Target Dummy



"Enemies on your back? Distract their attention with a helpful decoy. They take the heat... so you don't have to!"

Target Dummy is a plasmid available in BioShock. When selected, it has no visible manifestation on Jack's wrists or hands, but has a translucent figure in the player's center field of view, marking the location where the decoy target will be created. Target Dummy is an active plasmid that instantly creates a single decoy target in a single location, at the cost of EVE.

The decoy target is an illusion; a translucent image of a humanoid that Splicers, hostile Big Daddies, hostile Security Bots, Security Cameras, and Turrets will regard as an enemy. A maximum of one decoy target may be created at one time. Casting Target Dummy any subsequent number of times will remove and replace the active decoy target with a new one. The decoy has a duration of approximately ten seconds before disappearing.

Note: The created decoy does not have health or any impact points. All forms of attack against the decoy target simply pass through it.

Combat Strategy
This plasmid is best used to draw fire away from the player. Hostile enemies will target the decoy over the player if it is the nearer target. In addition to attacking distracted enemies, the player can use the Research Camera with full effect.

Because enemy attacks pass through the Target Dummy decoy, distracting multiple enemies is preferred, as there is a high probability that enemies will take damage from each other's attacks. Even though the effect is temporary, Splicers that damage each other will continue to fight to the death even after Target Dummy's decoy disappears.

Splicers and Big Daddies that are attacking the decoy target will take extra damage from the next attack done to them with the Wrench (if one or more tonics from the Wrench Lurker line are equipped) because they are considered to be the same as unaware enemies.

When using Target Dummy against multiple enemies who use melee attacks, they will group together around the decoy target, setting them up for massive damage from area of effect attacks. Use plasmids like Telekinesis to toss explosive objects, or weapons such as the Chemical Thrower for heavy damage on multiple targets. The player can also lead enemies into set Proximity Mines, Cyclone Traps and Trap Bolts.

This plasmid's relatively low cost in resources, ease of use, coupled with the fact that it deals no direct damage, make it a useful tool when hacking.

Recommended Tonics
EVE Saver will reduce the cost in EVE when casting this plasmid.

Natural Camouflage will ensure the player a quick escape after casting this plasmid.

BioShock 2
Target Dummy will be making a return in the sequel under the new name of Decoy.

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Leurre