This is probably as far as I can go today (current shift with E-Liter scope, Sloshing Machine, Splattershot and one random). Well, I've actually been to around Prof 940 but wasn't able to take a screenshot of it. I'd say apart from weapons not being easy, the problem is matchmaking. I mean, at 800-900, I keep getting paired with teammates who doesn't know what to do (might be early Profreshionals or something).
I actually wouldn't mind playing with anyone if I'm still around 400-600 range during the first few hours of the shift since I can carry them for the most part, but higher quotas and number of consecutive bosses at 800-900 means there is little room for error. So it's like "don't die" lol or you will easily get overwhelmed. Plus, I don't think they can manage the hordes when I'm pushing the quota up to 19-20 first wave where they should have been only 14-15.
It's infuriating when I reach 940 then go on a losing streak to drop to 890 then back up to 930 then back to 855 then 930 again. Yes, it happened to me three times. I was like " Almost there to 999" ugh. Salmonid Rush is killer in this shift and I always feel anxious going to Hazard Level Max high tide due to the available weapons, and lousy/dumb teammates lol I mean, of course, I make mistakes sometimes but, like, if I die even if it's my first time, the team will get wipeout in a matter of seconds. That's something. Awareness people. Try to revive dead teammates instead of just going gung-ho to the egg basket yourself or kill bosses (assuming there is still time).
I am trying to grind SR on my new baby lvl 14 squid account to get some gears and chunks. I came across one hazard level max during that time which we won. Freelance is such a hit or miss and it’s been hell trying to rank up from the 300 bracket because we’d win one and then maybe wipe wave 1 on the next :<
Congrats on winning HLM! One tip I could probably give is don't die haha easier said than done, right? Try to limit your death since you will come across people who doesn't know how to revive or stay alive for 10 seconds lol. Also, try to increase awareness, I guess. Revive them if you can. Use the splat bomb, it will save time. I almost never use my main to revive teammates so the bomb is my bestfriend xD Also, don't forget to take note of your special. Observe your surroundings and teammates.
For example, if you feel that you're about to get overwhelmed because the charger doesn't know how to kill the Steelhead or Eel that is pestering you for a while near the basket, use your Inkjet or Splashdown to finish them. It's not there just to be use for the 3rd wave or partying after. I hate it when people use them during the last ten seconds before getting wipeout or that's a wrap just to revive teammates because people are getting splatted by the Steelhead bomb and eventually not meeting the quota because of the time. I mean, what if that person uses Splashdown or Inkjet on the Steelhead before everything happened? Who knows? Maybe you already met the quota before time expires. Try to practice if you feel that you're still efficient in using them. Inkjet/Splashdown can kill Steelheads, Steel Eel, Flyfish boxes. Stingray goes through so if there are many Scrappers and you need the eggs asap, use it. Bomb Launcher can kill Stingers if you're using slow weapons as well as group of Scrappers who likes to face in different directions lol.
And lastly, try to lure every boss, especially Maws and Scrappers on the egg basket at the start of the wave for easier egg collecting. Don't just charge there killing everything. Many people still do this and not being smart about it that not everyone could get every egg far away. Stingers abd Flyfish are the only boss that must be killed in a distance. Flyfish, just bomb one box so he could only target one person. Three Flyfish with a single boxes each is better than them respawning once in a while. Play with the weapon shift that you're comfortable with if you want to rank up (or if you're feeling confident, sure!) Know their power and range. Priority for chargers are Steelheads/Eels, Blasters or any fast weapon for Stingers, Inkbrush to deliver eggs and revive people, Rollers for Salmonid Rush, etc. Goodluck! Who knows? Someday, getting to 600 or higher is already a normal occurrence for you. Sorry long response