A civilian infected by the tar.
The Black Tar was a mind controlling substance introduced in Infamous, used by the Reapers that was pumped into water supply lines and water towers.
History
The Black Tar was produced by Sasha's own body, a result of her unlocked abilities as a Conduit when the Ray Sphere was activated.
The Black Tar was transported via trucks, which is first revealed in the story mission "Mind Games." Following this mission there are also side missions called "Mobile Poison," where Cole must track down mobile tar tankers protected by the Reapers and destroy them.
The tar is put into the water system via tar kegs, as shown in the story mission "Nemesis Revealed." These kegs are either overloaded or destroyed altogether by Cole during this mission.
In the side mission "Dark Water", Cole must repeat the task of overloading or destroying the tar kegs, but only once pre side mission. It is revealed in one of John White's Dead drop that Sasha was experimenting on a form of the tar when she worked in the First Sons, possibly indicating she had powers before The Blast, or at least, was aware of them.
The Reapers use the tar on citizens by kidnapping them and locking them in cages located in their hideout within the Jackson Tunnel. The Reapers then used a machine to coat the innocent civilians in the Black Tar until Sasha's mind-control kicked in and were given the Reaper uniforms and weapons. Sasha also had a machine that sucked the Black Tar from her and transferred it to the machine that sprayed it on the civilians.
A victim of the tar lunges at John White.
The tar can also be turned into a gas as shown when Kessler and the First Sons kidnapped Sasha and drained the tar from her body. The pedestrians will throw rocks, headbutt, or do anything else they can to hurt Cole. He manages to take down the balloons delivering the gas to the citizens, thus preventing the First Sons from turning the entire city against him.
Near the end of the game, on the Hero route, there is a news broadcast stating that a cure has been found for the tar. The reporter also states that because of this, the lockdown will end in a couple of weeks. On the Infamous route, Cole will not hear this broadcast.
Effects
Side effects of Black Tar exposure include hallucinations and sickness, as well as gaining a mental link with Sasha. Prolonged exposure or immersion can lead to death or mental control. Reapers will often throw up a black substance when fighting, likely the tar. This may mean that it multiplies within their bodies after prolonged exposure, or that continuous doses must be given to ensure continued mind control. Cole shows more resistance to the tar than anyone else, due to his enhanced physical capabilities.
Trivia
- In the evil side quest called Minions, Sasha tells Cole to poison some citizens captured by the Reapers and then make an attack on the Dust Men.
- When Cole overloads the tar kegs in the side missions of "Dark Water", he can create certain areas full of infected people.
- The Voice of Survival makes a reference to your actions on destroying the tar pumpers, claiming you are destroying the water supply.
- Black Tar is likely a reference to another game produced by Sucker Punch, Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves. In the first location of the game, Venice, the boss infects several water supplies with black tar, even though it is not as fatal.