Do you have what it takes to become a great submarine commander? Find out in Steel Diver: Sub Wars, now available as a free download* from Nintendo eShop on Nintendo 3DS. Unlock 18 diverse submarines in the purchasable Premium Version, each with unique strengths and weaknesses to suit any play style, and take them into battle in seven single-player missions to hone your skills. Take the helm of the first two vessels and try your skill in two missions in the Free Version, or take on other players around the world in 4-vs-4 online and local multiplayer.

Whether you head into battle with the full arsenal of the Premium Version or the two basic submarines on offer in the Free Version, you’ll need strategic savvy and nerves of steel to come out on top in multiplayer, so be sure to arm yourself with our tactical tips before heading out on your next tour of duty.
Captain your crew

A commander is only as strong as his or her crew, and going into battle with the right support can drastically sway the odds in your favour. By assigning crew members to your sub, you can alter its statistics, such as increasing the number of available torpedoes or boosting your sonar range.

You’ll have to search out and rescue crew members before you can recruit them for your squad, so consult the Crew screen for clues to their location. Some are found in single-player missions, while others need saving in online battles, and they’ll show up as purple dots on your sonar screen. Can you find all 32 crew members?

Once you’ve rescued one, you’ll need to assign them to your submarine to get the statistical benefit. Keep this in mind though: the first two submarines can only hold one or two crew members, while some submarines available in the Premium Version can support three, four, or even a whopping five shipmates. When it comes to crew, the bigger the vessel, the better!

Tip: If you rescue crew members, your sub will recover some health!

Fire away!

Torpedoes are the bread and butter of underwater combat, so learn to use them well. By holding down the A Button you can zoom in on your target, helping you get a clearer shot, but there’s more to torpedo mastery.

The fundamental rule is to shoot not where your opponent is, but where they’re going to be. Torpedoes are slower than bullets, so you need to take your opponent’s direction and speed into account; it’s tricky at first, but with a little practice, you’ll be hitting the target with ease.

Precision counts too – while any part of a submarine is vulnerable, the propeller is its weak spot, and often a direct propeller hit will take a vessel down in one shot. It’s not the easiest skill to learn, and doesn’t work when you and the enemy are facing each other head-on, but use your wits to get behind your opponent and fire away!
Hits from long range deal an extra 50% damage, so look for subs with an A+ torpedo strength rating: their torpedoes travel the farthest, making it easier to bombard your opponent from a distance!

Tip: Weaker torpedoes have a faster rate of fire.

A good defence

Torpedoes are obviously your biggest offensive tool, but they’re much more – with a well-aimed shot you can actually detonate an enemy torpedo before it strikes. If your sub’s reload speed is higher than your opponent’s then you can even get the next shot in before they do, so try turning the tide this way!

Submarines unlocked in the purchasable Premium Version tend to have higher durability ratings, making them more resilient and able to take more damage before they sink. Once you’re sunk, you’re out, so a stronger sub could make the difference between victory and defeat!

Tip: From a standstill, you can surface and crash-dive quickly. Use this trick to evade enemy torpedoes!

Vital statistics

Each unlockable submarine has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, so whether you favour a fast vessel that attacks at short range or a slow long-distance bruiser, there’s sure to be one to suit your style of play.

To compare statistics for all 18 submarines available to unlock in the purchasable Premium Version, as well as find out more about the 4-vs-4 online multiplayer mode, submarine customisation and much more, head over to the Steel Diver: Sub Wars website.
Steel Diver: Sub Wars is available to download now from Nintendo eShop, only on Nintendo 3DS family systems.