![Splatoon 3: Surges in both directions in Rainmaker [17(2)-7, Carbon Roller Deco] @TigerEars](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cG4Ui2QHkXI/maxresdefault.jpg)
Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
I'm gonna try to be sneaky with my Carbon Roller. Let's go! To be sneaky, it's best to have ink to squid around in, so I don't do much without that, but then a squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and runs. Nice! I catch up as they drop it, and hope to get a sneaky flanking splat, only to remember that to flank you need to come from the side, not the front. Good to know. I return to lay down some more ink, and try to move stealthily through what's there. It goes quite well! Well enough to sneak past all the yellow team even. I have to turn around and catch up, but I get a couple of splats and stop the Rainmaker, if sadly not before they hit the first checkpoint. I ink the Rainmaker shield a little then push ahead, hoping to catch the yellow team unawares. I do two of them, but the Splat Roller is quick enough to turn and flick before I can get a third splat.
We have the Rainmaker, at least, and it's moved forwards. I push up behind, throwing Burst Bombs to put down some ink, and grab a drink almost by accident. That makes me visible, and there's a Kraken around, so I hide for a moment, popping out to surprise a Range Blaster. I help the yellow inkling drop the Rainmaker and pull out a Trizooka to burst it free again, grabbing that and hitting the first checkpoint, to almost even the scores. I'm tempted to super-jump back, but that Beakon and ink trails are making me nervous. I choose to go slowly, as my squidmate make a dash with the recovered Rainmaker to give us the lead. Nice!
I want to find that Beakon, but the yellow team are converging on the central turf. I get a lucky splat, but it gives away my position too, and I'm soon splatted. A Kraken is suitably annoying coming up and away from our podium, although luckily without the Rainmaker in tow, but I find myself alone and can't do much like that. I wait and watch for opportunity, and move up almost to find some, only for a juiced-up bucket to out-manoeuvre me. I outwit them after a few tries, which is nice, but the Rainmaker has squidded past, and stolen our lead. Thankfully, a squidmate splats them before they hit the podium, but we have a long way to go to turn this battle around.
I push forwards as my squidmates recover the Rainmaker, and attract some attention. I destroy a Beakon while I'm trying to ink some turf, and pull out a Trizooka to look threatening. Not threatening enough for a Range Blaster, who finds out what happens when they challenge me. A Kraken is once again wreaking havoc, but not for long, not that it helps with trying to move the Rainmaker down the side. I think I see an opportunity to grab it and make a move, but the yellow team were obviously lying in wait, and even jinking to drop down a level doesn't really help. A drink helps me return quickly, where my squidmates are holding the turf nicely, and I help out with another Trizooka.
I move to the side and help our E-litre 4K with the Splat Roller, keeping my forward position to cause a bit of mayhem around the podium. To be fair, I'm not entirely sure what's happening either, but I get a good splat on the bucket, and I have helped create some space for the Rainmaker to zoom through, giving us back the lead. Nice! If only I had the inkpower to burst the Rainmaker shield a little quicker, the dunk was on, but the yellow team return and quash that dream. We only have thirty seconds to defend, though, and getting a Wipeout, helped by the yellow Rainmaker's sacrifice, makes that task much easier. A squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and safely holds on to it, securing the victory. Woomy!
I'm gonna try to be sneaky with my Carbon Roller. Let's go! To be sneaky, it's best to have ink to squid around in, so I don't do much without that, but then a squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and runs. Nice! I catch up as they drop it, and hope to get a sneaky flanking splat, only to remember that to flank you need to come from the side, not the front. Good to know. I return to lay down some more ink, and try to move stealthily through what's there. It goes quite well! Well enough to sneak past all the yellow team even. I have to turn around and catch up, but I get a couple of splats and stop the Rainmaker, if sadly not before they hit the first checkpoint. I ink the Rainmaker shield a little then push ahead, hoping to catch the yellow team unawares. I do two of them, but the Splat Roller is quick enough to turn and flick before I can get a third splat.
We have the Rainmaker, at least, and it's moved forwards. I push up behind, throwing Burst Bombs to put down some ink, and grab a drink almost by accident. That makes me visible, and there's a Kraken around, so I hide for a moment, popping out to surprise a Range Blaster. I help the yellow inkling drop the Rainmaker and pull out a Trizooka to burst it free again, grabbing that and hitting the first checkpoint, to almost even the scores. I'm tempted to super-jump back, but that Beakon and ink trails are making me nervous. I choose to go slowly, as my squidmate make a dash with the recovered Rainmaker to give us the lead. Nice!
