Mini Splatling sets: Ranked Mode

Splat Zones: Zink set

Splat Zones demands much from the Mini Splatling: it must act both as a zone painter and defender against enemy painters. The trick is to be methodical, deciding what task you set up for yourself at the start of every burst and fulfilling them, your range and rate of fire allowing for either but not both.

The charge delay prevents you from effectively pushing into uncharted territory. If harassed at range, fire back with Toxic Mist to stall and prevent advantageous position to be used against you. Even tossed into the zone, it can make enemy movement within hazardous, and helps setting up your firing frenzy.

Rather than overextending with Ultra Stamp, Big Bubbler locks down your forward position, helping others push for you. The Zink set offers a wealth of defensive options to supplement your turf gathering abilities. Mini is often the better painting option on the individual level, with the kit offering team support.

Tower Control: Vanilla set

The Mini Splatling's priority is in painting, whether it is area ahead of the tower or the tower sides themselves with Burst Bombs. If you make the enemy team work to climb the tower, they become vulnerable to a quick burst. Better than expending your ink tossing bombs on an enemy riding the tower.

Of course, all this turfing makes it easier to unlock Ultra Stamp, your preferred splatting method. This is an aggressive weapon unlike your relatively short ranged Mini which requires charging. A successful rampage helps your mates advance the tower, and brings you closer to the enemy base for further area gains.

The Mini Splatling does paint support and enemy harassment, the latter done with Burst Bombs. It's when an enemy is regaining ground that it is most vulnerable to a Mini burst. On defense, swim evasively, tossing bombs from the outside. Search for an opportunity to charge the Mini while the enemy is otherwise preoccupied.

Rainmaker: Vanilla set

The Mini Splatling is great at tearing up a Rainmaker barrier but don't hesitate to circle strafe and take out any available targets instead. Similarly, don't engage with anything which outranges you and use your mobility to put the barrier between you and your aggressor.

The focus of a battle will change repeatedly in Rainmaker, and you want something quick and damaging to have an immediate impact. With the low cost of the Burst Bomb, your options remain wide open. Toss a bomb while you're still in movement, and charge up your weapon as they ink their feet.

If you paint a lot of ground quickly, it allows you to deliver Ultra Stamp from the map edge, where it is less likely to be countered. Nonetheless, the Mini belongs at the front lines and even if you trade while activating your special, your team should be able to use this to their advantage.

Clam Blitz: Zink set

Your priority in Clam Blitz is to cover as much of the ground as possible while simultaneously preventing the enemy team from doing the same. You know the Mini repels short ranged fighters well enough but anchor units must be relentlessly harassed with Toxic Mist so they can't establish map dominance. 

If these efforts allow your own backliners to comfortably set up, they will hammer the enemy ranks for you, leaving you to collect clams once painting duties are finished. You play a more supportive role, letting others deliver the offense.

Mini Splatling is one of the few weapons that easily clears out its immediate area, so Big Bubbler becomes a front line bunker that pressures into enemy territory. Opponents reveal themselves firing at your bunker, and in turn become targets. Paint extensively, Bubbler aggressively and push the enemy out.