![Splatoon 3: Mothership, Mudmouths, and Grillers in Salmon Run [43-44-44, 36/920] @TigerEars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/20tC1bEVhtk/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded April 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
I think we all know where this is going. Let's start with a Mothership! The S-blast is a fair choice of weapon for Mothership, particularly at high tide, and I spend a lot of my time hitting the Chinooks as they come down. I dunk the odd egg, and my squidmates help with the rest. I get smacked by a Cohock, which is unfortunate, and the fewer Chinooks hit the ground the less chance there is of that happening. I kinda quite like Mothership with a good sniping weapon, just picking my shots, so I quite liked this wave.
On to Mudmouths! Still at high tide makes thing a bit easier, as the Mudmouths are more closely spaced. The main difficulties will be the dozens of Smallfry, and for this we have a Roller who knows what they are doing, and the Cohocks that stream out of the golden Mudmouths. For them, the E-litre 4K, with its piercing damage, can manage them. That's my task, and I mostly do it competently. Another good wave where we all know what we're doing, and we bag a decent total.
The last wave is Grillers. This time, the tide is normal, and that gives us more time between Grillers, which makes for a slightly more relaxed pace. The main problem again will be the Smallfry, and this time I have the Roller, making Smallfry control fall under my remit. I take my duty seriously, particularly when it comes to Smallfry, and with the others not being bugged by the little buggers, and some good shooting, we make it through the wave without casualty and with another good total. Woomy!
I think we all know where this is going. Let's start with a Mothership! The S-blast is a fair choice of weapon for Mothership, particularly at high tide, and I spend a lot of my time hitting the Chinooks as they come down. I dunk the odd egg, and my squidmates help with the rest. I get smacked by a Cohock, which is unfortunate, and the fewer Chinooks hit the ground the less chance there is of that happening. I kinda quite like Mothership with a good sniping weapon, just picking my shots, so I quite liked this wave.
On to Mudmouths! Still at high tide makes thing a bit easier, as the Mudmouths are more closely spaced. The main difficulties will be the dozens of Smallfry, and for this we have a Roller who knows what they are doing, and the Cohocks that stream out of the golden Mudmouths. For them, the E-litre 4K, with its piercing damage, can manage them. That's my task, and I mostly do it competently. Another good wave where we all know what we're doing, and we bag a decent total.
The last wave is Grillers. This time, the tide is normal, and that gives us more time between Grillers, which makes for a slightly more relaxed pace. The main problem again will be the Smallfry, and this time I have the Roller, making Smallfry control fall under my remit. I take my duty seriously, particularly when it comes to Smallfry, and with the others not being bugged by the little buggers, and some good shooting, we make it through the wave without casualty and with another good total. Woomy!
![Splatoon 3: Mothership, Mudmouths, and Grillers in Salmon Run [43-44-44, 36/920]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/20tC1bEVhtk/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Mothership, Mudmouths, and Grillers in Salmon Run [43-44-44, 36/920]
I think we all know where this is going. Lets start with a Mothership! The S-blast is a fair choice of weapon for Mothership, particularly at high tide, and I spend a lot of my time hitting the Chinooks as they come down. I dunk the odd egg, and my squidmates help with the rest. I get smacked by a Cohock, which is unfortunate, and the fewer Chinooks hit the ground the less chance there is of that happening. I kinda quite like Mothership with a good sniping weapon, just picking my shots, so I quite liked this wave.
On to Mudmouths! Still at high tide makes thing a bit easier, as the Mudmouths are more closely spaced. The main difficulties will be the dozens of Smallfry, and for this we have a Roller who knows what they are doing, and the Cohocks that stream out of the golden Mudmouths. For them, the E-litre 4K, with its piercing damage, can manage them. Thats my task, and I mostly do it competently. Another good wave where we all know what were doing, and we bag a decent total.
