Which Weapon Upgrades Should You Prioritize Early?
If you are wondering where to spend your first weapon resources in DAVE THE DIVER, start with the harpoon once iDiver opens up. It is Dave's default weapon, its upgrades are permanent, and it is always available. Guns can be strong, but their limited ammo makes them less reliable as your first major investment. Early harpoon damage gives you value on every dive, even before you settle on a firearm branch.
When you open a weapon crate underwater, think of it as short-term power plus blueprint progress. Crates can give you temporary guns, harpoon tips, or gun enhancement kits, and repeated finds of the same gun help unlock permanent blueprints in Duff's Weapon Shop. Early on, the smart play is to keep your upgrades focused instead of scattering materials across several weapon lines at once.
Simple Upgrade Path (Early to Mid-Game)
Use this order if you want steady progress without wasting materials:
- Upgrade harpoon damage early because it pays off on every dive.
- Choose one main gun line and only push it as far as you actually need.
- Add a tranq option when you want more high-grade catches, since tranquilizer tools can put many fish to sleep for live collection.
- Keep some gold and materials in reserve so story unlocks or tougher fights do not catch you unprepared.
As more blueprints start coming in, prioritize the weapon you use in normal dives, not a niche branch you may not touch again for a while. If an upgrade helps in most runs, it is usually a better early purchase than a specialized weapon you only need in specific situations.
Basic Underwater Rifle Upgrade Considerations
The Basic Underwater Rifle is your first permanent firearm, so it is a perfectly sensible early pickup if you want a simple ranged option. It gives you a dependable answer to aggressive fish and can make early fights feel safer while your overall upgrade choices are still limited.
Just do not treat it like an automatic all-in path. Harpoon upgrades and core dive gear usually improve every run, while rifle upgrades start competing for scarce materials much faster. One practical rifle upgrade can be worth it if it solves a problem you are having right now, but you do not need to force the full rifle path the moment it becomes available.
Tip: Use the rifle when it clearly makes your current dives easier, then reassess. If the next rifle upgrade would delay a stronger harpoon or another upgrade you rely on every trip, hold off and come back later.