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The Infector is a weapon manufactured by Gadgetron in Ratchet & Clank: Up Your Arsenal. It fires a green brainwashing serum that causes enemies to turn against one another until the effect wears off. The Infector was available to purchase for 18,000 bolts upon reaching the Starship Phoenix, and upgraded to the Infecto Bomb with use. In challenge mode, the Mega Infecto Bomb upgrade could be purchased from any Gadgetron vendor for 220,000 bolts.

The Infector was developed by the Brain Laundry Division of Gadgetron, using nano-virus globules which infect the bloodstream of an enemy through to the membrane, and cause a mild case of poisonous dementia.[1] Using it to infect thirty enemies on Mylon unlocks the skill point "Spread your germs", and related trophy "Penicillin Anyone?"

Though the weapon itself did not reappear in other games, the infection mechanic did. In Deadlocked, the Brainwash Mod used in any weapon could apply the effect and turn enemies on one another. In Tools of Destruction, the Confuzzler Gas device had the same effect.

Characteristics[]

The Infector has a large, triangle-shaped barrel, with the point facing downwards, colored blue-purple. The front end is a bright green, from which the green blobs are ejected. On-top is a visible canister containing a bright green glow, half-sunken into the barrel, while on the lower two sides of the triangle are a pair of pumps.

The Infecto Bomb retains the triangle-shaped barrel, but this time the point faces upwards, and it has a large circular hole in the front. Each tip also is a bright green, that juts out from the barrel itself. The pumps also have been moved to the rear of the barrel.

Gameplay[]

Infector gameplay

Infector in action.

The Infector fires a blob of serum which, when infecting enemies, damages them over time, and causes them to turn on one another. It deals little damage on its own, but it is tactically useful to reduce the immediate threat from enemies, and deals damage indirectly when enemies attack one another. If an infected enemy has no nearby targets then the infection will wear off instantly, either killing it, or releasing it from its infection. Because of this it can be better to use more ammo than necessary to avoid an enemy unexpectedly turning on you at the end, or in the middle of, a fight.

The weapon is outclassed very quickly by other weapons, as it has little damage on its own, and waiting for an infected enemy to deal with others is generally inefficient. This makes the Infector an extremely situational weapon, but also the only one that is viable in the late-game, as the infection activates on all normal enemies. In fact, stronger late-game enemies are a better target as the infection will last longer (more health means they will not die prematurely), and their stronger capabilities make them better allies. Useful targets include the ninja bots, ultra mecha-tyhrranoids, and 'noid commanders.

Infecto Bomb gameplay

The Infecto Bomb in action.

The V2 upgrade widens the weapon's range, while V3 grants it splash damage, and V4 gives it longer range. At V5, it upgrades to the Infecto Bomb. This weapon is easier to use, gives it an exploding charge that then sends out several blobs of serum, and deals more damage. Ultimately, it does little rectify the problems of the original.

Behind the scenes[]

Early footage of Up Your Arsenal used by Insomniac Games during a presentation showcases the Infector, along with the Rift Inducer, being tested on the Gadgetron Hounds of Cuddly Death from Going Commando.[2]

Before the release of Up Your Arsenal, the Infector was not a projectile weapon, but instead spewed forth a large amount of toxic sludge by holding down Circle. It was also accompanied by a charge bar identical to that of the Qwack-O-Ray, which could indicate it would permanently infect the enemy rather than temporarily once fully infected.[3]

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