Introduction
I’ve been playing Splatoon since Splatoon 1 on the Wii U. I started playing in 2016, and I’ve accumulated over 2,000+ gameplay hours throughout all my time playing.
Splatoon 3 itself has sold over 10 million copies. In this past season I finished in spot #1035 in competitive Rainmaker and finished in the top 5,000 players in all competitive gamemodes overall.
Table of Contents
IntroductionGameplay1. Weapons & Aim 2. Movement 3. Game knowledge/sense 4. Map knowledge 5. Keeping your cool6. Inking General TipsWatch HIGH LEVEL streamers… Analyze your gameplay References
Gameplay
I’d argue that there are 6 main areas to Splatoon gameplay. 5 of them which are similar to other competitive shooters, and one that is specific to Splatoon only: inking.
- Aim
- Movement
- Game Sense
- Map Knowledge
- Keeping your cool
- Inking
Let’s assume that Splatoon isn’t the first shooter that you’ve come across. Here are some of the key differences that separate it from other stylized competitive shooters like Overwatch and Valorant.
In this section I’ll tell you a little about each category. What they are, how you can get better, and some Splatoon specific tips.
1. Weapons & Aim
Motion controls are a yes. just turn them SUPER low at first
- when you’re using chargers - fire when the recital has a cross on it. You’ll see what I mean if you go to the practice arena with a charger and put your reticle on the floor vs on a target.
- invest in a pro controller - they’re cheap in stores now. Ex walmart. I got mine for $45 at Walmart - whereas online it would’ve been around $70-$80.
- to learn how to aim, track and anticipate - go to the shoal, use the nozzlenose, and practice
If I had more time to write, this category would include how to use specials. My best tip for learning specials is well - to use them. Practice using different specials in the training areas. You charge your special by inking. Clear and ink the ground as needed
2. Movement
Splatoon has 3 types of movement. You should be familiar with running and jumping. The third type of movement: swimming; allows you to climb walls, shrink your hit box to the ground, and move even faster. With the caveate that you can’t shoot while swimming and it carries more momentum so you can’t switch directions as easily.
Splatoon also has super jumping. Don’t let this become a crutch. If you’re new, super jumping can feel like a suicide button. Only jump to Allie’s who are in safe positions, off the front lines.
Advanced movement:
- sub strafing
- general movement (when to jump, climbing walls, etc)
- learn how to spot people using ninja squid
3. Game knowledge/sense
- playing the objective
- when to push vs. stand your ground vs. retreat
- when to flank
- when to ink (see Section 6. Inking)
Weapon Roles/Classes
(Link to video)
pick a main class of weapons
- when you first start playing, i recommend the roller and ninja squid
- then, you can learn what class suits you best
Game modes
- Rainmaker
- Splat Zones
- Clam Blitz
- Tower Control
The maps are slightly different for each of these game modes.
4. Map knowledge
- map shortcuts
- Flanking routes
5. Keeping your cool
Tilt level. if you want to win - don’t play when you’re hungry, tired, or angry, see to your body’s needs first. There are no voice comms - you can only control yourself - don’t get salty or mald over what your teammates can and can’t do. Yes, if you want to rank up, you will have to carry.
Communicating when there are no voice comms
- Communicating when there is no voice chat. Pet peeve: don’t say “Ouch everytime you die”. Use your limited communication well. Only say ouch when there are flankers. Say booyah to thank the person for getting the kill and avenging you.
- If you have a pro controller, I’d recommend rebinding some of the back buttons to be down on the D-pad for “Booyah”
6. Inking
inking is a visual indicator of when and where you should push
Standing in enemy ink will essential make you immobile, or at least slow you down around 90%
It is how you charge your special
It is how you heal
General Tips
Watch HIGH LEVEL streamers…
Skip the entertaining streamers with a ton of subscribers.. find out who is top 500 and who is playing at a high level.
I recommend:
- Kiver
Analyze your gameplay
Analyze your gamplay AFTER the game. NOT DURING IT.
When in a game your mind should be thinking about your current situation, how your enemy might play, and what you can do to counter them. You should NOT be thinking
If you get absolutely crushed by an enemy player, or someone on you team did especially well - watch the game from their POV! What did they do right? How can you learn from how they played?