![Splatoon 3: Dash to the podium in Rainmaker [8(2)-3, Range Blaster] @TigerEars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Hn-vg8yn7OY/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded May 2024 | Updated September 2026, 11 hours ago
I would like to say my jink helps my squidmates burst the Rainmaker free, by stopping a couple of yellow inklings from inking, but I'm not sure. We've got some good inkpower. Anyway, the Rainmaker is free, so let's move it. The way looks clear, then it doesn't, and when it looks clear again it really isn't.
I super-jump back to see a squidmate dash for the checkpoint. They don't make it, and the yellow team swarm. I hit one of the firmly in the head, which is nice, but a panic Suction Bomb, pooped when thinking I wasn't getting away, drains my tank to the point where I don't get away from the second inkling. So it goes.
Fearing the worst, I take a defensive route back, including a safety Suction Bomb on the podium. But neither are needed, as my squidmates have things under control. I try to add some pressure, which doesn't really work, and end up instead dodging Inkstrikes. And after failing to make an impact in the middle of the Pump Track, I at least manage to contribute to the next yellow counter-attack.
We have the numbers advantage, and turf. I sit back and cause some interference from the side, which kinda helps. The Rainmaker and three squidmates surging straight towards the podium arguably causes more tension for the yellow team. I should move around too, but only after I throw a Wave Breaker on the ledge and a Suction Bomb towards the dropped Rainmaker. That gets a lucky splat, which is nice.
Getting around the corners requires splatting an inkling, which I just about manage, and then my range and blast radius really helps out. I make another dash, getting closer to the podium but really not that close. Never mind, I super-jump back, as the Rainmaker gets closer still to the podium, and start applying proper Range Blaster pressure. The yellow team can't stop us bursting the Rainmaker free, and then it's every inkling for themselves in the rush to dunk it. Maybe I don't pick it up, but I'm there in spirit. Woomy!
I would like to say my jink helps my squidmates burst the Rainmaker free, by stopping a couple of yellow inklings from inking, but I'm not sure. We've got some good inkpower. Anyway, the Rainmaker is free, so let's move it. The way looks clear, then it doesn't, and when it looks clear again it really isn't.
I super-jump back to see a squidmate dash for the checkpoint. They don't make it, and the yellow team swarm. I hit one of the firmly in the head, which is nice, but a panic Suction Bomb, pooped when thinking I wasn't getting away, drains my tank to the point where I don't get away from the second inkling. So it goes.
Fearing the worst, I take a defensive route back, including a safety Suction Bomb on the podium. But neither are needed, as my squidmates have things under control. I try to add some pressure, which doesn't really work, and end up instead dodging Inkstrikes. And after failing to make an impact in the middle of the Pump Track, I at least manage to contribute to the next yellow counter-attack.
We have the numbers advantage, and turf. I sit back and cause some interference from the side, which kinda helps. The Rainmaker and three squidmates surging straight towards the podium arguably causes more tension for the yellow team. I should move around too, but only after I throw a Wave Breaker on the ledge and a Suction Bomb towards the dropped Rainmaker. That gets a lucky splat, which is nice.
Getting around the corners requires splatting an inkling, which I just about manage, and then my range and blast radius really helps out. I make another dash, getting closer to the podium but really not that close. Never mind, I super-jump back, as the Rainmaker gets closer still to the podium, and start applying proper Range Blaster pressure. The yellow team can't stop us bursting the Rainmaker free, and then it's every inkling for themselves in the rush to dunk it. Maybe I don't pick it up, but I'm there in spirit. Woomy!
![Splatoon 3: Dash to the podium in Rainmaker [8(2)-3, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Hn-vg8yn7OY/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Dash to the podium in Rainmaker [8(2)-3, Range Blaster]
I would like to say my jink helps my squidmates burst the Rainmaker free, by stopping a couple of yellow inklings from inking, but Im not sure. Weve got some good inkpower. Anyway, the Rainmaker is free, so lets move it. The way looks clear, then it doesnt, and when it looks clear again it really isnt.
