![Splatoon 3: Stealing the initiative in Rainmaker [10(8)-4, Tri-stringer] @TigerEars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/3ny4HW-6SDc/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded June 2024 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
I hope the Order Tri-stringer will net me a Sheldon Licence. I'm sure it will. And that's 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 what's going on, and I manage to give us an early lead, breaking through the checkpoint, but then it all gets very blue. Everywhere. I can't keep up with the ink the blue team are throwing our way. I chase the Splattershot Jr fruitlessly, even though I'm trying to protect our podium and lead. And despite my numbers I really don't get any splats, just assists.
But, really, I feel like I'm swimming against the tide. Even the one splat I get feels pyrrhic, sacrificing myself to stop the Rainmaker where they've 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 don't 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 Breaker's 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 I'd 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! I'm counting that as a dunk too. Woomy!
I hope the Order Tri-stringer will net me a Sheldon Licence. I'm sure it will. And that's 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 what's going on, and I manage to give us an early lead, breaking through the checkpoint, but then it all gets very blue. Everywhere. I can't keep up with the ink the blue team are throwing our way. I chase the Splattershot Jr fruitlessly, even though I'm trying to protect our podium and lead. And despite my numbers I really don't get any splats, just assists.
But, really, I feel like I'm swimming against the tide. Even the one splat I get feels pyrrhic, sacrificing myself to stop the Rainmaker where they've 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 don't 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 Breaker's 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 I'd 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! I'm counting that as a dunk too. 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.")
![Splatoon 3: Smooth Salmon Run [47-43-42, 47/527]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5A7wbFrMt0g/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Smooth Salmon Run [47-43-42, 47/527]
A Steelhead standing under a Lid makes the first few bosses more simple, as a Stinger is quickly splatted too. Then its up the column where I meet another Steelhead half-way, and a Fish Finger at the top. I return to the basket with some eggs, pumping our tally nicely, and then more eggs, as my squidmates keep the bosses splatted. I try to work out what the Snatchers are doing, having splatted one bereft of eggs, before looking for more bosses. Maybe I help with the Flipper, but maybe not, and the Stinger is being splatted. But I drag a Maws and Scrapper back to the basket for easy eggs, although I get a bit cavalier about my egg-throwers damage capability. Theres not much else to do, and not many eggs lying around. A Snatcher brings back a clutch, but too slowly to get to the basket, and too high for them to come down once splatted. Never mind, weve had a good first wave.
We wait for bosses at the top of the column at the start of the second, and here they come. A squidmate goes to deal with the Lid, while a Flyfish gets everyones attention. I bring a couple of eggs back and head down the middle, where more bosses are coming, and dont really do much. Never mind, a Steel Eel and Scrapper wander up to the basket, and while were collecting eggs two more Scrappers appear. A squidmate stops a Snatcher, which is nice, and I cram eggs in to the basket, dodging Flyfish missiles while I do. The Flyfish is ignored for the closer bosses, giving us loads of eggs to stuff in the basket, as the second wave comes to an end.
The final wave is low tide, and a Tornado. The only real question is which way are we going to take the eggs? Im thinking left, my squidmates right, and I think my early second-leg throw convinces them to go left. I think its the better route. Either way, with diligent shepherding, we get more than enough eggs in to the basket to clear the wave, and to finish the Run with a good final total. Better still, I wasnt splatted once. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Running out of steam in Tower Control [14(2)-5, Splat Charger]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5HvZLZLdQCo/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Running out of steam in Tower Control [14(2)-5, Splat Charger]
I ink some walls for mobility, then shoot the Tower for good luck maybe, then press forwards before its safe. That puts me right in the path of the Splat Dualies having the same idea. Somehow, I manage to run away and the Splat Dualies drop on the Splat Bomb I poop out in surprise. I reposition and aim at the Wellstring, who runs away, and mis-time the landing of the super-jumper. To make up for it, I hit the Wellstring aiming at me, and splat the inkling who was walking behind them, and get a good splat on the Splattershot after they reappear behind a block. With those splats we can make some progress, so its on to the Tower!
I get another splat as I ride the Tower, and my squidmates skirmish to keep the blue pressure off me as the statue gets in the way of the Wellstring and me. Well, maybe they could shoot over the top, but they sportingly wait until I can see them directly, at which point I splat them. Everything starts to get a bit inky as we get closer to the final checkpoint, though, and it is probably only by luck that my Ink Vac protects me. I still have to abandon Tower, but I scoot around to get in to a more attacking position, only to miss all of my shots and run away again.
