![Splatoon 3: First- and extra-wave action in Salmon Run [39-52-44-xs, 43/1146] @TigerEars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jPPj-mr5wE0/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded July 2024 | Updated September 2026, 6 minutes ago
An early Flyfish is easily covered, as are most of the walls at high tide. I'm also trying to dodge-roll a bit more, which is fine when not under much pressure, but we'll see how it goes. A Lid gives a good angle for a Steelhead, which itself splats its Stinger buddy, and two more are interrupted by a Maws. It's all good, though, and the only thing stopping me cramming eggs in the basket is another Flyfish. I drag a Maws back to the basket, which would work out better if I wasn't badly coordinated when reviving a squidmate, but at least I loose the Splat Bomb in time. I'm revived, stuff an egg or two in the basket, then move on. A Flyfish needs attention, and I leap a gap to splat a Stinger in a hard-to-reach position, and hop back to the other way for another Steelhead. I use a Fish Finger for a breather, but with the wave winding down I grab some eggs elsewhere for some last-second stuffing.
The tide goes out, the sky darkens, and I have a Tri-stringer. But it's only Mudmouths, and with a decent Roller on the squad we should be fine. It doesn't stop me practicing with the Kraken, which I clearly need practice with, when a Golden Mudmouth appears. It also doesn't stop me getting splatted by Smallfry when our Roller is elsewhere. They turn up to revive me and rush around splatting more Smallfry, popping up everywhere, which lets us splat Mudmouths and deliver eggs. A Golden Mudmouth near the basket helps with our tally, and we manage to the half-tonne for the wave.
Low tide for the final wave, and a darkening sky again. This time it's a tornado, which is perhaps simpler than Mudmouths. We still need to coordinate, particularly with the falling salmonids, but it feels kinda difficult to get Tornado particularly wrong. We get quota, and more, early enough, but not so early that we can do much with the second treasure chest. I use my second Kraken to deliver one more egg, which seems reasonable, and we finish the Run with a healthy egg total.
But we haven't finished! Not with Zuna rolling in. I get the Mini-splatling for the extra wave, and after a productive ten seconds I find myself running around neither splatting bosses or throwing eggs at the big guy. I'm also not getting splatted, which is good, and I bust out a Kraken to try to get me out of trouble. My squidmates are helping with that more, but I make some golden eggs drop, and do what I can to keep Zuna in the area of the those eggs when I'm being chased. Two many Chum get in my way for efficient egg launches, so I have to keep shooting for a bit, but eventually I get free and can damage Zuna. I get trapped after that, which isn't fun, but my squidmates have access to eggs and the Zuna's attention, and with little health left, the big guy is splatted. Woomy!
An early Flyfish is easily covered, as are most of the walls at high tide. I'm also trying to dodge-roll a bit more, which is fine when not under much pressure, but we'll see how it goes. A Lid gives a good angle for a Steelhead, which itself splats its Stinger buddy, and two more are interrupted by a Maws. It's all good, though, and the only thing stopping me cramming eggs in the basket is another Flyfish. I drag a Maws back to the basket, which would work out better if I wasn't badly coordinated when reviving a squidmate, but at least I loose the Splat Bomb in time. I'm revived, stuff an egg or two in the basket, then move on. A Flyfish needs attention, and I leap a gap to splat a Stinger in a hard-to-reach position, and hop back to the other way for another Steelhead. I use a Fish Finger for a breather, but with the wave winding down I grab some eggs elsewhere for some last-second stuffing.
The tide goes out, the sky darkens, and I have a Tri-stringer. But it's only Mudmouths, and with a decent Roller on the squad we should be fine. It doesn't stop me practicing with the Kraken, which I clearly need practice with, when a Golden Mudmouth appears. It also doesn't stop me getting splatted by Smallfry when our Roller is elsewhere. They turn up to revive me and rush around splatting more Smallfry, popping up everywhere, which lets us splat Mudmouths and deliver eggs. A Golden Mudmouth near the basket helps with our tally, and we manage to the half-tonne for the wave.
Low tide for the final wave, and a darkening sky again. This time it's a tornado, which is perhaps simpler than Mudmouths. We still need to coordinate, particularly with the falling salmonids, but it feels kinda difficult to get Tornado particularly wrong. We get quota, and more, early enough, but not so early that we can do much with the second treasure chest. I use my second Kraken to deliver one more egg, which seems reasonable, and we finish the Run with a healthy egg total.
But we haven't finished! Not with Zuna rolling in. I get the Mini-splatling for the extra wave, and after a productive ten seconds I find myself running around neither splatting bosses or throwing eggs at the big guy. I'm also not getting splatted, which is good, and I bust out a Kraken to try to get me out of trouble. My squidmates are helping with that more, but I make some golden eggs drop, and do what I can to keep Zuna in the area of the those eggs when I'm being chased. Two many Chum get in my way for efficient egg launches, so I have to keep shooting for a bit, but eventually I get free and can damage Zuna. I get trapped after that, which isn't fun, but my squidmates have access to eggs and the Zuna's attention, and with little health left, the big guy is splatted. Woomy!
