Bouncer

The Bouncer is one of the three functional types of Big Daddies, along with the Rosie and Rumbler. Bouncers are more agile than Rosies, but are entirely ineffective in ranged combat. The Bouncer's main weapon is an over-sized drill (and, in the case of an Elite Bouncer, a spinning harpoon) attached to its right arm and powered by the internal combustion engine on his back. They generally attack using powerful blows at close range, with a fast charge being their only offensive long range ability.

BioShock
In addition to normal Bouncers, the player encounters Elite Bouncers, which use a spinning harpoon instead of a drill, are decorated with red stripes, and are more difficult to deal with than the earlier Bouncer. The regular Bouncers are encountered in Welcome to Rapture and the Medical Pavilion. The Elite Bouncers are present in Fort Frolic, Hephaestus, and a single one in the Proving Grounds.

Bouncer "Moods"


The Bouncer, like the Rosie and the Rumbler, has three "moods" that may occur when the player encounters them. These moods appear as the color of the small portholes on the Bouncer's helmet, along with his wrist.


 * Green light: A Big Daddy under the effects of Hypnotize Big Daddy will produce a green light from their portholes. These Big Daddies are friendly to the player, and will protect them as if they were a Little Sister.


 * Yellow Light: A Big Daddy with yellow lights emanating from its portholes is neutral to the player, and will not attack them. By default, unscripted Big Daddies always start out in this mood. Some scripted Big Daddies spawn in other moods, but this is just for the purpose of effect.


 * Red Light: A Big Daddy attacked by the player or under the effects of Enrage will produce a red light. In the first case, the Big Daddy will attack the player. In the second, it will attack anyone in its vicinity.

Attacks
When in combat, the Bouncer will produce three different kinds of attack:


 * Drill Slam: In this attack, the Bouncer slams the ground with its drill, causing a tremor in the surrounding area and disorienting anyone in the radius. Usually the Bouncer will follow this up with a Charge; the foe will be too sluggish to avoid it.


 * Drill Punch: This is the Bouncer's basic attack, it is acomplished when it drills into its foe. If against a Splicer, the victim is killed instantly. In the case of the player, the attack deals a severe amount of damage, killing the player if they are low on health.


 * Charge: If the victim is far from the Bouncer, it will charge at them at high speed. This knocks the foe back, dealing them damage in the process. In the case of the player, they will also have their camera swung around and temporarily blurred, momentarily disorienting them.

Strategy
While many strategies may apply equally well to all Big Daddies, each type has their own particular characteristics worth noting, which may lead to specialized tactics.

General

 * Always ensure one has full Health, as well as a reliable supply of First Aid Kits, EVE and ammunition before fighting a Big Daddy, as these are one of the toughest enemies in the game.


 * It is recommended to study a Big Daddy's path and stalk them, so as to attack them where the player has the biggest advantage. Study the environment as well, so as to be able to formulate a winning strategy.


 * Always ensure one has complete control over the fighting area (i.e. the place is clear of Splicers and all Security Devices have been hacked). Loss of control might signify defeat in the later stages of a fight.


 * Never take on another enemy while dealing with a Big Daddy, except in some unique cases (see below). If the player is forced to fight another enemy, take it down first and come back to the Big Daddy.


 * Little Sisters always stop to drain ADAM from any nearby corpse they find. Corpses can also be moved by the player, enabling them to choose where they want the Big Daddy they're targeting to halt.


 * Piling up several explosives onto a Big Daddy's path (preferably on top of an oil slick) and blowing it up at the right moment is a cheap and effective way of killing, or at least severely injuring, a Big Daddy. If the enemy survives, they will be on fire, which will drain their health continuously.

Bouncer

 * When starting a fight, always try to assault a Bouncer from a ledge, or at least ensure the Bouncer will take some time to get to the player. In this fashion, the player will be able to take free shots at the Big Daddy before he can get a chance to hit the player.