I continue missing shots, which is fine, as there isnt much to hit, but the Splattershot still doesnt want me to be active. I cant blame them, but their approach is a bit too obvious, and they eat a Splat Bomb. I push forwards to the advancing Tower, and pull out another Ink Vac to stay safe, which kinda works. I suck up the Suction Bomb, and the Splat Dualies cant touch me, not until my sucking power runs out. Then Im splatted.
Our position in blue turf evaporates, not that it discourages a squidmate from super-jumping that way. I take the slow route back and get set defensively. More missed shots, a wasted Splat Bomb, and a Tower coming our way refocusses me, and I manage to turn a Triple Inkstrike in to a single one. I reposition again and stop the Hydra Splatling with a Splat Bomb, before missing more shots, retreating, and getting splatted. That wouldnt happen if I hit more shots, I think.
I move to a more defensive position on my return, but a return that is short-lived, as the Wellstring has anticipated my movement. I try a different tack, helped by my squidmates actually splatting the other team, something I could learn from, but maybe not just yet, as the Wellstring hits me with a nice shot. I return alone, so hide for a bit, but even after I reveal myself I snap at my shots, tugging my sights away from my targets. It takes a few more attempts before I finally get another splat. I move around to defend, run on to the Tower with the confidence earned earlier in the battle, and rely too much on the Ink Vac again. The Splat Dualies have seen enough of that. But thats okay, as a squidmate is on the Tower and wont let the Splat Dualies knock them off, as time runs out. Victory is ours. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Some hits, some misses, in Rainmaker [16(2)-5, Splat Charger]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5XO3s1stRMM/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Some hits, some misses, in Rainmaker [16(2)-5, Splat Charger]
I assume the position on top of the bridge, and get a neat splat with a Splat Bomb on a Splash Wall, and then realise why the pendulum is there. Still, I manage to sneak a good shot past it, and that makes the path ahead look clear. But it only looks clear, as the Decavitator pops up to stop me. My squidmates burst the Rainmaker free, stopping the Decavitator, and I return to help pop it again after it hits the first checkpoint. Im a bit slow, then a bit quick to move up, and I get stuck in too much ink in a place I shouldnt be.
I risk another super-jump back, to a position that looks safe on the map, just as my squidmates start getting splatted. I beat a minor retreat, while hoping to hold some turf, and although I dont stop the Rainmaker I do splat an Inkjet. I then fail to hop a Wave Breaker, and miss-time a couple of squid-surges, so Im not in top form. I help stop the Rainmaker, kinda, and then hide a bit, waiting for my squidmates to grab it back, at which point I whip out an Ink Vac. That stops a lot of inkoming ink, and the inksplosion from it hits the E-litre 4K nicely. A Splat Bomb gets a second splat, circumstances favouring me nicely there, but my chasing the Wellstring V turns out to be rather foolish. At least it keeps them busy, as the Rainmaker pushes forwards.
I take the slow way back, as splattings happen ahead of me, and turn up in time to stop the Rainmaker getting too far back our way. It kinda helps, as it gives my squidmates time to get back, but then I miss the second Rainmaker movement and get distracted by a Wave Breaker, only for an Inkjet to splat me in the back. My squidmates stop the Rainmaker hitting the checkpoint, which is good, and I return to get a confidence-building splat on a super-jumper. I then miss the E-litre 4K, and they miss seeing me get close. My Splat Bomb misses them, and I nearly miss the bridge as I duck away. Its all a bit farcical, but I take a moment and see the charger get up on to the perch, where a nice shots finally splats them.
I am helped out by the Rainmaker, so that the .52 Gal doesnt splat me, and return the favour by splatting the Wellstring V, rushing forwards where they shouldnt be. I miss a super-jumper, which is a bit poor, but pull out an Ink Vac to help us make progress, which it looks like we can do. Or we could, if there wasnt a Kraken on the other team. I luckily duck underneath its appearance, only to be splatted by the Wellstring V. So it goes. I return in a defensive mood, which just happens to put me right next to the E-litre 4K. It still takes me three shots to splat them, but never mind. Then I dont really know what Im doing. I just wait to shoot someone, who I miss, but the E-litre 4K super-jumping back in gives me a nice target.
