If you're going to get the most out of BioShock, you'll need to know How to Beat a Big Daddy. This guide will get you familiar with a few strategies and tactics for defeating these lumbering juggernauts.

By far the most useful weapons against both Rosies and Bouncers (the two kinds of Big Daddy) are electricity-based weapons. These include the electric buck for the shotgun, electric gel for the chemical thrower, and even trap bolts for the crossbow. Trap bolts are great because lining a dozen or so along the path that a Big Daddy will walk will significantly weaken him. By doing this, you save a lot of health and ammunition.

Electric gel is also effective, as it stuns Big Daddies and deals damage for as long as the player keeps firing it. A full stock of gel with an upgraded chemical thrower can effortlessly kill a Big Daddy. If you don't have enough, a few shots of electric buck can be almost as effective. No matter what strategy you choose, having a good deal of electric weapons can all but ensure victory every time.

1. Since you might (probably will) die, you should stock up on expensive powerful ammunition for the fight.
2. Recommended Ammo:
   1. Armor Piercing Rounds. These come for the machine gun as well as the handgun. It helps to have a clip or two of each on hand when going into the fray.
   2. Electric Bucks. This is for the shotgun, and packs quite the wallop.
   3. Trap Bolts. Place these throughout a Big Daddy's path before attacking it. Stand on the other side of a dozen of these bolts, begin shooting, and watch it fall as it tries to break through your offense.
3. Bring lots and lots of health. 5+ health shots is a good amount, although more can't hurt. Remember, two good smacks and you dead.

• The Big Daddy is easily the most menacing thing about BioShock. They have thick armor, a drill-arm, super speed, more health than you, and are extremely adaptive. You'll burn through tons of ammo and Eve, and they'll probably still kill you. This is fair though, since they guard Little Sisters, the keepers of ADAM - your means of acquiring new powers in the game. There is no one "right" way to defeat them, but read on to discover a few of the more tried-and-true Big Daddy hunting tactics.

1. TIP: The shock plasmid does one very, very useful thing to the Big Daddy, which is to immobilize him. Considering how insanely fast they are, this is perhaps the most useful power you have.
2. Even when they are in mid-charge, shock him (which will freeze him in his tracks), then move in to point-blank range and give him a shotgun blast to the face. Repeat this shock-and-shoot process until he's down.
3. If you don't have the shock plasmid currently equipped, make your way back to a Gene Bank and re-equip this essential power.