I super-jump back to see a squidmate dash for the checkpoint. They dont make it, and the yellow team swarm. I hit one of the firmly in the head, which is nice, but a panic Suction Bomb, pooped when thinking I wasnt getting away, drains my tank to the point where I dont get away from the second inkling. So it goes.
Fearing the worst, I take a defensive route back, including a safety Suction Bomb on the podium. But neither are needed, as my squidmates have things under control. I try to add some pressure, which doesnt really work, and end up instead dodging Inkstrikes. And after failing to make an impact in the middle of the Pump Track, I at least manage to contribute to the next yellow counter-attack.
We have the numbers advantage, and turf. I sit back and cause some interference from the side, which kinda helps. The Rainmaker and three squidmates surging straight towards the podium arguably causes more tension for the yellow team. I should move around too, but only after I throw a Wave Breaker on the ledge and a Suction Bomb towards the dropped Rainmaker. That gets a lucky splat, which is nice.
Getting around the corners requires splatting an inkling, which I just about manage, and then my range and blast radius really helps out. I make another dash, getting closer to the podium but really not that close. Never mind, I super-jump back, as the Rainmaker gets closer still to the podium, and start applying proper Range Blaster pressure. The yellow team cant stop us bursting the Rainmaker free, and then its every inkling for themselves in the rush to dunk it. Maybe I dont pick it up, but Im there in spirit. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Stumbling in to a good squad in Salmon Run [50-43-41, 43/807]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HqREJrq_Oi8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Stumbling in to a good squad in Salmon Run [50-43-41, 43/807]
Grillers on the first wave is a tester. Having a Sniperwriter makes it a little harder, perhaps, depending on how the other inklings do. And, oh my, they know what theyre doing! The Grillers are dragged in the right direction, splatted close to the basket, and the Smallfry are taken care of. I can even be useful with the Sniperwriter, making me think that perhaps I could use it in normal battles. Thats how good this squad is making me feel!
Fifty eggs against Grillers, what a great start. Low tide next, with a Decavitator. A couple of Maws is an easy start, which is why I fall in the water. Not a problem. I help with a Fish Finger then stick by the basket, not knowing whats happening, to get the Decavitator working against a Scrapper. A splatted Big Shot has eggs flying our way, which is nice, but we need to keep on top of the bosses too. I hit a Steelhead, eventually, and bring down a Lid and Stinger sequentially. I maybe try to bring back too many eggs, and mess up a Drizzler splat, landing me next to too many Chum. Still, we get more than forty eggs for the wave.
Another special wave to finish, but its only a Mothership. Its a shame I have a weapon that can barely reach my feet, let alone Chinooks, but Ill do what I can. I mostly deliver eggs, and try a Splashdown against the Mothership itself that looks to do pretty much nothing. I seem to do a fair bit, and keeping the Chum off my squidmates is probably a help. In the final count, we have a very respectable score, and a nice fuzzy feeling being part of a solid crew. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: A second-wave blip in Salmon Run [35-25-28, 29/636]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HsISy98vjTU/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: A second-wave blip in Salmon Run [35-25-28, 29/636]
Aww yeah, I like our rando Raph. Look at them, diligently inking the walls. They know whats up. But I suppose there are bosses too. The first two are stopped short, but its cool, the eggs get delivered all the same. Then a Stinger gets my attention. Its hiding behind a Flyfish, but thats just another opportunity. Then its back to the basket, where a Flipper flops inside some Drizzle, and a Fish Finger cant withstand my L-3 Nozzlenose. Eggs are stuffed in to the basket, a squidmate is revived, and a second Fish Finger is splatted. I maybe linger one egg too long on the Fish Finger, so I zip across the new Stinger and splat it efficiently, sending some eggs back to the basket, pausing only to splat one last Steel Eel for the wave.
That first wave was nice and straightforward. It looks like the second wave will go the same way, with an easy Lid to start, followed by a Drizzler that is splatted with its own missile, and a Fish Finger at Roller-flicking height. More Drizzlers are becoming a nuisance, though, with a Fish Finger getting in the way of hitting one with its own missile. I end up dropping down to flick one, and a Stinger, which isnt really my responsibility, but Im here and able. I head back to the basket, not throwing the egg because it looks like I might need the ink, but the new Stinger I spot has been splatted by the time I dunk my egg. And more eggs are thrown for me to dunk, which we dont really need yet, but we do need. A Scrapped should provide some eggs, and does, and a second will see us hit quota, if it werent for a Steel Eel. The best I can do is run away for the moment. But I dont see any eggs, or bosses, and I end up falling off a ledge. Thankfully, my squidmates dunk the last couple of eggs needed for quota, even if they all do end up getting splatted. Not even a Dolphin driven straight in to a wall can help with that, but at least time was pretty much up at that point.
