You’ve finally hit that first stormy night in Dave the Diver. The rain is lashing against the boat, the music is a bit more ominous than usual, and Sato—that collector guy who is obsessed with Marinca cards—shows up to tell you about a "vortex." Most players jump in thinking it’s just another oversized fish to harpoon. Then they meet the Dave the Diver truck hermit crab.
It’s a literal dump truck. Being piloted by a massive, angry crustacean.
Honestly, the first time I saw it, I just stared. It’s absurd. But the charm wears off fast when you realize your Level 3 Triple Axel or your fancy sniper rifle doesn't do a single pixel of damage to it. You can pump 50 bullets into those claws and nothing happens. This fight is a mechanical "gotcha" that catches a lot of people off guard because it completely changes the rules of the game.
Where to Find the Vortex
You can’t just go looking for this thing whenever you want. It has to be a stormy night. If it’s raining but there’s no thunder, you’re out of luck. Once the conditions are right, you dive into the Blue Hole and look for a swirling white whirlpool. It’s usually pretty shallow, typically around 15 to 25 meters down.
Don't miss it. If you skip the night dive or ignore the vortex, you lose the chance for that specific storm. The game will eventually give you another stormy night, but you'll be waiting a while.
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The Strategy That Actually Works
The biggest mistake people make? Trying to play Dave the Diver like a shooter during this boss. The truck hermit crab is immune to weapons. Period. You are not going to "skill" your way through this with a better harpoon tip.
The secret is the explosive barrels.
When the crab slams its claws into the ground, it causes debris to fall, but it also dredges up these yellow explosive barrels. You have to swim down, grab one with the interact button, and carry it above the crab’s back. Specifically, you’re aiming for the gap between the truck cab and its fleshy body.
Why You’re Dropping the Barrels
- The Speed Penalty: As soon as Dave picks up a barrel, he moves like he’s swimming through molasses. You are slow. You are heavy.
- The Despawn Timer: These barrels don't last forever. If you take too long to line up your shot, the barrel just... vanishes. It’s incredibly frustrating.
- The Ceiling Debris: While you’re trying to float above the crab, it will often knock rocks loose from the ceiling. If a rock hits you, you drop the barrel.
You’ve got to be decisive. Grab the barrel, swim straight up to get some clearance, and then drift over the truck. Don't overthink the aim—just drop it when you're roughly over the middle.
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Surviving the Charge Attack
The crab isn't just sitting there. It’s constantly trying to push you into the right-hand wall. If you get pinned, you’re basically dead. The arena is tiny, and the crab is huge.
Watch the crab's "shoulders" (if crabs have shoulders). When it starts rocking back and forth and leaning down, it’s about to charge. You need to drop whatever you’re doing and swim over the top of it to the left side of the screen.
The "Angry" Phase
After about three successful hits, the hermit crab gets fed up. It starts covering its eyes with its claws. When it’s in this defensive stance, dropping a barrel is a waste of time. It won’t do damage.
You have to wait. Wait for it to move its claws to attack, then strike. This is where most people lose their patience and get greedy. They try to force a barrel drop while the crab is guarding, miss, and then get hit by the counter-attack.
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Quick Tips for the Struggle
- Equip the Octopus Charm: If you have the charm that gives you a dash boost, use it. It makes a massive difference when you’re trying to outrun a charge.
- Watch the Oxygen: There are usually one or two oxygen tanks in the boss arena. Don't wait until you’re at 10% to grab them. The screen gets blurry, and you’ll miss your barrel drops.
- Don't Overencumber: If you went into the dive with a full inventory of fish, you're going to have a bad time. Dump the weight before you enter the vortex.
What Do You Actually Get?
Once you blow the truck off its back—which is a very satisfying animation, by the way—the crab scurries off. You’ll be left with a pile of loot.
The main prize is the Truck Hermit Crab Pincer. You can use this to craft or upgrade certain high-tier weapons later on. More importantly for the completionists, you get the Marinca No. 1004 card. It’s one of the "Super Rare" ones required to finish Sato’s collection.
Don't forget to harvest the meat from the ground before you leave through the vortex. It makes a decent dish, though honestly, at this stage of the game, you’re probably doing it more for the glory than the sushi profits.
To wrap this up, stop shooting the shell. It's metal. It's a truck. It doesn't care about your harpoon. Focus entirely on the barrels, keep Dave’s vertical position high to avoid the claw swipes, and be patient during the defensive phase.
Next Steps for You:
Check your in-game calendar for the next thunderstorm. Before the sun goes down, head to the weapon shop and make sure you have at least one movement-based charm equipped. When you dive, ignore the fish and head straight for the whirlpool at the 20m mark to trigger the fight while your oxygen is still full.