BioShock 2: Enemies and how to conduct a research on them bioshock2 Guide
Last update: 22 May 2022
Below you will find all information about conducting research in BioShock 2. A special camera is used to examine and study opponents. From our guide you will learn how to start recording and how to record the best videos. In the following section you will find a list of all enemy types with information on available research bonuses and hints on how to increase the effectiveness of research.
- How and why to use the camera in BioShock 2?
- Research: Thuggish Splicer
- Reseach: Leadhead Splicer
- Reseach: Houdini Splicer
- Reseach: Brute Splicer
- Reseach: Spider Splicer
- Reseach: Alpha Series
- Reseach: Big Daddy
- Reseach: Big Sister
- Reseach: Security
How and why to use the camera in BioShock 2?
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You will obtain the Research Camera during your stay at the Pauper's Drop location.
Each time you begin to record, a counter will appear on the left side of the screen, telling you how much points you have gained. The amount of point you gain fills up the research progress bar of each enemy. You can check you progress by accessing one of the cards on the map screen. The camera also allows you to take photos of dead bodies, but the small amount of experience gained makes this option practically useless.
Quoting Sinclair - recording a move with the camera is like telling a joke - the more times you hear it, the less funny it becomes - that's because you should always try to record various fights. If you have already recorded a movie on which you kill a certain enemy with the Drill, use the Rivet Gun the next time and so on. You can also mix in some Plasmids, set traps and charged cyclones, send hypnotized enemies into a fight, set some mini turrets and so on. The possibilities are large, so use your imagination and invention.
Researching each enemy type can result in maximally four profits (research bonuses),, unlocked as you make progress in the research. Try to look for every opportunity to record a new movie to complete your research before you finish the game. Unfortunately, in BioShock 2 you can't go back to previous locations and your enemies can't respawn that easily. Recording battles is especially relevant in case of less common enemies (for example, like big sisters).
Below I've placed detailed descriptions of each enemy, a list of bonuses and some tips which will let you finish the research faster.
Research: Thuggish Splicer
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increased damage + 2. Increases your wallet capacity from 600 to 800 dollars 3. Increased damage ++ 4. Tonic [Scrounger] |
The most common enemy in the game. Uses only melee weapons, which makes his attacks predictable and easy to avoid.
How to speed up the research:
- Electrocute him before hitting with the Drill.
- Use Telekinesis to throw exploding barrels at them.
- Set fire onto the poor guy and electrocute him once he jumps into a pool of water.
- Freeze and hit with the Drill.
- Hack the Health Stations. If the enemy will want to patch up, he'll get damaged.
Reseach: Leadhead Splicer
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increased damage + 2. Cameras and turrets take longer to notice you 3. Increased damage ++ 4. Tonic [Thrifty Hacker] |
Equipped use revolvers, machine guns, shotguns or grenades. They try to keep at distance and can be quite a pain in larger groups (especially on higher difficulty settings), so try to eliminate them first.
How to speed up the research:
- Use Incinerate on alcohol bottles to create Molotov cocktails.
- Use Telekinesis to throw the cocktails at them to set them on fire.
- Lure an enemy to a friendly camera/turret.
Reseach: Houdini Splicer
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increased damage + 2. Makes it easier to determine where he's going to teleport 3. Increased damage ++ 4. Tonic [Natural Camouflage] |
A teleporting enemy, using a fire Plasmid. He shoots some projectiles in your direction and then disappears. You should then look for red mist, which indicates where he's going to appear next. Completing the second stage of research makes the fight easier. It's worth to mention that even using the camera makes the fight easier, as the currently researched target is highlighted
How to speed up the research:
- Use Telekinesis to catch his projectiles and throw them back at him.
- Freeze him before he manages to escape and shatter him.
- Draw his attention my creating a Decoy and then attack.
- Charge with the Drill to quickly approach him and deal damage.