Okay, final wave, Splash-o-matic. Back to business. High tide too. We can wait for the Scrapper, I would think. Well, I could. Its cool, a Stinger waddles up which I can splat instead. And a second. I spend some time throwing the eggs up, but after the second wave I dont want then to be snatched. I splat a Steel Eel coming for me, and a floundering Flipper by the basket, which means eggs are up there. As I get up to dunk the eggs, more Flippers appear, which thankfully we deal with, but circumstances remain rather crowded. I try to stay out of trouble, after getting out of an ink rail, and bring down a Lid, revive a squidmate, and splat a Drizzler. Back to the basket, where we still need eggs, and I splat a Fish Finger on the way. I stay for only two eggs, because a Maws is after me. I ignore her and move on to another Fish Finger, hoping the eggs will get us across the line, only to run out of ink just as a Chum smacks me away from the inked Finger. Thankfully, my squidmates have my back again, and we celebrate another successful Run. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: One step short in Rainmaker [11(3)-8, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HsdSeJv_9uc/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: One step short in Rainmaker [11(3)-8, Carbon Roller Deco]
Theres the usual jockeying for position as the Rainmaker bursts and is the centre of attention. I do well to stay out of trouble for nearly thirty seconds, then run in to the Inkbrush. My squidmates are doing better, getting a Wipeout after the blue team grab the Rainmaker. They take the Rainmaker back and make a dash, as I head down the side, claiming some turf and trying to be a surprise. The Inkbrush is more surprising in how they dont get splatted, but when I see them again I manage to stop them as a squidmate breaks the checkpoint. We recover the Rainmaker and push again, but the ble team are ready, and an Ink Vac ruins my plans with a Trizooka. So it goes.
The blue team push back quickly, hitting the checkpoint and applying plenty of pressure. Without turf to work in I cant do much, so I sit back and look for opportunity, but the blue team recover the Rainmaker and do a clever jump from the checkpoint to the ledge, quickly stealing the lead, as I hide from a Splashdown. The pressure continues, but thankfully my squidmates splat most of the blue team away, giving us some breathing space. I still check the blue patches for hiding inklings, thankfully finding none, as we try to recover something from the battle.
My tactic of trying to stay out of trouble doesnt work when I hit the flank and find the Nautilus doing the same thing, and I dont think I was even much of a distraction. Im lost next, and ambushed by the Inkbrush when Im just looking for the Rainmaker. At least I have some turf to move in to, and splat the Inkbrush first, but pushing forwards to try to make more room doesnt go well, when the Jet Squelcher manages to run away and pulls me towards the Splatterscope. At least this time I think I was a minor distraction, as my squidmates are moving the Rainmaker.
I super-jump back, watch my Bomb Defence gear do its thing with an Angle Shooter, and move up to try to hold out position. That doesnt work so well. I accidentally splat the Inkbrush instead of the Rainmaker, and although I nicely out-manoeuvre the Nautilus the move lets the Rainmaker dash away with little I can do. My squidmates are there, and they get another Wipeout, and were on the move again. My Trizooka doesnt help much, a swipe at the Splatterscope looks like it should hit but doesnt, and then Im sucked back in to an Ink Vac. My lack of help contributes to our being wiped out this time.
The blue team dont get too far with the Rainmaker, and this time I get a solid hit on the Splatterscope. I miss the slippery Jet Squelcher, but a squidmate doesnt, and were moving again. I push forwards, where the Splatterscope runs away from me, which is okay, and the Jet Squelcher falls in to my lap. I dont let that opportunity pass. I head towards the podium where the blue team are returning, and get a chaotic splat on the Inkbrush but miss the Nautilus and am splatted. And our Rainmaker was next to the podium, one step away from giving us back the lead! Maybe I could have focussed more on inking their path, but never mind. With thirty seconds to go, the battle is lost, as the blue team are not going to reset the Rainmaker, and are happy to simply keep it away from our mitts. Its not very sporting, but it bags them the victory.")