The last wave is Grillers. This time, the tide is normal, and that gives us more time between Grillers, which makes for a slightly more relaxed pace. The main problem again will be the Smallfry, and this time I have the Roller, making Smallfry control fall under my remit. I take my duty seriously, particularly when it comes to Smallfry, and with the others not being bugged by the little buggers, and some good shooting, we make it through the wave without casualty and with another good total. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Loose defence loses in Tower Control [20(1)-8, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/25mU1wQHNZ8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Loose defence loses in Tower Control [20(1)-8, Carbon Roller Deco]
I shouldnt really be going anywhere until I have some ink to move in to, but Im just jumping right in to danger. Somehow I survive, and get a splat, so thats good. Everyone else is splatted too, though, and I dont help in trying to splat a splatted pinkling, alerting the Clash Blaster to my presence. Even so, I make my inevitable splatting mutual. Im let down next by a Burst Bomb not inking a wall, although maybe it wouldnt have made much difference against the hiding Splattershot Pro. Onwards, and I push through pink ink to round the corner, splatting one pinkling and letting another get away. I try to stop the Tower but get only a glancing blow, so head back for the pinkling that evaded me. Theyre in a Crab! And facing away from me, so I get a very satisfying splat on them. I pause to help stop the Tower, then hide to catch the Splattershot trying to sneak in, before turning the Tower around.
We have a big lead to better, and an ineffective Trizooka aint gonna help. I decide to hide for a bit and surprise pinklings, which doesnt really work for a while, so I just ink some turf for me to work ink. That lets me catch a Splattershot running away from a squidmates dolphin, but I botch the surprise and get splatted too. The map shows me a good amount of green turf at least, so I risk a super-jump, and squid around to avoid attention. I mess up another surprise, but make amends with a nice Burst Bomb to the Splattershots face, following that up with a decent Trizooka, bagging two splats near the pinklings ink rail. I push around the back and manage to survive the Splattershot Pro at close range, getting lucky with the splat as my squidmates take us in to the lead. Nice!
I stick around, making myself a nuisance, or just a target that isnt the Tower, and my squidmates increase our new lead. Its an excellent effort, and one that makes us favourite for the victory. But we still need to be smart, and as the pinklings turn the Tower around I make a cautious return. That lets me catch a Splattershot heading for our flank, and the other Splattershot incautiously running in to our ink. I miss one pinkling as we scoot past each other, but the Splattershot Pro is a nice target near the Tower. I hop on the Tower to keep our momentum going, jumping off when the pinklings assault us. I miss everything with a Trizooka, but I see where the pinklings are, and splat one of them. I find myself alone as the pinklings take the Tower, but rather than hide and reset, I do what I can to stop it, as it is deep in pinkling territory. I get a splat, but am splatted, and maybe hiding would have been the better option.
We dont seem to have much to worry about at the moment, so I return with caution again, only to find myself in an effective pincer movement when I lunge at the Tower. Things still arent bad, although the pinklings are riding the Tower smoothly forwards. I stop a Trizooka under our ledge, but then get in a twist as I dont know if I should lunge at the Tower again, or avoid the pinkling to one side, and end up next to a Suction Bomb. Still the Tower trundles on, and my squidmates are as powerless as me to stop it. Our lead is lost, and although we stop the knockout victory, the tables have been turned. We have to go most of the distance in the final thirty seconds. Its a tall order. I start the effort on the Tower, my squidmates attacking in the field, but as is too often the case, our downfall comes at the hands of a Clash Blaster. So it goes.")
![Splatoon 3: Sloshing good times in Splat Zones [22(4)-6, Tri-slosher]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2B89PJqFgTE/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Sloshing good times in Splat Zones [22(4)-6, Tri-slosher]
Im bringing out the bucket for some action. I consider the risky tactic of crossing the grate first thing, and even after falling down somehow manage to get a pair of splats out of it. I drop away almost unscathed, and fall down again. My squidmates keep things going, capturing the Splat Zones, and I just loiter with intent when I finally get back up. A Bloblobber with a Point Sensor on them isnt fooling anyone about coming over the wall, and falling down again finds me the other one, who struggles to orientate themselves quickly enough. Tracking back has the Clash Blaster to deal with, which I just about get away with, and I drop down to recover some ink before not quite splatting the super-jumper.
