![Splatoon 3: Recovering from a bad start in Tower Control [13(7)-4, Custom Wellstring V] @TigerEars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2N7Ck4Hdj2c/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
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 I'm 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 I'm 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 can't do much about either a squidmate who looks a bit blue or the Bamboozler up on the roof. That doesn't 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 wasn't 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 doesn't look like I'm 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. That'll 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 that's okay, we've got a strong lead, it's 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 doesn't 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 isn't 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!
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 I'm 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 I'm 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 can't do much about either a squidmate who looks a bit blue or the Bamboozler up on the roof. That doesn't 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 wasn't 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 doesn't look like I'm 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. That'll 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 that's okay, we've got a strong lead, it's 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 doesn't 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 isn't 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: 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!")
![Splatoon 3: High-tide Grillers + Grizzco Splatana = eggs in the Grand Big Run [55-79-60, 35/2107]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3pgEDVGs7W0/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: High-tide Grillers + Grizzco Splatana = eggs in the Grand Big Run [55-79-60, 35/2107]
More Big Run action! A Brolly to start with lets me ink all the vertical surfaces, great for escapes, then its down to business. A Fish Finger is easy, and I have time to grab more than one egg. I try to combine a Lid with a Flyfish, before bringing down another Lid and getting stuck between Chum and dropped in to the drink. I ignore two Steel Eels, being handled by squidmates, to splat a Stinger and miss half a Flyfish, twice. Another Lid is easy, but getting a Goldie to the basket proves difficult, which is a shame, as it was stuffed with eggs. I waste time getting the eggs to the basket anyway, as more bosses stack up elsewhere. Another Goldie wanders up as time is running out, and also drops a batch of eggs. Trying to cram them in the basket gets me dizzled on, but we end up with a solid first wave tally.
The second wave is high tide, and Grillers. And I have a Grizzco Splatana. As with other Big Run stages, there is a handy ledge to stand on right next to the basket where the Grillers cant reach me, but I can reach them. That means I can splat them with a full charge, from any angle, and we dont have far to put the eggs in the basket. All we really have to worry about are Smallfry, and apparently there are enough of them for us to really have to worry with. Well, not me, as I am on Griller duty, but my squidmates do, between stuffing the basket. And they stuff it, nearly hitting eighty eggs for the wave. Nice!
Back to normal for the final wave, but at low tide and with the Girzzco Slosher. Along with a second Slosher and a Splatana, we have so much armour piercing that the bosses wont know what hit them. Having a Roller to squish all the Smallfry, Chum, and Cohocks, we are pretty much shooting fish in a barrel. At least, until we all get together to fire Goldie eggs out of an accurate cannon, and two Stingers show up. Were revived, though, and its near the end of the wave, so the Stingers are ignored for more eggs. Good job too, as it gives us a new high score! Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: High-scoring Salmon Run [58-51-56, 64/605]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4F-gD6sxsDk/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: High-scoring Salmon Run [58-51-56, 64/605]
Aww heck, an Octobrush! I dont get on with brushes, but Ill do what I can. Throwing myself at a purple Big Shot doesnt count for much, but I help stuffing eggs in its discarded cannon. I also run away before I get sucked in to staying by the cannon. Back at the basket there are eggs to dunk, which brushes are not so bad at, and Maws to splat, which I dont need to wave the brush around to achieve. All is well. But its back to brushing almost immediately, with Flippers around, and Chum, and Cohocks. Thankfully, my squidmates are splatting well and I can focus again on collecting eggs before long, and with Snatchers flying back with some, we manage to stuff quite a lot in to the basket. That deserves a little spin of celebration, as well as revelling in my time with the brush being over.
The tide comes in as Im handed the Hydra Splatling. Not having far to walk with it is a good thing. Getting panned by a Cohock isnt as good. I retreat to my place of safety and see if I can shoot a Maws, which it turns out isnt worth trying, so I go back to being sensible and splatting them with bombs. Theres still plenty to shoot, like Fish Fingers, which are easy from the ground, and a Snatcher loaded with eggs. I have to get out of the way of a Drizzler, but then struggle with goop on the ground. I also think I can splat a Scrapper before a Smallfry spoons me a second time, but I am wrong. That probably costs us a couple of eggs, but never mind.
On to the third wave, and we remain at high tide. I am more mobile, with the .52 Gal, and Im happy to deal with whatever the Hydra Splatling cant, to leave them free for the big jobs. I even let them not have to deal with a pair of Fish Fingers, and splat them to drop down on a couple of Flippers. This is going smoothly so far, and helped when I remember to look up and catch the Snatcher stealing back the Fish Finger eggs. My squidmates again have been busy, and there are eggs everywhere, so I start dunking. I climb up another Fish Finger to keep the turf goop-free, before positioning myself for a decent Dolphin to splat everything near the basket and revive a squidmate. That just leaves last-second eggs to dunk, which everyone does, and we clear a Run with a healthy total of eggs. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Silver in Salmon Runs Big Big Run [43-41-48, 43/1078]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4ighe2Acjd8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Silver in Salmon Runs Big Big Run [43-41-48, 43/1078]
Its BIG Big Run! Or just Big Run, but bigger. I see our Japanese friend is haxxxing, which is a shame. Oh, no, its the AMAZING Grizzco Roller, and me stuck with a Dread Wringer. At least it forces me to be sensible and stick to the work schedule. I drop Lids left and right, and pop Maws like I was going for the golden badge. I dunk a bunch of eggs, and stop a Snatcher or two getting away with some. To be fair, our Japanese squidmate running around like a lunatic squishing everything in their path is really helping keep the turf clear, and we end the wave with a decent total, if slightly below average for a gold badge.