 * When charging, Bouncers cannot change their path, and will continue in a straight line no matter what. Not only can the player use this to dodge their attack, but they can also exploit it to set traps into a Bouncer's path and provoke them into charging through them.


 * Bouncers always take the shortest route to the player, making their movements very predictable. This can be used to one's advantage in a variety of ways, such as when placing traps or when aiming at the Bouncer.


 * One of the main strategies the Bouncer relies on is disorientation. If the player can keep a cool nerve and steady aim, they will wield a significant advantage over this enemy type.

General

 * Hypnotize Big Daddy is, obviously, a prime choice when faced with a Big Daddy, as it turns the hulking creature into the player's bodyguard. It can also be used to pit two Big Daddies against each other, which is both an entertaining and effective way of killing them.


 * Enrage can be used in a similar fashion: by Enraging a Big Daddy, the player can clear an entire room to a minimal cost in EVE. Make sure one takes their distance, as the Big Daddy may assault the player if they are the closest to them.


 * Incinerate! is recommended against Big Daddies, as a single cast will drain a significant portion of their health over time.


 * Telekinesis may come in handy if there are explosives lying around. It can also help the player formulate various different strategies (see above and below).


 * Electro Bolt will temporarily stun the Big Daddy, as well as deal increased damage (especially in water). Do not attempt to One-Two Punch the Daddy unless one possesses the correct Gene Tonics, though, as the Wrench deals only quarter damage against Big Daddies.


 * Insect Swarm will distract the Big Daddy as well as deal continuous damage, allowing the player to take potshots at it.


 * Winter Blast can help the player quickly dispatch a Big Daddy, as it stuns them and reduces the amount of damage needed to destroy them. However, their corpse will shatter, leaving no loot.

By the end of the alarm, the Big Daddy will be either severely weakened or dead, without the player risking themselves at any point. Note: This strategy is more effective on Bouncers as they cannot destroy Security Bots unless they stray too low.
 * Security Bullseye can single-handedly take down a Big Daddy if the player performs the following strategy:
 * First of all, hack a nearby Machine and direct the flow towards an Alarm Tile.
 * Paint the target Big Daddy with Security Bullseye (Note: as this deals no direct damage, this won't cause the Big Daddy to attack the player in any way).

Bouncer

 * Cyclone Trap, although it has no effect on Big Daddies, prevents them from passing through the vortex. This can be used to prevent a Bouncer from getting to the player, for example by setting up a wall or a protective ring around the player (or the Bouncer).


 * Target Dummy can be used to lead a Bouncer to charge into a trap (for example, by setting a trap under or behind the dummy). This also temporarily distracts the Big Daddy.

General

 * Electric weaponry such as Electric Gel and Electric Buck are the best form of ordnance against Big Daddies: not only do they deal much more damage against them than with any other ammo type, but they also temporarily shock Big Daddies, stunning them.


 * Armor-piercing ammo also deals increased damage against Big Daddies, although not as much as electric ammunition.


 * Although the Wrench only deals 25% damage against Big Daddies, if fully upgraded with the right Gene Tonics it is still capable of dealing very high damage against them, especially when used in conjunction with Electro Bolt. On Hard, it takes a maximum of five One-Two Punches to kill any Big Daddy on any level.


 * Exploding Buck deals very high amounts of damage and sets the target on fire, making it a very good choice in this type of fight. On Hard, no more than six shots are required to kill any Big Daddy on any level.


 * Frag Grenades and Heat-Seeking RPGs, because of their high damage output, are a useful tool against Big Daddies. Note: If tackling a Bouncer, it is better to have the upgrade that renders the player immune to self damage, otherwise one may end up losing a lot of health.


 * Proximity Mines are incredibly versatile when it comes to Big Daddies. One of the most popular strategies involves attaching several Proxy Mines onto a physics object (preferably an explosive) and firing it at the target Big Daddy using Telekinesis. This is called an "Anti-Big Daddy Bomb", as it usually ends up killing or at least severely weakening the aforementioned victim.