I cross under the grate and pop up the other side to splat a Bloblobber while falling, and then tend to the walls, to try to stop the yellow team popping up. Like the Clash Blaster! I return at a bad time, my squidmates getting splatted, so I keep my head down and move behind the pressing yellow team, neutralising one Splat Zone, but missing another super-jumper. At first, anyway. Without really knowing what Im doing, I drop down and splat them. I have to get back up again, as a Bloblobber chases me. I find the other on their ledge, who I only just avoid, and then I prepare to receive a super-jumper. Its the Dualies, though, and they dodge-roll away from my Toxic Mist on landing to splat me. So it goes.
I super-jump in to trouble, lucky to splat the Clash Blaster before getting splatted myself, so I take the slow route back next. Things look calm, for a moment, but splattings are happening. I move across and pop up the other side, but am embarrassingly confused as to where the Clash Blaster is. I catch them as they drop down, but in trying to run away one of the Bloblobbers does the same to me. I risk a super-jump back, just about avoiding the Dualies trying to catch me, and out-manoeuvring the Clash Blaster. When all looks clear, I tend to the turf and walls, before heading around the side again, where I see a tracked Bloblobber going up the wall, followed by the other. I splat them both.
More tidying, then lurking, letting me catch the returning Dualies with a lingering sense of shame. I push forwards to challenge a Bloblobber, my capoeira letting me dodge their lobbed blobs. But the Splat Zones need attention. I head back and, with the help of some Toxic Mist, splat the Dualies again, and tend to the Splat Zones. The Clash Blaster wants to stop me, but I run away as a squidmate splats them. My running away isnt very effective, though, as I just run in to ink and more ink. Heading towards the yellow team will do that, and isnt technically running away. Never mind.
Were wiped out with thirty seconds to go, which simplifies my decision on how to return. The slow way, it is. I head down the side and up the back. That lets me avoid a Splashdown, and I start sloshing. I dont splat the Dualies, but manage to move around a Bloblobber looking for me, and catch the Dualies coming back up. Theres not much I can do about the Clash Blaster, though, already inky as I am. But my squidmates have things covered, and before I land my super-jump, the battle is won. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Rolling around brushes in Splat Zones [18(1)-5, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2HyQv84rA7M/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Rolling around brushes in Splat Zones [18(1)-5, Carbon Roller Deco]
I dont really know what Im doing to start with, but I know I dont want to surge down the middle right in to trouble. I just wait a bit, get some height, and spot activity behind me. I drop down and get the splat, but not before the Ink Storm is released. The Splat Zones turn orange too, and I am kinda trapped. How I manage to ink a path and get close to the Splatana is a mystery, but Im happy for it. Im not too happy about how many swings it takes me to splat them, but never mind, I destroy two Beakons while Im there. I pause to swing at whoever is on the grating, splatting someone, before retreating. A squidmate has things covered behind us, so I take potshots with a Trizooka, and hit someone by accident. Sorry!
One of the brushes is inking efficiently from above the Splat Zones, and is splatted before I get up there. I take some time trying the same thing, to less effect, so I drop back down and get chased this way and that, running away from another Brush above us, to splat the Jet Squelcher again. Well, if theyre just going to sit on that grating. I head back, splat the Brush back above us, and run in to the Splatana back on the turf. I get the splat, but the Splatana isnt happy with that, and splats me back anyway. So it goes.
I am nervous about jumping in to a sea of orange, so hold back for a moment. And a moment more. But it seems the orange team arent around, so I start inking, only for the orange team to turn up. I get on to the roof, where I cant see who was up there, but do see the Jet Squelcher doing the same thing as always. I take a circuitous route to them, but splat them all the same, releasing some pressure from the Splat Zones. But an Ink Storm causes problems, when I am backed against a wall, and cant move because of an unnecessary Trizooka.
I rush forwards on my return, hoping to splat the Jet Squelcher back to their same tricks, but miss them and hit the Painbrush that drops down next to me instead. I run away, haunted by another Ink Storm, while the Jet Squelchers ink chases me. I just about get clear, but the Splat Zones turn orange. I recover, ink the Splat Zones a bit, then splat the Octobrush coming down the flank very obviously. I go back for the Jet Squelcher, am sidetracked by the Painbrush, then the Splatana, before catching up with the Painbrush, and catching the Octobrushs return. I get a good hit on the Jet Squelcher, but not the splat, so I withdraw, where the Painbrush tries to splat me from above. I hit them with a Trizooka, but am cornered by their Octobrush brethren.
