DAVETHE DIVER GUIDE

Best Gear Before Starting In the Jungle

Max oxygen first, then carry weight and the tools that still function in Utara; do not waste time perfecting Duff guns for a DLC that uses the Jungle Gun.

Updated July 25, 2026 · 5 min read

Quick answer

Oxygen is the single best pre-DLC upgrade

Upgrade oxygen capacity as far as practical, followed by carry weight, harpoon damage and salvage-drone capacity. Make sure crab traps are unlocked if you want every crustacean.

Do not delay the DLC to max every base-game weapon. Utara replaces that arsenal with the Jungle Gun and its own materials.

Priority 1
Oxygen
Priority 2
Carry weight
Useful tools
Drone and crab traps
Do not grind
Duff guns

Recommended upgrade order

PriorityUpgradeWhy it matters
1Oxygen capacityMore health and more time in aggressive freshwater zones
2Carry weightFewer trips when gathering large fish and ore
3Harpoon damageReliable finishing and early captures
4Salvage droneRetrieve large fish at higher quality
5Crab trapsRequired for crabs and lobsters
6Knife and depthUseful, but normally sufficient after the base story

What you can safely skip

  • Maxing every Duff gun
  • Stockpiling base-game restaurant ingredients
  • Grinding base-game money for Utara upgrades
  • Perfecting Bancho Sushi staff before leaving

A practical first-day loadout

Enter the first dives with spare oxygen and ammunition selected as quick-use items. Explore conservatively until the Jungle Gun has at least a few upgrades; large freshwater predators are much more durable than their early Blue Hole equivalents.

FAQ

Best Starting Gear questions

Should you max every weapon before starting the DLC?

No. In the Jungle uses the Jungle Gun instead of Duff's normal arsenal.

Are crab traps required?

They are not required for the opening story, but they are required for the DLC's crab and lobster collection entries.

Sources and verification

This guide was checked against current game information and player reports on July 25, 2026. Player carry-over testing · Player difficulty discussion