The Rainmaker comes to me, so I move up, just as my squidmates complete a Wipeout, giving us some easy time. I think the Rainmaker wants to hop the ledge, so I go that way and splat the Decavitator making some obvious tracks. But the Rainmaker goes another way. Thats cool, and I splat the E-litre 4K not looking my way, before running out of ink. But thats okay, even with the Wellstring V coming my way, because I have another Ink Vac. I dont think the Wellstring V enjoyed that. I keep moving in to purple turf, and beat the E-litre 4K to a full charge, before accidentally jumping on to a Rainmaker shield being hit by a B-bomb. I take a full moment to realise Ive not been splatted, and celebrate our having the Rainmaker as time runs out, giving us the victory. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Splatting Joe at low-tide Salmonid Smokeyard in Salmon Run [57-36-39-xs, 49/1172]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5XwEjo4SVEY/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Splatting Joe at low-tide Salmonid Smokeyard in Salmon Run [57-36-39-xs, 49/1172]
Hunt the Goldie to start with, and me with a Hydra Splatling. Oh, the pressure to perform! I charge my weapon, set myself, and, well, spank the Goldie quite nicely on the first pass. And the second. The basket is stuffed with eggs already. The third pass is less profitable, as the Goldie doesnt come close, but a bit of patience has it come back. We could have got even more eggs too, but I get smacked up by Chum, which can happen. Still, its a good tally of eggs, and a nice start to the Run.
An N-ZAP 85 is a fun weapon, and lets me ink a few more walls before the salmonids roll in behind the fog. Im lucky to be pointing in the right direction to see where a Big Shot is launching from, and help out there, before heading back to the basket where a semi-stuffed Goldie is wandering past. I dodge a Maws, with a bit of effort, but not a Smallfry. Another squidmate is splatted, and another succumbs moments later. Still, we have one left, Im sure well be fine. And we are. I get back to cramming eggs in to the basket, and a new Big Shot starts firing again. I try to use a Killer Wail against the Big Shot, but a Goldie gets in the way. Never mind, I use my second Killer Wail when I look to get boxed in, but I think I also kinda panic and think its the third wave. Its fine.
The final wave sends us down to the shore, as the tide goes out, and I get a Blaster. Itll do. I take my responsibility seriously and engage a Stinger, which is a little difficult to reach. Normally Id get splatted, but somehow I get out unscathed, which is nice. I nearly get chomped by a Steel Eel, but I run away quite effectively, and get some height on a Lid. I dont really help out with a Fish Finger by the basket, but I grab a couple of eggs from it, and watch as more get flown away by Snatchers. It looks bad, but there are loads lying around and Im having trouble dunking them. I swap sides and try to throw some more, getting very confused and splatting Snatchers that would actually help us, which is a bit embarrassing. But we get quota easily, and I get smacked in to the water. Fair enough.
But its not over! Joe is inkoming. Low tide should give us some room to manoeuvre too. We have Lids to start with, and I get a bit caught up with them, and dont really do much for a while. My Sloshing Machine doesnt help against Stingers either, but hopefully dragging Joe their way helps with them. I still find myself mostly scratching Joe for a while, but then hes moved again, and I have eggs and a line-of-sight. I throw a good bunch of eggs Joes way, right at his red spot, before Smallfry catch up with me and my Sloshing Machine that cant splat them quickly, and Im splatted. But so is Joe, nearly. Im revived just in time to help with that last little bit of damage, and Joe is splatted! Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Bringing down Joe at the Junction in Salmon Run [52-35-32-xs, 29/1835]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5pCYKaQarY8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Bringing down Joe at the Junction in Salmon Run [52-35-32-xs, 29/1835]
Its getting foggy. Its kinda comforting. Except for the ominous music, and sounds of salmonids coming closer. But I have a Bloblobber to deal with them. And Splat Bombs, for the Maws. A stuffed Goldie is brought to the basket, which is nice, but a couple of Fish Fingers make it difficult to work. Theyre splatted soon enough, and we can dunk some eggs, if not for the Drizzlers that need splatting. Another Goldie only has one egg, which is kinda sad, but other bosses are wandering around with their own, and we get plenty in to the basket before the wave ends. That was surprisingly straightforward, for normal tide, without too many pesky distant bosses.
Its a normal wave next, and the first boss flops easily enough. Bouncing an egg of the tiniest wall is unfortunate, but I think we have time to hit quota still. I see my squidmates over on the other side, so I move to splat the Flyfish on my side, only to throw the Splat Bomb right between both bins. That then gets me splatted on top of a Lid. The first wave went smoother than this. I recover and start to get some eggs in the basket, but zooming off to splat a Stinger doesnt work so well when it is targeting me, and I dont have much sideways movement. I flail for a bit, not sure what to shoot, so bring down a Lid near a Steel Eel, but not on to a Steel Eel, which surrounds me and I have nowhere to go. Another splatting. This second wave is a disaster for me. I try to make up for it in the final seconds by dunking as many eggs as I can, which makes me feel a bit better.