 * Napalm, although not as effective as Electric Gel, is nevertheless capable of taking down a Big Daddy in a couple of seconds.


 * Liquid Nitrogen presents the same characteristics as Winter Blast, and both can be used interchangeably.


 * Although headshot bonuses do not apply to Big Daddies, Steel-tip Bolts and Incendiary Bolts (especially the latter) are still capable of dealing high amounts of damage to Big Daddies. On Hard, a maximum of six Steel-Tip Bolts or five Incendiary Bolts are required to kill any Big Daddy on any level. Five Trap Bolts will take down a Big Daddy on Survivor difficulty.

Bouncer

 * Trap Bolts and Proximity Mines are particularly effective against Bouncers, as they can be fired onto their movement path. One may also lay the traps and then proceed to coerce the Bouncer into charging through. In the case of Proximity Mines, placing several explosives near the mine will save ammunition.
 * Liquid Nitrogen allows the player to stop a Bouncer's charge attack instantly, which is useful when the player is stunned and dodging it is difficult. This tactic uses only a few units of fuel, costing far less than plasmids. With a full tank of fuel the player will likely never need to reload during the fight, avoiding the delay of having to refill EVE after every few plasmid uses.

General

 * The Armored Shell line of tonics will significantly reduce damage received by a Big Daddy's attacks, making this a very useful Gene tonic to have during combat.


 * EVE Saver will reduce the cost in EVE when casting Plasmids.


 * The Damage Research line of tonics will significantly increase damage dealt against enemies researched using the Research Camera. The effectiveness of this Gene tonic is entirely dependent on how much research the player has done.


 * The Medical Expert line of tonics will help the player save up on First Aid Kits.


 * The Electric Flesh line of tonics, in addition to making the player resistant or even immune to electrical damage, will significantly increase the effectiveness of all electricity-based attacks.


 * Using Frozen Field (1 and 2) in combination with SportBoost (1 and 2) and Bloodlust gene tonics will allow the player to attack any Big Daddy quickly enough with the wrench to keep it frozen until it shatters, without using any resources and taking no damage in return. The Big Daddy might get in one or two melee attacks early, but the damage is reversed by Bloodlust. This tactic takes a long time, even with tonics and research, but it is capable of killing all Big Daddies without much difficulty.

Bouncer

 * The Static Discharge line of tonics will damage and stun any nearby enemy upon receiving a melee hit. Note: Do not equip this if one wishes to use Hypnotize Big Daddy, as merely bumping into the Big Daddy will cause a discharge, and turn it against the player.


 * The SportBoost line of tonics will help the player dodge the Bouncer's charge attack, as well as escape from it.

BioShock 2
Bouncers make a return as enemies in BioShock 2 with the exact same traits they had in the previous game. Bouncers are encountered in the Adonis Luxury Resort, Ryan Amusements and Dionysus Park. Elites are only encountered in Dionysus Park.

Recommended Plasmids

 * Security Command can still be used to take down a Big Daddy, but only if the player has landed the needle on a red area while hacking.


 * Hypnotize is now even more powerful than before, as it can also be used to hypnotize splicers, making it possible to distract the Big Daddy with great effect.

Recommended Weapons and Ammunition

 * Since Subject Delta's arsenal has many differences to that of Jack's, the same strategies cannot always be applied (with the exception of some cases where two ammo types are identical in function). However, Big Daddies still remain vulnerable to Armor-piercing ammo and electrical attacks.


 * Upgrading the Drill will deal additional damage to armored foes, making it a palatable choice in a Big Daddy fight. However, Bouncers are also quite capable of dealing damage up close, so try to use it mainly in finishing moves or in surprise attacks. It is also recommended to get the fuel consumption rate upgrade on the drill.


 * Heavy Rivets always deal more damage than standard Rivets, and should be considered equivalent to Armor-piercing ammunition in this case.


 * Trap Rivets can be used to set a trap for a charging Bouncer. However, their low damage output compared to a Bouncer's health makes this ammo type slightly uneconomical.