My squidmates are doing well keeping the Splat Zones orange and the orange team away from them, although circumstances take a turn when I come back. I try to do what I can from my corner, even managing to avoid the Octobrush and turn the splat around on them, only to have the Painbrush appear immediately afterwards. I return to see a Brush above our turf. I wont stand for that, and chase them for a satisfying splat. And were doing well know, with the Splat Zones purple, a good lead, and only the Splatana standing. I see them and help splat them, and stand around waiting for a second splat from a super-jumper. Sadly, its the Painbrush flying in, and a single swipe sends me back to base too. But all is good. The orange team dont have the ink to challenge the Splat Zones, and our strong lead turns in to a knockout victory before I can get close to returning. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Recovering from a bad start in Tower Control [13(7)-4, Custom Wellstring V]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2N7Ck4Hdj2c/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Recovering from a bad start in Tower Control [13(7)-4, Custom Wellstring V]
Sticking to the left seems to work to start, and I scare a bucket in to super-jumping away, but then everything comes down the middle, and Im too close to it all. At least getting splatted puts me safely behind the lines. Or maybe just behind the lines. The Blaster comes close for another shot at me, and somehow I splat them first, but all the while the Tower trundles our way. I try to keep the turf yellow and the blue inklings away, getting a nice splat on the bucket, and as I continue claiming turf my squidmates turn the Tower around. That felt like a pretty rough start, though.
A Point Sensor pings me, and I miss my Bomb Defence gear, but once that drops Im back in the action. A Wave Breaker is accidentally timed to neatly despatch blue Super Chumps, and my squidmates ride the Tower to the first checkpoint. I stick to the back, which lets me catch the Blaster trying to flank us, but I cant do much about either a squidmate who looks a bit blue or the Bamboozler up on the roof. That doesnt seem to matter too much when the Bamboozler shoots at me and not the Tower, and my squidmates ride us in to the lead. Nice!
My next Wave Breaker comes out too late to splat Super Chumps, as I seem to have forgotten it does a great job of that, and even without its Point Sensor hitting them I splat the bucket with a spot of luck. The Tower is returning our way, much like the Blaster hopped up on juice. If that wasnt enough, my cat has just come in and wants some attention. I try to fit in some snuggles as I return, which is helped by my squidmates getting a Wipeout. My cat is happy, and now I can focus again.
Squidmates are on the Tower, moving it forwards, and another is stopping the other team flanking, which I look to help with but it doesnt look like Im needed. I go to support the Tower, throwing a Wave Breaker forwards before hopping on. Blasts of ink come from every direction, but its the bucket that splats me, with a lunge that sends them falling on to a Wave Breaker ripple, enough to splat them. Thatll do. I risk a super-jump back to a crowded Tower, as we are close to the goal, and only survive the landing because I fall off.
I run away, chased by the Bamboozler, who pursues me until a squidmate of mine splats them, which is nice. The Tower trundles back to the centre, but thats okay, weve got a strong lead, its the blue team that need to worry about that. We just hold our turf, looking for splats, which would open up a new opportunity to push. That doesnt quite happen, as the battle continues to rage in the middle of the Market, but my squidmates ride the Tower occasionally to tempt the blue team out of hiding so they can be splatted. It seems to work.
I help out with a lucky splat, but otherwise am content to stick to the middle turf for the moment. As support comes I hop on the Tower, then off again as the Blaster appears, but not quickly enough to avoid them. So it goes. There isnt long left in the battle, and the blue team have a long way to go. We pretty much just need to hold the turf to win. Or my squidmates can ride the Tower forwards and splat the blue team away. That works as well. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Panic-mode activate in Salmon Run [18-23-12, 16/827]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2T4h9lOGIG4/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Panic-mode activate in Salmon Run [18-23-12, 16/827]
Uh-oh. A squidmate was busy for too long and disappears in a puff of dried ink. No problem, right? Three squids can handle a Salmon Run. Probably, if we were more comfortable with the weapons, but none of us use any of them regularly. And theres the added problem of not having as much of a buffer when were splatted, as we find out before half the wave is over, and were down to one inkling standing. We survive that, but were not out of trouble, not with a Stinger around. And definitely not with two. I think about splatting one but a Goldie gets in my way, so I head to the basket, where the lure of eggs is too strong. What am I doing? We need to survive. We survive that moment too, albeit with an Inkstrike, and I run around to aim for the Stingers. Or do I? I get distracted again, this time on a Lid, and again we drop to one squid standing. That squid is me, so its time for another Special, and I shoot a Dolphin towards the basket. That helps a squidmate, and splats me. But Im back up before long, and finally splat a Stinger, after which I just run away for the remaining seconds.
