splatoon

splatoon is a series of third person shooter games by nintendo. i have been playing since the very beginning, from the wii u original, through splatoon 2 on the switch and currently splatoon 3. i love this game. so much. SO much. i have some many hundreds of hours poured in. skill wise, i'm in that spot where i'm much better than a casual player, but not nearly good enough to be competitive. but i have fun! that's what counts. when you play video games.

i think i'll be talking about my most used weapons and post pictures of my outfits if i happen to have them here. maybe my favorite stages as well? some stuff i have better documented than others, simply because i have the data on hand. (i keep spreadsheets)

super jump to splatoon 1
super jump to splatoon 2
super jump to splatoon 3
103.2 WSPLN

splatoon 1

the og! one of the few reasons to own a wii u! it's SO true! you're a kid now! you're a squid now! featuring callie and marie as squid idols and my first time playing a shooter basically ever. many afternoons spent playing this game and honing my skills.

favorite weapons

top ten based on turf inked only
links to inkipedia info

splattershot jr. (908,569p): this is the first weapon the game gives you, and i did my best work with this little guy that looks like all the plastic teeny water guns i had as a kid. i love bowling with the splat bombs, and i used the bubbler in clutch moments when i was getting overwhelmed.
zink mini splatling (754,439p): towards the end of this game's life, i was exclusively using this weapon; i loved how zippy it was to strafe around and unload a charged shot. plus, it spread ink very well, and the disruptor combo with this was really deadly. and of course, the bubbler came in very important moments. i felt like a bouncer in turf war (most of what i play when the game is in a lull).
neo splash-o-matic (693,410p): the splash is a fine weapon--it has unparalleled accuracy and hi-speed shots in exchange for a small spread and shorter range. burst bombs are super here, and so is the inkzooka, which back then, you could fire as long as you had a special meter.
tri-slosher (107,408p): i remember when they first released the bucket type weapon. we were all very excited! this guy is rapid firing and has the deadly bubbler/disrupter combo, which i was fond of. i believe i was trying to use this on tower control with some success.
aerospray mg (104,173p): there comes a time in a young squid's life, where you are drawn to the aerospray. it is incredibly ink efficient. it spits ink every which way, therefore is GREAT at claiming turf. its original kit had seekers and inkzooka, but seekers back then weren't very good (they were a combo of the curling bomb and the autobomb), and i was still getting my bearings with the inkzooka. but boy could you turf.
mini splatling (103,679p): loved this guy for the same reasons as the zink mini above, but this one had suction bombs and the inkzooka as a sub. i guess i did really like the inkzooka back in the day? back then you didn't really need to aim it, since it shot a whole TORNADO of ink. so it could have some casualties.
wasabi splattershot (102,556p): the splattershot is a very reliable weapon. if no one's got you, the splattershot has got you. and this one has splat bombs (a fave) and the inkstrike, which you could aim on the wii u gamepad. just wherever you wanted! it was great. this weapon was released late in the game's life (the "sheldon's pick" weapons always are), but i still enjoyed it.
splattershot pro (87,322p): an ink hungry version of the splattershot with better range, i'm always kinda surprised that i used this one as much as i did looking back. it has the same kit as the previous weapon, splat bombs and inkstrike. maybe that was why i used it.
neo sploosh-o-matic (80,691p): the sploosh-o-matic, unlike its splashy counterpart, sprays ink everywhere and has an abysmally short range. it's quite powerful at that short range! really shreds! this kit had point sensors and the kraken, so very good for finding your enemies and DESTROYING THEM.
custom jet squelcher (73,481p): it has the range of a low range charger, but it's an autofire weapon: it's the jet squelcher! this kit has burst bombs and the kraken, which is pretty aggressive if you happen to get up close. my first foray into longer range weapons

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
dual squelcher, carbon roller, .52 gal deco, aerospray rg, splash-o-matic, aerospray pg, hero shot replica, splattershot, inkbrush, slosher, krak-on splat roller.

favorite stages

walleye warehouse: haters will hate walleye because it's so small and cramped. but i loved it because of that. it could be very swingy! but never dull! you could put a killer wail right through the middle of it and there was nowhere to escape! chaos!
arowana mall: i love climbing on the upper sections to flank to the middle. lots of ups and downs on this stage!
kelp dome: this stage was one of the biggest ones back in the day, and i loved how much you could turf on it.
camp triggerfish: this one is fun because of the stage shift at the end of the match, opening up new routes. and i love the summer camp aesthetic.

splatfests

here's the teams i chose to the best of my memory. splatoon is 8 years old, you know, and while there WAS splatnet, it wasn't nearly as robust as its descendents. the ones that are bolded are where i was on the winning team.