![Splatoon 3: One-way traffic in Tower Control [13(2)-3, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ILPVAyfTr1Q/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: One-way traffic in Tower Control [13(2)-3, Carbon Roller Deco]
I lay down some ink, on the turf and walls, but miss my Burst Bomb throw at the Tower. Never mind that, though, as one of the Dualies is looking to threaten me, and just as theyre splatted another one is behind me, splatting a squidmate. I back off, look back, and catch them before they can squid-roll away from danger. Nearly running in to a Suction Bomb gets my juices flowing, and isnt helped by being hit by a Splattercolour Screen, but hiding for a bit lets that wear off. I dive down trying to splat the Dualie Squelchers, and keep moving after missing them, a squidmate helpfully getting the splat, and then I try to work out where the Tower is. Oh, not far. But there is ink flying around, which not even a Trizooka can keep me safe from.
I super-jump a little way back, and scoot around the side of the progressing Tower, hoping to go unnoticed. I dont think that works, but I get a splat before the yellow team find me properly. I return to get carelessly hit by a Wave Breaker, so I hide for a bit, not realising the yellow team barely has anyone running around. Thats fine, though, as my squidmates ride the Tower. I squid here and there, looking for opportunity and not really finding much, but getting close to the Rapid Blaster stops them being a threat to the Tower, even if my Trizooka shots go astray. That makes me a target, and somehow I dodge the Tetra Dualies to get a Burst Bomb on target, and close with the Rapid Blaster to do much the same, only with a solid vertical flick to follow.
I turn around to see good progress being made with the Tower, hopefully in part because half the yellow team were battling me. I get close to provide more direct support, as yellow ink flies all around. Some is hitting the walls, so I hold back and ambush the Flingza Roller nicely, but missing the next inkling behind them. I keep chasing and flicking, to little effect, and thankfully fall off the ledge to find turf below me, only the Tetra Dualies follow. At least theyre not attacking or riding the Tower, and a shared splat is a decent result.
The rest of the team is on the Tower, no doubt sensing a knockout victory, so I super-jump to them, even as splats reduce their numbers. I land with a solidly timed flick, splatting an ambusher-in-wait, and do what I can from where I am while my squidmates return and super-jump their way back. But not even a full complement can make the Tower progress, and we stall a second time, as the yellow team get more splats. I hold back again, and just about catch the Tetra Dualies coming up the wall after falling down. I splat the a second time, as they rush back the same way, my still being there as I watch the inksplosions to the other side suggest the Rapid Blaster is coming. Coming, but not getting here, a squidmate splatting them.
Now it feels like we can push the Tower, helped by the Flingza Roller appearing right in front and beneath me, ripe for a splatting. Theres no one left of the yellow team around, and only the Dualie Squelchers charging straight towards us. Two Burst Bombs somehow splat them before they get close, no doubt helped by squidmates ink, and the Wipeout lets me pose as we trundle to the goal. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Scraping through the second wave in Salmon Run [43-30-40, 26/1054]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IZvwwPhBf9w/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Scraping through the second wave in Salmon Run [43-30-40, 26/1054]
Woo! A Grizzco Charger and Grizzco Roller in the first wave. Both weapons loads of fun! So Im disappointed to have the clunky Tenta Brolly. Still, we work with what were given, and it can ink Flippers landing spots nicely. I can also shoot Drizzler missiles, but maybe I shouldnt when the charger is better lined up to shoot it back at the Drizzler. Never mind, the Drizzler doesnt land a second time anyway. Another Flipper appears, and it takes me a few attempts to make it flop, as I stuff some eggs in the basket, but I get there. I splat a Fish Finger, just because its there, and pull a Scrapper to the basket, careful about the Steelhead bomb spinning on top. As the seconds run down, a few last eggs are thrown in to the basket, and although some from the Big Shots cannon dont make it in, we get a decent total.