![Splatoon 3: First- and extra-wave action in Salmon Run [39-52-44-xs, 43/1146]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jPPj-mr5wE0/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: First- and extra-wave action in Salmon Run [39-52-44-xs, 43/1146]
An early Flyfish is easily covered, as are most of the walls at high tide. Im also trying to dodge-roll a bit more, which is fine when not under much pressure, but well see how it goes. A Lid gives a good angle for a Steelhead, which itself splats its Stinger buddy, and two more are interrupted by a Maws. Its all good, though, and the only thing stopping me cramming eggs in the basket is another Flyfish. I drag a Maws back to the basket, which would work out better if I wasnt badly coordinated when reviving a squidmate, but at least I loose the Splat Bomb in time. Im revived, stuff an egg or two in the basket, then move on. A Flyfish needs attention, and I leap a gap to splat a Stinger in a hard-to-reach position, and hop back to the other way for another Steelhead. I use a Fish Finger for a breather, but with the wave winding down I grab some eggs elsewhere for some last-second stuffing.
The tide goes out, the sky darkens, and I have a Tri-stringer. But its only Mudmouths, and with a decent Roller on the squad we should be fine. It doesnt stop me practicing with the Kraken, which I clearly need practice with, when a Golden Mudmouth appears. It also doesnt stop me getting splatted by Smallfry when our Roller is elsewhere. They turn up to revive me and rush around splatting more Smallfry, popping up everywhere, which lets us splat Mudmouths and deliver eggs. A Golden Mudmouth near the basket helps with our tally, and we manage to the half-tonne for the wave.
Low tide for the final wave, and a darkening sky again. This time its a tornado, which is perhaps simpler than Mudmouths. We still need to coordinate, particularly with the falling salmonids, but it feels kinda difficult to get Tornado particularly wrong. We get quota, and more, early enough, but not so early that we can do much with the second treasure chest. I use my second Kraken to deliver one more egg, which seems reasonable, and we finish the Run with a healthy egg total.
But we havent finished! Not with Zuna rolling in. I get the Mini-splatling for the extra wave, and after a productive ten seconds I find myself running around neither splatting bosses or throwing eggs at the big guy. Im also not getting splatted, which is good, and I bust out a Kraken to try to get me out of trouble. My squidmates are helping with that more, but I make some golden eggs drop, and do what I can to keep Zuna in the area of the those eggs when Im being chased. Two many Chum get in my way for efficient egg launches, so I have to keep shooting for a bit, but eventually I get free and can damage Zuna. I get trapped after that, which isnt fun, but my squidmates have access to eggs and the Zunas attention, and with little health left, the big guy is splatted. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Going the distance in Clam Blitz [14(1)-6. Hydra Splatling]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/jbKA9TOCi6U/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Going the distance in Clam Blitz [14(1)-6. Hydra Splatling]
More Sheldonising, hence the Hydra Splatling. Its pretty much just the Heavy Splatling, but a bit heavier, right? My plan is to stay mostly near the back, and shoot anyone who comes close. The main problem is that the other team dont really want to come close, so I have to go to them. That nearly backfires when the Flingza Roller appears, but luckily a good feature of the Hydra Splatling is its fire rate. I ride that feeling and push forwards, hoping to add pressure to the blue defence, but it doesnt fold quite so readily.
I drop back in to defence, and let a Chicken do some forward work for me, before just about getting some shots to hit the Splatana Stamper. I try to challenge the Heavy Edit Splatling next, but they run away pretty effectively. A B-bomb doesnt catch them either, but it makes the turf look clear, so I start pushing again, only to get embroiled in a bit of a ding-dong in the middle of the Airport. Me and the Heavy Edit face-off again, and I somehow come out on top, but pushing through a Splatterscreen is not really a good idea, as the Flingza Roller reminds me.
I return to gather clams and look for opportunity, but the blue team seem better at that at the moment, leaving me alone. Realising this, I drop back. I dont think the blue team really notice were down to one inkling standing, as not much happens near our basket. Maybe not giving them a Wipeout notification helped keep our barrier unbroken. But they are organising, and approaching. I drop further back and catch the Flingza Roller pushing forwards, and tidy up some blue mess as I watch a power clam in the distance.
The Splatana Stamper Ziplines our way, and Im happy to have a Hydra Splatling in my hands for it. The dropped power clam still feels like a threat, so I keep the ink flowing, as my squidmates press closer to keep the blue team at bay. It looks like were turning the tide again, so I drop down to contribute further forwards. That goes wrong when I accidentally make a power clam, and become a beakon for the Flingza Roller. Our defence looks stretched, but we just about hold back another power clam. The threat isnt gone, though. The Heavy Edit Splatling is off to the side on the moving platforms, and here comes the Flingza Roller again. Im happy to catch them when they are on the lower level.
