Bioshock Infinite is one of those games that left a permanent mark on a generation of players. The world of Columbia, the floating city, the steampunk-meets-Americana aesthetic — it's a goldmine for cosplay. And the centerpiece prop of the whole franchise is the Skyhook — a brutal, three-pronged hook that doubles as a weapon and a transportation tool. Here's how to build a Bioshock Infinite cosplay around it.
The Skyhook — Booker DeWitt's Signature Tool
The Skyhook is the visual anchor of Booker DeWitt's design and one of the most distinctive melee props in any video game. Three forward-curving prongs, a chunky handle wrap, the worn brass and steel finish — it's a hand-cranked piece of Columbian engineering that looks both elegant and brutal.
For a Booker DeWitt cosplay, this is the prop. Without it, you're a man in a vest. With it, you're Booker.
What Makes the Skyhook Cosplay-Friendly
Three things:
- It's not a sword or a gun — most conventions are way more relaxed about melee tools than blade-shaped weapons or anything firearm-adjacent
- It's compact — unlike a 120cm greatsword, you can carry it through tight crowds, in elevators, and into restaurants without ducking
- It's instantly recognizable to anyone who's played the game, and even non-players are visually drawn to it
Building the Booker DeWitt Look
Here's the full outfit for a complete Booker:
- White or light cream dress shirt — collared, slightly rumpled
- Dark brown or burgundy vest — fitted, with subtle Edwardian detailing if you can find one
- Dark trousers — high-waisted, with suspenders visible
- Newsboy cap or driving cap in brown or grey
- Leather brace or arm guard on one forearm — this is where the Skyhook attaches in the game lore
- Worn leather boots — brown, lace-up, work-style
The whole outfit can be assembled from a thrift store and a few targeted purchases. Skip the fancy costume shops — real period workwear pieces look better than costume reproductions.
The Elizabeth Cosplay Option
Bioshock Infinite cosplay is also famous for Elizabeth. If you're going as Elizabeth, the Skyhook isn't your prop, but you can absolutely cosplay alongside a Booker who carries it. Group cosplays are some of the most photographed combinations at any convention. The blue dress, the choker, the page-boy haircut, paired with Booker carrying the Skyhook — it's a perfect visual story.
The Vigors
The other iconic Bioshock prop family is the Vigor bottles — those small glass containers with the colorful sigils that grant plasmid-like powers. We don't currently stock Vigor bottle replicas, but they're a possible custom order. A few Vigor bottles hanging from your belt or held in your off-hand alongside the Skyhook is a serious upgrade to the look.
Painted Finish Is Essential
The Skyhook's whole appeal is the worn, aged, used-look finish — brass that's tarnished from rain and salt air, steel that's been blooded, leather wrap that's seen wear. The painted version captures this in a way that's hard to replicate at home unless you're an experienced prop painter.
If you do want to paint it yourself, our at-home painting guide covers weathering techniques. The Skyhook is a great practice prop for weathering specifically because the whole design is about wear and tear.
Posing With the Skyhook
Booker isn't a graceful character. He's a man who does what he has to. Posing with the Skyhook should feel grim and pragmatic, not flashy. A few that work:
- Skyhook resting on shoulder, free hand in pocket, looking off into the distance
- Both hands on the handle, weapon held in front of body diagonally, eyes forward
- Walking pose with Skyhook in one hand, head down, hat brim shading face
The energy is "weary frontier man dragged into a war he doesn't understand," not "action hero."
Travel Considerations
The Skyhook is compact enough to fly with as carry-on most of the time (always check with your specific airline, but the dimensions are typically airline-friendly). It's also rugged enough to survive convention crowds without damage. For checked luggage, wrap the prongs in foam padding to protect both the prop and your other belongings.
Our convention travel guide covers prop transport in detail.
Other Steampunk-Adjacent Props
If you like the Bioshock aesthetic but want to explore other steampunk cosplays, our shop has a few crossovers. The Excalibur from Tomb Raider has a similar weathered-relic feel. The Sauron's Mace hits a similar primal-weapon note for fantasy crossover builds.
Browse the Build
The Skyhook is in stock and made to order. Browse the full melee weapons collection for other compact prop options at a similar size range.
One Final Note
Bioshock Infinite cosplay is rarer than it should be. The game is universally beloved but the cosplay community hasn't fully claimed it yet. That's an opportunity. Show up as Booker at any major convention and you'll be one of maybe three people doing it. Cosplay isn't always about being the biggest, loudest, most expensive build. Sometimes it's about being the cosplay people didn't know they were going to love.
Bring us the girl. Wipe away the debt.