We make it to the second wave, and the fog clears, only for the tide to come in. I get a very slow .96 Gal, but it should be a bit more powerful than the Inkbrush. We get off to a good start, splatting the bosses as they appear, dividing our attentions appropriately, and no one getting splatted until, well, pretty soon, as Im blindsided by a Steel Eel. My revival is quick, and quick enough to help splat a Steelhead that clears a load of turf. The Flyfish are starting to cause real problems, though. I think about splatting one only to be lifted by an appearing Lid. I shouldnt be confused for quite that long, so I get splatting and reviving, and manage to reduce some of the Flyfish pressure. I get a bit stuck as I try to avoid a Steel Eel not even coming for me, and the other Flyfish splat me, and were down to one for the first time in the wave. We made it quite far. A second Inkstrke helps revive us, and with a bit of care we survive this wave too. This wave two.
On to the final wave, the tide easing, a Luna Blaster in my hands. Walls are inked for escape routes, and I sensibly splat a Stinger immediately. Other nearby bosses are splatted, and everything feels calm. I make the mistake of lingering by the eggs, launching them basket-wars, instead of moving on and keeping up the splattings, but I get back in to position before long, splatting a Stinger and recovering a couple of eggs. I keep moving, and think about doing something about the Flyfish missiles Im having to avoid. But I get confused as a Stinger aims at me, and I think its one way when its the other. I splat a Flyfish Bin, but am splatted by the Stinger that is so obviously now behind me. I should splat it, but instead use a Lid to get back on to the ledge. And maybe that was for the best, as my squidmates get splatted. The ledge puts me in a good position for my second Dolphin, and I just about revive one squidmate. Unfortunately, the wave has got away from us, and time runs out, with our delivered eggs nowhere near quota. We just need tahm to come back.")
![Splatoon 3: Keeping it close for a good while in Tower Control [19(4)-6, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2s8YhcW-6XI/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Keeping it close for a good while in Tower Control [19(4)-6, Range Blaster]
Another peek down the flank to start, another nifty first splat. I sensibly jink and go up next, but the Splattershot looking to catch me off guard moves quickly, and despite getting a second splat I am splatted too. Still, were looking good, and my squidmates ride the Tower, not that I fancy super-jumping back. Instead, I go the long way, and get behind the Tower, now populated by pinklings, catching the Inkbrush running away from me. It does kinda put me in the line of fire of the Splattershot again though.
I return to tidy up some ink, and intercept the Tower, freshly jumped on by the Inkbrush. I somehow splat the .52 Gal instead, but catch the Inkbrush soon after, as they move a bit too obviously. There is some reticence to ride the Tower, but we get it moving forwards. I throw out a Wave Breaker, and drop off to catch the Splattershot, only to miss badly and get splatted for it. My squidmates tidy up nicely and keep the Tower moving, at least for a moment. I move up, then back, and around the side, where I wait for an Inkstrike to finish, before getting easily splatted by the S-blast 91. That wasnt really the plan, to be honest.
I try to clear the approaching Tower with a Suction Bomb, but my squidmates do better at that, and then squid around blasting here and there, trying to uncover the pinklings. Its a bit aimless, but I also dont get splatted, as my squidmates trundle the Tower almost in to a greater lead. After a minor stutter, the do indeed extend our lead, as the pinklings apply pressure from their ledge. I dont have much luck blasting them from the front, so I move around the back, certain I will get spotted and splatted, but apparently not. I get behind the retreating Tower, and splat three pinklings neatly clustered together, while my squidmates clear the Tower by splatting the fourth. Nice!
