Researchers Handbook

[Fizzmatix]

Researchers Handbook

This handbook is to be used with the current achievement guide. I couldn't fit this information into the guide so this is more of a continuation of the current achievement guide.

The full guide can be found here.

Unlike the first game you will be using a cine-style video camera rather than an old 35mm roll film camera. There is one big difference this time around, you don't need to collect film to use the camera. You don't start off with the camera but you will find it while roaming Pauper's Drop.

Using the camera:
Once you pick up the camera you will be prompted to research a Splicer outside of the cafe you're in. This small tutorial will show you the basics of the camera and how to capture using the camera. When you complete the tutorial you may want to start using the quick select option to access the camera from now on. Doing this will save you from cycling through your weapons to find the camera each time. Press and hold the and use the to select the camera. You can also spring to different weapons this way while recording.

Before you start attacking everyone and everything make sure you start recording before hand. Also make sure you have the enemy you want to record in frame. You won't be able to record multiple enemies at once, if you start recording and two or more enemies are attacking, concentrate on the one highlighted in gold first.

Research Tonics:
The following tonics will aid your research. You will find most of them but you will have to buy Keen Observer 2 from a Gatherers Garden. These tonics will increase your overall research points.

They're not a major requirement but if you are struggling to research certain enemy times they should help speed things up.

• Keen Observer - Found in Pauper's Drop (Eleanore's bedroom)
• Keen Observer 2 - Bought from a Gatherers Gard in Dionysus Park
• Extended Reel - Found in the Project Booth at the Triton Cinema (Dionysus Park)
• Damage Research - Found near the exit from the train in Fontaine Futuristics.

Enemy Types:
There are nine enemy types throughout the whole of Rapture. They all have four levels of research which will reward you with various advantages over them. Some enemies will only be available to research for a short period of time so following this handbook should solve all your issues.

When you encounter an enemy start researching. Don't leave it until the last minute as you will miss out on valuable research that you may not be able to come back to.

Big Daddy/Sister

• Big Daddy - Alpha Series
• Big Daddies - Bouncer - Rosie - Rumbler
• Big Sister

Splicers

• Brute Splicer
• Houdini Splicer
• Leadhead Splicer
• Spider Splicers
• Thuggish Splicer

Security

• Security Bots - Security Cameras - Turrets

Note: Freezing enemies seems to be the most effective when they are stronger e.g Big Sister, Brute, Houdini's & Big Daddies. This may be not be the best combination for you personally, so use combination's that feel best suited to your play style. There are no wrong ways to take down an enemy for research, some just work better than others.

Enemy Locations:
Each location has it's own variety of enemies, some you will encounter throughout Rapture, others you will only find in set locations.

Pauper's Drop

• Thuggish Splicer
• Leadhead Splicer
• Brute Splicer
• Rosie
• Big Sister
• Security

Siren Alley

• Thuggish Splicer*
• Leadhead Splicer
• Spider Splicer
• Brute Splicer
• Rosie
• Big Sister
• Rumbler
• Security

*Very few enemies, if any at all.

Dionysus Park

• Houdini Splicer
• Leadhead Splicer
• Spider Splicer
• Brute Splicer
• Elite Bouncer
• Rumbler
• Security

Fontaine Futuristics

• Houdini Splicer
• Leadhead Splicer
• Big Sister
• Alpha Series
• Rumbler
• Security

Persephone

• Big Sister x2

Inner Persephone

• Houdini Splicer
• Elite Brute Splicer
• Alpha Series

Big Sister Encounters
You will encounter the Big Sister once you have dealt with three Little Sisters. The events surrounding the Big Sister are scripted so you can prepare before hand.

Researching Techniques:
Now that you know all the locations and what you will be researching it's time to get started and work your way towards the achievements.

While the camera is equipped and you are ready to record, you will notice the research counter on the right side of the screen. As you deal more damage to you research subject the counter will go up. The more creative you are with your attacks, the better your score will be overall. If you carefully plan out your attack you should be able to fully research most enemies with little to no effort.

Minor Research: Photos
If you fail to research an enemy you can take a picture of their corpse. This won't earn you many points but it will help a little.

Area Backtracking:
You may not be able to backtrack through levels as you progress, but you can backtrack through a current areas. Make sure that you don't leave an area until you are happy with your research. If you need to research a Thuggish Splicer or Spider Splicer early on, you can backtrack to the later parts of your current level to find them lurking.

This works for most enemies but not all. You won't run into a Big Sister or Alpha Series this way, so make sure you capture decent reels of those enemies when you can.

Plasmids & Weapon Attacks:
Some of the highest scoring techniques will come from mixing a plasmid attack with some sort of weapon. If you set a subject on fire, then shoot them with the Trap Rivets and finish them off with the Electro Bolt Plasmid your score should be fairly respectable.

Mixing your attacks with Plasmids will always earn you a high score over just shooting an enemy until it dies. Here is an example of what your counter will look like while achieving a good score:

Tip Example:
Trap (Cyclone-Fire/Electro), Rivets, Shotgun and environmental hazards will results in much higher scores.

