Splatoon 3 Weapons: your guide to inky violence

Paint the town red with our Splatoon 3 weapons guide

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Much like the Inklings themselves, the Splatoon 3 weapons come in all sorts of different shapes and sizes. From Brellas to Chargers, Splatoon 3 offers you a whole host of different ways to dish out the ink.

The latest addition to the hit series of whimsicalNintendo Switchshooters,Splatoon 3is set to continue the fine tradition of inky chaos that we’ve come to expect. Though the game doesn’t try to drastically alter the classic formula, it’s clear that it provides Splatville witha new lick of ink. However, whether you’re fighting for control of a Splat Zone or trying your luck in an Anarchy Battle, you’ll need to know exactly what to expect from the different weapons available in the new game.

As well as offering all of the classic weapon types, Splatoon 3 introduces the Splatana and the Stringer to the mix, offering new and exciting ways of inking your enemies. Below, we’ve set out a handy guide to every available main weapon type, as well as how to use them and a full list of all the variants. Whether you’re a veteran of theSplatoon 3 demo, or brand new to the series, read on to learn everything you need to know about the inky onslaught.

Splatoon 3 Weapons

Splatoon 3 Weapons

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Splatanas

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Splatanas

A new addition to your arsenal in Splatoon 3, these weapons fire slashes of ink much like you’d expect from an Inking katana. Hold down the trigger and you’ll charge your swing, increasing the distance of the ink slash as well as the damage. While your regular attacks are horizontal, these charged attacks are vertical – definitely worth bearing in mind when you’re on the offensive.

Splatoon 3 weapons: Stringers

The second new weapon type available in Splatoon 3, the Stringer operates like a bow. Press the trigger and you’ll shoot inky arrows that’ll soar towards your target. Alternatively, you can charge up your shot, allowing you to fire detonating ink projectiles.

Splatoon 3 weapons: Shooters

Shooters fire small, precise blasts of ink and are analogous to an assault rifle from more conventional shooters. Some fire semi-automatic blasts while others allow for fully automatic fire. Here’s a complete list of all the Shooters:

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Rollers

These heavy-duty weapons leave a wide trail of ink on the ground and can be used to flick enemies that get near it. Anyone unfortunate enough to be in the path off the roller may find themselves getting instantly crushed, so why not steer it towards your hapless enemies? Here are your Rollers in Splatoon 3:

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Splatoon 3 Weapons: Chargers

Chargers allow you to, as the name suggests, charge up a shot before releasing a large damage attack at long range. Though uncharged shots are possible, these are pretty lacklustre and aren’t usually worth doing.  Here’s your list of Chargers, Splatoon’s answer to snipers:

Splatoon 3 weapons: Sloshers

These single-shot weapons act a little like artillery. Sloshers can fire in arcs, allowing them to hit opponents in all sorts of interesting ways. Here’s your list of every Slosher in Splatoon 3:

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Splatlings

These miniguns have a high rate of fire and unleash a barrage of inky pellets. However, you’ll need to keep them at a full charge to get the most out of them. Here are your Splatling options:

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Dualies

These fast and versatile paired pistols allow you to use a special dodge roll to avoid incoming fire. After the roll, you’ll get a slight bonus depending on the Dualies you’re using. Here are all the Dualies in Splatoon 3:

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Brellas

Brellas are analogous to shotguns, but offer an interesting twist in the form of a deployable shield. Here’s every Brella:

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Blasters

Blasters fire large payloads which explode after a set time. This makes them very effective crowd-control weapons. Here’s your list of Splatoon 3’s blasters:

Splatoon 3 Weapons: Brushes

Similar to Rollers in some ways, Brushes leave a narrow trail of ink but are much faster than their wider cousins. Brushes use a fast, rapid fire flick to deal damage, rather than relying on the deliberate crushing effect used by Rollers. Here’s your list of Brushes:

Now you’ve seen every main weapon available in Splatoon 3. Time to choose your weapon and make your mark.

An editor and freelance journalist, Cat Bussell has been writing about video games for more than four years and, frankly, she’s developed a taste for it. As seen on TechRadar, Technopedia, The Gamer, Wargamer, and SUPERJUMP, Cat’s reviews, features, and guides are lovingly curated for your reading pleasure.

A Cambridge graduate, recovering bartender, and Cloud Strife enjoyer, Cat’s foremost mission is to bring you the best coverage she can, whether that’s through helpful guides, even-handed reviews, or thought-provoking features. She’s interviewed indie darlings, triple-A greats, and legendary voice actors, all to help you get closer to the action. When she’s not writing, Cat can be found sticking her neck into a fresh RPG or running yet another Dungeons & Dragons game.

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