Beginner's Guide: How to Play Dave the Diver

Essential tips and mechanics to get you started on your diving and restaurant management journey.

1. Balance Diving and Managing

Dave the Diver is split into two main phases: exploring the Blue Hole by day and running Bancho Sushi by night. Don't neglect one for the other. Use your day dives to gather ingredients (fish, kelp, salt) and your night shifts to earn money by serving customers.

2. Upgrade Your Harpoon and Air Tank First

Your air tank is effectively your health bar and your timer. Upgrading it allows you to dive deeper and stay underwater longer. Upgrading your harpoon gun increases your damage, making it easier to catch larger and more aggressive fish. For a detailed breakdown of what to buy first, check out our Equipment Upgrade Priority Guide.

3. Pay Attention to Weight Limit

Overencumbrance slows Dave down significantly, making him an easy target for predators and burning through oxygen faster. Always keep an eye on your weight capacity and prioritize high-value catches if you're getting full.

4. Hire Staff Early

Running the restaurant alone quickly becomes overwhelming. Hire staff for both the dining room (to serve tea and clean tables) and the kitchen (to help Bancho cook faster). Look for staff with high 'Serving' or 'Cooking' stats respectively.

5. Enhance Your Dishes

Don't just sell basic sushi. Use multiple fish of the same type to 'Enhance' a dish. This permanently increases its taste rating and selling price, making it much more profitable in the long run.

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