I stick to defence for a while longer. I spot the Heavy Edit Splatling finally coming down the side, and think Im ready for them, but my aim lets me down. With thirty seconds left in the battle, we could have come undone. Thankfully, they dont have a power clam, cant find more clams, and no one super-jumps the way of the Heavy Edit Splatling, and we continue without score. We continue in to overtime. First score wins. I push forwards at perhaps the wrong time, getting a splat but getting stuck in an awkward position. I rely on a B-bomb to keep me safe, but only for a few seconds more. But, again, it stops the blue team getting an overt Wipeout, and my squidmates return to defend our basket.
I focus on defence once more, and help to stop the Heavy Edit Splatling just before they got in range of our basket. They throw early, in desperation, and the power clam falls short. I push forwards with the team, having grabbed a drink, but get splatted by the Splatana Stamper. My squidmates are getting splatted too. Back to our basket, and we remain in our impasse. I drop back to our basket again, just in case, and its good I do. I see the platform to my left rise, and turn to catch the Flingza Roller before they can splat me. I move forward again. Were gaining more turf. I use a B-bomb to keep the blue team on their toes. And there they go. A bold squidmate has made a power clam and is making a dash around the side, chased by a Flingza Roller that gets splatted, and the Splattershot which cant keep up. A leap and a throw, and our Dapple Dualies breaks the deadlock, and wins the battle. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Missing the shot that matters in Tower Control [19(3)-6, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/k0N3sAMVeT8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Missing the shot that matters in Tower Control [19(3)-6, Range Blaster]
A bit of preparatory inking is fine, but it wont stop the Tower. I move up and try to apply pressure, which works well enough, without committing myself in a way that would get me splatted. I also manage to get a splat off the Tower without getting caught by a Splat Bomb, and then hop on to the Tower to get things moving. I dont stay on for long, but getting off doesnt help me much against the ink flying in. I return to try to help a squidmate, but their attacker is running off, the problem being its towards our turf. I track back and try to stop them, but I think theyre just being mildly disruptive.
Back to the Tower, which is coming our way, and I get a splat, um, somehow. It was the Wave Breaker, not a hit on the Nautilus, who pulls out their Splashdown to stay safe for a second or two longer. I work my way back on the Tower and anticipate nicely being chased, the Suction Bomb splatting them as they try to jump away. I ride the Tower in relative peace in to a bigger lead, but while surrounded by blue ink. I dont feel safe. At least I can see a couple of inklings, and gently hit one of them. I still have to run away, but another Wave Breaker makes me feel safer, right until I make a target of myself on the Tower again.
I take the short route back, which nearly drops me in to trouble, but which I manage to stay out of for a lot longer than is normal. We somewhat lose control of the Tower, though, and I hop on to make amends, as a Wave Breaker of mine claims yet another splat. My squidmates do well to apply pressure to the blue team, and a lucky splat helps us extend the lead a few more steps, until a Splashdown lands on the moving Tower. So it goes.
I splat the Nautilus nicely as I return, but a Bubble on the Tower makes that harder to stop. With blue support coming from the side, I have to run away, but around the side to where I can still attack the Tower. I splat one inkling off, and almost defend myself from the Dualie Squelchers before they splat me. It helps keep our lead intact, though. I take a pointless diversion on my way back, and then wait for the Nautilus to commit to the drop. A squidmate keeps me going after that, and then a Kraken keeps the Tower moving forwards. I hop on myself and extend our lead, but dont anticipate the Splattershot Jrs approach well enough. Still, with less than twenty seconds to go, the blue team have a lot to do.
I take a defensive route back to cover the Tower. A Bubble covers the Tower better, but bouncing a Suction Bomb off it gets the first splat. A nice shot gets a second, and I dash for the Tower. But there is still an inkling on it! I didnt count right. I do what I can, but at close range my blaster can feel too slow, and I am at the mercy of the Splattershot. To make the situation worse, I didnt realise I was the only inkling on my team standing, and my splatting gives the blue team not only a Wipeout, but time to ride the Tower in to the lead, and the victory.")
![Splatoon 3: Joe stands no chance in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [42-40-39-xs, 25/1151]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/k8XcqXEpRao/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Joe stands no chance in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [42-40-39-xs, 25/1151]
Ooh, the Grizzco Splatana. Such a potent weapon. I show off its power immediately, with a squidmate telling me to be careful of the Flipper. I just hit it in the nose, like you would a shark. Jobs a good un! I repeat it a few seconds later, before dodging a Big Shots shots while waiting for a Maws. I move down to help with the Big Shot, which has been splatted, but his cousin has arrived, and end up dropping a pair of Lid twins. Its going well, if you ignore my throwing an egg past the Big Shot cannon. Never mind, I show off the power of the Splatana against a Flyfish, hopefully educating another squidmate, before shooting more eggs. And some more. And splatting a Scrapper. And shooting a last couple of eggs. Not many dunks, but hopefully plenty of contribution.