dogs, water slides, hot dogs, autobots, art, cars, pirates/ninjas, burgers, nice, past, pokemon blue, snowman/sandcastle, patrick, fancy party, early bird, marie.

other thoughts

i really loved the vibe of the first game. i wasn't working through a big chunk of its life cycle, so i had a lot of time to practice and get better at the game. unfortunately i don't have a lot of screenshots of my outfits and so on from this one...i may dust off the wii u and try to get some screenies, but i'll need to uh. figure out how to do that again on the wii u. the specials were fucking bonkers too. the music is fantastic too! please don't forget about the squid music.

the single player stuff was also fun. i think i was more of a marie fan at the beginning but i could swing callie now in retrospect. if i got more to say, i'll come back here.

splatoon 2

the long awaited sequel...and the reason i bought my own switch! (my spouse got one on launch for breath of the wild) we got new idols, new specials, new weapon types, new everything! almost everything! coming into this game is when i said "you know what? i see all those crazy inkbrush users...i want to be one too." so i spent all my time learning to be the best brusher i could be. i guess it worked? anyway. we love spoon 2.

favorite weapons

top ten in order of games won w/turf inked
links to inkipedia info

inkbrush (1,141 wins @ 1,861,135p): the classic, the original...paired with splashdown and splat bombs, you could be super mobile and get out of trouble pretty easily. as you can see, i was very enthusiastic about this weapon. it's by and far my most used and with the most wins. my more casual friends called me a terror with this.
hero shot replica (232 wins @ 357,858p): as you can see, the inkbrush is exponentially far away from any other weapon on this list, starting with the good ol hero shot replica. it's just a splattershot you get for free for doing the single player campaign. burst bombs were killer, and so was the splashdown, which i definitely still liked. as said previously, if no one's got you, the splattershot has got you.
octobrush nouveau (217 wins @ 327,135p): the octobrush is the more managable to use brush weapon--you don't have to give yourself a wrist condition to use it effectively. i LOVE this kit, and i loaded it up with quick super jump and sub power up to make the most of it. plant beakons, then when missles are up, jump back, launch 'em, then jump right back into it. chef's kiss!
.96 gal (188 wins @ 364,992p): ah, the .96 gal. it's got the worst accuracy of any of the shooters. but it WILL splat in 2 shots, which is immensely satisfying. is it your aim or the gun's missing? who knows! this was my go to secondary weapon in turf at the end of this game's life. it also got me to love the sprinkler, which i wasn't a huge fan of in the beginning. this kit also had ink armor (the bubbler's much weaker cousin), which always came in handy even if it didn't make you invincible like the og bubbler did.
tentatek splattershot (157 wins @ 218,517p): another splattershot, this time with splat bombs and the inkjet! to be real, i've never been great with the inkjet. i'm not the best shot. but apparently the allure of splat bombs turned me onto this kit. and that i did okay enough with the inkjet.
neo splash-o-matic (115 wins @ 212,921p): the first returning weapon from 1 to the top ten! the fire rate and accuracy you just can't beat. this time, the kit is burst bombs and suction bomb launcher. i never really cared for the rush/launcher type kits, and i remember not loving this one. the allure of burst bombs as its sub though was too great. i had a really cute outfit for this one!
herobrush replica (78 wins @ 113,093p): 2 had "hero" type weapons for each weapon type, so the opportunity to earn a free octobrush was not passed on me. plus, it looks a little cooler. autobombs and inkjet are this weapon's kit, and its...fine? i'm sure a lot of people got more out of it than i did. but i got a little!
mini splatling (77 wins @ 129,266): another classic returns! i remember being so nostalgic for the zink mini's kit that i was disillusioned by this one. but if i had this kit now, i would go crazy. missles and burst bombs! insane! skating around with this is still a blast.
jet squelcher (54 wins @ 92,401p): the vanilla version of the jet squelcher makes it up one more point on this list! 2's kit had toxic mist (the downgraded disruptor) and tenta missles. pretty deadly! i didn't use this quite as much as i started to favor the power of the .96.
hero slosher replica (42 wins @ 52,662p): i don't actually remember using the slosher that much, but apparently i did? i must have had some success in tower control or something, before i started using the octobrush nouveau exclusively. suction bombs and missles. i guess i really liked missles and splashdown in this game! (they are good)

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
permanent inkbrush¹, hero dualie replicas, inkbrush nouveau, kensa mini splatling, tri-slosher nouveau, glooga dualies deco, tri-slosher, splash-o-matic, kensa octobrush, kensa glooga dualies, clash blaster neo², splattershot jr., foil squeezer³

