Splatoon 3 - Ranked Mode strategy

When it comes to weapons sets in Splatoon, there are two kinds of people: those who evaluate sets within the context of the game mode and those who judge them on a tier list. I'm obviously part of the first category, though I accept the second group is more popular, with people discarding certain weapon sets altogether. The Slosher Deco being an obvious example. Because of Angle Shooter. In a vacuum, it's hard to justify that sub over Splat Bomb, though look at the costs involved: Angle Shooter costs 30% less ink for a weapon that costs 7% per shot with a two shot splat. Now imagine yourself in a game mode where you're expected to throw out a lot of ink... How do you imagine yourself saving enough ink for a Splat Bomb in Splat Zones, where everyone is moving around tossing ink into the zone like it's nothing? I'm no Slosher main but a basic strategy should be to bounce an Angle Shooter around the zone, then save ink by concentrating on eliminating marked targets. It...

The Splattershot is dead! Long live the Splattershot! At least the version with Burst Bomb subweapon. Splatoon 3 marks the first time the Splattershot appears without its Burst Bombs, and it's probably for the better. The pairing made sense in the past: join a basic easy to use weapon with the iconic water balloon sub. But from a gameplay standpoint, it turned a short range all-purpose weapon into an offensive powerhouse able to initiate offense from well outside its range with fast direct damage! Yet it never really caught on at higher levels of play compared to its Tentatek cousin. Whether with Suction Bomb and the fearsome Inkzooka in Splatoon 1 or the dual punch of Splat Bombs and Inkjet, the tactical applications of the alternate set overshadowed the sheer offensive power of the vanilla set. Probably because vanilla forced you to commit to Burst Bomb based offense and was prone to overextending. Overall, the Splattershot received plenty of buffs in its timeline, mostly around ...

Splat Zones: Tentatek set As with many shorter ranged weapons, the Splattershot's priority in Splat Zones is not to paint, but to attack opposing painting units. That's why you bring Splat Bombs as a first strike against other zone painters. However, due to the multipurpose qualities of this basic weapon, your priority might better be described as staying  on the Zones and preventing any takeovers. Keep an open mind between painting and attacking, for even if you don't splat an opponent, you still build meter for a Triple Inkstrike  counterattack. These should be saved for an emergency, against superior numbers or to instantly reverse a turnover. If the zones are safely under control, only then extend to gain extra meter. Not much to add except not to fixate on splats, even with a set designed around combat. Stay on zone, and even the impact of an enemy Suction Bomb can be overturned in a second. Engage mid to long range fighters without overextending, using Splat Bombs t...

Splat Zones: Deco set Carbon Roller Deco is a fast flanker with a subweapon relevant to the game mode. Avoid direct confrontation with the short ranged units fighting for the Zones but harass with Burst Bombs from the sides, or travel while the Bomb is airborne for the sake of misdirection. Ironically, it's when an opponent is otherwise occupied that you don't want to Burst Bomb . That's when you close in for the splat before they escape. You bring the set with direct damage options for faster eliminations, but don't underestimate the asset of occupying more space and sharking from a larger ink pool. Trizooka is more direct damage, an excellent tool against players painting from defensive positions. The level playing field of most  Splat Zones maps works to your advantage here, in addition to your natural flanking playstyle offering shots from odd angles. Tower Control: Vanilla set You're either fighting around the tower or looking for a way to get in. If it's...

Splat Zones: Custom set  Splattershot Jr is one of the best painting units in the game but needs exrra power to survive from within the zones. With poor follow ups to a tossed Splat Bomb, Torpedo seems like a better option. You don't need to follow up on the attack. The paint released is often reward enough. The goal is to quickly charge special, and the problem with Big Bubbler is that you can't well attack outside of it, nor does it help you initiate any offense. Nor does it support a playstyle based on painting the edges of the stage, necessary so as to keep control.  Although Wave Breaker from flanks isn't as effective, multiplying the amount of obstacles thrown into the field is what leads to attacks of opportunity. Ultimately, Custom set offers the tools most likely to cause damage to an opponent, which helps with eliminations and overall control. Tower Control: Custom set When you think about it,  Torpedo  is your only real way of painting the area near the ...

Splat Zones: Vanilla set Although Fizzy Bombs might seem best for turfing,  I'd like to remind people that the Luna Blaster is designed for splatting. Lead with a  Splat Bomb and prevent opponents from escaping. You're outranged by the same weapons that can quickly cover a zone, so immediate power is required. Against midrange targets, you can afford to be patient. They often can't paint as much and you can afford to pressure them from a distance as long as you don't waste time charging bombs. When there's no immediate threat to the Zones, break from the path and seek other avenues from which to attack.   Zipcaster kinda follows that idea to surprise otherwise isolated anchors. Nevermind the capture of the Zones or any notions of defense: win through overwhelming offense. In a sense, Splat Zones plays very much like Turf Wars: knowing you can't win by inking, you win by splatting. Tower Control: Vanilla set Naturally you want to get as near to the tower as pos...

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...