Which Tank to Start With in Splatoon Raiders

This isn't a repeat of the Overview page -- it's a closer look at how the 3 Tank archetypes and their supporting systems actually play out, based on official materials and extensive community build guides since the July 23 launch.

The Three Tanks

Power, Speed, and Tactical aren't just stat variants -- each unlocks its own distinct Gadget pool, so your choice shapes your entire moment-to-moment playstyle, not just numbers. Power favors close-range burst damage, Speed rewards hit-and-run mobility, and Tactical is built around deploying and managing multiple gadgets at once for battlefield control.

You're Never Locked In

Tanks can be freely switched between missions, so treat your first pick as a starting point to experiment from, not a permanent commitment. Full endgame builds for all three eventually converge on similar Relic Power priorities (Showstopper Power, Gadget Recovery) regardless of which Tank you favor.

Picking a Bot Buddy

Each Deep Cut member -- Shiver, Frye, Big Man -- serves as a selectable companion with a unique Showstopper ultimate. Frye's wide-range AoE Showstopper is broadly useful across most builds and difficulty levels, while Big Man's full-heal-plus-invincibility Showstopper is the stronger specific pick for higher-difficulty dungeons where survival matters more than raw damage.

Why Rapport Matters

Sticking with one Tank-and-Bot-Buddy combination across multiple missions builds rapport with that Deep Cut member, eventually unlocking a boosted version of their Showstopper. If you've found a combination you enjoy, committing to it for a stretch pays off beyond just personal preference.

A Fair Note on Difficulty

Some reviewers have specifically noted that certain boss encounters lean more on raw health-bar damage-sponge design than distinct attack patterns to learn -- if a fight feels like it's testing your build's DPS more than your reflexes, that's a genuine, acknowledged criticism of the game rather than something you're missing.

See the full data: Splatoon Raiders Classes