Splatoon 3 is finally here for players both young and old to enjoy. Following the successful Splatoon 2 which was released in 2017, Splatoon 3 looks to top its predecessor in every possible way. Recently Splatfest, a popular feature of the series, was available for all to download and try out a snippet of the new game.
Splatoon is a fun game for all the family and is a joy to play. That said, there are a few things that will be essential to starting successfully. Getting to grips with everything in Splatoon can be daunting for new players; however, there are some tips and tricks that will help in those initial first steps into the colorful world of inklings and octolings.
6 Refill The Ink
In Splatoon 3, and every other Splatoon that came before it, ink is the player's most valuable resource in the game. Getting from one area to the next will require using up that ink in one way or another.
Also taking out enemies and winning the match will require the use of ink. To refill those tanks, regardless of which weapon players use, it is essential to duck down and submerge completely in paint to top the ink level back up. Moving around in the paint is a quick way to travel the map and will top up ink at the same time, mastering this movement and refill is key to victory.
5 Paint The Area
It may sound silly to tell players that in Splatoon 3, things should be painted. However, there are plenty of players who make the mistake of playing Splatoon like a traditional online shooter. Running around in Splatoon's most popular mode turf war like it’s Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 is not going to win matches alone.
The main objective in Splatoon's Turf War is not to just eliminate the enemy team, in fact eliminating opponents should be considered a secondary objective and not the goal for each match. Painting the area with the assigned team color is the main area of focus every match, completely painting sections of the map or covering parts the enemy has painted already is one element needed to become a pro.
4 Test All The Weapons
Some of the best moments in playing the Splatoon series come with unlocking new weapons to use on the battlefield. The weapons are widely varied and all have a different feel and technique when using them. So, instead of just running around with standard blasters, players should check out each weapon as they unlock them.
For instance, using a roller over using a set of pistols brings a whole new element to the game. Rollers can cover more areas with paint but do not have the distance when trying to take out the enemy team. Choosing a weapon is a fine balancing act of pros and cons and has been the case in Splatoon since day one, so don’t write off that umbrella weapon just yet, give each weapon a fair shake to see which suits best.
3 Fill The Special Meter
Often overlooked and underappreciated for how easily they can turn the tide of a one-sided match. The special meter once filled allows players to unleash paint-filled hell on the opposition. Each special move is assigned to a weapon so be careful when choosing a weapon as it might not have the special move wanted as they vary.
Getting the special meter full involves players having to cover more area with paint or taking out enemy players. Performing these actions quickly and efficiently will fill the special meter providing the player with a devastating move to unleash on the opposition and maybe even win the whole match
2 Practice In Story Mode
Another part of Splatoon's various modes that are often overlooked by players flocking straight to online battles is the story mode. In Splatoon 1 and 2, the story was hardly that groundbreaking or in-depth, but both served a function and purpose.
Splatoon story mode is absolutely the first place players should head over to when playing for the first time. Lacking narrative depth aside, the story mode will teach players every trick in the book from movement to weapon usage and even special weapons. Giving the story a look is one way to get ahead of the pack and get to grips with the various abilities and weapons available in the game.
1 Equip Correctly
As essential as picking the right weapon and special combo, equipping is simple to learn but easy to get wrong in the beginning stages of Splatoon careers. This is no simple change of clothes to the latest fashion available in the store, this is an impact on players' play style that could be the key to victory or defeat.
Each equipable item of clothing in Splatoon 3 from those cool Splatfest T-shirts to the funky sunshades and designer footwear, must be selected with care. The slots on each item house perks, so the more slots it has, the more perks it can hold. Keep this in mind as having 3 slots over 1 can be a huge advantage and increase things such as player revive time or even movement speed. So shop wisely, sometimes the prettiest or coolest looking items aren’t always the most sensible to pick when it comes to getting the edge over the enemy team.
Splatoon 3 is available on Nintendo Switch.