The Hydraulic Engine is a Weapon Part featured in Dead Space 3. Lower Tool only.
Serving as melee-oriented power tools, they swing faster and with significantly more power than Isaac's or Carver's default melee punch.
Location[]
The Hydraulic Engine is first available in Chapter 5 upon entering the CMS Terra Nova Cargo Hold for the first time. It is located on the short dead-end path leading to the right, directly after entering the area.
Attachable Tips[]
Heavy Frame:
- Default Tip [Hydraulic Eviscerator]: Allows the tool to be run like a chainsaw. Holds 4 rounds by default. +1 round for the first Clip Upgrade, +0.5 rounds for each additional Clip Upgrade.
- Conic Dispersal [Hydraulic Hammer]: Allows the tool to be swung like a hammer. Inflicts more damage than the Default Tip. Holds 4 rounds by default. +1 round for the first Clip Upgrade, +0.5 rounds for each additional Clip Upgrade.
- Marauder Tip [Hedgetrimmer]: Produces the Marauder Hedgetrimmer. Only available with the Marauder Pack DLC. Holds 6 rounds by default. Nearly +1 round added per Clip Upgrade (third Clip Upgrade has no effect, but a fourth and fifth add one use each once again.)
Compact Frame:
- Default Tip [Hydraulic Knife]: Allows the tool to be thrust like a knife. Holds 4 rounds by default. +1 round for the first Clip Upgrade, +0.5 rounds for each additional Clip Upgrade.
- No other producible tips are available for the Hydraulic Engine on a Compact Frame.
Combat Strategies[]
- Hydraulic Engines will consume Universal Ammo on each swing even if no enemies are struck. As such, connecting as many melee swings as possible within a magazine remains vital towards their usefulness in combat before reloading is necessary.
- The first melee swing in a combo is a leftwards uppercut swing, with the second being a rightwards and downwards swing. If the first hit connects successfully, the target can be knocked backwards. Due to the limited range, moving closer may be needed to ensure another successful hit.
- Hydraulic Engines do not replace the default melee punch. Aiming and firing with the Lower Tool is necessary to perform the melee swing.
- Taking damage during a melee swing may cancel the attack. Utilizing Stasis regularly is recommended, particularly with Stasis Amplifier.
- Upgrading Rate of Fire and Damage can result in a devastating melee weapon capable of extremely quick swings, capable of knocking several Necromorphs within range backwards, if not outright killing them.
- Hydraulic Hammers can prove effective in heavily damaging/killing Necromorphs quickly, even on Impossible Difficulty.
- If using the Marauder Hedgetrimmer, investing in Clip Size will allow for prolonged use longer than other Hydraulic Engines.