On to the second wave, and Grizzco blesses me with the bucket. How could this wave not go well, even with the tide coming in? A distant Flyfish aint a great start, but we splat it, well, maybe not easily enough, as I nearly hit the drink, but its splatted. I head back to splat a Steel Eel and revive a squidmate, only to need to return to the other side for a fresh Flyfish. My first throw isnt well timed, but I loiter to do a better job. After the second throw, I do a better job, and then its back across the water to revive a squidmate and run out of ink at a band time, only for a Stinger to waddle on to shore on the other side! Back I go, and splat the Stinger and one bin of another Flyfish, dragging two Flippers with me somehow. I stay to finish the splattings, as a Steelhead has arrived, and another two Stingers, and thankfully Im helped out by an Inkjet, particularly after bouncing a Splat Bomb off a Snatchers bonce. And we need eggs. Quite badly! We barely get half our quota with ten seconds left in the wave, which leads to some desperate basket stuffing, and one last sacrificial egg throw that wasnt necessary in the end, but seemed so at the time.
That was close, but the final wave will be smoother, Im sure. The tide goes out a bit, and I have a Tri-stringer. Our Grizzco Charger splats a Flipper before it flops, a Maws doesnt nibble me, and a Fish Finger is easily splatted. I throw an egg, grab an egg from the Fish Finger, wanting to keep our egg count moving without letting the bosses build up, and move on to a Lid. Or maybe I head butt a Steel Eel. I make a meal of getting back in to action, but focus on eggs for the moment, then move on to a Stinger that everyone else seems to be ignoring. Not a problem, and again I take two eggs back with me, before heading up another Fish Finger. Another two eggs, as more are below me, but squidmates are getting splatted too. I use a Dolphin to keep myself safe and revive a couple of them, making more eggs by splatting a Flipper, and I keep my focus there. The Stingers are annoying, but theres no time to get them. Just eggs for the basket, and a second dolphin to stop drizzle from splatting me. There, that wave did go better, and we end up with a decent tally of eggs for Mr Grizz. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: 200 eggs in Salmon Run Eggstra Work [21-38-46-57-38, 68/1702]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IZy1dSDlCRw/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: 200 eggs in Salmon Run Eggstra Work [21-38-46-57-38, 68/1702]
Eggstra Work! Ive had a few runs through now, so I have a good idea of what the waves are, and a vague idea of what happens in waves three and five. I also dont get caught out by the final Fish Finger of the first wave, which is good. Im running with the Carbon Roller, because the second wave is Glowflies, and my squidmates so far have not been great at squishing the squishy Chum. Its good to see my squidmates inking the wall in case of emergencies at least, and I get in to position and start rolling, slowly. I have to position myself a bit better, and get all twisted up more than once, but I think I do mostly okay.
Down to low tide for the third wave, full of Stingers and Lids, and my Roller isnt great at Stingers. I think Im mostly here to run around and collect eggs, and maybe squish all the Smallfry. I do quite well on a Lid, waiting for the Steelhead bomb below me to inksplode before I splat the Lid and drop down, but maybe I could have splatted the Flipper behind me than help with the Steelhead, and that Fish Finger wasnt any trouble at the end of the wave. Still, we collect a good number of eggs.
Mothership should be good for egg collecting, although, again, my Roller wont be great against the Mothership itself. We have a good split of inklings on both sids of the water, letting us each focus on quadrants, which I kinda of let the squad down on with my roaming. But with all the Chinooks being splatted, keeping the Cohock population down, and eggs being transported, combined with the squidmates coming back across the water for the second Mothership visit, we manage to cram a good number of eggs in to the basket. This Run is looking good.