Grizzco Dualies next, which are fun. I hear a Maws, so I wait and splat a Maws, before hopping on top of a Lid and dropping in to a clutch of Cohocks, where dodge-rolling around keeps me safe and splats them. I get back to the basket and wait for a Flipper to approach, a dodge-roll inking its landing pad, and drop down to splat a Steel Eel, Steelhead, and another Flipper. Now to get eggs in the basket. Throwing them will takes ages, so I squid up to the basket, where I am distracted by a Lid, which I splat easily, and then a Flyfish, which splats me. Were close to quota, though, which we get as Im revived, and we boost our tally with a Maws and Flipper by the basket, followed by another Maws. More eggs are nearby but wont land before time is up, so I just dodge-roll around to stay safe. It kinda works.
The final wave grants me the Grizzco Blaster, which is a fine but a bit boring compared to the other weapons. Still, Ill enjoy its fast firing rate, as a Stinger and Steel Eel appear. I ignore the Drizzler to get away from a second Steel Eel, pausing to help splat a Flyfish. I collect some eggs, drag a Scrapper to the basket, behind a Maws, but dont quite survive a boop from a Steel Eel. The eggs are hitting the basket, although we could do with splatting a Flyfish or two, as more missiles splat me. We finish with a flurry of splatting and dunking of eggs, and I use one of my Dolphins. I still have time to get splatted once more, which is a minor achievement, and then, no, the Run isnt over. We have an emergency!
Its Joe! At high tide, this could be tricky. Our three Grizzco Stringers are interesting, and I use its full power on Joes red spot, but only once, as Im splatted by Flyfish missiles, which is a bit unfortunate. Im revived and Joes on me. I dont drag it far, but I get out of the way and splat a Steelhead for some eggs, but miss a Flyfish. Never mind, another Steelhead drops more eggs, and Joes red spot is nicely visible. I get some good hits, but Joe moves. I move with it, and am targeted again. I use my Dolphin for some damage, and the situation is looking good. But we need to stay sharp, and my attempt to ride an ink rail out of Joes range stalls, and Im swallowed. Two of us are inside Joe, but we get out, are revived, and right next to some eggs. I grab one as Joe surfaces and take aim, noting Joes low health, and launch the splatting blow. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: A few good snipes in Splat Zones [8(2)-2, Splat Charger]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kqvIUozRRv4/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: A few good snipes in Splat Zones [8(2)-2, Splat Charger]
Lets go! I try to battle the Hydra Splatling and Tri-stringer for control of the Splat Zones, but thats a battle Im going to lose. Its almost a relief to have the N-ZAP 85 come towards us, even if I only graze them and then miss twice. Never mind, back to the Splat Zones, now firmly pink, but with an Ink Vac ready to go I feel confident about closing the gap. That helps stem the flow of pink ink, and my squidmates turn the Splat Zones green.
A Killer Wail chases me, which I neatly avoid, and I press forwards, where I get a lucky-ish splat on the Hydra Splatling getting on to their perch. I miss the Dynamo Roller, but if theyre looking at me theyre not looking at the Splat Zones, and we take the lead. Nice! I retreat to safety, although still nearly caught out by the not-particularly-mobile N-ZAP 85.
I go back to challenging the Tri-stringer, and in missing my first shot I try to head around the side to catch them from another angle. I kinda do, after neatly splatting the Hydra Splatling in the back, but missing almost a sitter gives the Tri-stringer the opportunity to shoot me back, and theyre quicker than me. I return to pink Splat Zones and few squidmates, so I try to keep ink flowing for a few moments, but the pinklings realise its just me and move in. Its time for another Ink Vac.
The Ink Vac keeps me safe and gets me a splat, as the N-ZAP 85 hunts me down, but even though they seem to be working on a basic point-and-shoot level, they still out-manoeuvre me. At least I dont get splatted. Its also almost a shame to splat them when I was aiming for the Hydra Splatling, who launches in to a B-bomb. That doesnt change the Splat Zones, though, and I get to push forwards a little, where I try to splat the Tri-stringer again without success.
