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Scavenger Hunt achievement in BioShock Infinite

Scavenger Hunt

Complete the Main Campaign in 1999 mode without buying anything from a Dollar Bill vending machine.

Scavenger Hunt0
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How to unlock the Scavenger Hunt achievement

  • The NerevarineThe Nerevarine
    28 Mar 2013 28 Mar 2013 07 Apr 2013
    Spoiler free text solution, first video contains a very minor spoiler, second is the final battle!

    For this achievement, you are not allowed to buy anything from the "Dollar Bill" vending machine; don't worry about touching it or looking at it's contents, just don't purchase anything. Use the Gear upgrade or Vigor upgrade vending machines as much as you want.

    1999 Mode can be unlocked at the main menu by using the Konami code (up, up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a). In 1999 Mode, there is no navigation aid and you have to pay for deaths (100 Silver Eagles). Dying with no money kicks you to the menu, which is basically the same as restarting your checkpoint. If you've finished Brass Balls, then this should be a walk in the park. Playing through first on normal would definitely assist but is not necessary, and you could potentially accomplish all other achievements in this play-through by following the guide for "Infused with Greatness" or purchasing the Season Pass.
    BioShock InfiniteInfused with GreatnessThe Infused with Greatness achievement in BioShock Infinite worth 69 pointsIn the Main Campaign, collect every Infusion upgrade in a single game.

    You can reload checkpoints after the game to get the counter achievements ("Kill N enemies with X"), as they're accumulative across play-throughs.


    In case you're curious: without a guide or cheating, I earned around $10,000 (less than a quarter of that spent on revives), and ended the game with an extra $1,000 and 15+ lockpicks in stow. Despite opening every lock I could find, I only found 77/80 of the voxophones and must have missed quite a few other secrets.


    My Strategy
    You're going to have limited resources in this mode, meaning you won't be able to buy much. I chose to mostly upgrade the common weapons (Pistol, Shotgun, Machine Gun, Carbine) Ammo and Damage, and I spent some money on the crucial Charge and Bucking Bronco Vigor upgrades and a single upgrade for the Shock Jockey and Undertow Vigors.

    My general strategy was pretty simple: take cover, be patient, and search high and low for supplies. I invested all upgrades into my shield or salts until they were full, and mostly used Vigor combos like shock-shoot to increase damage output on tough enemies. When I encountered a Handyman I would try to always be moving by shooting him a few times and then hopping on a rail to find a hiding spot to regenerate my shield, then rinse and repeat.

    For bosses like the ghost, I employed a melee strategy to conserve ammo using the Charge/Charge Aid Vigor coupled with some gear I found laying around: Burning Halo, Executioner, Overkill, and Brittle-Skinned. These are all just random melee perks I had, so if you don't have the exact same perks just pick some similar gear -- stacking melee gear will make your attacks brutal and help conserve ammo. I've attached a video of the fight for you to witness and recreate. After devising this tactic, I used this gear setup for the rest of the game to great effect... Being invincible with Charge Aid is insanely useful even in, or maybe especially in, large crowds. Add Bronco or Shock to the mix and you'll be unstoppable.

    Finding Gear
    Gear always appears in the same locations, but what the gear is is random (except for a few static pieces) so you will have to make do with what you find! If you find a gear location near a checkpoint, sometimes reloading the checkpoint will randomize the gear again. The specific equipment I mentioned is not necessary, I merely chose the melee perk gear I had to boost my damage output. When combined with Charge and Charge Aid, extra melee damage added to brief invulnerability will help you to cut down heavy hitting enemies with ease. If you don't have the exact equipment, just choose some melee-oriented gear (extra damage is key). Supposedly Burning Halo is always in the beginning behind the first Crow enemy.

    Choke Point Videos
    These videos contain me playing through the two choke points: the first is the fight with the ghost, in which I use a melee strategy to obliterate her; the second is the final battle sequence and contains some pretty heavy spoilers.

    A note aboute the final mission: I didn't think to do it, but you can set 'Return to Sender' traps in front of the blue generator thing to absorb bullets and prolong the life of the generator.

