Houdini Splicer
From BioShock Wiki
| |
| Houdini Splicer | |
| Health |
400 (Default), 500 (Arcadia), 700 (Fort Frolic), 900 (Point Prometheus). |
| Damage |
75 (fireball), 60 (ice orb). |
| Location |
Arcadia to the end of the game. |
| Houdini Splicer | |
| 1 | + Damage Vulnerable to antipersonnel rounds |
|---|---|
| 2 | Physical Tonic - Natural Camouflage |
| 3 | ++ Damage |
| 4 | Easier to predict re-materialization point |
| 5 | +++ Damage |
Houdini Splicers are a unique kind of Splicer, as they seem to be only ones capable of using offensive Plasmids (fire and ice) and possess the ability to teleport (apparently, this was intended to feature in-game as an available power, but didn't make the final version. There also is an advertisement for the Teleport Plasmid at the Gatherer's Garden machine in the Medical Pavilion). Characteristically preceded by certain sound effects before they disappear and reappear, Houdini Splicers use hit and run tactics, teleporting in, firing on the player, then disappearing again.
Contents |
[edit] Strategy
When badly injured, Splicers will attempt to use a nearby Health Station, if available. This can be used to the one's advantage if the player has previously hacked the Health Station. After the player has dealt a good amount of damage to the splicer, he or she will run to get health and be poisoned to death by the hacked Health Station.
Cannon Fodder? - More of a pest then a serious foe, if the player can avoid the bolts they throw, they pose no serious threat, but they can catch their missiles in the same manner as the Telekinesis projectile catching tactic for Nitro Splicers and Spider Splicers. The player's best defense, however, is to listen for the Splicer's teleport noise, the shimmer in the air as they move or footprints in water —all tell-tale signs of Houdini movement. Killing them might be a bit difficult due to their ability to teleport, but not overly so. However, one teleporting right next to the player might give them a fright.
Weapon of Choice - As with Spider Splicers, the Houdini Splicer can bypass most traps, such as Trap Bolts or Proximity Mines. It's better to use Incinerate! or Napalm from the Chemical Thrower to light them up and cause continuous damage wherever they may teleport to, along with giving the player a much easier time finding them as they stay ablaze. Using Winter Blast or Liquid Nitrogen is also a useful tactic as they prevent the Houdini from escaping. Insect Swarm is almost ideal because any form of fire leaves them free to teleport, and though ice freezes them, making them an easy kill, it will shatter their bodies, leaving no loot. Insect Swarm solves both problems, as it continues to deal damage over time and will distract them from attacking the player.
[edit] Significant Houdini Splicers
Only two Houdini Splicers hold significance in Jack's journey through Rapture, and both can be found in Fort Frolic. The most noticeable one is Sander Cohen, a fire-type Houdini Splicer but with more damage tolerance and a larger teleportation range. The other one is his former disciple and shady character, Martin Finnegan, an ice-type Houdini Splicer who is found in the frozen tunnel between the main part of the Fort and Poseidon Plaza. Fontaine is capable of teleporting, but this happens only when his health reaches zero, and is used to return to his ADAM-injecting device.
The first Houdini Splicer the player encounters is in Arcadia. He tries to lead the player into a trap by crying out for help before making himself a threat. The Saturnine Audio Diary tells about Houdini Splicers who cover themselves in leaves and roam about in Arcadia. The first Houdini encountered in Arcadia is actually one of them. They're characterized with leafy masks, white clothing and face paint, and what appears to be stripes of blood from the clothes to the face. However, it's unknown why some of the Saturnine appear as Lady Smith models as Julie Langford stated in her audio diary "...bunch of aging frat boys...". It is possible the cult may have expanded to the female population of Arcadia as well.
[edit] Research Benefits
In addition to increasing the potential damage that can be dealt to Houdini Splicers, using the Research Camera on them can yield an extremely useful Plasmid at level two, Natural Camouflage, which allows Jack to become invisible after standing still for a few seconds. Level four research also makes it easier to predict where a Houdini Splicer will appear after teleporting.
[edit] Trivia
- Houdini Splicers sport attire similar to that of druids, shaman and witch doctors.
- While fire type Houdini Splicers disappear in a flash of bits and pieces, ice types disappear with a few snow particles left in the air.
| Enemies in BioShock | ||
| Organic | Thuggish Splicer · Leadhead Splicer · Nitro Splicer · Houdini Splicer · Spider Splicer | |
| Big Daddy (Machine) | Bouncer · Rosie · Rumbler | |
| Machine | Security Bot · Security Camera · Turrets | |