I want to find that Beakon, but the yellow team are converging on the central turf. I get a lucky splat, but it gives away my position too, and I'm soon splatted. A Kraken is suitably annoying coming up and away from our podium, although luckily without the Rainmaker in tow, but I find myself alone and can't do much like that. I wait and watch for opportunity, and move up almost to find some, only for a juiced-up bucket to out-manoeuvre me. I outwit them after a few tries, which is nice, but the Rainmaker has squidded past, and stolen our lead. Thankfully, a squidmate splats them before they hit the podium, but we have a long way to go to turn this battle around.
I push forwards as my squidmates recover the Rainmaker, and attract some attention. I destroy a Beakon while I'm trying to ink some turf, and pull out a Trizooka to look threatening. Not threatening enough for a Range Blaster, who finds out what happens when they challenge me. A Kraken is once again wreaking havoc, but not for long, not that it helps with trying to move the Rainmaker down the side. I think I see an opportunity to grab it and make a move, but the yellow team were obviously lying in wait, and even jinking to drop down a level doesn't really help. A drink helps me return quickly, where my squidmates are holding the turf nicely, and I help out with another Trizooka.
I move to the side and help our E-litre 4K with the Splat Roller, keeping my forward position to cause a bit of mayhem around the podium. To be fair, I'm not entirely sure what's happening either, but I get a good splat on the bucket, and I have helped create some space for the Rainmaker to zoom through, giving us back the lead. Nice! If only I had the inkpower to burst the Rainmaker shield a little quicker, the dunk was on, but the yellow team return and quash that dream. We only have thirty seconds to defend, though, and getting a Wipeout, helped by the yellow Rainmaker's sacrifice, makes that task much easier. A squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and safely holds on to it, securing the victory. Woomy!
![Splatoon 3: Surges in both directions in Rainmaker [17(2)-7, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/cG4Ui2QHkXI/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Surges in both directions in Rainmaker [17(2)-7, Carbon Roller Deco]
Im gonna try to be sneaky with my Carbon Roller. Lets go! To be sneaky, its best to have ink to squid around in, so I dont do much without that, but then a squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and runs. Nice! I catch up as they drop it, and hope to get a sneaky flanking splat, only to remember that to flank you need to come from the side, not the front. Good to know. I return to lay down some more ink, and try to move stealthily through whats there. It goes quite well! Well enough to sneak past all the yellow team even. I have to turn around and catch up, but I get a couple of splats and stop the Rainmaker, if sadly not before they hit the first checkpoint. I ink the Rainmaker shield a little then push ahead, hoping to catch the yellow team unawares. I do two of them, but the Splat Roller is quick enough to turn and flick before I can get a third splat.
We have the Rainmaker, at least, and its moved forwards. I push up behind, throwing Burst Bombs to put down some ink, and grab a drink almost by accident. That makes me visible, and theres a Kraken around, so I hide for a moment, popping out to surprise a Range Blaster. I help the yellow inkling drop the Rainmaker and pull out a Trizooka to burst it free again, grabbing that and hitting the first checkpoint, to almost even the scores. Im tempted to super-jump back, but that Beakon and ink trails are making me nervous. I choose to go slowly, as my squidmate make a dash with the recovered Rainmaker to give us the lead. Nice!
I want to find that Beakon, but the yellow team are converging on the central turf. I get a lucky splat, but it gives away my position too, and Im soon splatted. A Kraken is suitably annoying coming up and away from our podium, although luckily without the Rainmaker in tow, but I find myself alone and cant do much like that. I wait and watch for opportunity, and move up almost to find some, only for a juiced-up bucket to out-manoeuvre me. I outwit them after a few tries, which is nice, but the Rainmaker has squidded past, and stolen our lead. Thankfully, a squidmate splats them before they hit the podium, but we have a long way to go to turn this battle around.
