The Octarians went to great lengths to infiltrate Inkopolis and steal the Great Zapfish, so you can bet they’re not going to return it without putting up a fight. You’ll encounter a variety of enemies during your adventures in Octo Valley, 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’ll 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 a slow-firing turret. 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 Hero Shot. 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 Hero Shot. Or simply stay behind cover and take them out with Splat Bombs.
Shielded Octotrooper
Like the standard Octotroopers and Twintacle Octotroopers, these shielded enemies come in fixed and moving variants. But what sets them apart is the metal shield attached to the front of their turret. Unless using an Inkzooka, you can’t shoot through or destroy this shield, so you must find a way to flank them. Try spreading ink around them and sneaking up on them from behind. Or toss a Splat Bomb behind them—the Octotrooper will rotate to face the Splat Bomb, leaving their back exposed. Whatever you do, don’t stand in front of one of these enemies and exchange ink—you won’t win this duel.
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, potentially splatting you. To avoid such attacks, lay a line of ink between you and the approaching Octopods. Your ink will slow 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.
Octoball
Octoballs roll across horizontal surfaces, spreading wide trails of purple ink behind them. If you’re detected, they’ll come rolling straight at you dealing heavy damage upon contact. As with the Octopods, your first goal with Octoballs is to slow them down. Spread a wide line of your ink in an approaching Octoball’s path. As they come into contact with your ink, their speed is slowed immensely. But they won’t stop inching their way toward you. Before they get too close, repeatedly shoot the Octoball until it explodes, spreading your ink over a wide area. Seekers are also effective against these enemies.
Squee-G
Unlike most enemies, Squee-Gs don’t pose a direct threat. Instead, they simply mop up ink. They usually patrol walls and other vertical surfaces, quickly responding to any ink you spread. Squee-Gs can’t be destroyed, so you must simply 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.
Octobomber
These large enemies hover in mid air while tossing Splat Bombs. Since they make no contact with the ground, Splat Bombs and Seekers are usually ineffective when targeting these enemies directly. Instead, try to sneak up on Octobombers without being seen and splat them at close range with your Hero Shot. While hiding behind cover, toss Splat Bombs or Burst 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 Seeker, swimming within a Seeker’s ink trail is a great way to sneak up on these guys.
Octostamp
If you’re detected by an Octostamp, 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 won’t do any damage. Instead, wait until they land face down on a platform, then shoot them in their exposed back. Alternatively, coax them to an edge of a platform and side step as they inadvertently leap off the edge.
Octoling
Exhibiting the same capabilities as Inklings, Octolings are some of the most dangerous enemies you’ll encounter. They’re equipped with a weapon similar to your Hero Shot as well as 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 seaweed growing out of their head) are even more durable, capable of taking more damage. When possible, seek the high ground when confronting Octolings, firing down on them with your Hero Shot. 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.
Octostriker
You’ll encounter a total of four Octostrikers during your adventure. These enemies hover above flying saucers at the end of each stage while targeting you with Inkstrikes. These attacks consist of massive ink tornados. To avoid getting targeted with an Inkstrike, stay on the move, swimming through your ink when possible to prevent detection. When you reach the flying saucer, aggressively pursue the Octostriker around the perimeter—ink the surface and swim up to him, hitting him repeatedly with your Hero Shot until he explodes. Speed and mobility are key when confronting these enemies.
Octodiver
If you see large swaths 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 taken by surprise, take time to spread ink whenever you encounter large pools of purple ink. This can force Octodivers to the surface, making them easier to engage. There’s even a shielded variant of the Octodiver. If a Shielded Octodiver is encountered at close range, immediately swim away to avoid getting splatted by their incoming blasts of purple ink. This may be a good opportunity to use an Inkzooka—even that shield won’t block the Inkzooka’s devastating shots.
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 avoid 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 by a Flooder. Seekers come in handy during these encounters, allowing you to spread long lines of ink you can swim through. But maintain situational awareness at all times. Otherwise multiple Flooders may converge on your location, leaving you no path of escape.
Octosniper
These long-range specialists are extremely dangerous, capable of hitting you at distances where you can’t retaliate. Their 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 they’re looking away, try to sneak up on them by spreading and swimming through your ink. Once close enough, hide behind cover and lob Splat Bombs in an Octosniper’s direction. If you can’t close the deal with Splat Bombs, ink an area next to the enemy, then swim through your ink, ambushing the Octosniper at close range with your Hero Shot.