Reseach: Brute Splicer
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. New Ability: Drill Dash 2. Increases melee damage 3. Increased damage + 4. Tonic [Armored Shell 2] |
A big, agile and unpleasant enemy. He's got more health than an Alpha series, but fortunately he's also easier to hit in the head because of the size. On bigger distances he'll try to toss the nearest object at you. Dodge or use Telekinesis to grab and throw them back. In melee combat, focus on using your Drill (mainly the fuel-eating attack), trying to sense when he's going to attack.
How to speed up the research:
- Throw back the items he's tossing at you.
- Stop his charged attacked by using a Plasmid.
- Kill him before he gets to a Health Station.
- In a multiple enemy fight - use Hypnosis on him.
Reseach: Spider Splicer
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increased movement speed + 2. Spider Splicer Organs can be used like first aid kits. 3. Increased movement speed ++ 4. Tonic [Fountain of Youth] |
Spider Splicers love to move along ceilings and walls. Their fast, agile and throws hooks at you. Use the Machine Gun with anti-personal ammo and at closer distances - the Shotgun.
How to speed up the research:
- Try to hit him while he's in the air.
- Send an Insect Swarm on him.
- Shoot traps at an exploding barrel and then throw it with Telekinesis.
- Freeze or electrocute him while he's in the air, which will interrupt his jump.
Reseach: Alpha Series
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increased damage + 2. Increased ammo carry capacity. 3. Increased damage ++ 4. Tonic [Elemental Storm] |
A Daddy which in fact can hardly be called a Daddy at all, so his description is placed here. He attacks you on sight and doesn't search or care for Little Sisters. Faster and more agile than the other types of Big Daddies, he is capable of wielding a number of different weapons. Additionally his suit emits waves of electricity, fire or ice from time to time. His armour isn't as sturdy as a normal Daddy's, but he's still resistant to attacks than a normal Splicer.
How to speed up the research:
- Use Hypnosis to make two Alphas fight (you'll often meet them in pairs).
- Catch the grenades he's throwing at you with Telekinesis and throw them back at him.
- Place mines on an exploding barrel and throw it at him with Telekinesis.
Reseach: Big Daddy
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increased damage + 2. Permanent 50% increase to drill damage. 3. Increased damage ++ 4. Tonic [Arms Race] |
A detailed description of each of the three types of Daddies is placed in the proper chapter of the guide. Here I've only listed the bonuses and tips on how to speed up the research. Remember that Daddies respawn after some time, which will make your research easier.
How to speed up the research:
- If a Drill-equipped Daddy readies to charge, interrupt it with Drill Dash.
- If a Rumbler sets a mini-turret, hack it and turn it to your side.
- Catch the mines thrown at you with Telekinesis and return them.
- Lure the enemies with Decoy to traps or hacked devices.
- Connect mines and traps with exploding barrels to create bombs which you can throw with Telekinesis.
Reseach: Big Sister
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increaed Max Eve + 2. Your Little Sister restores your health after Gathering ADAM. 3. Increased Max Eve ++ 4. Tonic [Drill Vampire] |
A detailed description of the behaviour and tactics involved with fighting the Big Sisters can be found in the proper chapter of the guide. Here I've only listed the bonuses and tips on how to speed up the research.
How to speed up the research:
- Use Telekinesis to throw back everything the Sister tries to hit you with.
- Once she's in the air - electrocute her.
- Interrupt her charge with the Drill Dash.
- Fight alongside friendly turrets and hypnotized Splicer.
- Use the surroundings - set fire to oil, detonate barrels etc.
Reseach: Security
 | Research bonuses / benefits: 1. Increased Damage + 2. You find double ammo on destroyed machines. 3. Increased Damage ++ 4. Tonic [Deadly Machines] |
There are three types of security machines - cameras, bots and turrets. If a camera notices you, it will turn on an alarm and two Bots will appear. Take a look at the map, find a But Shutdown panel (shield icon) and use it to shut them down. Once you've hacked them (in fact turning them off isn't necessary, it just makes things easier), they will fight alongside you. To take care of a turret, use the Hack Tool, stun it with Electro Bolt or just destroy it.
How to speed up the research:
- Hacking a machine will end the recording and give you a small bonus.
- Freeze the machine to make things easier and then hack it.
- Stun bots and turrets with Electro Bolt and then turn them to your side.