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Players of Splatoon 3 who want to wreak havoc in the battlefield might want to grab a Splatling to do the job done as quickly and as messy as possible. Resembling a rotary cannon or a gatling gun, this Splatoon 3 weapon is capable of unleashing high-speed and deadly bursts of ink in the direction of their choosing. Being caught in the business end of a Splatling can spell trouble for most players, with the weapon’s two-level charges and slow loading time being a saving grace for opponents who want to try to dodge them.
With the Splatling’s size and weight, players might have difficulty carrying them around the battlefield. However, using the Splatling with the right skillset and strategy can help players and their teams dominate the battlefield more efficiently. However, just what kind of Splatling builds can players rely on to ensure victory in matches?
Why Go Splatling: Devastatingly High Damage
At its core, the Splatling is easily an ideal weapon type in Splatoon 3 for players who prefer being able to dish out a lot of ink compared to others thanks to the weapon type’s high rate of fire. While a high firing rate can definitely motivate players to get more aggressive in encounters, the innate deadliness of such a weapon trait can also transform the Splatling into an ideal defensive weapon.
However, the weapon’s highly-aggressive nature does have some setbacks. For instance, the Splatling doesn’t offer much in terms of mobility, with players usually encouraged to stay in one place or move slowly instead of rushing to a position. In team fights, this usually means the Splatling relegated to a defensive role or even on a more passive position, making this a not-so-recommended role for players who love the frontlines.
Splatlings Gear Abilities: Compensate For Low Mobility
Due to the rather slow and heavy nature of this weapon, Splatling users in Splatoon 3 gameplay might find this armament a bit risky in heavy pushes. However, its intense firepower definitely makes the Splatling an interesting weapon to try - and it can be made more efficient with the right Gear Abilities. In this regard, here are some Gear Abilities that can make the Splatling a more practical weapon despite its mobility limitations:
- Run Speed Up: The extra mobility this provides players can enable them to carry the heavier Splatlings with ease, aiding them in evading otherwise-lethal attacks they couldn’t normally do with the weapon’s weight.
- Ink Saver (Main): When applying to the heavier-duty Splatling, this ability can greatly reduce its ink cost to pave the way for extra shots. In a high-intensity match, these extra ink splats can mean the difference between life and death.
- Ink Resistance Up: Always an ideal ability when trying to engage in intense firefights. This lets players walk through enemy ink faster and lessen overall damage taken, which is an ideal defensive ability to have for heavy - and otherwise slow - Splatling users.
Heavy Splatling: Beginner Devastation
- Sub-Weapon: Sprinkler
- Special: Wave Breaker
Players who are still working on their way to become a Splatling expert or who want to try this heavy-duty weapon might want to consider grabbing a Heavy Splatling. When built properly, this weapon boasts coverage of large areas in a short amount of time, with a healthy ink capacity for extended firefights. However, it does have a turn-up time on top of its heavy mobility, requiring players to approach this weapon with more timing instead of reckless plays with other Splatoon 3 melee weapons.
When using the Heavy Splatling, it’s recommended players take note of evasion and dodges, especially since the right timing can still help players move out of danger with tiny movements. And considering how the Wave Breaker special can become detrimental the longer enemies are exposed to it, it’s recommended to throw this just slightly behind the front lines - forcing enemies to move out of its way or go out of their way to destroy it, leaving them open for a good inking.
Ballpoint Splatling: More Tactical Plays
- Sub-Weapon: Fizzy Bomb
- Special: Inkjet
Players who feel up for a challenge might consider spicing up their Splatoon 3 gameplay with the Ballpoint Splatling. Despite its inherent weaknesses with regards to offense, utility, and shield penetration, its natural defensive potential makes this a rather ideal Splatoon 3 weapon of choice for more tactical plays. This is especially the case considering its nature as a weapon capable of mid-fire recharges as well as adaptable range and firing rate depending on the player’s performance.
To use this in more tactical plays, gamers are advised to use this weapon’s mid-fire recharge when using multiple opponents and can’t risk losing time during the encounter. Moreover, Inkjet is an ideal Special to give players more visibility over the battlefield, giving them options to switch their firing coverage for the team’s advantage.
Hydra Splatling: Slow But Sure
- Sub-Weapon: Autobomb
- Special: Booyah Bomb
Sometimes, players get the best training when exposed to the worst-possible conditions, with the Hydra Splatling helping Splatoon 3 players get a sense as to how to better use their Splatlings in the map to their full potential. At its core, the Hydra Splatling greatly suffers from low mobility and high recharge times, leaving players exposed if they don’t plan their strikes accordingly. When players do use the Hydra Splatling more tactically, they’re rewarded with a heavy-hitting Splatling that can secure kills quickly.
At its core, the best way to use the Hydra Splatling is to ensure kills from a defensive standpoint, taking advantage of its high firing rate to defend key points that are guaranteed to attract prey. Likewise, Autobomb’s tracking feature is a great Sub-Weapon to combine with the powerful Booyah Bomb, guaranteeing long-distance kills and even ensure opponent team scrambling, leaving them open for the Hydra Splatling’s deadly rate of fire.
Nautilus 47: Targeted AOE Destruction
- Sub-Weapon: Point Sensor
- Special: Ink Storm
Unlike other Splatlings in the game, the Nautilus 47 becomes quite the ideal weapon for Splatoon 3 players to use if they want a neutral-performing Splatling that doesn’t have its immediate weaknesses. Despite its shorter range and firing duration, the Nautilus 47 has a decent firing rate and long-enough charges that players are able to last longer in intense firefights compared to other Splatling users.
What perhaps makes this weapon more viable in combat is how it encourages players to have a more careful playstyle, rewarding them with consistent firing rate should they charge behind cover before rushing out of combat. In worst case conditions, even a half-charged weapon is able to defend the player enough to chase enemies away. Players may even be able to recharge this weapon while Squid Rolling! With Point Sensor being able to target foes and Ink Storm unleashing an AOE ink attack, the Nautilus 47 is capable of flushing enemies out of protective cover and right into the player’s clutches.
Mini Splatling: Miniaturized Destruction
- Sub-Weapon: Burst Bomb
- Special: Ultra Stamp
Compared to other Splatlings players can encounter in Splatoon 3 gameplay, the Mini Splatling does shine when it comes to its inking potential and accessibility. What it lacks in defensive and offensive capabilities, it does make up for supremacy in short range. For instance, using the Mini Splatling in extremely up-close incursions can mean death for Splatoon 3 opponents, with players being able to compensate for lack of distance with various bombs.
Interestingly enough, players can use this kit’s various components for aggressive plays. For instance, Burst Bomb can compensate for lack of distance due to its long-ranged nature, while Ultra Stamp can unleash a nifty hammer should players run out of charges.
Splatoon 3 is playable on the Nintendo Switch.
