Splatoon 3 is the latest entry in Nintendo's popular shooter where players use their inkling characters to douse the ground in colorful ink. Familiar modes return from Splatoon 3's predecessor, including a single-player campaign complete with platforming and boss battles, a cooperative horde style mode called Salmon Run, as well as a multiplayer suite with familiar game modes like Turf War, Rainmaker, and more.
However, for everything that is familiar, Splatoon 3 represents another step forward for the franchise complete with quality of life enhancements and new features to explore. There are the obvious additions, like new weapon types such as the Splatana, as well as features like the Tableturf card battle mode and a lobby where players can easily practice or meet up with friends between online matches.
The squid kids of Splatoon 3 also feature some fresh new moves as well like Squid Roll and Squid Surge, two traversal style abilities that can easily be overlooked but provide huge tactical advantages if done correctly. Here's everything that players need to know about both moves.
How to Squid Roll
The first move that players should familiarize themselves with is Squid Roll. This move is performed while swimming through ink and allows the player to quickly switch directions without losing any speed or momentum. To pull this off, players should be moving at a fast speed while swimming in ink, then immediately switch directions while performing a jump with the B button.
If performed correctly, the player's squid will jump out of the ink and flashes very briefly, which is a very small window of invincibility. While this move is traditionally performed on the ground, it can technically be done anywhere ink sticks, so players can utilize it as a way to quickly jump away from walls. For players having difficulty mastering this technique, using it inside the newly implemented Practice Range lobby that Splatoon 3 players discovered during the Splatfest World Premier demo is highly recommended.
How to Squid Surge
The other important movement technique is called the Squid Surge. While the Roll is primarily done on the ground, Surge is a wall skill. After inking a wall, players should start swimming up vertically by holding the ZR trigger. Once near the top, players should stop and hold down the B button until the character flashes in the ink. Letting go of the button will send the character shooting upwards and even over nearby ledges if needed. The move is a great escape move, getting to the top of a platform that isn't fully inked all the way to the top, or even allowing the player to get the drop on enemy players below while battleing it out on the numerous revamped Splatoon 3 maps.
Just like Squid Roll, Surge does not use up any ink, so players can use it as often as they want.
Splatoon 3 is available for Nintendo Switch.