Note: There are several different combination's of Plasmids and weapons you can use, just make sure you don't use the same ones on a regular basis. The more you use the same Plasmids and and weapon combinations the lower your score will be.

ADAM Gathering & Research:
This will probably be your best strategy for researching your enemies. Once you set down the a LIttle Sister to gather ADAM, a horde of enemies will start to attack. Setting traps will help add to your score, so make sure you use them effectively. Use your Plasmids, weapons and traps you may have set to earn the extra points.

No matter which level you are on, you will always have a selection of enemies from that level attack you. This can be useful if you require research for certain enemies which don't show up so often.

Environmental Attacks:
You don't need to use just your weapons and Plasmids to attack your research subject. Hacked security, water or other environmental hazards you can add to your research score. Doing so will increase your B grade to an A grade with little to no effort.

Researching Results & Rewards:
You may have already seen most of the research rewards while running around with the camera but here is a full list of rewards and results. Some rewards will come in the form of a Tonic, others will help take down your enemies faster. Research can be a useful tool if you take the time to record footage of your attacks.

Thuggish Splicers
Level 1: Increased Damage against Thuggish Splicers
Level 2: Increased Wallet Cap
Level 3: Increased Damage against Thuggish Splicers
Level 4: Scrounger Tonic

Leadhead Splicers
Level 1: Increased Damage against Leadhead Splicers
Level 2: Slow Security Response
Level 3: Increased Damage against Leadhead Splicers
Level 4: Thirsty Hacker Tonic

Houdini Splicers
Level 1: Increased Damage against Houdini Splicers
Level 2: Easier to spot Houdinis when teleporting
Level 3: Increased Damage against Houdini Splicers
Level 4: Natural Camouflage Tonic

Spider Splicers
Level 1: Faster movement speed
Level 2: Spider Splicer organs act as First Aid Kits
Level 3: Even faster movement speed
Level 4: Fountain of Youth Tonic

Brute Splicers
Level 1: New Drill Dash Ability
Level 2: Increase melee damage
Level 3: Increased Damage against Brute Splicers
Level 4: Armored Shell 2 Tonic

Big Daddes - Bouncer, Roise, Rumbler
Level 1: Increased Damage against Big Daddies
Level 2: Increase Drill damage
Level 3: Increased Damage against Big Daddies
Level 4: Arms Race Tonic

Alpha Series
Level 1: Increased Damage against Alpha Series
Level 2: Increase ammo carrying capacity
Level 3: Increased Damage against Alpha Series
Level 4: Elemental Storm Tonic

Big Sister
Level 1: Increased maximum EVE capacity
Level 2: Free Health restoration after gather ADAM
Level 3: Increased maximum EVE capacity
Level 4: Drill Vampire Tonic

Security - Cameras, Turrets, Bots
Level 1: Increased damage against Security
Level 2: Double ammo on destroyed Security
Level 3: Increased damage against Security
Level 4: Deadly Machines Tonic

This should cover everything you need to know about the research. There didn't seem to be any reason to add in all the different combination's of Plasmid and weapon attacks.

Just remember if your score isn't improving, you may have used the same combination too much, or that you didn't use it effectively enough.

[guillermo316]

very well written, i get A+ in my english class and i cant write this well. if you use this then you will get the achievement for sure!

[SWAGGART]

very nice guide mate good work.

[pined5551]

Does researching any type of security count as one class or do the camera, turret and bot all count as different things?

[ZebraMuffinX]

Originally Posted by pined5551

Does researching any type of security count as one class or do the camera, turret and bot all count as different things?

Sorry for the double post.

I'm pretty sure all security is encompassed into just one research track, that's how it seemed to work for me.

[FearRosa]

Awesome! This helped so much! Well written!

[TheIcemanCometh]

Just a quick note/FYI for those coming after me - I just maxed out all my research and got the achievement last night. Granted, I was being pretty methodical about it, but I am currently at the point in the game where you're gathering the four plants to release Gil (Fontaine Futuristics).

[Sirius]

Oh snap! Sick guide, Fizz! This one is a lot more pleasant to read than the other. Very detailed and comprehensive

[Fizzmatix]

I do wish i could have put this in the achievement guide. It's just so much it won't fit :S.

[Zobie Capo956]

so if im in fontaine futeristics and dont have thuggish splicer maxed out i wont be able to in the rest of the levels?? is there no thuggish splicers from here on out??

[Fizzmatix]

Originally Posted by Zobie Capo956

so if im in fontaine futeristics and dont have thuggish splicer maxed out i wont be able to in the rest of the levels?? is there no thuggish splicers from here on out??

You will only find them in Pauper's Drop and Siren Alley. There are no more throughout the game. You will encounter them in the first 4 levels but you don't find the research camera until a little after.