1: this brush actually ranks #10 by turf inked, but has less wins (33).
2: this was my green goblin suit weapon. the clash blaster is a monster and i despise it to this day. but when you're on a losing streak, you gotta do what you gotta do.
3: i actually picked this up during 3's life to see if i'd enjoy the squeezer's other kit before it comes out (ever), so i didn't really use this in 2's life.

outfits

so because i did not religiously save outfits to amiibo, i do have to go by memory of my most actually used splat 2 gear. so that's why there are only 5 kits and i don't even remember what i used for the hero shot replica. sad! i have to save my recall abilities for my day job you understand. and memorizing songs. click the images for their full size!

inkbrush outfit

.96 gal outfit

octobrush nouveau outfit

neo splash-o-matic outfit

hero dualie replicas outfit. yeah this came in at number 12 but i loved this outfit a lot so i remember it fondly

favorite stages

starfish mainstage: this one was fun, i liked the little grates you could hide out on, and you could climb up a bunch of walls.
inkblot art academy: the options on this stage are pretty good here too, and i like zipping around on the ramps with the brush.
blackbelly skatepark: while this stage was in 1, 2's version is better--more open and less able to camp. (it was still really campable)
arowana mall: still liked this one in 2 as i did 1!

splatfests

okay, splatnet 2 has splatfest stats! so i can tell you with confidence what teams choices i made back in the day. again, bolded are the teams that won.

mayo, flight, vampire, fantasy, sock, action, money, egg, baseball, leo, donnie, donnie, no pulp, squid, spoon, retro, treat, guac, hero, friend, pancake, knight, hare, teleportation, unicorn, order, mayo, egg, treat, super mushroom.

other thoughts

at the beginning of this game's life, my router was really shitty, so i was disconnecting all the time and had to get a wired connection for my switch. that eventually fixed itself, but i used to disconnect so much that it was frustrating. i really came into my own as a player here, now having some experience under my belt!

i really loved pearl and marina as idols, and both single player and octo expansion were REALLY good. the gear in this game was really cool too! salmon run was introduced here, but i'm not a huge fan of it. but it did get me some cool gear, so i'll let it slide. i'm mr. grizz's most part time employee.

splatoon 3

SPOON 3!! people will balk and say that 2 was SO much better, but there are so many quality of life adjustements made in this game that just weren't present in 2. i think at the end of 3's life, it will be the definitive splatoon. we've got 3 idols, we've got tricolor splatfests, we've got returning revamped specials, we've got it ALL. while i am still a staunch inkbrush main, i've decided to branch out into other weapons as you'll see below; particularly a lot of manual firing ones.

favorite weapons

gonna do this a little differently this time, since the game is still live--i'll go by my current stats (yes i keep spreadsheets and update them monthly)--current list is by turf inked, but no stats listed since it will always be changing. i will put star amounts though!