I push forwards as my squidmates recover the Rainmaker, and attract some attention. I destroy a Beakon while Im trying to ink some turf, and pull out a Trizooka to look threatening. Not threatening enough for a Range Blaster, who finds out what happens when they challenge me. A Kraken is once again wreaking havoc, but not for long, not that it helps with trying to move the Rainmaker down the side. I think I see an opportunity to grab it and make a move, but the yellow team were obviously lying in wait, and even jinking to drop down a level doesnt really help. A drink helps me return quickly, where my squidmates are holding the turf nicely, and I help out with another Trizooka.
I move to the side and help our E-litre 4K with the Splat Roller, keeping my forward position to cause a bit of mayhem around the podium. To be fair, Im not entirely sure whats happening either, but I get a good splat on the bucket, and I have helped create some space for the Rainmaker to zoom through, giving us back the lead. Nice! If only I had the inkpower to burst the Rainmaker shield a little quicker, the dunk was on, but the yellow team return and quash that dream. We only have thirty seconds to defend, though, and getting a Wipeout, helped by the yellow Rainmakers sacrifice, makes that task much easier. A squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and safely holds on to it, securing the victory. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Starting smoothly in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [51-57-49, 35/1053]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/clXfTghfvHA/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Starting smoothly in All-Grizzco Salmon Run [51-57-49, 35/1053]
Its All-Grizzco weapons, and Im aiming to get to 999 on Spawning Grounds. This early Run starts on low tide, which tends to be more forgiving, and I have the Charger, which, like most of the Grizzco weapons, is a lot of fun. Still, Im leaving Fish Fingers to others better equipped, although I can easily ink the way up for them. An early Killer Wail aimed at a Stinger on another prong of the shore can be forgiven, although with a bit of time my Charger could have splatted it, but maybe not if I aimed like I do at the Steelhead. I take more care with my next shots, and when shooting the laden Snatcher, so that the eggs arent dropped over water. In the end, the eggs build up and we bring back a nice haul.
Still low tide for the second wave, which makes my Brolly a bit of a waste with no walls to ink. The early bosses are simple enough, although the weakness of the Brollys spread against the Steelhead is apparent. Inking the turf for a Flipper is really easy, though. I can also help chew through some Chum blocking our way to a Big Shot, and the Big Shot is big enough for all my shots to hit. Add a Flipper and some Stingers, and we get a load of eggs to shoot back to the basket. I head back to help dunk them, finishing by splatting a Fish Finger because we run out of eggs to collect. On to the final wave!
The tide comes in, and I have some walls to ink with another Brolly. We have less room to work in, which means we need to keep the salmonid population down if we can. A Grizzco Roller on the squad will help with that. Keeping the turf inked becomes more important too, something Fish Fingers will be a detriment to. It is crucial they are splatted quickly, and its good to see a squidmate also taking their presence seriously. While at the top of a Finger, I throw out an Inkstrike at a Flyfish appeared on the difficult pier, and toss the other two strikes where it seems prudent. Another Fish Finger appears, and I help a squidmate splat it by keeping the turf below clear, although I need to make a bold jump through a grate and across water to deal with a Steel Eel. I needed to pay more attention to the Chum, though. The Roller comes to my aid, and I use my second Inkstrike to clear some turf and refill my tank, getting one more egg throw in before time runs out. We end with a pretty smooth Run, and a good tally of eggs. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Taking control in Tower Control [7(1)-2, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dIESa_pBVtE/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Taking control in Tower Control [7(1)-2, Range Blaster]
The battle for control of the central turf, and the initial riding of the Tower, doesnt offer much opportunity for quite a while, and the only casualty is our Custom Range Blaster. But the yellow teams push looks stronger, particularly as Super Chumps start flying. Or maybe thats our opportunity to counter-attack. The Heavy Splatling on the Tower is splatted, I take their place and splat the Splattershot covering the Tower. Unfortunately, the Clash Blaster is also covering the Tower, and neither team has still made much progress.
I take the slow way back, and try to cover the ramp. I am almost splatted from the side as I do, saved thanks to a squidmate, and then nearly run over a Chicken, which I only just dodge. I find the Tower being strategically ridden and contribute to clearing it, taking over the strategic riding. This time, its our Special weapon that helps us progress, even if it is a Kraken. I get a decent splat too, riding to the first checkpoint, only lessened by the N-ZAP 89 splatting me off the Tower at close range.
