Once again, the Octarians went to great lengths to infiltrate Inkopolis and steal the Great Zapfish. You can bet they’re not going to return it without putting up a fight. You encounter a variety of enemies during your adventures in Octo Canyon, each with their strengths and weaknesses. Here are some pointers for surviving each hostile encounter.
Octotrooper
Octotroopers are the foot soldiers of the Octarians and the most common enemy you encounter. They come in two variants: fixed and moving. The fixed Octotrooper remains in a stationary position, manning a slow-firing turret. The moving Octotroopers patrol through purple ink, also manning slow-firing turrets. Whether fixed or moving, Octotroopers don’t pose a huge threat. Spread ink near them and try to sneak up on them, splatting them at close range with your primary weapon. Or toss a Splat Bomb in their direction—if they can, they’ll try to get away, sometimes running off the side of a platform.
Twintacle Octotrooper
Recognizable by their two tentacles, Twintacle Octotroopers perform just like standard Octotroopers. However, they’re equipped with faster-firing turrets, making them a much more formidable threat. While you can easily dodge the incoming blobs of ink fired by Octotroopers, these more advanced enemies fire narrow, fast-moving streams of purple ink. Avoid face-to-face encounters when possible. Instead, swim through your ink and take them by surprise, shooting them in the back with your primary weapon. Or simply stay behind cover and take them out with Splat Bombs or Autobombs.
Shielded Octotrooper
Like the standard Octotroopers and Twintacle Octotroopers, these shielded enemies come in fixed and moving variants. What sets them apart is the metal shield attached to the front of the turret. While the shield can be destroyed after sustaining heavy damage, flanking is much faster. Try spreading ink around them and sneaking up from behind. Or toss a Splat Bomb behind them—the Shielded Octotrooper rotates to face the Splat Bomb, leaving his back exposed. Whatever you do, don’t stand in front of one of these enemies and exchange ink—you won’t win this duel.
Octozeppelin
Don’t be intimidated by these massive airships. Despite their impressive appearance, Octozeppelins are more of a passive nuisance than an active threat. They simply fly forward in a linear path while spreading ink behind them. Still, it’s important to avoid direct contact with these blimps—they can and will splat you if you get in their way. When necessary, attack an Octozeppelin by targeting the wiggling tentacle on top; this is easiest with the Hero Charger. Otherwise, time your movements carefully to avoid making contact with these enemies.
Octopod
They may look cute, but Octopods have nothing but bad intentions. These enemies come running at you at high speed. If they get close, they’ll explode, spreading purple ink over a wide area and potentially splatting you. To avoid such attacks, lay a line of ink between you and the approaching Octopods. Your ink slows down their advance considerably, allowing you to pick them off one by one. Octopods usually attack in groups, so make sure you have plenty of ink spread out to ensnare all attackers. Look for nearby Balloon Fish or Rolonium bundles to help you deal with such swarms.
Octohurler
This unusual, hand-shaped Octarian spits out bundles of Rolonium. Each Rolonium bundle travels forward in a linear path, spreading ink behind it. Needless to say, don’t get hit by one of these bundles. Instead, ink the bundle with your primary weapon to send it rolling back toward the Octohurler. As with any Rolonium bundle, the angle at which you hit it determines its path, so make sure you line up the shot with your intended target. Octohurlers can also be flanked rather easily. If you can get behind them, they’re completely defenseless, as they’re incapable of rotating.
Squee-G
Unlike most enemies, Squee-Gs don’t pose a direct threat. Instead, they mop up ink. They typically patrol walls and other vertical surfaces, quickly responding to any ink you spread. Squee-Gs can’t be destroyed, so merely avoid them. Ink a wall and swim past them before they can clean up your ink. They’re not particularly fast, so as long as you swim past them quickly, you shouldn’t have many problems with these little guys.