My squidmates ride the Tower, and I try my luck going around the back again. Still the pinklings dont anticipate it, despite my stinky green trail leading that way. More splats land in my lap, and we get to keep the Tower moving forwards. I blast the corners, finding no one, but am aware of the approach from the ink rail. I dive out of the way and get the splat from range, which is what I think Im meant to do with this weapon. The Towers stalled again, though, and the Splattershot being on the high ledge near the corner could be a reason for that. I move around to blast them off, but they move just as I reach them, the Tower having gone too far away for them, and I dont adjust quickly enough.
I return to tentatively support the sole squidmate standing, still trying to push the Tower forwards, with some long-range blasting. It goes fairly well. I see the Inkbrush returning along the ink rail again and withdraw, a Wave Breaker letting me approach again with confidence, knowing where they are. I let my squidmates deal with the Tower, as I watch the pinklings returns from their platform. The Inkbrush is the closest to me, and they keep throwing Splat Bombs my way. I counter with a Suction Bomb or two, which surprisingly finds them, and as time winds down it might be time to try to keep the Tower green. Unfortunately, missing a shot at the S-blast 91 gets me splatted off the Tower, although even if I had hit the shot it seems the Splattershot would have done the same. But its all good, even with a flurry of last-second splats, the pinklings cant claim the Tower in time, and victory is ours. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Some kind of support in Tower Control [9(2)-1, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/37GqwCW_j50/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Some kind of support in Tower Control [9(2)-1, Range Blaster]
I feel like the odd one out. But while my squidmates all rush to get in to range, I sit back a while, only moving up when nothing seems to be threatening in the middle of the Track. Thats when the Tower moves, and a near-enough blast helps clear it. Scooting around the edge then finds a nice opportunity for a direct hit, which I get, before shooting the ground. That panicked aiming continues a bit longer, but at least my squidmates get the Tower moving. I grab a drink and head around the back, where I hope to cause some trouble, but only encounter a squid with aim like mine.
I track back to the lost Tower and splat a Trizooka a bit too close for comfort, and ride the Tower until the Bloblobber threatens. I move around the back of them, splatting them eventually, after getting caught up chasing the returning Dualies, before bringing down an Inkjet shooting a squidmate. The Tower is moving again, so I blast that way and hit someone. A Wave Breaker highlights that someone, who tries to run around the back of us, but I can easily track. The Splattershot doesnt get far.
The Tower stalls, but my squidmates seem to be doing alright riding it, so I look at movement elsewhere. I nearly splat a pinkling over a ledge, grab another drink, and head back to support the Tower, which has stopped moving. I just throw a Suction Bomb its way as my squidmates return, and keep pelting the Tower with ink. I am hitting things, I think, but there are too many, and I finally realise there is a Brolly on the other team when it splats me.
I return to try to help a squidmate battle an Inkjet, the Brolly in the air, but am too late, and that squidmate thankfully splats them on their landing, as they drop-roll right in front of me. I move up, then back to grab a drink, but it doesnt matter how refreshed I am, as all our little battles away from the Tower have let my squidmates push the Tower to the goal. Im sure I helped in some way. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Scrapping our way through Salmon Run [23-33-33, 28/753]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3MO0tBnE1vM/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Scrapping our way through Salmon Run [23-33-33, 28/753]
Hey, look at my man inking the walls! Nice! But here come the bosses, slowly. And we have a Dynamo Roller on the squad, which is going to help squish lots of salmonids. Were off to a smooth start. Theres a slight hiccup as a squidmate is splatted, but theyre revived, bosses are splatted, and were chucking eggs in the basket. Not even a Big Shot slows us down, our Squiffer on top of them immediately. I try to abandon my jump out there, but its good I dont, as the Squiffer is eaten by a Steel Eel. I revive them, splat the Steel Eel, and start inking a new Big Shot. But a Stinger on the other side of the Arena is causing problems, and another squidmate is down. I revive them, and feel that the Stinger is splatted, so get back to splatting bosses. Except our Stinger splatter is splatted. I move to revive them and get badly cornered. A bigger problem is that we still need eggs. With three squidmates up, I trust them to get the three we need in to the basket, and not to worry about me. Still, a Splat Bomb comes my way, which I appreciate. I splat the Stinger, grab an egg, and, with a second on the clock, lob it in to the basket to hit quota. Easy peasy!