I manoeuvre this way and that, and finally find an angle where I can splat the Tri-stringer, and my squidmates handle the other pinklings, so that our score finally erases the buffer and starts ticking over once more. I hear a noise and react to it, nearly running directly in to a Suction Bomb, but I survive, and press forwards. I help push the Hydra Splatling back, and get a good splat on the Dynamo Roller on the perch, but just before we win the battle I hit a small ledge that stops me getting away from a B-bomb. Never mind, the battle is won. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Messy but successful Salmon Run [41-33-44-xs, 24/1284]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/kzPgdYZ3F3Y/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Messy but successful Salmon Run [41-33-44-xs, 24/1284]
I like the Carbon Roller, just maybe not in Salmon Run. So much trouble to ink a few walls, and it doesnt even squish Chum. But never mind, here come the bosses. A couple of Flippers are easy, particularly with a Hydra Splatling not letting them hit the turf, and I leave a Fish Finger to the Hydra Splatling as I wander off towards a Lid. I mess up the splat, dont want to get caught by another Flipper, and dont have the ink for a Maws. I finally manage to splat something, and take an egg back to the basket with the Maws following behind. I try to help with a Fish Finger, or Steelhead, and fall down, so find an egg to bring back with me, which I bounce off a Fish Finger, and decide to ink a wall that has got grimy. At least I whack a Drizzler missile on my way down. I need that wall when I get back and make a mess near the basket too, bouncing off a Drizzler, but I get back up and dunk another egg or two. And, importantly, I survive. Two squidmates get splatted, both of them sticking with me through some failed Runs where the other randoms have bailed each time, so I kinda like these guys.
On to the second wave, and down to low tide with some Dualie Squelchers. Less chance to dodge-roll in to the water, I guess. But mucking up a squid-roll from under a Lid leaves me a prime target for a Cohock. And a squidmate was splatting the Flyfish behind it with a nice use of a Killer Wail, so I didnt need to force the issue. Never mind, Im revived, splat a Maws, help with a Flyfish, and move on to a Big Shot or two, leaving lots of eggs to fire back to the basket. Those go in to the basket, which is good, and a Steelhead is splatted. Lids next, if I could get my timings right, which I cant, and instead get booped by a Steel Eel. Im revived and give it another go, but our Carbon Roller wants to splat this Lid, and not worry about that others. No problem, I can manage them, even with a Stinger around. Squidmates are down when I turn around, and I try to revive them, and clear the turf around the basket, because we also still need eggs. Not for long, and we even get comfortably past quota in the final few seconds.
I get the Hydra Splatling for the final wave, still on low tide. But its only a Tornado. At least I can chew through the Cohocks, even if our egg-delivery tactics dont seem to align. Easy peasy! Except its not the final wave, as a Zuna comes for us. At low tide. If only I had the Hydra Splatling for this, instead of a tiny Clash Blaster. We all have the same idea to deal with the Flyfish hiding behind Lids and Zuna, which kinda works, but still leaves eggs unaccessible. Trying to get to them doesnt go smoothly. Im revived soon enough, but the eggs still go begging, as Im chased by a Steel Eel. There are eggs elsewhere, though, as well as two Stingers which could use a blastin. More eggs! But Zunas far away. I head back, help with another Stinger and some Big Shots, our Carbon Roller sensibly using some golden eggs to make their splattings quicker, and try to get more eggs fired at Zuna. Its all going rather well, no doubt helped by the increased space of low tide, and we bring Zuna down with time to spare. Id say thats worth a gold scale. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Finding some mid-battle form in Tower Control [18(2)-7, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/l82mByNXOP0/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Finding some mid-battle form in Tower Control [18(2)-7, Range Blaster]
A tentative approach to the Tower by everyone, it seems. I creep up and use the Tower as cover to close on the E-litre 4K, which could be dangerous to all of us, but take two shots to splat them. Thats enough to make me a target too. The orange team, in the aftermath, ride the Tower forwards, and are a bit too safe with an Ink Vac running. I try to flank them, but muck up some shots, and with the Tower coming towards me I decide to keep my range and move around. It lets the orange team get a bit further, but I manage to clear the Tower and hop on. If only Id also managed to splat the Roller when I had the chance.
My Suction Bomb doesnt look to do much to the advancing Tower when I return, and neither do I, mostly trying to avoid the attention of the E-litre 4K while working out how to get closer to them. My squidmates turn the Tower around, though, and I creep back towards the action, only to fall immediately foul of a Dolphin. So it goes. I return not knowing whats happening, and that stays true for a while. When I finally poke my nose out, no ones on the Tower, no one is behind me, and the E-litre 4K is aiming right at me.
I try to approach from a different angle again, from below this time, not realising a Bubble is protecting the Tower. Id better run away, a parting shot getting a lucky splat. I circle around, unfortunately hit by a Wave Breaker to give my position away, but the E-litre 4K cant escape quickly enough. The Tower is still trundling on, however, and with another Ink Vac active there is not much I can do apart from be a target. Instead, I back off, only to have the Splat Roller appear next to me. I splat them with a good shot, but startle myself backwards, off a ledge. That puts me in an awkward position to do anything, and the orange lead increases.
Maybe I dont help with the Tower, but catching the Aerospray coming for me, and recovering from an E-litre 4K near-miss to splat them and the super-jumping Splat Roller returning quickly, contributes to a Wipeout. We finally get some relief, not only allowing the Tower to be ridden back to the centre, and finally give us some points, but it lets my squidmates push forwards and apply some pressure to the orange team. I check the edges, a Wave Breaker helping with that, and some lucky moves helps me avoid a Dolphin, splatting its rider afterwards, and catching the Splat Roller coming for me. This little splatting spree is giving me confidence.
