Safety Scissors
Safety Scissors look like the most boring item in Baldi’s Basics Plus. In practice, they deal with three different characters, cost little and turn a long delay into a two-second problem. This guide explains what they cut, when to use them and when to keep them in your pocket.
What they cut
| Target | What happens |
|---|---|
| Playtime’s jump rope | The game ends at once. Playtime is sad, runs off and won’t play with you for a while |
| 1st Prize’s wires | He malfunctions and spins slowly for 30 seconds, so he can’t push you. Extra scissors add to the time |
| Beans’ gum | The gum comes off, and you move at normal speed again |
Since version 0.4, one pair of scissors can cut several effects at once. If Playtime has you in a game of jump rope while Beans’ gum slows you down, a single use deals with both.
Why they rank so high
Most items solve one problem. Safety Scissors solve three, and those three are among the characters you meet most often. They are also common: you find them in classrooms, faculty rooms and the library, and Johnny’s Store can stock them for a small amount of YTPs. A cheap item that removes a whole category of trouble is worth a slot on every level.
Playtime
Playtime holds you in place until you finish her jump rope game, and every missed jump makes a sound Baldi can hear. Cutting the rope ends the game immediately and gives you a short window where she won’t catch you again. Use scissors on her when:
- Baldi is close and you can’t afford to stand still;
- you are on your way to Mrs. Pomp’s class and can’t be late;
- the level timer is almost out.
If none of that applies, playing the game out costs only time and saves the item. Our Playtime guide explains her game in detail.
1st Prize
1st Prize turns to face you, accelerates and pushes you down the hallway, sometimes into a wall or straight into Baldi. Cutting his wires stops him for 30 seconds: he spins slowly and can’t push you. If you use more scissors while he is already spinning, the times add up.
Don’t cut 1st Prize just because he is in the way. His pushes can also carry you away from Baldi. Save the scissors for when he is pushing you towards danger or pinning you in a corner.
Beans’ gum
Beans spits gum at anyone in his line of sight. If it hits you, your movement is drastically slowed for several seconds and the gum covers part of your inventory, making it hard to see which item is selected. Cutting it off restores your speed at once. Use scissors on gum when someone dangerous is chasing you. If the hallway is empty, you can usually wait it out.
When to keep them
The best moment for Safety Scissors is when a slowdown would cost you a life. Some situations where waiting is fine:
- Playtime catches you in an empty part of the school and Baldi is far away.
- 1st Prize is pushing you in a direction you wanted to go anyway.
- Beans’ gum hits you while you are inside a classroom solving an activity.
Scissors don’t help against characters that can’t be cut. It’s a Bully, Gotta Sweep and Cloudy Copter need other answers, such as the Faculty Nametag or Techno Boots.
Scissors and other items
| Problem | Safety Scissors | Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Playtime’s game | Ends it instantly | BSODA pushes her away; the Faculty Nametag stops her from catching you |
| 1st Prize pushing you | Stops him for 30 seconds | BSODA pushes him away; Techno Boots resist his push |
| Beans’ gum | Removes it | None: the gum wears off on its own |
The BSODA covers two of the three cases, but it is rarer and breaks the drinking rule in the halls. Read the BSODA guide to see when it is the better choice.
How many to carry
One pair is enough for most levels. On later levels with more hallways, a second pair is worth it if you have a free slot, especially if you saw 1st Prize or Beans on an earlier attempt. If your inventory is full of stronger items, keep a pair in the storage locker so it is waiting for you in the Pitstop.
FAQ
Can Safety Scissors cut It’s a Bully loose?
No. They work on Playtime’s rope, 1st Prize’s wires and Beans’ gum. Use the Faculty Nametag to get past the Bully.
Does cutting Playtime’s rope make her angry?
She gets sad and runs off, and she won’t play with you for a while. There is no penalty for you.
Can I use scissors on gum and rope at the same time?
Yes. Since version 0.4, one pair cuts several effects at once.
See where Safety Scissors land in our item ranking, or browse more item guides in the Items section.