High tide for the second wave, so the walls really need to be inked. I use my Stamper to splat a Stinger from range, and move on to a Fish Finger, while our Clash Blaster ignores it in favour of a Flipper. This might be rougher than Id hoped. Another Fish Finger is splatted quickly, as is a Lid, and a second Lid is neatly dropped on a Steelhead for efficiency. One squidmate is down. Or two. Nope, all three, so I focus on reviving them, and were back to full strength without hitch. A Stinger is splatted, or so I think, for once Ive run away from a couple of Scrappers Im still getting stung. I whip out a B-bomb to finish them, once I realise its the Stinger, then head to another waddling from the other shore, pausing for a Maws. I am briefly ping-ponged in to a splatting, but we have quota, and not much time in the wave, and I am thrown another Splat Bomb to be revived. On to the final wave!
I get the Squiffer for the final wave, and I whiff my first shot on the Steelhead. I make sure on the second, and move on, managing to slip through a fence to a watery doom. Im revived quickly, and bring down a Lid, before getting swarmed by Chum. My Squiffer cuts through them well enough, and I get back to the basket, where a Flipper gets in the way of a Drizzler missile, and I cant get away from a Maws. My squidmates are right there to revive me, and I whip out my second B-bomb to simplify the situation. I have to dodge a Flipper quickly, but barely let it jump again, and with that and another Maws we should be good to hit our quota. Two squidmates are splatted, though, so I get ink for a Splat Bomb and throw it their way, and hope the overlapping Ink Storms dont get me. I seem to be okay, and another flopped Flipper definitely gives us the eggs we need, right at the basket. We dunk them, and I get clear of the basket, to improve my chances of survival. I had little to worry about. We complete the Run, like a walk in the park. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Cant stem the tide in Splat Zones [9(4)-2, Custom Wellstring V]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3NjlZGpIrxc/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Cant stem the tide in Splat Zones [9(4)-2, Custom Wellstring V]
Having a Wellstring in Splat Zones almost seems like cheating, but sometimes you gotta play to your strengths. I get myself to the good perch and start shooting, and am even happy that not only does our Decavitator move on but I splat the Splash-o-matic coming to splat me. Sadly, my squidmates arent doing as well and Im left alone, trying to counter the other excellent Splat Zone inkers in the Hydra Splatling and Explosher. I move down to get a better angle, soft-counter a Splatterscreen with a Wave Breaker, and keep the ink flowing.
My tactics work well, and with my squidmates back we capture the Splat Zones and start to score. We push forwards, my squidmates doing well to put pressure on the big inkers, as I spray shots over the wall, catching the bucket nicely by accident. The pinklings start returning, as our two skirmishers are splatted. An Inkstrike moves me, but not by much, and another sprayed cluster splats the Splash-o-matic who threw it. That means we hold the turf, and the Splat Zones, and move in to a big lead.
I get a bit side-tracked by the Tri-slosher, but not to what seems like a disadvantage, my squidmates having my back, and when the bucket chases me I splat them easily enough. But somehow the pinklings turn the tide almost in an instant, and were put on the back foot. It shouldnt be a problem, and I withdraw a little and look to regroup. But despite getting another nice splat, and keeping the shots flowing, I cant seem to break the pinklings hold on the Splat Zones.
I keep shooting, but with both the Explosher and Hydra Splatling being left untested there is little that can be done. And this time the pinklings move forwards, the Explosher targeting me, and hitting. With that, our strong lead is gone. I barely have time to get back, with the tables turned and the bucket now stopping us getting close to the Splat Zones, and there is nothing left to do. The battle is lost.")