Industrial Squee-G
This up-sized variant of the Squee-G operates solely on horizontal surfaces and immediately responds to freshly spread ink. When possible, avoid moving along the same surface as one of these behemoths, as you risk getting run over. Instead, ride atop Industrial Squee-Gs by dropping down on them from elevated platforms—you can’t ink their sides. While riding, spread ink in the direction you want the Squee-G to move. This sleek appliance only cares about cleaning up ink and runs over anything in its way, including other Octarians. You can ink the top of the Industrial Squee-G too, allowing you to enter squid form to refill your Ink Tank. Really, this is the way to travel!
Octoballer
The Octoballer is basically a large bowling ball, rolling along a linear path. Like Octozeppelins, dispensers produce an endless number of Octoballers, so there’s no use in trying to defeat them. Rather, they’re best avoided. In some instances, you can use Octoballers as pieces of moving cover, concealing your movements from other Octarians. When advancing against the flow of Octoballers, ink a path along an edge and swim forward, careful to avoid contact with the rolling enemy. When possible, use Gushers to wipe out incoming Octoballers before making your move.
Kingpin Octoballer
The Kingpin Octoballer is a massive variant of the Octoballer, slowly rolling down ramps and impeding your movement. Don’t bother trying to splat these enormous Octarians. Instead, carefully time their movement and look for opportunities to sneak past them. Dispensers release a steady barrage of evenly spaced Kingpin Octoballers. Wait until one passes your location before pushing forward. When possible, ink a path before swimming to your destination—Curling Bombs work well for creating long, linear trails. Sometimes you can ink along an edge and swim past Kingpin Octoballers without being touched.
Octobomber
These large enemies hover in midair while tossing Splat Bombs. Since they make no contact with the ground, bombs are usually ineffective when targeting these enemies directly. Instead, sneak up on Octobombers without being seen and splat them at close range with your primary weapon. While hiding behind cover, toss Splat Bombs or Curling Bombs in an attempt to ink the area around an Octobomber. When the surface below an Octobomber is inked, swim forward and attack.
Octocopter
Like Octobombers, Octocopters are airborne threats. But instead of attacking with Splat Bombs, they fire slow-moving blobs of purple ink—much like the Octotroopers. For best results, stay hidden until you can pop up out of your ink and ambush Octocopters with your Hero Shot at close range. While you can’t hit Octocopters with a Curling Bomb, swimming within a Curling Bomb’s ink trail is a great way to sneak up on these guys. In any case, rush forward and attack aggressively, as Octocopters tend to loiter just outside your primary weapon’s range.
Octoseeker
The Octoseeker is essentially a helicopter piloted by an Octotrooper. This aerial vehicle is equipped with a searchlight that constantly scans the ground for threats. If you’re detected, the Octoseeker will hover overhead before eventually slamming into the ground. When the searchlight turns red, that’s your cue to move out of the way—if you stay put, you’ll be squished. When the Octoseeker hits the ground, immediately ink one of its sides and swim to the top to take a ride. You can’t ink the front of the Octoseeker, as the cockpit window is not an inkable surface. Once on board, ink the top of the Octoseeker and look for opportunities to squid-jump to nearby platforms along the vehicle’s patrol circuit. When jumping off, be mindful of the four rotors on the corners. Hitting one of these may interrupt your jump, causing you to fall short of your intended landing spot.
Tentakook
This fast-moving, hardhat-wearing Octarian isn’t looking for a fight. Rather, the Tentakook would like nothing more than to be left alone, running away as soon as you approach. These evasive enemies are tough to track down due to their quick movement speed and constant situational awareness. Be sure to avoid the Splat Bombs they drop as they attempt to escape. Your best bet is to corner the Tentakook on a platform where he has no opportunity to evade. Once he’s cornered, approach the Tentakook with caution while firing your primary weapon or tossing Splat Bombs of your own. Tenta Missiles are also effective against these foes, allowing you to strike from a distance. Tentakooks usually carry critical items such as keys necessary to open vaults, so be sure to search the surrounding area once a Tentakook has been splatted.
