![Splatoon 3: One step short in Rainmaker [11(3)-8, Carbon Roller Deco] @TigerEars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/HsdSeJv_9uc/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
There's 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 don't 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 can't 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 doesn't work when I hit the flank and find the Nautilus doing the same thing, and I don't think I was even much of a distraction. I'm lost next, and ambushed by the Inkbrush when I'm 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 doesn't 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 doesn't 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 we're on the move again. My Trizooka doesn't help much, a swipe at the Splatterscope looks like it should hit but doesn't, and then I'm sucked back in to an Ink Vac. My lack of help contributes to our being wiped out this time.
The blue team don't 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 doesn't, and we're 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 don't 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. It's not very sporting, but it bags them the victory.
There's 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 don't 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 can't 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 doesn't work when I hit the flank and find the Nautilus doing the same thing, and I don't think I was even much of a distraction. I'm lost next, and ambushed by the Inkbrush when I'm 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 doesn't 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 doesn't 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 we're on the move again. My Trizooka doesn't help much, a swipe at the Splatterscope looks like it should hit but doesn't, and then I'm sucked back in to an Ink Vac. My lack of help contributes to our being wiped out this time.
The blue team don't 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 doesn't, and we're 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 don't 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. It's not very sporting, but it bags them the victory.
![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!")
![Splatoon 3: Relying on the Inkbrush for points in Clam Blitz [21(5)-6, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/KNLOekTTwy0/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Relying on the Inkbrush for points in Clam Blitz [21(5)-6, Range Blaster]
I havent battled in the Hub enough to know what to do in Clam Blitz, which may be apparent early on. But Im not letting the Painbrush get away with hiding up there, and my perseverance pays off, even snagging an assist on the Flingza Roller. But it is a mere diversion, as a power clam is heading to our basket! I chase back, and thankfully the inkling wants to throw an Inkstrike more than the clam. I try to make some progress next, but stop when I see the Ballpoint Splatling. I cant quite hit them twice, so I move on, then back, then get caught by the Flingza Roller, and end up jumping backwards in to an Inkstrike. How many times have I done that, I wonder.
Our turf control doesnt look great. Its not bad, but the stage definitely looks more orange. Even so, by the time Ive moved up a little, weve scored. Thats our Inkbrush, not needing turf to move freely. Not having clams, I hold back, and catch the Octo Shot Replica coming my way. Then I collect clams, hoping to super-jump to the basket, but by the time I have enough to make it worthwhile, the basket has closed. Never mind, I push forwards and toss the power clam as a decoy. Tossing a Wave Breaker is a good idea too, bagging a double-splat somehow. That makes me want to get the power clam and make a move on the basket, but I cant quite splat the Octo Shot Replica out for revenge.
I super-jump forwards on my return, in to empty turf, and go hunting for clams. I find some, but not as many as the orange team have. They are taking the short-cut to our basket. But they dont know Im behind them. I splat one in the back, in a sporting way, and catch another super-jumping in, and see that the power clam hasnt been scored yet. Instead, the carrier has jumped in to an Inkjet. I hit them once in the air, once when they land. Its a curious obsession the orange team has to activate Specials instead of scoring clams.
I have a power clam. I keep it for too long, as well, making me an easy target. I toss it and look for splats, finding one but again out-manoeuvred by the Octo Shot Replica. Thats two Ive wasted. Its good we still have the lead. I see the Flingza Roller coming to our basket on my return, and hit them twice for the splat, then go hunting the orange power clam. I find it, but leave it for a super-jumper. Thankfully, my squidmates turn the power clam away from our basket, but I cant hit them from under the bridge. I dodge the Flingza Rollers counter-attacks, but lose them in the ink, so go looking for clams. I find a couple, but also see the orange team mounting an attack. I cant get back in time, and the best I can do is splat the Octo Shot Replica with a Wave Breaker after they splat me.
The orange team scores, and adds the single clam they need to steal the lead. Still, we have over a minute to recover. I scoot around the edge for a bit, not really achieving much, but looking for clams. I splat the Octo Shot Replica, chasing me, and drop off the bridge to hide behind a Splattercolour screen. It kinda helps, but missing the super-jumper by a fraction lets them get behind me for the splat, just as I was building up some forward momentum.
