As an avid Splatoon player since the original launched on Wii U, I was thrilled to get my hands on Splatoon 3 and battle through its addictive mix of ink-splatting chaos. But among the game’s many additions, none captivated me more than meeting the new hosts of Anarchy Splatcast – the Deep Cut trio!
Comprised of Shiver, Frye, and Big Man, these three vibrant personalities serve both as radio hosts and bosses to battle later on. Each brings unique skills, attacks, and combat challenges that have kept me gleefully struggling for days!
So whether you’re aiming to best these baddies in Hero Mode or simply want to know all there is about Splatoon’s newfound icons, I’ve compiled this definitive guide covering everything there is unravel about the Deep Cut trio! Let’s dive in to these rockstars one by one!
Overview of the Colorful Deep Cut Trio
Fresh off judging the previous game’s Splatfest battles, Deep Cut’s bubbly members now host Inkopolis’ hottest radio show while moonlighting as foes in the single player campaign. They also represent different species that once warred but now live harmoniously together. According to director Hisashi Nogami, this dynamic team symbolizes ever-strengthening bonds.
As highlighted in this comparison table, each member brings wildly different abilities to the table:
- Shiver – An Octoling endowed with singing and hypnosis skills
- Frye – A hotheaded Inkgling whose passion powers fiery ink attacks
- Big Man – A giant floating Manta Ray with a doppelganger army!
Think you’ve seen it all in Splatoon? These new character designs impress even this veteran player. Next we’ll analyze each Deep Cut combatant and their signature moves.
Shiver – The Hypnotic Octoling Idol
Of Deep Cut’s members, stylish Octoling Shiver easily earned favorite status for me. Winning crowds through performances, she lulls foes into submission with graceful attacks before unleashing her Giant Megalodon for the finish! Maybe I just have a soft spot for musicians, but I can’t get enough of her boss battle.
Shiver‘s Attacks and Strategy Tips
While mesmerizing up close, Shiver’s fighting prowess shouldn’t be underestimated. She bombards foes with tricky ink barrage using the following moves:
- Tail Flick – Shiver stylishly flings ink from her ponytail
- Inky Dive – She dives forward surrounded by ink explosion
- Sharknado – Whips up a tornado with shark ink cyclone!
When backed against the wall, Shiver unveils her ultimate beastly buddy – the colossal Megalodon! This massive shark cyborg shoots ink beams while guarding its master.
Thankfully, I’ve discovered some proven strategies for surviving this deadly songstress:
- Keep mobile – Much of Shiver‘s offense relies on area control attacks to limit your movement. Continuously spread ink so you can swim away from danger quickly.
- Disrupt the shark – Toothfish bombs temporarily stop Megalodon‘s spinning beam. Seize the moment to strike unprotected areas!
- Target the source – Landing hits on Shiver herself deals exponentially more damage than attacking the armored shark. Get in quick blows during her dive attack recovery.
Splat Shiver first and her mighty Megalodon won’t be far behind! Just stay agile and strike when she’s vulnerable.
Frye – Fiery Inkgling Packing a Temper
Inkgling co-host Frye exhibits infinitely more brazenness than her colleagues. She pursues opponents relentlessly while taunting them via megaphone between barrages of searing ink strikes. Frye’s penchant for screaming even carries over to her fans – she admits to losing her voice often from constant yelling!
Despite her brash attitude, witnessing Frye’s passion on full display proved infectious. I couldn’t help cheering out loud when landing hits as her during my Deep Cut victory tour!
Frye’s Attacks and Counter Strategy
Matching her scorching spirit, Frye’s ink sizzles at a staggering 430 degrees Fahrenheit! She unleashes blazing attacks like:
- Eel Barrage – Over 20 eels blast opponents simultaneously
- Homing Missiles – Seeking ink rockets chase you relentlessly
- Searing Charge – Frye rushes forward covered in firey ink
This boiling offense would boil even the most experienced squid. Here’s how I overcame Frye’s fiery techniques:
- Prioritize eels – Defeat the eels first or face prolonged group damage
- Use cubes as shields – Hide safely behind spinning cubes when homing missiles approach
- Listen for charge cues – Frye yells “Ready or not, here I come!” right before charging. Prepare to dodge accordingly!