I continue our recovery by splatting the .96 Gal doing a too-good job of clearing the Tower, so I take over on the Tower too, watched by the E-litre 4K. I jump off to try to catch them, but they are not where I think they are, so have to cycle back to the now-retreating Tower. My squidmates are there too, so I hop off again to skirmish, and think I find the E-litre 4K on a ledge. Before I can keep blasting them, the Aerospray appears, needing a lucky splat, which somehow keeps my spree going even further, and I have to back off for a few seconds just to get my breath. But we need to keep the Tower moving, so I duck to the lower level, but too late to stop the Tower turning around, and by the time I get back up Im surrounded by orange inklings. Im splatted after what feels like an age.
Were wiped out, and running out of time. I run back to the Tower, hoping to get in range quickly, not realising the Aerospray has a Dolphin ready, and is aimed directly at us. Were in to the final ten seconds, and luckily a squidmate is on the Tower. I leave them to it and try to get ahead, to use my range against the other team. I manage to press the .96 Gal and E-litre 4K, both trying to stop the Tower and not me, for a couple of splats, falling down to the lower level as I do. The Aerospray is there, then gone. I dont know where, so I get on the Tower. Were moving forwards, tables turned with an Ink Vac protecting us. But that only lasts for so long, and doesnt account for a dive-bombing Splat Roller, maybe one looking for revenge. It was a valiant effort, and closer than I would have expected, but we have to concede to the better team.")
![Splatoon 3: Doing well until Joe in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [49-40-38-xf, 29/1040]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lHjZvCuwFjY/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Doing well until Joe in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [49-40-38-xf, 29/1040]
Its All-Grizzco weapons this weekend! I like Salmon Run, and I like running on easy mode. Or easier mode, I suppose. Low tide on Bonerattle Arena has my waiting for bosses for a little while, but once they get close I get to work. I only have the Brolly, which is excellent for inking turf and fine as a weapon, but lacking the power some of the others have. Itll do, but Im running rather conventionally. And I like low tide for its ink rails, which seem a bit more useful than they already are at higher tides. The way they interlink is kinda interesting. But apart from a neat Flyfish splat, Im just running around shooting, and stuffing the occasional Maws with a Splat Bomb. We get a decent total, though.
The second wave has the tide come in, and now I cant ink the walls as well with my Charger. I do what I can, though, and we dont need complete coverage, not with a Mothership. And the Charger is excellent for Mothership waves. I really like the target practice too, even if its not particularly challenging. I focus on splatting the Chinooks, and give the Mothership itself some attention, and let my squidmates deal with the eggs. It does the trick. On to the third wave!
Its high tide, and I have the Dualies. I have to watch that I dont dodge-roll in to the water. There seems to be more threat of being eaten by a Maws to start, with no distant bosses to lure me away from the basket. I finally drop down to collect some eggs, and again when I lose my balance aiming at a Steelhead. I also dont get on top of a Fish Finger and dodge-roll to splat all the smallfry, because I did that in a previous Run and dropped in to the water. I also spot an ailing squidmate and revive them, taking the opportunity to splat the Flyfish while Im there. Or not. I get the Stinger, though, and head back to the basket for some last-second egg dunking. Nice!
But in comes a King. Its Joe! At high tide, this could be tricky, but weve done so well so far, Im confident, particularly with a bucket in my hands. And it all goes well enough to start. Even when a couple of us get cornered, we do okay to get out of that and back in to a better position. I dont seem to have many eggs to hand, so I mostly slosh as Joes red spot, and use my Splashdown, but its health is dropping nicely. Im not happy that I get dunked by a Steel Eel, which is mostly my fault, but getting snatched by Maws moments after being revived is a bit galling. My squidmates are having similar troubles, it seems, as we are often down to one squidmate, and with the isolation of high tide, its tricky trying to pull it back. Oh well, at least the regular Run went well. And I finished my catalogue.")
![Splatoon 3: Finishing a series with a Rainmaker dunk [4(1)-0, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lcpghDd9m7Q/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Finishing a series with a Rainmaker dunk [4(1)-0, Carbon Roller Deco]
Hiding at the side kinda works this time, and I pop out to get an early splat. The Rainmaker moved our way, but it was a opportunistic lunge, causing yellow splats more than giving them a lead. We recover the Rainmaker and I dash it to the first checkpoint. I duck back immediately, and find myself embroiled with the Nautilus, who I neatly avoid and then almost neatly ambush. Its a bit of luck that lets me get the splat anyway.
Back to the Rainmaker, and a squidmate is making their own opportunistic lunge forwards, this one really quite effective. They dont make it to the podium, but they give us a massive lead in the first minute of the battle. I use a Trizooka to try to keep it going, but I hit nothing, and the Rainmaker is brought off the yellow ledge and closer to our checkpoint. Closer, but not close.
