Octopus

The **Octopus** is a C- tier intelligent and stealthy marine build. It has the highest stealth in the entire game, and can even shapeshift and mimic other players. The octopus has one of the lowest defense stats, however, and they have short game time & polarizing matchups. Octopus players got both buffed & nerfed in the Anthropocene Update.

## Combat

Octopuses use their suction cups found on their tentacles to grasp and capture prey. Every octopus main utilises the venom tool to some extent as even a single bite alone can deal massive damage.

### Defense

Octopuses have low defense and health stats, but they have the special ability Ink or as some call it smokescreen which they can use to escape. They can also use tools.

### Offense

Octopus mains have opted for venom, venom is a powerful tool for taking down prey since even a single bite can deal the venom effect for massive damage, venom is also quite effective for pressuring attackers to steer clear. Their suction cups give them powerful grip and have enabled them to grasp and hold.

## Summary

In the reef meta, the octopus ranks as high as D Tier. The octopus is a hybrid between a stealth-based build and an intelligence-based one having exceptionally high levels in both stats. They've got the shape shift and color change ability that lets them get the camouflage stealth bonus in just about any environment and their intelligence lets them solve problems using tools and learn new skills by observation. In addition to having suction cups, multiple arms, regenerative abilities and venom, the octopus build also gets access to tons of high-level abilities like tool use, shape-shift, and inkjet. Unfortunetly, due to their squishy defensive stats, they get bodied hard by anything that *does* find them. In addition, they get bodied **hard** by Cetaceans & Sharks, due to them having the powerful Electroreception & Echolocation respectively. Finally, their low game time makes it hard to make the most of their high Intelligence stat. Overall, although it is extremely cool, its weaknesses are too glaring to ignore & it just needs a few new changes to become top tier.

### Pros and Cons

#### Pros:

* High STL
* High INT
* Suction Cups

#### Cons:

* Low DEF
* Low HP
* Small Lifespan
* Polarizing Matchups

### Counters

Dolphins and Sharks (Both of these builds have sensory organs powerful enough to negate the stealth of octopuses.

Sea lions and Seals if caught in the open.

## Anthropocene Update

Octopuses have always been high tier, but now during the confirmed 1.3.7 balance patch, Octopuses were buffed. Since their lifespan is short, they can have a faster respawn time, they can adapt quickly. On top of that, all Cephalopods in general are buffed because they can thrive in warmer oceans. Also some of their competition is being killed by the warmer oceans of the current expansion pack.

### Summary of This Paragraph

* More versatility
* More competition quitting

### Blue Ringed Octopus

Since having a short lifespan is no longer that much of a concern since it provides a lot of benefits, the blue ringed octopus and other toxic octopuses might be rising up to S tier, but only time will tell.

## TierZoo Videos

Optimal Number of Arms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7sRMTWNr\_U&list=UUHsRtomD4twRf5WVHHk-cMw&index=38

Optimizing Stealth Mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuG1UklHwco&list=UUHsRtomD4twRf5WVHHk-cMw&index=25

The SpongeBob Character Tier List: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTy4StAXjXE

Earth's Next Balance Patch: https://youtu.be/0hNb0sD7bD8