Frye may have boiling ink and scorching screams, but with proper strategy you can cool her down!
Big Man – The Giant Manta Ray Specter
Last but not least, Deep Cut’s biggest member in both size and personality – Big Man! This towering Manta Ray stays true to his name, eclipsing even the largest Inklings. And despite typically only muttering “Ayy!” in his squeaky voice, Big Man’s imposing presence compelled me to approach with caution.
While not the conversational type, Big Man‘s combat capabilities prove loud and clear. He bombards enemies with dozens of aerial ink explosions!
Big Man’s Attacks and Weaknesses
Don’t let his dopey drifting demeanor fool you – Big Man‘s ghastly ink shadows pack a walloping offensive punch:
- Deep Dive – Burrows into the ground before reemerging for a barrage
- Doppelgangers – Produces shadow clones that shoot projectiles
- Inka-pult – Hurls giant ink spheres that spread messily upon landing
Despite formidable power, I braved Big Man’s morphing defenses using the following countermeasures:
- Destroy shadows – Destroying Big Man’s inky silhouettes prevents him from hiding and healing. Use Toothfish missiles to wipe them out!
- Find the fake – Concentrate attacks only on Big Man‘s true form shadow to damage his health.
- Keep moving – Continuously re-ink surfaces to stay mobile. This allows dodging large ink meteor explosions.
Once you see through his illusions, Big Man’s not so tough after all!
My Epic Deep Cut Battle Recap
After loads of intense matches, I finally toppled all three Deep Cut members in Hero Mode! Here’s a recap of my journey battling Splatoon 3’s awesome bosses:
As you can see, their distinctive skills forced me to tailor my strategy for each bout. Shiver’s graceful style contrasted wildly against Frye’s aggression and Big Man’s unpredictable attacks. Ultimately triumphing demanded skillful fight customization – a design choice I really respect from the developers!
My greatest challenge came from Frye’s blistering offense. I learned the hard way that ignoring her rampaging eels for even a moment invited devastating group damage! However, studying attack patterns to pinpoint prime counter windows proved extremely rewarding.
Admittedly, I felt some remorse battling Shiver after rocking out to her concerts! But all was forgiven when she clapped enthusiastically during my victory ceremony. What a great sport!
Why Fans Adore the Deep Cut Bosses
Based on community reactions since launch, I‘m not alone in my adoration of Splatoon 3’s Deep Cut members. These fresh characters clearly resonated with fans for good reason!
Beyond rocking eye-catching designs, Deep Cut‘s hosts demonstrate evolving friendship between species previously at odds. Players praise how Shiver highlights cooperation with past rival Octolings. And by representing different ages and backgrounds, the trio showcase Inkling diversity too.
Competitively, fans enjoy learning distinct dodge and counter techniques tailored to each Deep Cut fighter. Their wildly varying styles add excitement to an already dynamic boss battle system!
But simpler reasons like musical talent and comedic dialogue also contribute to the group‘s appeal. Ultimately they deliver a complete multimedia package – compelling looks, tunes, and gameplay!
Conclusion: Deep Cut Steals Splatoon Fans‘ Hearts
As a ride-or-die Splatoon fan since the original, few gaming moments replica entering this special series’ universe for my first time. So I‘m thrilled Splatoon 3 recaptures that magic through instantly lovable additions like Deep Cut!
Between hosting radio broadcasts and appearing as formidable bosses, the lively Shiver, Frye, and Big Man add infectious energy to both single + multiplayer. I can’t wait to see what hijinks they get up to in upcoming Splatfests and DLC!
For new players drawn into the franchise by these characters, even more delightful chaos awaits exploring previous games too! Just beware – squids might steal your heart as quickly as Deep Cut stole mine! Stay fresh!
References
Takahashi, Dean. “Splatoon Creators Talk Hairstyles, Pop Stars, And Roller Derby.” VentureBeat, GamesBeat, 1 July 2022, https://venturebeat.com/2022/07/01/splatoon-creators-talk-hairstyles-pop-stars-and-roller-derby/.
Walker, Alex. “Big Man – Splatoon 3 Wiki Guide.” IGN, IGN, 9 Sept. 2022, https://www.ign.com/wikis/splatoon-3/Big_Man.