We recover the Rainmaker and again I pick it up. I push forwards, even managing a neat squid-surge to change directions and sneak up the wall. Once up there I feel some precaution is required, and look for cover while I blast and my squidmates shoot ink everywhere. I splat the Nautilus again, which is nice, and looks like it clears the route to the podium. More obvious than that, my squidmates achieve a Wipeout. Nice! And with plenty of time left on the clock, this is a dunk that not even Judd can deny me. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Causing havoc in the Ruins in Rainmaker [25(1)-5, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ldWwIz-94b4/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Causing havoc in the Ruins in Rainmaker [25(1)-5, Carbon Roller Deco]
I dont contest the Rainmaker, there doesnt seem much point with the Carbon Roller. But I do lay down a foundational layer of ink. Some more gets laid by my squidmates, as the pinklings make a rash grab-and-dash, getting their Rainmaker splatted, and the ink path leading me to a sweet double splat. I let someone else pick it up and then get some height. I spot the Wellstring below and make a meal of splatting them, but do better when I squid past the Rainmaker on the first checkpoint. I get one splat normally, then whip out a Trizooka to get another, letting my squimdates increase our lead as the pinkling pressure disappears. What reappears is the Wellstring, out for my ink, and they get it too.
I return to avoid a Hammer, and appearing just where the Wellstring is. I help stop the Rainmaker, get another splat nearby, then take a stroll to surprise the Dualie Squelchers from behind. We get to push the Rainmaker again, and I try to use the ink ahead to get close to the pinklings, only to run straight in to the Wellstrings shot. I hope they enjoyed that. I return to see the Rainmaker come my way, only to splat the Wellstring first, which seems a bit mean. Still, I splat the Rainmaker too. Another circuit, and I drop near the Dualie Squelchers, and a Crab, both somehow succumbing to my Carbon Roller. I dunno where the Rainmaker is, though.
A squidmate gets the Rainmaker and were moving again. I am cautious about the Wellstring, so I hold back until opportunity drops nearby in the form of the Dualie Squelchers. I get rather flustered and turned around, and much that up proper. Maybe I could use the short break back at base. As could my squidmates, it seems. The pinklings come our way, breaking the checkpoint. My earlier ink comes in to play, letting me get behind the pinklings to splat the Wellstring, then get turned around by the Dualie Squelchers. I run away from them in to the Splat Dualies, who I miss too, but I stick around for the super-jumer, which is the unfortunate Wellstring coming back for more.
My squidmates have splatted the Dualies, which is good, so we can run forwards again, right in to the waiting Painbrush. I splat them, a bit late but never mind, before withdrawing from the expanding Rainmaker shield. I hit it, and the Dualie Squelchers, with a Trizooka, and make a sneaky grab to dash forwards, increasing our lead nicely, but stopped abruptly short of the podium. It was never going to be that easy.
I return to the pinklings holding the Rainmaker. I sit back and wait. I maybe wait a bit too long, but at least when I move none of the pinklings can surprise me from behind. I get a few splats and stop the Rainmaker, thankfully before they take the lead, although only really because we had just extended it. The Rainmaker stays in a dangerous place, but my squidmates deal with that nicely. Were stopped quickly, but not in a position to lose the lead as quickly. I get a splat near the Rainmaker but the inky pressure makes me think another lap around the block would be better. And it does the job nicely.
We grab the Rainamker and press ahead. I pull out a Trizooka to keep the pinklings honest, and even though the Rainmaker is dropped we are in pinkling territory and there is little time on the clock. I roll behind a Hammer to mop up, before returning to the freed Rainmaker. The Splat Dualies are there, but not for long, and after them no pinkling is left to stop us. I miss grabbing the Rainmaker, but no matter, a squidmate gets it and we follow to give them a hand up the podium, for the knockout finish. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Back to S-rank via Splat Zones [13(4)-7, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/lep3_IYqL3g/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Back to S-rank via Splat Zones [13(4)-7, Carbon Roller Deco]
That little crown isnt entirely representative of my prowess. Ive been working my way up the ranks since the start of the season, and am in a rank-up battle. I wont see a silver crown again for a while. But in the battle, I get lucky and miss a Dolphin zipping in to our Splat Zone, but then get a little unlucky when giving chase. I get some glancing hits, but nothing enough for a splat, while getting deeper in to blue turf. Of course, Im splatted. I take the central route back, ignoring the Splat Zones for the moment, and attract some attention. I turn to face it and miss my flicks again, but at least manage to run away this time. I counter a Dolphin with a Trizooka, getting one lucky splat on the final shot, before heading up the centre to splat the Tri-stringer from behind.
I fluff an ambush on the E-litre 4K and get caught by the N-ZAP 89, and return with some caution. I drop down behind a Dolphin and get an assist, before hiding from a distant Kraken. I kinda sneak to the blue turf and chase the Tri-stringer, managing to squish them nicely, and stumble in to the Dapple Dualies. I use our ink to slink unnoticed and pause in a good spot, where the N-ZAP 89 drops nicely in to my lap. I move on, but dont get far before the Tri-stringer stops me.