This time I super-jump back, which pays off well when my squidmates complete a Wipeout of the yellow team. Nice! We get to ride the Tower in peace for a bit, and take the lead. We keep going, or our E-litre 4K on the Tower does, as I hop off to provide some rear cover. I get two splats, my squidmates get two more, and its another Wipeout. I push forwards even more, and launch a Wave Breaker at an opportune time, catching the Clash Blaster after I do. I look for more returning yellow inklings, but my squidmates on the Tower have kept it trundling forwards nicely, and it hits the goal sooner than expected. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: A solid-gold performance in Salmon Run Eggstra Work [21-92-49-51-50, 79/1468]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/e4NFMM208IQ/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: A solid-gold performance in Salmon Run Eggstra Work [21-92-49-51-50, 79/1468]
With our successes, the squad is sticking together. We bettered our previous record to set a new one, and keep going. The first wave is the first wave, and the Goldie-seeking second wave has us leave more eggs near the basket and dunk a good deal of them. Were on target to surpass our previous best nicely.
The third wave doesnt even feel that hectic, seeming more like a normal shift than anything, but with a good squad of inklings who know what theyre doing. We just kinda get on with things. The Cohock Rush goes nicely too, and we even make a nice shift of cannoneer when I run out of ink, so that the cannons keep shooting and eggs keep hitting the basket.
The final wave, and although the Drizzler isnt allowed closer, and I get a bit stuck on my Lid work, we seem to find our place to be. I stick to the left and deal with whats there, until Reecey pops over to help out with a nicely timed Splashdown. The only real problem we have is getting all the eggs in to the basket. We still cram fifty in for the final wave, and in the end we have indeed got another record score. Im happy with that. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Not taking Splat Zones entirely seriously [17(1)-10, Carbon Roller Deco]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fItTyhdoJy4/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Not taking Splat Zones entirely seriously [17(1)-10, Carbon Roller Deco]
Where am I?! Oh, Robo ROM-en. Lets go! Im in a funny mood, though, not helped by seeing the Splattershot fall to their doom. The Squiffer and I then try to splat each other on different levels for too long. My squidmates capture the Splat Zones, a Hammer runs rampant towards their base, and I Ninja Squid behind them to whack the Splattershot Jr over the head. Thats where I meet the Squiffer again, and I feel like maybe I owe them a confidence-building splat. Its a bit silly of me, but my mood isnt helped by rolling through the Splat Zones without a drop of ink hitting me, like a squiddy version of R2-D2.
I circle around to find the purple team clustered in a Bubbler on its last legs. When it breaks, I splat the Squiffer, follow-up with the Splattershot Jr, and somehow find the Splattershot in the same place. I cant help but chase the Wipeout, but the Splattershot left a Suction Bomb for me. Our score keeps ticking over, so I continue with my irreverence, heading around the side just as before, but this time I make little dent in the purple teams defences.
I try a different route back, a little more direct, but am stopped by an inking Splattershot Jr, and heading towards the purple corner gets me splatted quickly again. Im okay with this, but feel a bit silly when the Splattershot Jr easily spots me flying down the side for an easy splat. The Splat Zones are being contested, so I think I should be a little more serious, at least. I make a sensible return approach, and even hide from the Squiffer, who I think I can surprise a moment later. Im wrong, but at least I splat them as they splat me.
We lose the lead! I start to be even more serious, and push through recaptured Splat Zones to splat the Splattershot nicely, and keep going to find more opportunity, only to have the Squiffer splat me almost nonchalantly. I only have myself to blame. As I try to be more sneaky, heading the short way to go the longer way to the long way, my squidmates retake the lead. I like to think Im helping, getting the occasional splat, or just by standing in the way of some purple ink, and kinda do both for a few seconds to help extend our new lead.
The Splat Zones turn purple again, but with the lead back we dont need to panic, so its the longer way back again, which perhaps only the Squiffer has worked out Im using, because I pop up to bag a kinda lucky triple-splat. Only the Squiffer is absent. I think about doing it again, but the Splat Zones need attention. And then they dont, and the Splattershot Jr is coming my way. Okay, I splat them and sneak under the bridge, popping up to splat the Explosher, after a fashion, and the Splattershot, with more certainty.