[AngelCakeTom]

one really effective reearch mthod i found was;
if you encounter a big daddy being attacks by splicers, start the camera on the big daddy, watching him fight other splcers dramaticaly increases your score usualy to a C/B before you start your fight, then if you quickly use a nice variety of plasmids with a strong weapon you can score an A+ extremily easily, but its not so common to find big daddys already in combat, and even if you do you shoudl act fast as he normaly kill splicers in no time at all..

[XPL1C1T GAM3R]

HI ive filled 2 bars on the big sister and have just started fontaine futuristics can i still finish my bigsister research ?

[HannShotFirst]

Sonuva whore. Why do they stop spawning Thuggish Splicers after the same level you get the friggin' Camera! I'm on my second playthrough in Persephone, and all I need is a couple more of them! GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

On a different note, great job making the guide. One thing though, fully researching Houdini Splicers gets you the Natural Camouflage tonic.

[Tyger7]

Didn't know my posts and others would be deleted. Anyways, to be constructive in your opinion, you may want to add information about the 3 different tonics that help you during reserach. Where you ge them and what they do exactly. It will help speed up things. Then just remember to switch them out when your research is done since you won't be needing them (same goes for adam gathering tonics)

[Dawq902]

This guide is very helpful

[Deathblow23]

This guide says there are Brute Splicers in Fontaine Futuristics...but I haven't seen one yet. The problem is that I need to research one more to max out the research on that enemy. Please tell me I haven't missed the boat?!?!

I'm actually in the hidden labs now...still haven't seen one.

[C0V3RT]

Originally Posted by Deathblow23

This guide says there are Brute Splicers in Fontaine Futuristics...but I haven't seen one yet. The problem is that I need to research one more to max out the research on that enemy. Please tell me I haven't missed the boat?!?!

I'm actually in the hidden labs now...still haven't seen one.

There's not. I'm in the same boat of needing 1 maybe 2 more brute's for research and haven't seen one since the level with the priest dude...

I'm hoping there is at least one in the final few levels.

Edit: There are plenty in the final few levels but none in Fontaine Futuristics.

[Pixelated Punk]

I think it's stupid that they don't spawn any more thuggish splicers in the game. I was like 1 from getting the achievement. I guess I'll have to do it on my second playthru

[Spawn 0f Hell]

You should put in your guide that you can research from corpses if you didn't research them when they were alive. It doesn't give you all the experience but if you didn't have time to swap back to the camera in the middle of combat it's quite helpful. By researching corpses I completed Thuggish Splicer and Leadhead Splicer research tracks before going to see Gracie.

[undyingwildo]

Originally Posted by C0V3RT

There's not. I'm in the same boat of needing 1 maybe 2 more brute's for research and haven't seen one since the level with the priest dude...

I'm hoping there is at least one in the final few levels.

Edit: There are plenty in the final few levels but none in Fontaine Futuristics.

same here. it says that there is elite brutes but are they the same as normal ones?

[iHypno]

Goog job! very helpfull indeed

[Ellusion]

Same situation, missing two tiny slices on the Brute Slicers. Moved on from Siren Alley where I know they randomly spawn, since they guide say they are present in all levels after that. Haven't seen a single Brute since Siren Alley, and I'm about to move into Persephone =/

Here's to hoping that Elite Brute is a special encounter.

Update: Indeed, when you get to the second to last level, Outer Persephone, the Brutes return. Encountered two of them (regular brutes, difficulty related?) at the beginning and unlocked Master Researcher. Note that on Easy, there were zero Brutes after Siren Alley and up until Outer Persephone.

[SWAGGART]

Thanks for that, It was a good read and I feel well backed up for tackling this game. A+ for effort.

[Lightshow562]

Where is the Camera located in Paupers Drop cause i couldn't find it

[K R 3 B S 09]

Originally Posted by Lightshow562

Where is the Camera located in Paupers Drop cause i couldn't find it

there will be a pawn shop that you go on the roof of. Just find the hole and drop down

[burnoutbabe]

you may want to mention that there are no more Big Daddys after Fontaine Futures (level 7) - thats on easy. I realise this when i that was the last thing i had to research and couldn't see anything more in the guide for rest of level 9.

I had to reload a level 7 save and kill some more BDs there to get it, luckily then only had BSis and security to go, and level 8 is quite quick so got it 1/3 of the way through level 9 (security was the hardest one)

[MartyMcFly]

In Outer Persephone I just encountered:

About 4 Leadhead Splicers
2 Brute Splicers and 1 Brute Corpse (killed by "something" else)
2 Big Sisters

The Leadheads and Brutes aren't noted in the guide. I just wanted to throw that out there in case anyone needed more Brutes.

[devilboy202]

Great guide! Should get it done much faster now thanks!

[Fishman]

Good guide, thanks you.

I just have one question:

I'm playing on normal and I'm on Fontaine Futuristics will I come across at least 1 more Brute Splicer? I need less than a sliver to finish the research on him.

Thanks

Edit: I got the achievement!!!