Final wave, and Ive kept my Inkjets for the Flyfish. I hope I remember. The first bosses are lured, which is fine by me, then I head across the water to deal with a Fish Finger I probably dont need to, ignoring a Flyfish on my way. I waste a little time throwing the Fish Finger eggs, only to see another Fish Finger fly in. I dare to make the leap and splat that one too, only to then find myself under a Lid I made fall. Never mind, even with one squid up we keep going, and we have eggs to dunk. I see a Flyfish, remember my Inkjet, and kinda make a mess of it. Still, we hit quota, keep going, and end up completing the wave with a double century. Thats a decent start. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Not rolling over in Tower Control [14(4)-5, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/IhU45aK4OHU/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Not rolling over in Tower Control [14(4)-5, Range Blaster]
Getting on to the Tower early isnt a great idea, which I demonstrate to the Octo Shot Replica, before moving up to help with the E-litre 4K. But my squidmates dont need help, which is good, and I dont even panic at the Curling Bomb coming my way, not retreating to where it would inksplode. I jump back down from the ledge to clear the Tower, kinda by accident, and take over riding it, if only the Splat Bombs would stop flying. I have to get off, so I try to make myself a nuisance, which is helped by my squidmates doing well too. I end up pushing the Splat Roller backwards, but before the rest of the pinklings return I withdraw to a bit of safety.
I spot the Splat Roller approaching the Tower from the long way around and, although I cant help my squidmate, I splat them away and take over the Tower again. There is more pinky pressure around, though, but even backing away for that for a bit isnt quite long enough. So it goes. I return the slow way, and feel the E-litre 4Ks presence. I try to clear the Tower, without much like, and my blast on the charger on glances them. I dont protect a squidmate super-jumping to me from the reappeared Roller, and dont see which way the Roller goes either. I just leave a Suction Bomb for them and run away.
Were pushed back in to our own turf for a bit. I try to help keep the Tower and the Roller at bay, which goes well for a while, if leading to a mild stalemate. A Wave Breaker should help, and it does indeed ping the Splat Roller, but when they are close enough that we splat each other. The pinklings are threatening to make some progress, so I take the high road and drop down to get a nice splat, and a partial hit on the Splat Roller. They pop up to try to splat me, but I just about get my shot on target before they can get too close.
Still the battle continues in the middle of the Spillway. I go high again where I am easily spotted, and I dont like being a target for the E-litre 4K, so I drop down and switch sides. That turns out to be unfortunate timing, as the Splat Roller follows and smacks me from behind. Now I take the long way around, which keeps me safe approaching the Tower. Some ink flying around makes the Tower looks safe, which is good for me, but it only looks safe. As I try to avoid the charger, the roller reminds me of their presence.
I think about the same route again, but decide to approach from the closer side. It does well for me initially, getting a splat and making the charger rethink their positioning, but when I get near to the Tower the Splat Roller shows me that they are better at close range than I am. I head back the same way, hoping the scenery will provide some cover, and start blasting at the Tower. But the Splat Roller is around, I just know it, so I go defensive, which is good for my safety, and for the squad. We turn the Tower around, and manage to hang on to it as time ticks down, leaving no opportunity for overtime. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Against boring bombing in all modes, but this is Rainmaker [6(1)-6, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J75neCSnBD8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Against boring bombing in all modes, but this is Rainmaker [6(1)-6, Range Blaster]
I dont get hit by the Rainmaker shield, which is a plus, and my casual leap forwards doesnt get me splatted, not even when I slowly walk back through the Super Chumps. I have no idea whats going on, though, apart from a squidmate having the Rainmaker. That should be obvious as I wander around, shooting nothing. I even miss a Beakon next to me. Never mind, I grab a drink and get splatted, which sadly doesnt give me much time to think. But I do see our Rainmaker heading left, and hitting the podium as I launch from my espresso machine.
I head towards the Rainmaker, and run away again as I am too late and it is coming towards me. I try flanking, which doesnt work, and find myself in no-inklings land. Thankfully, the Roller splats me, and I get an undeserved rest. I return to be alone, without realising it, and leap in to the unknown with no one around but the other team. I dont last long. At least my squidmates hit the podium first, and we keep the lead by dint of that when the green team break through the checkpoint.
I decide to sit back and defend, given that I have range, focussing on stopping the green team from stealing the lead. A squidmate goes one better and picks up the Rainmaker, which definitely stops green progress. And still I cant hit anything, coming under pressure from the Splat Roller. On top of that, I go to sleep for a moment. Of all the times! We lose the lead, which is unfortunate, but worse than that, the N-ZAP 89 has decided to give up playing and just chuck Chickens our way. I can get really frustrated by such single-minded, boring tactics.
