One of the great joys of Splatoon 3 is playing with online friends. This goes for Salmon Run and Turf Battles (a future update may later add Tableturf Battles to the multiplayer content). Playing with friends is not only a chance to have more fun in Splatoon 3, but it also makes it easier to strategize as a team.
Up to eight players can group together for Turf Battles, and four can team up for Salmon Runs. There is no need to worry if there are fewer than eight or four players, as just two players can also play together in random matches. The way to play together is a pretty straightforward process as well.
How To Play Together In Turf Battles And Salmon Run
All who want to play together need to have their own copy of Splatoon 3, their own Nintendo Switch, a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, be on the Switch friends list of whoever will create the room, and be online. Everyone then must go to the Battle Lobby. From there, one player must make a room. To do that, go into the elevator used to enter regular Turf Battles. Then use the controller to go right, and "with friends" should appear on the Regular Battle option.
Click on the regular battle with friends option. The menu will then show a list of online friends and friends who are offline. Press Y to create a room. Then all others that want to play in a group need to follow the same steps, but instead of making a room, they need to join their friends' room. Everyone will need to hit the ready button, and the one who created the room must confirm that all are ready and go to battle. The room creator can choose between Private Battle, Regular Battle, or Anarchy Battle.
A room password can be set to make it easier for friends to find each other and to prevent strangers from joining.
If there are four friends or fewer, they will always be on the same team. If there are more than four players, some will be on the opposing team. If a player hits stop or changes gear between battles and others continue battling, the group will split up. If all click continue, then the group will stick together.
Salmon Run is not so different from Turf Battles. When in the menu to freelance, hit the right button to move right, and "with friends" should appear on the menu. Once again, one player can make a room while up to three others can join.
There is one other method for playing Turf Battles with friends. That is the drop-in method, which will put players in the same match but not always the same team. In the menu used for multiplayer, some online friends will be available for drop-ins.
Splatoon 3 is available for the Switch.