links to inkipedia info - top 10 as of 03/04/2024

inkbrush (5★): once again, my most used by a long shot once again. i grinded hard to get my 5★ sparkly gold splashtag badge for this. while i missed the splashdown, splat bombs return and we instead get the killer wail 5.1. which is actually super useful! they recently made a change to this special that makes it easier to lock on and i get more splats with it now. love the fast swishy swish. and the fact that if it sucks i can hit the bricks pretty easily.
splatana wiper deco (4★): the splatana is a new weapon type this game, and while i played a little with its vanilla version, this kit intrigued me. missles and beakons?? the octo nouveau kit from 2 that i so loved?? so i decided to learn the sword. i am still Getting Good at living by the sword, and i can't tell you how many times i have whiffed it and died by the sword. but i really dig this and it's my new secondary turf weapon (and rainmaker weapon too!). there's a tactical aspect to the kit that i love too.
squeezer (4★): i had been looking for a weapon that had decent long range ability, and i have fallen in love with this champagne bottle. it is SUPER versatile and very accurate with its manual fire long shot. i had to warm up to the splash wall, but it does do the job pretty well. paired with the trizooka to snipe longer range targets, it is my favorite shooter type. there are dozens of us out there.
tentatek splattershot (4★): a lot of returning weapons for 3, and the good ol tentatek splattershot is no exception. this time with splat bombs and the revamped inkstrike--now the tristrike. no wii u gamepad to rely on, so you just chuck 3 nukes and see where it gets you. i like it! it's a super solid kit, and i use it when i'm leveling gear. it's solid. it won't let you down.
mini splatling (4★): the mini splatling also returns! with burst bombs and the ultra stamp. it's still just as zippy and satisfying to shred squids on, and the stamp gives it some real explosive power. they've buffed the stamp since launch, so i'm actually pretty okay with it now. plus burst bombs are still so good.
octobrush (4★): the octobrush returns with a new kit: suction bombs and the zipcaster. i am notably HORRIBLE with zipcaster, but i've had to make due thus far. i can count on 2 hands how many decent plays i've made with it. i go back and forth on whether i actually like the octobrush, but i think it all comes down to how well i can use the whole kit. suction bombs take a lot of ink while being also something i want to use all the time, so i have to gear carefully. i'm warming to it again though (because the nouveau is out tee hee).
.96 gal (4★): i still have a soft spot for the .96, however i have definitely dropped it in favor of the squeezer. it will probably remain on the top ten sheerly because of how much i used it in turf and tower control in the first 6 months of the game. i do like the ink vac on this weapon though! i used to think it was lame but it does come in handy so long as you're aware of your back. plus sprinkler returns for this kit, which i am a fan of.
l-3 nozzlenose d (3★): i never gave the nozzlenose a shot because of its semi-automatic fire. but to be frank, it's very accurate, and with the burst combo it's quite deadly. it also inks really well! with the ultra stamp it can also get in and be very destructive too. i started using its vanilla variant for a while, but i come back to this one more (as you can see by its place on the list). i go back and forth between using it a lot and not at all.
carbon roller deco (4★): the first roller in the top ten! i actually do use rollers, just not as much as everything else. this was my tower control go to for a while, and after i got some gear that really synergized, it is SO fun to SMACK fast with this baby. a very aggro kit. burst bombs and trizooka make this all the more explosive. bam! whapam! smack! 1-800-R-U-SLAPPIN!!!
painbrush (3★): this is now my go to tower control brush, and has risen up to top ten. it's really brilliant on this mode. they've buffed ink consumption on this as well (along with curling bombs), so it's easier to use now! we haven't had a new brush in years...the windup is killer, but otherwise it's great on this mode.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
l-3 nozzlenose, zink mini splatling¹, hero shot replica², carbon roller, splat roller, REEF-LUX 450, splat brella³, tri-stringer⁴, splatana wiper, octobrush nouveau, dualie squelchers⁵

1: while i was VERY EXCITED to see the zink have something close to its original kit (toxic mist + big bubbler), i found the vanilla mini to actually be more my speed.
2: i used the hero shot a lot before the tentatek splattershot was out. suction bombs and trizooka is a solid combo!
3: i actually want to use this more...i love to specialize in weapons no one else wants to really use. brellas have been really busted (bad) this game.
4: i am not great with the tri-stringer, but i'd love to have it as a pocket backline weapon.
5: i got the squelchers in a challenge rotation like 5 times, and thought "hey, i should give these a go". they're pretty good!

outfits

with freshest fits and this game actually being current, i can give you some REAL outfits! click through for full view. (11/01/2023)

inkbrush outfit

squeezer outfit

splatana wiper deco outfit

mini splatling outfit

tentatek splattershot outfit

l-3 nozzlenose outfit. i use this for the D too, but i've been wanting to put something else together for it...and don't have pics yet.

carbon roller deco outfit

painbrush outfit

octobrush nouveau outfit...return of the lifevest (grizzco wants 5 gold scales for this thing and it took me forever to get them)

splat brella outfit, for whenever i use it

locker

splatoon 3 introduced lockers! and i screenshotted mine recently! so here it is: (11/01/2023)

favorite stages

as of 09/06/2023

hagglefish market: i like the flanking options even if this stage is pretty open. and can easily get overwhelmed if the other team pushes up. 3 has some Map Layout Issues that the community at large is pretty displeased with and i am inclined to agree. i don't let it get to me too bad though.
inkblot art academy: this one is still fine though!
sturgeon shipyard: this was in 2, but it's one of the good ones in 3 now.
crableg capital: this is a new one and i do think i like it! there are a lot of movement options and ways to get around. still getting into it though!

splatfests

splatnet 3 also has splatfest results, these are current as of 11/01/2023.

gear, water, sweet, dark chocolate, nessie, wisdom, mint chip, money, frye, ghost.

other thoughts

this game has a lot of "number go up" aspects to it, like the catalog and so on. overall i'm really enjoying my time with splatoon 3! i continue to be mr. grizz's most part time employee and only really show up for big run, which is also a new thing. i find the less i play salmon run, the more i enjoy it. anyway. love the idols again, and am eager for the DLC to come out someday!

assets & credits: lil squid guys from the splatoon 3DS badge arcade. thanks to inkipedia for research and jogging my memory. this site is not affiliated with nintendo or any of its subsidiaries.