The Splattershot Jr returns to exact some revenge, with a nice move to isolate me with a Splat Bomb. But with twenty seconds left in the battle, our victory looks relatively safe. I forgo the longer routes to focus more on the Splat Zones, where I find the Squiffer for one last splat. But maybe theres time for another one too! Squishing the Splattershot is a nice way to end the battle, although I really could have been more sensible. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Being beligerent with a bucket on Tower Control [20(3)-9, Tri-slosher]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fRbcqBRuBdY/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Being beligerent with a bucket on Tower Control [20(3)-9, Tri-slosher]
I get a foundation of ink going, and notice some purple on a wall. Someone has clambered up it already, and before I can do much a squidmate is splatted. I get revenge, at least, as the interloper cant escape my sloshing by dropping off the wall. I next spy a charger, but waiting on the wall nearly gets me hit by the other charger. I forgot there were two. I get a wiggle on and splat the Splat Charger, and hide from the E-litre 4K. Circling back to the Tower finds the bucket to splat, and from there the Tower looks good to ride. Or maybe I should deal with the Dapple Dualies, which somehow I manage. The E-litre 4K doesnt get away either, and I destroy their Beakon too.
Thats quite the start, and as usual I get over-confident very quickly, and dive deeper in to purple territory, which gets me splatted just as quickly. I head back and get tempted by a refreshing drink, but the Tacticooler has been dropped to make it a trap. Even so, I should have know better and resisted. I go back for another bite, but the Dapple Dualies out-manoeuvre me, and my good start is now looking like luck. I need to be more cautious, which I am on my return, getting some high turf, and watching the Dapple Dualies threaten our Snipewriter. I splat them, and keep sloshing as I see bucket sloshes behind the Dualies, only to miss my sloshes until its too late.
I see Beakons my map, and want to do something about them. There are purple inklings in the way, and I stumble in to the Dualies as I try to splat the Tri-slosher, then splat the bucket anyway, that opening up the E-litre 4K to my sloshes. One Beakon down. I think the other Beakon is destroyed before I get there, which is good. My squidmates are moving the Tower too, which is helped by getting more splats, but I get itchy feet and want to skirmish. I grab a drink and try to get the E-litre 4K from below, which doesnt work, so try from behind, which does, but at the expense of not reacting quickly enough to the bucket super-jumping in.
My squidmates are making good progress on the Tower, unlike me, forgetting I had some juice to return quicker. I probably should slow down, though, as I simply run in to the Dualies again. I last longer next time, splatting the E-litre 4K nicely, but the Dualies get the jump on me once more. I grab a drink as I return to go even faster to my splatty doom, this time not getting any splats. But it was close. And I remember I can return immediately. I nearly make the same mistake on rushing back to the ledge. Thankfully, I manage to pull out an Inkjet in time, and more thankfully I manage to splat the Dapple Dualies still hunting me down.
I dont get hit by the E-litre 4K, not even on landing, but they are in my sloshing range. I am so excited I barely notice the Tower is behind us. Or that it is too close to our lead. But I notice, and turn around to get an assist to help as minimally as possible in the Wipeout. I turn the Tower around, though, and leap off after grabbing a drink to splat the Dualies from behind. So satisfying. I find myself in the lasers of both chargers, but thats more a problem for them. At least, until I run out of ink. I still catch the bucket super-jumping in, and get back on to the Tower coming my way to grab another drink, and dash towards the E-litre 4K with far too much confidence for them being on a high perch. But its okay, the battle is won. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Revelling in the randomness of a normal wave in Salmon Run [38-40-40, 29/938]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fRdeJ4JNo3g/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Revelling in the randomness of a normal wave in Salmon Run [38-40-40, 29/938]
Mudmouths? Okay, lets do it. Wheres our Roller? We have Smallfry everywh- oh, they they are, doing brilliantly. Nice! We also have a Golden Mudmouth back at the basket, which is worth calling the others back for. The Cohocks take some splatting, but there are lots of eggs left next to the basket. We get a bit fragmented after that, but I really appreciate the Roller coming to keep the Chum at bay as I splat the Mudmouth. Then its across to deliver eggs, and a quick splatting before we move on to the second wave. I kinda feel guilty about getting revenge on the Smallfry at the end there.