Time is running out, and the situation doesnt look good. I return alone, my squidmates splatted, so I sensible hold back to defend until were back to full strength. The orange team is mounting another attack, and are throwing everything they have at us. Thankfully, they are in a depression, and I can hit them better than they can hit me. I dont quite realise no one else is approaching our basket, but manage to chase the power clam anyway. I splat them, and hope to wait for the super-jumper, but cant get away from the Splat Bomb thrown my way. Luckily, we have the Inkbrush, and they repeat their first bold assault on the orange basket, going in solo, and scoring for the second time. The only scores for our team. But its enough. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Nearly defeating the Triumvirate in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [40-35-42-xf, 44/1392]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/LXtGnrJYhwU/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Nearly defeating the Triumvirate in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [40-35-42-xf, 44/1392]
Im over half-way to my aim of hitting 999 at Spawning Grounds. Its going pretty well overall, and the weapons are fun to use. Like the Grizzco Roller, for example. The main problem with the Roller, apart from it not being great against a few bosses, is that its just too much fun to roll around squishing everything. The temptation is there to get carried away, and forget that there is a job to do. At least for now I am focussed on splatting bosses and keep the turf clear of Chum. I havent worked out how to splat Stingers with it, and wish our buckets would splat them, but maybe out buckets dont know how easy it is to splat Stingers with them either. Still, I can outrun Stingers, and even out-manoeuvre a Maws, apparently. But with two buckets and two rollers, we do well, even if no walls are inked. On to the second wave!
No walls are getting inked by me in the second wave, not efficiently, not with the Splatana. But I try. Two early Drizzlers are splatted easily, even with my armour-piercing blade, and the Charger takes away my fun of one-shotting a Steel Eel too. When I finally find something I can do better than them, splatting a Flipper before it lands, I am thwarted by not looking down at the Smallfry spooning my knees. We all find a bit of trouble quickly, either being splatted or being the only inkling available to rectify the situation, which they do. At least, the situation of us being splatted. There are still too many bosses, and we are soon all splatted again. And we still need eggs. Its all a bit of a mess. But we are revived again, dunk the eggs, and get through to the final wave, if raggedly.
I touch up the walls with my Charger before looking for bosses. I see a Lid, nicely in my range, and I let my squidmates deal with a pair of Big Shots, happily dunking the eggs they shoot my way. Im happy to see a Blaster come back to splat the Fish Finger, and they also help out with some Flippers coming in. What I dont see is the Flyfish missiles coming for me on the grate. So it goes. I whip out an Inkstrike when revived, and splat two Flyfish with it, giving me apparently little to do for a few seconds. The action continues soon after, even if its mostly trying to stay out of the rain, and then busy myself splatting more bosses when time is running out and there are loads of eggs to be dunked. I get back to the basket and make sure we have more than quota, and jobs a good un. Except its not over yet.
The Triumvirate appear. I have the rather weak Brolly to deal with the trio of King salmonids. At least it lets me deal with a Flipper and Lid early. Joe comes for me on the second lunge, and I try to aim it at Horrorboros, but they are flying too far away, but still close enough to hit me with their bomb. I simply shoot Joes red spot next, which is probably a poor use of my time, made worse by soon being splatted by a Chum. Im revived and try to do some damage with eggs, only to attach Zunas attention. I use an Inkstrike to splat a Flyfish but suffer yet another splat from Boros. Im revived in to the middle of overlapping Flipper discs, and do well to get out of them. I use another Inkstrike, thrown rather randomly, as my squidmates splat Boros thanks to good Joe positioning. I throw more eggs, and manoeuvre Joe on to Zuna, also looking weak, and that gets us the second splat! One more to go, but only a few seconds to get it. And I manage to get Zunas inksploding body in the way of Joe, and time runs out. Still, we splatted two of the three and came close. I just need to work on not getting splatted quite so much. Woomy!")