Everything looks a bit blue on my return, but sticking to our turf seems okay. Heading across to the other side looks good too, once the Tri-stringer has been avoided. The E-litre 4K is ripe for an ambush, but maybe not a bad one. I stumble around, but nothing is going to help me. I try to be sneaky next, and I really dont know if the Tri-stringer sees me or just gets lucky. Either way, I need to start again. I avoid the centre this time, at least to start with, but we still have some ink there, so I head to the blue turf and try to ink the Splat Zone and give chase to an inkling, dunno which one. I dont catch them, but I put myself in just the right place to wait for the Kraken to revert back to inkling.
Heading down the middle finds the Dapple Dualies looking at a squidmate, and then everythings quiet for a bit. Its quite nice. My squidmates must be doing good things. But I push up after a while and find some action, if only it wasnt me getting between two blue inklings. At least we retake the lead, which we apparently lost at some point. I return with the N-ZAP 89 uncomfortable in our turf, but they move on, leaving a super-jumper in their place. I muck up that ambush, much like the others, which is embarrassing for wielding the Carbon Roller, but never mind, the Splat Zones are orange, even if a Kraken is at large. I run from them, straight in to a nice splat behind the Splat Zones, even if I miss another super-jumper landing. I give chase and splat them, and although I get splatted too, the victory, and my return to S rank, is complete. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Small margins in Rainmaker [19(6)-6, Custom Splattershot Jr]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/mxYBGj62pOg/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Small margins in Rainmaker [19(6)-6, Custom Splattershot Jr]
Im not sure what I can do to the Rainmaker shield without putting myself in danger, so I kinda hide. But behind me the purple Octobrush is trying to sneak an early splat, and gets it, thankfully getting splatted themselves without needing me to step in. I dont get on well with brushes. Meanwhile, the Rainmaker is free, but not entirely free, if you get my drift. I dont snag it and run away instead, losing it to the purple team, who somehow drag their heels long enough for me to splat them trying to dunk it on the checkpoint. I look forwards as the Rainmaker recovers, getting a lucky splat in the middle of the Museum, before running in circles having no idea where anyone is.
A squidmate grabbing the Rainmaker gives me an idea of which direction to look, at least. I start inking turf, and see an opportunity to get inside a purple Bubble, which makes the Blaster vulnerable. Another Bubble is raised, and someone is super-jumping in to it. I reposition myself and manage to catch the Octobrush landing. If I had known it was them, I would have stayed back. Im surprised not to be splatted by that. But Im on the column, so to help with progress I jump to the purple ledge, where I play with the Splash-o-matic for a bit. That ends when in trying to get away some ink falls on my bonce. So it goes.
A Torpedo points to someone on the central column, but my ambush attempt goes awry. Thats okay, as I pop up inside the Splattershot Jrs Bubble to splat them, then run in to the Blaster, before rushing the Rainmaker itself. I think Im on to a Wipeout, but the super-jumper isnt quick, and the Splash-o-matic picks me off easily. I think a super-jump back is safe, and it is, and we push for the checkpoint. A squidmate drops the Rainmaker early, but that opens up the opportunity to splat the Blaster, and then we just about have enough space to burst the Rainmaker free and hit the checkpoint before the Octobrush gets in the way.
We have the lead, and Im wondering if we can extend it. Not if my super-jumping target is splatted before I launch. I start to ink defensively, only for my squidmates to surprise me and dash the Rainmaker forwards a little, but we need to be defensive after that. The Octobrush launches themselves towards us, which isnt that wise even for them, and the Splattershot Jr comes our way a little obviously. Less obvious is the Inkstrike behind me. Meanwhile, the purple team jump the Rainmaker to our ledge, and struggle to get up the checkpoint. I chase the Octobrush, not hoping for much, as a squidmates Dolphin stops the purple team recovering the Rainmaker, which looks positive but doesnt stop me getting splatted by the Splash-o-matic.
At least a squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and moves it away from our checkpoint. The moment still feels defensive, so I hold the turf for a while, protecting our ramp, although not quite enough to stop the Rainmaker getting dunked. But thats as far as the purple team gets. We recover the Rainmaker, and I grab it. I get a lucky splat from one blast, but dont account for the Splattershot Jr being unsporting and hiding beneath the ledge. Still, the Rainmaker has to come back the long way. I start using my Torpedoes more to stop that happening again, and do well to splat the Splash-o-matic and retreat from the Octobrush, before moving up to support the Rainmaker.
I pass an inkling as I jump to the ledge, turning for a good splat, and drop down to stop our Rainmaker from being hassled by the Blaster, and move around to do the same to the Octobrush. My little flurry stops as a squidmate saves me from the Splash-o-matic. By then, time is pretty much up. Our Rainmaker is holding their turf, no purple inklings are near, so I whip out a Wave Breaker and we celebrate for the final second. Woomy!")