A standard wave with the Splattershot. I already feel relaxed. A Big Shot first thing is straightforward, and a Fish Finger that gets splatted before I get to the top is lovely. I leave the eggs in favour of the ones cannon-shot to the basket, but I appear to be having problems picking any up. I get them, eventually. I move out to splat one Flyfish bin, and get an inkoming Steel Eel nice and inky but let them get closer to the basket, not that the eggs know what they are doing. I go back to finish off the Flyfish, with, yes, an amazing Splat Bomb throw, thank you for mentioning it. Then its up a Fish Finger, and off again before a Maws eats me, stopping a Snatcher as I go, and dragging a Scrapper to the basket with the same Maws in hot pursuit. Six eggs right at the basket is nice and easy, but I feel like I ought to splat the Stinger. Or both of the Stingers? Not even a Chum smacking my back can stop me. I get back to the basket, revive a squidmate, and dunk a few last-second eggs for an excellent wave.
The tide comes in for the final wave, and I get the Snipewriter. We get to hunt the Goldie, who appears right next to me, for some easy shooting to start with, then complicated by hitting the back of a squidmates head for a bit. I dont think they noticed. The Goldie is found again quickly and splatted, and we start dunking eggs. A full Snatcher is stopped, which might have been a mistake, but the Goldie is found again at the basket, and without much ink, and it being the final wave, I whip out a Killer Wail. I find myself struggling a bit with the Cohocks and Smallfry, not helped at all by the Snipewriters shots not piercing anything, so I just run away for a bit. Its okay, and Im back and active soon enough, pulling the Goldie towards the basket and stinging it with another Killer Wail. We hit quota and have one last chance for more eggs, which pushed us up to a decent total for the wave, contributing to a pretty good overall total. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Somewhat sloppy Salmon Run [34-29-41-xf, 30/834]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fVS9187-BTs/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Somewhat sloppy Salmon Run [34-29-41-xf, 30/834]
Oh, its low tide. Thats embarrassing. But I make up for it by splatting the Stinger quickly . Ignore that I then throw the egg away from the basket, thats just a rounding error. The next one is a slam dunk, before I head off to splat the reappeared Stinger. I have less support this time, so am surrounded by Chum quickly, causing me to run away sans egg, only to find more trouble, and water. I waddle back to the basket, where Smallfry and an Ink Storm threatens to splat me again. I dodge them and go back to the recurring Stinger, only to be bitten by a Steel Eel. This wave could be going better, but at least weve hit quota already. I can see a squidmate winding up a revival Splat Bomb, which is good of them, and I return the favour after dunking a couple more eggs. On to the second wave.
Its time for some Snipewriting. And some inking of walls, one would hope. But the bosses are already rolling in. I stay near the basket, because of my range, and dunk some eggs, hoping someone will splat the Stinger. I think they do, but another appears, so I have to stay mobile, which leads me to some Lids. Those are fairly straightforward with the charger, unlike a Flyfish, which I move to splat, also noticing a splatted squidmate. I revive them, only for a Stinger to splat me. Im not forgotten, and am back to splatting another Lid soon enough, once a Cohock gets out of my way. We are rather struggling for eggs, though, so I ignore the Fish Fingers and just start dunking, happily with enough eggs around to get us to the final wave.
Walls get inked with the Splattershot Jr, but initial bosses are distant. Or so I think, until a Maws nibbles at my toes. My Splat Bomb throw at the Stinger is wildly optimistic and does nothing, but I am able to splat a Steel Eel and hop on to a Lid without problems. Then its up a Fish Finger and back to the basket for a Maws, before jinking through Chum to get to a dangerous Stinger. I grab an egg and head back, juggling a little on the way, with my squidmates having created a nice little clutch to work from. We stack the basket nicely, and end the Run much more profreshionally than I started it.
But the Run is not over. Horrorboros flies in, and me with a Flingza Roller. Id better splat bosses and get eggs to fire. A Flyfish is a good first splat, although it drains my ink tank to the point I can barely fend off Chum. I cant revive a squidmate either, but they are also behind a Lid. Someone else revives them, which is good. Even so, I feel a bit stuck, far from Boros and a Stinger nearby. I have a Splashdown, though, which is a quick way to splat the Stinger, and a squidmate splats the Steel Eel chasing me down. And here comes Boros. We get some hits in, taking down a chunk of its health, but then it flies on, so Im back to splatting bosses and waiting. Except a Big Shot, bolstered by salmonid chums, is a bit too much for me to handle solo. Its a shame, as we could maybe have got closer to the splat on Boros if not for that. But its a decent effort, and a better Run than I had imagined it was going to be from the first wave.")