    Good luck!

    Guide not helping? View 8 more guides for this achievement.

    Showing most recent comments. View all comments.
    Zaro KarosWell that didn't take as long as I thought it would have.
    Posted by Zaro Karos On 16 Dec 18 at 01:55
    WTG x RoCK STaRToo much repetitive work!!! (rips hair out)
    Posted by WTG x RoCK STaR On 01 Apr 20 at 19:26
    UnfurledEmu75The videos are just wonderful, this guide really helps
    Posted by UnfurledEmu75 On 31 Jul at 14:23
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  • amenazamenor JFamenazamenor JF
    02 Apr 2013 02 Apr 2013 02 Apr 2013
    This is not a complete solution, but I think that I can offer a useful tip for those who, like me, are having trouble with the core defense at the end of the game. BEWARE, THERE COULD BE SOME SPOILERS:

    - If you can afford it, buy "return to sender for less" in the vending machine before the fight. If not, don't worry. It's not essential, but it's helpful.

    - When the fight starts, stick a bunch of Return To Sender traps (holding LT) on the front of the core like this crappy quality picture shows:

    External image

    - This will make the core almost invulnerable, therefore making the fight A LOT easier. This way, you can allow the enemies to focus their fire on the core, and you can destroy them from behind easily, or even use Songbird on them. Rockets do damage the core a little, so focus on RPG infantry and cannonner ships first.

    - Keep an eye on the core, and if the traps start to dissapear, throw some more. Also, if an enemy gets near the core the traps will explode, so be careful with that too.

    Hope this is of some help, and sorry if there's any grammar mistake, english is not my mother language. Also, if someone has a way to improve this solution, just comment ;)
    Showing most recent comments. View all comments.
    YaIrishMick96Wow great tip, can't understand why 1 asshole had to downvote this warning
    Posted by YaIrishMick96 On 20 May 16 at 09:32
    Kung Fu RikiAwesome solution. But the link to the image is broken for me. Still getting my upvote!
    Posted by Kung Fu Riki On 19 Jun 17 at 23:29
    Armstrong x360aPhenomenal solution. I wasted an hour trying this the WT way until I read your solution. Then got it first try with <20% damage to the core. Thumbs up!

    PS. I did not have any upgrades on Return to Sender and still only needed to replace the traps once so don't fear if you have already started this and can't go back to change your load out.
    Posted by Armstrong x360a On 12 Jun 18 at 01:40
  • Strategy OneStrategy One
    29 Mar 2013 28 Mar 2013 03 Feb 2015
    Scavenger Hunt

    External image


    OK! so I just finished the game and I am not going to lie, once I found this amazing trick I had no problem. I finished the ending without even messing up! Don't worry I will share my awesome strategies!

    *** Spoiler - click to reveal ***

    Beginning strategy:

    *** Spoiler - click to reveal ***


    Ending Tactics:

    *** Spoiler - click to reveal ***

    The ending

    DONT READ UNLESS YOU WANT IT SPOILED OR ARE AT THE END

    *** Spoiler - click to reveal ***

    If anyone has questions, comments, see any typos, let me know! I am so happy to finish this so easily once I found this trick out.

    Have fun GL!
    Showing most recent comments. View all comments.
    Strategy OneYes Mitch you can purchase from others, just as long as it doesn't say Dollar Bill on it.
    Posted by Strategy One On 07 May 13 at 03:02
    xWEEDMAN 89xFor the ghost fight I watched a awesome vid on youtube, use Devils kiss traps right where the video shows and you never have to shoot ect. very effective. I take no credit for finding this amazing trick :)
    Posted by xWEEDMAN 89x On 08 Jun 13 at 13:39
    WynnlossGreat guide. Just a small addition, the "moral" choices in this game actually have no effect on the game.

    You mentioned the couple in the beginning; if you don't throw the ball at them, they give you gear later. If you do throw the ball at them, Flambeau (Fink's man) gives it to you instead, praising your "savagery".
    Posted by Wynnloss On 22 Jul 13 at 03:07
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