Octostamp
If you’re detected by Octostamps, they’ll come running at you before leaping into the air—this is your cue to move out of the way. Don’t try shooting them while they’re running at you, as hitting them in the face doesn’t do any damage. Instead, wait until they land facedown on a platform, then shoot them in their exposed backs. Alternatively, coax them to an edge of a platform and sidestep as they inadvertently leap off the side.
Octostamp DX
This is the Ocotstamp’s bigger, less-cute sibling. Like the Octostomp boss, this enemy tries to splat you by performing a face-plant. Lure the Octostamp DX toward you, then immediately sidestep as the enemy tilts forward. While the Octostamp DX is facedown, ink one of its sides and swim up to its back. You can usually find interesting objects on an Octostamp DX’s back, including keys and launchpads. There’s no way to splat this enemy, so don’t bother trying. Retrieve whatever you need from it and move on.
Octodiver
If you see a large pool of purple ink, there’s a good chance an Octodiver is hiding beneath the surface, waiting to ambush you. These enemies perform just like their Octotrooper and Twintacle Octotrooper counterparts, but have the ability to stay submerged within their ink until they encounter a threat. To avoid getting caught by surprise, take time to spread ink whenever you encounter large areas of purple ink. This forces Octodivers to the surface, making them easier to engage. Also watch out for the shielded variant of the Octodiver. If you encounter a Shielded Octodiver at close range, immediately swim away to avoid getting splatted by incoming blasts of purple ink. This may be a good opportunity to use Curling Bombs in an effort to draw the Octodiver’s attention.
Flooder
Towering above platforms on four stilt-like legs, Flooders constantly patrol, raining down purple ink. Like Squee-Gs, Flooders can’t be destroyed, so you must avoid them. For best results, stay submerged in your ink to prevent being spotted. The Flooder’s red targeting laser constantly scans for foes, and if you’re detected, they’ll move toward you. Break line of sight to avoid being chased. Curling Bombs come in handy during these encounters, allowing you to spread long lines of ink you can swim through. Maintain situational awareness at all times; otherwise multiple Flooders may converge on your location, leaving you no path of escape. If you can get high enough, drop down and ride atop Flooders—this is a good way to cross an area without exposing yourself to their ink.
Octosniper
These long-range specialists are extremely dangerous, capable of hitting you at distances from which you can’t retaliate. The Octosniper’s turret fires a narrow steam of ink, capable of inflicting heavy damage. Watch the Octosniper’s green targeting laser to determine which way the enemy is facing. When he’s looking away, try to sneak up by spreading and swimming through your ink. Once close enough, hide behind cover and lob Splat Bombs or Autobombs in the Octosniper’s direction. If you can’t close the deal with bombs, ink an area next to the enemy, then swim through your ink, ambushing the Octosniper at close range with your primary weapon.
Octocommander
Similar to Octosnipers, Octocommanders defend from fixed positions while attacking threats with a rapid-firing ink cannon. A direct, toe-to-toe confrontation is out of the question. Look for opportunities to flank, slowly and stealthily swimming through your ink until you’re close enough to attack with your primary weapon, or engage Octocommanders while safely behind cover. Ink a path forward and swim to cover until you’re close enough to engage with Splat Bombs or Autobombs. Also, note the slight pause following each cannon volley. Use this opportunity to peek out of cover and take a direct shot. Rolonium bundles and Ink Storm specials are effective against these enemies.
Octoling
Exhibiting the same capabilities as Inklings, Octolings are some of the most dangerous enemies you encounter. They’re equipped with a variety of weapons, including Splat Bombs. Furthermore, they can swim and hide in their own ink, just like you. The standard Octolings are dangerous enough, but the Elite Octolings (with kelp growing out of their heads) are even more durable, capable of taking more damage. When possible, seek the high ground during Octoling confrontations, firing down on them with your primary weapon. If you can’t splat them, limit their mobility by covering the ground with your ink. If they get stuck in your ink, use Splat Bombs to take them out before they can submerge in their own ink and escape.