![Splatoon 3: Turning defence in to decoy in Tower Control [12(3)-3, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/fgNgC3jugeY/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Turning defence in to decoy in Tower Control [12(3)-3, Range Blaster]
I am pretty cautious at the start of the battle, teasing some ink forwards, blasting around the Tower, ducking back and around the other side. It keeps me safe, I suppose, and keeps the orange team a little honest. They take an early and modest lead, before the Daulies dodge-roll their way under my blasting and splat me. Otherwise, it looks like my squidmates having the situation under control. My attacked is splatted, the Tower is cleared and mounted, and the lead shifts sides almost immediately.
I sit in the middle turf and act as support, in case any inklings try to flank the progressing Tower. I notice one inkling going on the bridge, and start blasting. I get a few glancing hits on the Painbrush, but they are resilient. I, however, am persistent. And although it seems that the Tower has stalled, thats just down to my squidmates splatting the rest of the orange team for a Wipeout.
We have time for some easy progress, but the orange team come back quickly, and the ink starts flying. We all start looking for splats, or maybe Im just trying to stay safe, but I try to keep the Tower moving too. I get caught out by some Super Chumps, first for thinking an orange inkling is super-jumping to the Tower, not realising they wouldnt be able to do that, and then I wander backwards in to more of them. So it goes.
I return as the Tower resets, and move to intercept it. The N-ZAP 89 is there, and this time the Super Chumps dont fool me. I splat the N-ZAP, turn back to help with the Painbrush, then hop on the Tower. I hop off as the Inkbrush appears, and dance around them for a bit, before thinking Ive got a bead on them only to splat the N-ZAP 89 again. It all helps. The Inkbrush is splatted, and my squidmates ride the Tower once more.
I wait in the middle and hop across the rising bridge. I see an inkling come my way and slink past them, ambushing the Inkbrush from behind. The Painbrush wants to get on the bridge too, but my blasting out-ranges their ink from below. I drop down a level to try to catch a super-jumper, but they land and Splashdown, so I get back on the bridge. The Tower has reset, which is unfortunate, but I splat the N-ZAP 89 trying to get on and get it moving in the right direction once more.
Both brushes are spotted coming a bit too easily, and I leave the Tower to my squidmates while I toss a Wave Breaker forwards. Being hit by a Point Sensor doesnt bother me, and I splat the Painbrush threatening the Tower, before watching our backs, just in time to see a Curling Bomb come our way. I try to pull range on the Inkbrush, and get some blocks between us. I fluff a couple of shots, which is unfortunate, and draw the attention of the nearby Dualies too. But the time they spend splatting me lets my squidmates get past the second checkpoint, and all the way to the goal. I dont even have time to super-jump to join them. Never mind. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Heavy splats in Tigerfest XCVI [11-8, Heavy Edit Splatling]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gP_bLyG8dEc/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Heavy splats in Tigerfest XCVI [11-8, Heavy Edit Splatling]
Its Tigerfest 96! This marks four years since Tigerfests began, more or less, which is pretty decent. Thanks to all those who made any and all of them possible!
For the Rainmaker battle, Ive chosen the Heavy Edit Splatling, for no particular reason. I like Tigerfests for the option to use less familiar weapons, hopefully when others are doing the same, and also not being too aggressive, so we can have some low-pressure fun. The battle gets close immediately, the purple team coming to our side, and I trust in the Heavy Edit Splatlings firing rate as a Hammer comes my way. It works better than against a Dynamo Roller. I didnt expect that.
My squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and gives us an early lead by hitting the checkpoint, and I extend it a little by getting up the ledge. But only just. The counter-attack is good, unlike my positioning, and with both of us splatted the Rainmaker hits our checkpoint. I go in to full defensive mode, which seems to work until the purple team realise they can go in a different direction. Our lead collapses moments later.
We recover the Rainmaker, but the turf is quite purple. I get in to a good position to cover an area, but foolishly relinquish it and run towards a Hammer, instead of using the high turf and letting it come to me. Never mind, my squidmate didnt follow me, and I super-jump to them, and together we make some progress. I catch the Dynamo Roller hiding, and nearly splat the Reeflux, but at least I push them back. Getting up the ledge remains precarious, and it takes a couple of attempts to get to the top safely, and just as I do, the Sploosh-o-matic reappears. They even stop our Rainmaker one step away from retaking the lead.