 * Armor-Piercing Gatling Rounds naturally work very effectively against armored targets.


 * Solid Slugs deal a very high amount of damage, and in this case count as Armor-piercing ammunition. The size of Big Daddies compensates for the relative difficulty to aim with this ammo type, and also allows the player to fire from a longer distance as opposed to any other ammunition for the Double-Barreled Shotgun.


 * Phosphorus Buck deals a high amount of damage and will set the target on fire. This makes it an effective weapon against Big Daddies, especially if used at the beginning of a fight.


 * Trap Spears function identically to Trap Bolts, and so can be used in the same situations.


 * Rocket Spears deal an enormous amount of damage, even against Bouncers: not only will they pierce them and set them on fire, but they will also explode after a set amount of time, taking away a very large chunk of their health. They also will distract the Bouncer, and if you accidently fire an extra Rocket Spear, the Bouncer will fly around and explode after a set amount of time. This also provides a little entertainment.


 * Here is a comparison of different weapons and ammo on the Elite Bouncer, from worst to first, based on the number of First Aid Kits (FAKs) required. For this test, the Shotgun and Machine Gun had all 3 upgrades, the Drill and the Rivet Gun each had 2, the launcher had none. All weapons were used at close range. The Drill also had tonics. The Drill had the best results based on speed of the kill and least damage done to Delta. To try this test, save before the first attack and then replay with each different weapon/ammo:
 * Shotgun, Solid slugs -- failed: 13 slugs - only got 2/3rds of his health
 * Trap Rivets -- failed: 11 traps only got 3/4ths of his health
 * Rocket spear -- 9 spears, 4 FAKs
 * Heavy Rivets -- 22+ rivets, 3 FAKs
 * Shotgun, Phos. shells -- 12 shells, 2-3/4 FAKs
 * Frag grenades -- 11 frags, 2 FAKs
 * Machine gun, armor-piercing rounds: 72 rounds, 1 FAK
 * Drill (steady press with drill going; not Daddy Dash) -- 2/3rds of fuel, 1/3 FAK

General

 * The Armored Shell line of tonics will significantly reduce damage received by a Big Daddy's attacks, making this a very useful Gene tonic to have during combat.


 * The EVE Saver line of tonics will reduce the cost in EVE when casting Plasmids.


 * Medical Expert will increase Health Pack carry capacity by one, thus allowing the player to endure longer battles.


 * EVE Expert will increase EVE Hypo carry capacity by one, thus allowing the player to endure longer battles.

Bouncer

 * Electrical Storm, Fire Storm and Ice Storm all emit an attack when struck by a melee attack, thus making them very useful against Bouncers. Note: Do not equip this if one wishes to use Hypnotize to hypnotize a Big Daddy, as merely bumping into the Big Daddy will cause a discharge, and turn it against the player.


 * Sports Boost will help the player dodge the Bouncer's charge attack, as well as escape from it.

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Bugs/Glitches

 * There is a glitch, although very rare, in which a Bouncer will have red lights but not attack the player even if provoked. (Unconfirmed)


 * This, although rare and hard to get to happen, a Spider Splicer could land on top of a Bouncer and cause both to get stuck on the spot.

Trivia



 * The Bouncer is the iconic face of the BioShock series, being featured in most of the trailers, on the cover of BioShock's box, and as a doll or figurine (both in-game and in real life) in BioShock 2.


 * The design of the Bouncer appears to have been based off that of the French Carmagnolle diving suit.


 * Originally, the Bouncer was to have dual grinders instead of a Drill. (see gallery).


 * The Elite Bouncer from BioShock 2 is not white with red trim like in the first game, but a dark gray with red trim, with both still sporting the large red collar. This is merely a cosmetic difference, as both have the same health and attack.


 * When searching the Bouncer that attacks the player on the level Proving Grounds, it will be designated as "Elite Bouncer." This would appear to be wrong, as this Bouncer does not have the same red trim or harpoon drill that normal Elite Bouncers have.