An underrated aspect ofBioShock, while simultaneously being one of the most important things in the game, is the Gene Tonics. Gene Tonics are serums made from processed ADAM that allow Jack to undergo genetic modification and mutation, in combination with his Plasmids, in the first BioShock. There are 53 total Gene Tonics available in BioShock, and each one is necessary for the Tonic Collector achievement/trophy.
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Gene Tonics come in one of three categories: Combat Tonics, Engineering Tonics, and Physical Tonics. Given the vast assortment of available Gene Tonics in the game, many players may wonder which tonics are the best and which ones should only be collected for the trophy. That being said, this list should help players narrow down what Combat Tonics to prioritize in the first BioShock game.
11Machine Buster
The first Combat Tonic on the list, Machine Buster increases damage dealt to security devices. It is usually much more beneficial to hack any security device that a player can reach to aid the player (especially after enough research to auto-hack turrets and bots). It is even better to just avoid the machines overall, if possible, instead of wasting ammo and health on them.
Because of this, Machine Buster is practically useless. It is one of the worst tonics in the game, and should only be collected for achievements/trophies.
10Frozen Field
Next on this list, Frozen Field is a Tonic that reduces received cold damage by 15% or 30% while simultaneously dealing an extra 10 or 20 points of cold damage to enemies and a 10% or 20% chance to freeze a target if the wrench is equipped. This is a good boost to your combat if going for a wrench build. It can be found on the corpse of Martin Finnegan, the first of the three of Sander Cohen’s muses that you must fight, in the Frozen Passageway to Poseidon Plaza in Fort Frolic.
The downside of this tonic is that a fair amount of times, your enemies will freeze, and getting them to zero health while frozen will cause them to shatter. You cannot loot shattered enemies, making this a riskier tonic to choose.
9Human Inferno
The next Combat Tonic focusing on one of the three elements in BioShock, Human Inferno reduces heat damage received by 20%, increases heat damage inflicted by the user by 30% and causes burning enemies to take damage at a 30% higher rate. Human Inferno 2 doubles the heat damage reduction and increases the other two aspects to 50%.
This tonic is also pretty decent, proving very useful if the player is fond of Incinerate and the chemical thrower, as well as it being great for going up against Houdini Splicers. Unfortunately, that is about the extent of the tonic as there aren’t as many oil slicks as there are, say, pools of water for electric effects to maximize the potential of Human Inferno.
8Electric Flesh
This tonic’s first tier can be found in the Projector Room of Fort Frolic after completing Sander Cohen’s masterpiece, and the second one can be found in Olympus Heights inside Frank Fontaine’s apartment in Mercury Suites. Electric Flesh reduces the electric damage the player receives by 75% for the first tonic and 100% with the second tonic. Electric damage is increased by 30% and 60% respectively.
This tonic is great when paired with Static Discharge and any wrench abilities, making your Electro Bolt and Wrench combo all that more lethal. Not to mention that if you are in a large pool of water with enemies, and they do not see you, you can always shock the water without the fear of injuring yourself.
7Static Discharge
The final elemental combat tonic, and one of the first tonics players come across in the game, Static Discharge 1 can be found in the surgical ward of the Medical Pavilion. The second Static Discharge can be unlocked as early as Neptune’s Bounty or Arcadia by researching Leadhead Splicers to level 4. These tonics make Jack emit a burst of electricity whenever struck by a melee attack, doing 30 or 50 points of electric damage and having either a 15% or 25% chance to shock the attacker.
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This is a great tonic in the early stages of the game, but both the base and upgraded versions really shine when running a Wrench-focused build. It is a highly recommended tonic for the early stages of the game at the very least.
6Armored Shell
A fan favorite, Armored Shell prevents 15% or 25% of physical damage dealt to the player. Armored Shell is first available in the Gatherer’s Garden in the Medical Pavilion, while Armored Shell 2 is contained in the fifth gift for rescuing Little Sisters.
Any damage reduction is welcome in BioShock, especially when it comes to dealing with Big Daddies or other bosses. These can be stacked for a whopping 40% damage reduction, but it is up to the player to decide if that is worth sacrificing some of the other Combat Tonics available.
5Photographer’s Eye
An incredibly useful Combat Tonic, Photographer’s Eye increases all research photo scores by 10% or 15%. The first Photographer’s Eye can be found in Worley’s Winery in the Farmer’s Market, while the second Photographer’s Eye is rewarded for reaching the second level of research for Rosie Big Daddies.
These two can be stacked to gain research at an even faster rate in order to achieve max research for every enemy. These should be equipped as soon as possible in order to maximize the amount of experience gained for photographing the limited number of Little Sisters and turrets. Of course, these should be switched out after completing one’s research.
4Damage Research
Another Combat Tonic geared towards research, Damage Research 1 & 2 increases the research damage bonuses by 15% and 30%. This of course applies to the three different tiers of research damage available from researching the enemies.
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Damage Research 1 becomes available later on in the game, located in the Lower Workshops of Hephaestus, while Damage Research 2 is discovered in the Mendel Family Library in Point Prometheus. These two excel in the higher difficulties and through the final levels of the game, especially in the Proving Grounds where Jack is tasked with defending a Little Sister as she gathers ADAM.
3Wrench Lurker
A ridiculously powerful tonic, Wrench Lurker quiets the player’s footsteps and increases Wrench damage by 150% or 200% on unaware or shocked opponents. The first Wrench Lurker can be found on the way to Fontaine Fisheries in Neptune’s Bounty, precariously placed on a ledge near the Gene Bank overlooking the Fisheries entrance. The second Wrench Lurker first becomes available in a Gatherer’s Garden in Hephaestus for 50 ADAM.
This tonic is amazing for pairing with the other Wrench Tonics and ElectroBolt. Wrench Lurker is a must-equip tonic for every Wrench heavy build, and even regular builds, especially for the fact that it quiets footsteps. Do not pass this one up!