Still without a splat, Im close to giving up. But I keep going, even as the N-ZAP 89 acts like theyve given up, still throwing Chicken after Chicken, using their Ink Recovery to speed up the thoroughly uninspired strategy. And I get a splat! Im splatted too, but its a breakthrough moment, I can feel it. I poke forwards, sensing the Splat Roller is around, and still they surprise me. But I evade them and they withdraw. For a few seconds. I push forwards, destroying a Beakon and bagging two more splats, before easing back in to their path. At least it feels like Im contributing now.
The Chicken thrower is back on as I return, and theyre joined by a Splat Bomber. I hit one of them chasing me, and push forwards to find the other to enact some righteous education, which comes with a direct blast to the face. If only they had more practice shooting their weapon, eh? And the splat incidentally clears a path for a squidmate dashing forwards with the Rainmaker, straight past me, further forwards, and in to a rapid lead-gaining surge that continues extending. I dont even mind that the Splat Roller is behind me. I kinda mind that I get a direct hit on them just as my squidmate dunks the Rainmaker, denying me the splat. But still, victory, both in battle and moral. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: MAN, i got old in Salmon Run [51-57-38, 57/719]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JILvTXuUoPU/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: MAN, i got old in Salmon Run [51-57-38, 57/719]
Who needs range in Salmon Run? Lets find out if its us! Being given the Squiffer and its monstrous reach, compared to the other weapons, I feel some responsibility in the first wave, but luckily everything comes to us to start with. I ink a Fish Finger, to help someone else splat it, which they do, but apart from a Flfyish we dont have much need to stray from the basket. A Stinger provides some motivation, and its good to see an Inkjet fly off to deal with both distant threats. Otherwise, we can just splat bosses and cram the basket full of eggs. Nice!
The tide comes right in for the second wave, where I quickly try to ink walls with my Clash Blaster. I race across to deal with a Stinger, and I help with a cluster of Flippers, before another task for me appears in the shape of a Fish Finger. I ignore the Maws nibbling my toes, at least for the moment, then get back to dunking eggs between splatting Flippers. Another Inkjet helps out, and I work between Cohocks to splat a nearby Stinger, before moving back to the basket to splat a Fish Finger there. I find myself dunking eggs and splatting Cohocks more than bosses in the dying seconds, but thats okay, and having a loaded Snatcher not get away merely adds to the eggs we collect for Mr Grizz, and we almost double our quota. Also nice!
The tide changes again for the final wave, so more walls need inking, which is pretty easy with the Splattershot Jr. Early Lids are straightforward, as is the Fish Finger at eye-level on top of the column. A Maws drops by the basket, but then mid-tide problems start arising, with a pair of Stingers appearing. A squidmate deals with them quickly, which is good, so I head back to the basket, splatting a Steel Eel and Fish Finger on my way. Another Stinger appears, though, and as I drop down to deal with it so does a squidmate, so its back up the Fish Finger to splat that, where I see a Snatcher getting away with some eggs. Never mind, although we could use more right now. I see a Scrapper stall in a weird position, fail to splat a Steelhead, and Special weapons are getting deployed as we are struggling our way to quota. I ignore the Stinger, with little time left in the Run, and bring down a Lid for a few extra eggs to quickly steal in to the basket, hitting and surpassing quota nicely in the end, for a decent total and a pretty fun Run. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Back-and-forth in Barnacle & Dime Splat Zones [13(4)-4, Tri-slosher]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/JjpItx2w-io/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Back-and-forth in Barnacle & Dime Splat Zones [13(4)-4, Tri-slosher]
Im trying to be cautious but active, which maybe gets the Splat Zones orange at the start, but it keeps me unsplatted for the first thirty seconds. After that, I get a bit more daring, and a lunge splats the Splattershot, and a second lunge extends my luck to splat the Sploosh-o-matic too. I then lose my sense and wait for a Zipcaster to land, with my back to the returning orange team inklings I just splatted. I shouldnt have got out of there, but I do, and back to relative safety. The orange team then pull out their Specials and claim the Splat Zones and push us back. I whip out an Inkjet and uncharacteristically get a splat, before then getting nicely splatted by the jumping Stamper.