I get a roller for the second wave, but sadly only the Big Swig. I despatch a Fish Finger quickly, which is good, but I dont quite have the squishing power as the Grizzco Roller. That doesnt matter as much when were facing serial Flippers, though, and were racking up the boss splats. A nearby Flyfish looks ripe for splatting too, but having to throw for the opposite bin lands me in trouble. I am revived and keep trying to squish, which keeps not working, except for the Smallfry, but I keep trying! I pinball around some Cohock protecting golden eggs, and squeeze two more out of them, and again finish slightly below average for gold.
The water level recedes for the final wave, and I get a Splatana Stamper. Its pretty much a Grizzco Roller, Im very happy with this, of course I am. About as happy as my bold leap to splat a Drizzler with its own missile that incomprehensibly misses. I celebrate that by getting eaten by a Maws, and then foolishly splatting a Snatcher too early. I get my own back soon enough, using a Splashdown on a Maws lunging at me, simultaneously forcing a Flipper to land to its doom next to the basket. Maybe we can still get gold, particularly with that laden Snatcher coming our way! It flies high to avoid the ledge, though, and I dont stop it too close to the basket. But never mind, another Splashdown stops a Steel Eel and clears the turf, and we can cram the basket with eggs in the dying seconds.
Its a valiant effort, but we fall short of the gold award by a mere three eggs. Still, its a good start to the Big Run. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Bad luck Rainmaker [18(2)-6, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/4wNNI_h22U0/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Bad luck Rainmaker [18(2)-6, Range Blaster]
Running out of ink trying to ink walls isnt great, but it does let me inksecute a pinkling in the back. A second splat comes quickly, and a third is a glancing hit away, converted moments later. A squidmate has nudged the Rainmaker forwards, and another splaticides it forwards towards the checkpoint. Im being a little cagy, but Im no great fan of Octobrushes, and approaching with caution lets me get a lovely lucky splat as they pop out on the ledge. I jink to the other side, honestly not really knowing whats happening or where anyone is, even with a Wave Breaker out, and wonder how I didnt splat the bucket, then how I did. Meanwhile, my squidmates have hit the checkpoint, and are pressing on.
With only the Splash-o-matic to stop them, then not even that pinkling, they surge us in to the lead, and the dunk looks possible. But all the pinklings return, and ink starts flying. I back off, and back off again, while trying to present some credible threat to the pinklings advance, which goes a bit awry when the Rainmaker slinks past me, and Im splatted in the back. I return to see my squidmates drop one by one, so sensibly decide to hide. I pop up to try to stop the Rainmaker hitting the checkpoint, but that only gives the Heavy Edit Splatling a fat target. The tables look to be turning, but a bit of ranged blasting keeps the Octobrush away, my squidmates stop the Rainmaker, and hitting the flank spooks the rest of the pinklings from pressing their advantage.
The pinklings turn around to try again, and get close. My squidmates stop the Rainmaker short again, and I think I help, and in the end we secure a Wipeout that lets us clear our turf. We get so far, are stopped, but keep going. I leave the Rainmaker to my squidmates and look to the turf ahead. I splat the Splash-o-matic nicely, and the Heavy Edit Splatling, before chasing the Octobrush around, as the Rainmaker makes good progress. I move up and blast away, Rainmaker in pinkling hands, trying to stop it coming back our way, and doing well to splat away its defences, and then the Rainmaker itself.
I stick around, looking for more splats, trying to prevent Rainmaker progress, only for it to reset and come a bit further our way by default. Thats not so bad, but a Crab makes being aggressive difficult, so I hide for a bit, coming out to try to stop the Rainmaker again. I dont, but I turn them around and stall them, so that an Inkstrike can contribute to a Wipeout and give us a deserved breather. Our Splatana Stamper has a bit of bad luck stopping a pinkling super-jumper, but it doesnt seem like a big deal, with so little time left.
I move up and defend aggressively again, popping up to have a blast at the inkling on the ledge, only for a Crab to appear at just the wrong time. I cant get away from that. The Crab then grabs the Rainmaker and squids forwards, in to our turf, as my squidmates all get splatted again. Were in overtime, Im by myself, and the path for the pinklings is clear. I get cornered by the advancing Splash-o-matic and splatted, and that leaves the route open for the Rainmaker to slip in to the lead, and win the battle.")
