Guard the bends
A raider spends the most time near corners of the channel. A heron on the inside of a bend gets extra strikes on every swimmer that passes.
Notes from the crew
Dock Tactics
The channel is short and the waves grow fast. These notes cover where to post your crew, when to upgrade, how to pace the waves and how to use each perk from the wheel.
Placement
Net first, splash second
Put a net where the channel narrows and an otter just behind it. Slowed raiders bunch together, and the otter splash catches the whole group.
Leave a post free near the nest
Keep shells for one last post close to the nest. It is your emergency stop for a catfish that slips through late in a wave.
Upgrades
Upgrade before you spread
A level 3 heron does far more damage than two level 1 herons and costs less in total. Raise your best-placed defenders before buying new ones.
Watch the catfish waves
From wave three, catfish join the pike. They are slow but tough, so make sure your heavy hitters are upgraded by then.
Wave pacing
Use the quiet time
Between waves a short countdown runs. Spend it upgrading rather than calling the next wave early, unless your crew is clearly ahead.
Pause when you need to
Pausing freezes the channel, but you can still read the map. Use it to plan, then resume with the same shells in hand.
Playing your perk
- Bucket of Shells: open with an extra heron right away and upgrade it early.
- Extra Hearts: you can afford a riskier opening, saving shells for upgrades.
- Heron Discount: build herons at every bend; they are now your cheapest damage.
- Double Points: keep hearts intact, because every remaining heart is also worth double at the end.
- Head Start: your score is already up, so play steady and avoid leaks.
- Lazy Current: slower raiders mean fewer nets are needed; invest in otters.
- Otter Buddy: place a net right in front of the free otter for an early combo.
- Long Siesta: the longer breaks reward aggressive upgrading between waves.