet is to immobilize the bugger with a quick shock from Electro Bolt, or a freezing Winter Blast.

The act of teleportation is accomplished when the Houdini Splicer disintegrates into a mist of molecules invisible to the naked eye. This atomized matter is whisked to a new location, then reconstituted in the Houdini’s original form. Watch for the telltale cloud of coalescing viscera to signal where the Houdini will reappear.

Study thy enemy

Houdini Splicers are the most advanced form of Splicer, as they have mastered the ability to hurl fireballs as well as the art of turning invisible. Houdini Splicers seemingly burst into a red mist of molecules, only to reappear moments later elsewhere in the area. One can spend an inordinate amount of time tracking a Houdini Splicer if it isn’t disposed of quickly. But before you go on theoffensive, reach for the Research Camera. The Level 2 Research Bonus earned from Houdini Splicers really makes your subsequent battles with them that much easier. Start filming, then hit them with Winter Blast or Electro Bolt and have your Speargun or Machine Gun (preferably loaded with Antipersonnel Rounds) on hand. Freeze or shock the Houdini Splicer to lock it in place, then open fire. It doesn’t hurt to deploy a Mini-Turret when squaring off against more than one Houdini Splicer—the Mini-Turrets can track the Houdini Splicers with surprising skill.

Houdini splicer research bonuses

Spider Splicer

Spider Splicers have injected a Gene Tonic cocktail that distends their limbs and loosens their joints, allowing them to wriggle through the vents and crawlspaces of Rapture. After sneaking up on their prey, they descend from above and drop in for the kill. When a Spider Splicer attacks, keep an eye on the walls and ceilings, and watch out for the flying hooks they fling at their targets from afar.

Unleash the bees!

Of all the Splicer varieties, the Spider Splicers are without a doubt the most disturbing. These acrobatic masters not only show off their agility by evading your gunfire with cartwheels and back handsprings, but they can even crawl around on the ceiling! Listen for the clanging around of their meat-hooks on the ceiling and quickly focus your Plasmid and guns skyward. Spider Splicers often roost upside-down on the ceiling and fling a series of razor sharp sickles at you, relying on the darkness of the shadows to conceal their whereabouts. On ground, Spider Splicers like to attack at close range and try to slash through your protective dive suit. Do not take Spider Splicers lightly; they are among the most lethal inhabitants of Rapture! Use Antipersonnel Rounds, and either hit them with the Incinerate! Plasmid to better see them while they burn or unleash the Insect Swarm Plasmid to chase the Spider Splicers into the shadows where they may be harder for you to see. Quickly swap to the Shotgun or Drill if they get close!

Spider splicer research bonuses

Brute Splicer

The top of the Splicer food chain, the Brute Splicer has grown his body to an enormous size. Valuing raw muscle mass over all else, the Brute Splicer bears down on his victims with a sudden shoulder charge, then finishes with a hail of vicious hammer blows. Brute Splicers also use their strength to heave boulders and other large obstacles at you. Use Telekinesis to catch the projectiles and throw them back at the Brute Splicer.

Freeze the beast

If there ever was a beast you needed to freeze in his tracks, it’s the Brute Splicer. This rampaging bull sprints across the room in attempt to slam his shoulder into you and unload with a hefty combo of overhead fist slams. Hit the Brute Splicer with Winter Blast to freeze him, then open fire with the Machine Gun, Shotgun, or Speargun. Brute Splicers appear with increased frequency beyond the Pauper’s Drop area. Upgrade your Winter Blast and Telekinesis Plasmids to enjoy the ability of freezing the Brute Splicer solid and throwing his icy body at other enemies. Additionally, it’s worth noting that a well-timed melee attack can knock the Brute Splicer out of his shoulder charge. It’s always safer to freeze this foe first—or use a Rocket Spear—but a quick strike of your weapon at the right moment can knock the Brute Splicer backwards and buy you a moment to retaliate before the melee barrage begins.

Brute splicer research bonuses