The final wave sends us down to the shore for a Cohock rush. I grab a cannon, despite having the Dynamo Roller, because I like the cannons. All goes swimmingly for a bit, but a decent hit on a distant Stinger leaves one pan standing, which then tries to sting me, and in trying to get away from that I drop on to a Big Shots shot. At least a squidmate notices and I am quickly revived and back in the cannon. I then do quite badly at shooting around a Steel Eel, hitting its inky wall instead, wasting a ton of ink, and causing me to abandon cannon for a while. It seems to work out, and we need some eggs anyway, which we just about manage, and I finish off squishing as many Cohocks as I have ink for. Jobs a good un.
But were not finished, as Joe pays us a visit. I try to work out where I should be, get it wrong, and reposition, but on Joes second lunge we have eggs aplenty to throw at his red spot. Its a bit more awkward next, but I stop a Snatcher stealing some eggs, and in reaching the red spot I find a squidmate forlornly hoping to be revived, which I help them with. I have so many eggs around me on the next Joe eruption, but no sight of the spot, so I just throw them as body shots. Its not great, but its something. Joes a bit distant next, but not so far I cant hit the red spot, and by now hes looking pretty inky. One more lunge and hes a goner. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Backing up the squad in Rainmaker Challenge [6(2)-1, Custom Wellstring V]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/5vHCuzXEeyQ/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Backing up the squad in Rainmaker Challenge [6(2)-1, Custom Wellstring V]
Its the modified Rainmaker challenge! And Im not really picking up the Rainmaker this time. But thats okay, I have the Wellstring to have fun with. It can throw a lot of ink at the Rainmaker shield, which is good, but apparently so can the yellow team. Thankfully, a squidmate gets a splat, taking some pressure off the shield, and we finally burst it, gifting me my own splat.
A squidmate gets us close to the checkpoint, where inky pressure from the side threatens to stop us picking up the Rainmaker again. An opportunistic shots finds the source of that pressure, relieving it, and with some more covering shots we manage to hit the checkpoint, just as the Slosher hits me. So it goes.
I return to see the Slosher coming my way again, this time stopping them early, and the Stamper behind them is more focussed on the Rainmaker than me, which is good. But the yellow team recover the Rainmaker, and its modified blast comes my way. I dodge back and to the side, where I try to clear a path for my squidmates, pushing forwards with the Rainmaker now, and adding a Wave Breaker to the mix. I should probably get closer, though.
I take the safer route up to the yellow ledge, along the ink rail, and grab a drink, just as the Rainmaker is dunked. I guess my squidmates didnt need me for that final push after all. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Being weirdly competent in Clam Blitz [16(4)-2, Tri-slosher]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/687GOP3kUL0/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Being weirdly competent in Clam Blitz [16(4)-2, Tri-slosher]
A little foray down the middle finds an early splat, but not a second, and I run away and hide a bit. I ink the flank, partly as a distraction, then try an Inkjet. Nope, still not great at it. But pushing up stops a yellow power clam, which is good. I go back to hiding, and spot an inkling down the side. I push up and splat them, but my continued movement is easy for the Nautilus to spot. I return to another inkling down the same side, but this one is the Inkbrush and they run away from me easily. I think they aim their Killer Wail at me too, which I have to dodge, and then a second comes in, which I also have to dodge. It all seems a bit much.
I go back to hiding, poking my nose out to try to get a splat here or there, but not managing it. My squidmates do better, and there looks to be an opportunity to move forwards. I give it a go, and get close to the basket, but withdraw as I fail to slosh anyone, finding clams to make a power clam as I do. I move forwards again, climbing the pagoda, but dropping down to get in range of the basket has my throwing arm blocked, and I whiff. Never mind, in to an Inkjet, and I bag a couple of splats somehow, as my squidmates sort things out and score the clam I dropped, and a second power clam. Nice! Im splatted shortly after landing, but another squidmate prioritises scoring a third power clam over splatting, giving us a big lead.
I return to help with juggling a power clam to keep it alive, but after working my way around the side, getting a couple of flanking splats, the clam disintegrates. Never mind. We gain some turf with those splats, and threaten to get close to the basket. I get on the pagoda, bag another splat, and launch a less successful Inkjet, but one that maybe opens an opportunity for a squidmate to score. I score a couple of little clams before running around slightly confused, and bumping in to the Splattershot Nova when I get back to the basket.
Back on the pagoda I can see the need for some defence. I retreat, in to the path of the super-jumping Splattershot Nova, and its good to see that my squidmates are on top of this already. Or were. The yellow ink is flying, and Im getting caught in it, so I launch another Inkjet to try to get out of trouble, and bag a decent splat from it, helping our barrier stay intact. We stay on the defensive as the yellow team, time running out, keep the push going. I get above and then behind the yellow push, getting a nice couple of splats and also an accidental power clam, and just as the Splattershot Nova is splatted for a Wipeout, the battle is won. Woomy!")