![Splatoon 3: Boros aint no bother at Bonerattle Arena in Salmon Run [32-42-32-xs, 42/1117]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3RtXQi3kg6Q/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Boros aint no bother at Bonerattle Arena in Salmon Run [32-42-32-xs, 42/1117]
Ink the walls! And stay out of the water! Inking the walls helps stay out of the water, which is why I focus on that first. Then its on to splatting bosses and collecting eggs. I let my squidmates head off and splat stuff that theyre splatting, and wait instead for the Maws to come, followed by a Steelhead. Im still not that au fait with the Stamper, so it takes me two attempts, but Im getting there. A Stinger could pose problems if left alone, but I know how to splat these more efficiently now, with the vertical swing. I move on to help a squidmate with Fish Finger eggs, and drop down for more on the ground. Then I help with one Lid, and forget that there is water under the other. Im revived, help splat the Lid, and fall in the water again. Nice!
On to the second wave, which is a Tornado. Fairly straightforward, although my squidmates are straggling a little, and maybe dont know about the squid-roll tactic. But thats okay. We launch all the eggs back towards the basket, and dunk enough to see us easily in to the final wave.
Its not low-tide, so belay that ink-railing. Or maybe use it, with a Stinger and Flyfish appearing down by the shore. This looks like time for a Crab. Then on to another Stinger, which Im happy to see a squidmate also hastening towards. Back to the basket, where there are eggs to dunk, and then I hit a Drizzler missile only to see a Flipper get in the way. Never mind, that Flipper is splatted for their actions, and the Drizzler tastes their own missile soon enough. Another Drizzler lands, which is annoying, but the Tenta Brolly is pretty powerful at close range. I cant linger for the eggs, though, not with Maws looking to nibble my ankles, but thats fine, as moving lets me revive a squidmate. I just about avoid Maws a second time, and so wait to exchange a Splat Bomb for some eggs. I almost have time for one more egg, but not quite, and its a solid if unspectacular Run.
But its not over, as Horrorboros flies in. I have the Nautilus 47, and we have the central column to stand on, around which Boros flies. And we can hit its mouth-bomb from here. So never mind eggs for now, which are admittedly more efficient, but as long as I can shoot the bomb I will. A Fish Finger appearing along Boross path gives me golden eggs to throw, and accurately, and we deal another big blow. A third mouth-bomb isnt launched, and as Boros circles past I use my extra Crab. Another big hit! Theres not much more to do now, although the Tenta Brolly falling off the ledge wont help. They come back up, though, and loose a Splashdown to deal the splatting damage, and with over thirty seconds to go. The reward might not be much, but I get a fuzzy feeling from splatting Boros efficiently. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Stealing the initiative in Rainmaker [10(8)-4, Tri-stringer]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3ny4HW-6SDc/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Stealing the initiative in Rainmaker [10(8)-4, Tri-stringer]
I hope the Order Tri-stringer will net me a Sheldon Licence. Im sure it will. And thats more exciting than most of this battle, which I spend almost entirely being unsure what is happening and where anyone is.
I think it starts okay. I have an idea of whats going on, and I manage to give us an early lead, breaking through the checkpoint, but then it all gets very blue. Everywhere. I cant keep up with the ink the blue team are throwing our way. I chase the Splattershot Jr fruitlessly, even though Im trying to protect our podium and lead. And despite my numbers I really dont get any splats, just assists.
But, really, I feel like Im swimming against the tide. Even the one splat I get feels pyrrhic, sacrificing myself to stop the Rainmaker where theyve already got the lead. I just wish we could control more turf, and that someone could keep better tabs on the Splattershot Jr running rings around us. Or that I could hit my shots.
Things get worse in the last minute, as a Wipeout opens the door for the blue team to nearly hit our podium. Our hopes of stealing a victory have all but evaporated. Even so, with time running out, I grab the Rainmaker dropped next to our podium and make my move.
I jink away from trouble, forge a path ahead, but dont get carried away. I duck down to stay safe, and my squidmates help with the splats. I just about manage to jump over the Wave Breakers waves, and activate the ink rail to take the short cut. And my squidmates are with me in support, keeping the ink off me, and the inkings busy. I even get a second splat!
And then I run. The blue team are behind me, the podium is ahead. I have our Splatana Stamper going ahead, and although Id kinda like the podium inked, their focus on the Dualie Squelchers is important. They stop the ink hitting me, and they get the splat. That leaves me to ink the podium and squid up it to take a rather improbable lead, and the victory! Im counting that as a dunk too. Woomy!")