Our lead is threatened as I return, and gone before I get back. And just as the turf below me looks safe, its not, and Im splatted from behind by the Splattershot. The orange team increase their lead as we battle to get close to the Splat Zones again. Splatting the Splattershot is a good start, but running in to a Suction Bomb seen to late doesnt help. But weve claimed some turf and have got back to the Splat Zones, contesting them initially then getting back to scoring.
I hide from a Hammer, which is splatted early, and a Trizooka, then move up to get a nice splat on the Splattershot, before tidying up some orange mess around the Splat Zones. I get my Toxic Mist working, which slows down longer-ranged ink flying in to the Splat Zones, and the Splat Zones stay a nice blue until were back in the lead. As the orange team let Specials fly again, I take to the air to risk another Inkjet, which doesnt do much more than ink a bit of turf, but Im also not splatted. Ill take it.
I land to hide from another Trizooka, while the Splat Zones linger in a mixed-colour state, and although some opportunistic sloshing splats the Stamper, the Splat Zones turn orange. That undoes a chunk of work, but not having been physically knocked back we remain in a strong position. A splat on the Splattershot is good, and I dodge away from a Suction Bomb this time, but I am splatted by the Sploosh-o-matic moments later. I splat them too, so its not terrible, and the Splat Zones stay blue as I return. I try a different path, which works thanks to my squidmate sacrificing themself, and I continue my sneaky move to get a double-splat, thanks to an inkling super-jumping in with Stealth Jump.
Now we hold the high position, stopping the orange team from returning. Im happy to let my squidmates apply most of the pressure, sitting back with my bucket ready to slosh when needed. And it turns out not to be needed, as the battle is won soon after. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: A battle of two halves in Tower Control [10(5)-5, Custom Wellstring V]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/K4WrSHP-dS8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: A battle of two halves in Tower Control [10(5)-5, Custom Wellstring V]
I head up the wall and sit back at range. Then move closer, because everyones too far away. A inkling looks to be coming up the side wall, so a few shots keeps them honest, and by that time the turf ahead looks pretty clear. A squidmate hops on the Tower, and I move up to help. I splat the bucket, which is good, and keep the Tower moving, while my squidmates go on a decent rampage ahead. A Wave Breaker proves a useful distraction, and still my squidmates are keeping the purple team away from the Tower. I have to dodge a Suction Bomb, but once thats gone a squidmate pops a Bubble on the Tower. That should keep us safe! It does, for a bit, but the purple ink starts flying in. A squimdate is splatted, and I back off, trying to hold the turf, until the Range Blaster splats me.
Weve got a good lead, and there doesnt seem to be a reason why we cant push for the goal. I super-jump back and reset my position, where the purple team dont seem too keen to take the Tower. Okay, we can do it again! I shy away from the Range Blaster, this time getting clear, but maybe a bit too clear, as a squidmate rides the Tower to where we had it before. Theyre splatted, but the purple ink is flying again, and trying to hide on the Tower from the Range Blaster isnt a great idea to start with, made harder by a Killer Wail targeting me. Time to run away! I could have run away more, though, as the Range Blaster closes the gap and blasts me.
I take the slow way back, but still brimming with confidence. The purple team are thinking they should move the Tower a bit too, though, and that closes the distance quickly. I think I get a good hit, but I need a second to make it stick, which gives the Splattershot Pro time to splat me back as well. At least the Tower pauses, for all of a few seconds, and I set up a rather more defensive position. I work my way around to the tall wall, where I have a minor duel with the Tri-stringer. They win that on the second pass, with their decent combination of Sub- and Special weapon. And now the purple team are making progress.
I return to try to take advantage of my range without being an obvious target, only for the Range Blaster to show me how obvious I was actually being. And still the Tower creeps closer to the lead, although thankfully stalling on the second checkpoint. But the purple team are on it again, and here they come. I take a direct route, getting me in to range more quickly, and jink away when the inevitable Killer Wail forces me to. But the angle works in my favour, and with enough peppering of shots around the Tower, there is a pause just long enough for me to squid along and up, claiming the Tower, and the victory. But that was close. Woomy!")
