Hypnotize Big Daddy

“Cry out for Big Daddy's help, make him think you're a Little Sister. Watch as he fights to protect you.”

― Plasmid advertisement

Hypnotize Big Daddy is a Plasmid available in BioShock. When selected, it manifests itself as a pale green globule formed from Jack's palm, with visible deformities on his wrists and hands. Hypnotize Big Daddy is an active Plasmid that instantly releases a globule that homes in and bursts on the nearest Big Daddy within the player's central field of view at the cost of EVE. If this Plasmid is used on a Big Daddy that is guarding a Little Sister, the Little Sister will either retreat to a wall vent or will find a new Big Daddy.

Upon bursting, the target Big Daddy is splashed with a green liquid substance, immediately causing him to temporarily protect the player as he would a Little Sister. They will attack any enemies in the area that are hostile to the player. The light glowing from the face of the affected Big Daddy will turn green to indicate that he is friendly, and will flash when the Plasmid reaches the end of its effects. Directly or indirectly attacking a hypnotized Big Daddy will cause him to become hostile. A Big Daddy that is hostile to the player cannot be hypnotized.

Upgrade Path

Hypnotize Big Daddy Effect: N/A Duration: 90 seconds Casting Cost: All remaining EVE, unless Jack's EVE bar is significantly upgraded. Manifestation: Jack's hand and wrist become discolored with yellow lesions, and a large, green polyp appears in his hand. Location: Only available as a reward from Brigid Tenenbaum after rescuing three Little Sisters.

Hypnotize Big Daddy 2 Effect: N/A Duration: 180 seconds Casting Cost: All remaining EVE, unless Jack's EVE bar is significantly upgraded. Manifestation: Same as level 1. Location: Only available as a reward from Brigid Tenenbaum after rescuing nine Little Sisters.

Gallery

Jack wielding Hypnotize Big Daddy.

Jack wielding Hypnotize Big Daddy 2.

Combat Strategy

• Since one use of this Plasmid costs a considerable amount of EVE, a significant amount can be saved by casting other desired Plasmids first, and then casting Hypnotize Big Daddy to use the remaining EVE.
• Big Daddies will get a new Little Sister after every time they are hypnotized. Use these opportunities to take multiple pictures using the Research Camera.
• Plasmids and Tonics like Insect Swarm and Static Discharge should not be used in conjunction with Hypnotize Big Daddy, as the area of effect damage will cause a befriended Big Daddy to become hostile.
• The Enrage Plasmid is a useful counterpart to Hypnotize Big Daddy, as it will allow for friendly and hostile Big Daddies to fight each other. The player can then dispatch the remaining one with less difficulty. One can also attack the required Big Daddy and back away, while the friendly one fights for the player.
• It is possible to use this Plasmid to lure a Big Daddy into a Security Camera's field of view, and then cast Security Bullseye on them. Since the latter deals no damage, the Big Daddy will remain friendly, and will end up severely weakened or even dead after the alarm. This is only useful if the player solely wishes to loot the Big Daddy, as there will be no Little Sister as a reward.

Recommended Tonics

• EVE Saver will decrease the enormous cost in EVE when casting this Plasmid. However, unless Jack's EVE bar is significantly upgraded, even with the tonic equipped the entire bar will be invariably depleted.

BioShock 2

In BioShock 2, this plasmid was adapted into the plasmid Hypnotize. This allowed players to "befriend" enemies temporarily, making them fight on one's side for the duration of the effect or until death. It would only "befriend" the enemy if charged - An uncharged Hypnotize had the same effect as Enrage.

Burial at Sea - Episode 2

Main article: Burial at Sea - Episode 2

Burial at Sea's poster for the plasmid.

A poster advertising the Hypnotize Big Daddy Plasmid can be seen in the Bathyspheres DeLuxe Information kiosk. When approached, Elizabeth will curiously read the title out loud, while Booker comments on the inconvenient release date, considering the Bouncer roaming freely on their floor. However, the Plasmid Possession has a similar effect on it.

Video

Plasmid - Hypnotize Big Daddy

Plasmid training video for Hypnotize Big Daddy.

Behind the Scenes

• Irrational Games' Senior Character Concept Artist Robb Waters, who made the advertisement for Hypnotize Big Daddy in Burial at Sea - Episode 2, first had it written "Befriend Big Daddy.". This was the original name for the Plasmid during the development of BioShock. The poster was eventually changed in the DLC to coincide with the retail name from the original game.