Splatoon Raiders Guide: How to Maximize Bond Levels Fast

Quick Answer: Bond Levels are a hidden progression mechanic that tracks how often you run dungeons with specific Bot Buddies. Maxing out this level grants powerful ultimate abilities, and the absolute fastest way to grind it is by repeatedly clearing short Dens like Temprah Den.

The Hidden Mechanics of Bot Buddies

Running solo in Splatoon Raiders isn’t actually a solo experience. You always have Shiver, Frye, or Big Man piloting your mech alongside you. They provide great banter and a clutch Showstopper ability, but they also feature a silent progression system running in the background.

The game entirely hides your Bond Level. You won’t find a progress bar buried in any menu. The only way to know you are making headway is when your current Bot Buddy flags you down for a conversation back at the Hideout Ship.

Every single dungeon you finish pushes this hidden meter forward. The game doesn’t care if you are clearing a massive boss raid for the first time or speedrunning a tiny cave you have already beaten ten times. Progress is progress.

Why You Need to Maximize Bonds

Ignoring this system leaves massive damage potential on the table. Leveling up your relationship with the crew hands you two distinct types of rewards. Early on, you earn Briny Scrolls to fill out your collectible catalog. Reaching the third and final tier is where the real power spike happens.

Maxing out a buddy completely transforms their Showstopper attack into a room-clearing nightmare for the Salmonids.

Putting in the effort to max out all three characters is absolutely worth your time. Having access to three distinct, fully upgraded Showstoppers lets you tailor your approach to whatever dungeon is giving you trouble.

The Fastest Grinding Routes

Since the game values all dungeon completions equally, running long, drawn-out story missions is a terrible way to farm. You want quick, repeatable Dens.

Early to Mid Game

Once you unlock Ferdi Island, make a beeline for Temprah Den. This is the ultimate early-game farming spot. The Salmonids here are slow, they group up nicely in the center of the room, and you can wipe them out in seconds. As you progress the main campaign, you will unlock the Spicy variant of Temprah Den, which keeps this location viable for much longer.

Late Game

Eventually, you will outgrow Ferdi Island. When that happens, shift your farming runs over to Stroborro Den on Zeefer Island. This location is incredibly efficient because it lets you farm Bond Level, score high-tier loot, and build up your Tank experience simultaneously.

If you want to make sure your build is actually capable of speedrunning these late-game Dens, check out our complete breakdown on mastering Speed, Power, and Tactical Tanks.

Crucial Farming Rules

Before you lock yourself in for a two-hour grinding session, keep these mechanics in mind so you don’t waste your time:

• Completion is Mandatory: You have to cross the finish line for the run to count. Taking damage or messing up a section is completely fine, as long as you actually finish the Den.
• Avoid Compasses: Dungeons spawned via Compasses (the sample runs) give zero Bond progress. Skip them entirely while farming.
• Swapping is Safe: Want to switch from Frye to Shiver halfway through your session? Go for it. The game saves all individual character progress, so nothing gets wiped when you change your pilot.
• Bring Friends: Farming does not have to be a miserable solo chore. Co-op runs grant the exact same amount of Bond progression as playing alone.

For more tips, walkthroughs, and everything else covering the game, check out our full collection of guides.