The Rainmaker is dropped from the ledge, but not much further, thanks to a lucky Curling Bomb. The Dynamo Roller is splatted from the side too, leaving the Rainmaker free to burst open and move. I make a dash up the ledge, and a hop along the top, and this time take that one extra step needed to steal back the lead. Nice! The purple team push back, and while the Sploosh-o-matic keeps us busy, the Rainmaker falls in to the water. Oops! We burst the Rainmaker free, have no idea who will pick it up, then I grab it and dash, running straight in to trouble.
I super-jump back, we recover the Rainmaker again, and this time my trip up the lift results in a brace of splats, happily clearing the way for the Rainmaker to follow freely for the final few seconds. Just in case, I rejoin then via super-jump, and together we see out the battle in a well-defended corner. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: Long and short range in Splat Zones [14(5)-6, Custom Wellstring V]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/gbRGIJ9Zv5k/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: Long and short range in Splat Zones [14(5)-6, Custom Wellstring V]
The first approaching threat is the Decavitator, which a squidmate splats, and then the charger, up on the perch. That should be fine, I can probably deal with them. Or they can splat me. My squidmates dont fare much better, and the pinklings run their score down and encroach on our turf. I see what I can do about it, maybe pushing the Decavitator back, maybe not, but I splat the opposing Wellstring, before ignoring a Torpedo on favour of the Snipewriter, and getting splatted for it. My squidmates capture the Splat Zones at least, so my return feels more relaxed, letting me tidy up some mess. The pressure is soon back on, though, but thankfully we press through it more quickly this time, and get back to green Splat Zones with only a small buffer.
We try to keep the pressure on, and do well enough to get close to taking the lead, only for a Wave Breaker, of all things, to force me back and let the Splat Zones slip back in to pinkness. I then am reintroduced to the Snipewriter, peeking out with long range and quick successive shots. I try to get close to them on my return, and even though they see me I hope my capability for indirect shots to give me an advantage. I think their aim gives them the advantage, to be honest. I stay away from them next, keeping my distance. I get a lucky splat on the Decavitator, charging in to my shots, and with the Splat Zones turned green all that we as a team need to worry about is the Snipewriter, and not even they can keep all of us at bay at once.
The Splat Zones are ours, and we take the lead. We push in to pinkling turf a little. I splat the Decavitator on the ledge, and slink back to keep the Splat Zones green. The pink ink flies in from various angles. A Wave Breaker is thrown out after mine. And Torpedoes keep coming. I splat the source of them with a good follow-through shot, and our lead extends nicely as we ride the waves. I win another little duel with the Wellstring, if wary of the Snipewriters shots, and pull back a little, only to panic a little as the Decavitator gets close. I super-jump back, hoping to keep the momentum, but the pinklings get splats, and we cant ink the Splat Zones quickly enough. They turn pink, and the Decavitator comes for me. This time, I manage to splat them back.
I return to ink the Splat Zones, try for some splats, and avoid the Decavitator. I remember that I have Point Sensors, enough having already been thrown at me, and after a couple of close-range splats were back down to a long-range inking contest. Its a bit of push-and-pull, but we come out on top, and even when my squidmates are all splatted and its just me out there, cautious and hiding, the best the pinklings manage is to neutralise the Splat Zones. My squidmates come back before too long, putting us back to full strength. And maybe we drop down to half strength pretty quickly, but our inking power remains on form, and the pinklings cant do enough to turn the Splat Zones before time runs out. Woomy!")
![Splatoon 3: One-point Rainmaker [14(4)-6, Range Blaster]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/giYGpw3fgf8/mqdefault.jpg "Splatoon 3: One-point Rainmaker [14(4)-6, Range Blaster]
The Rainmaker shield gets orange quickly. Im just glad Im not caught in the blast. I ink here and there, trying to gain turf without then being an obvious target, and poke down the side to try to catch someone. Nothing there, so back a bit to the middle, only for a Trizooka to be fired our way. Down the side, wait it out, and pop out for a good splat, followed by a lucky close-range splat, and a decent enough third splat as the Heavy Splatling draws a bead on me. Despite only a Splattershot being around for the orange team, my squidmates dont take the opportunity to move the Rainmaker, and my quick return has my quickly getting splatted, as I fail to see a Suction Bomb. So it goes.
As my squidmates suffer similar fates, the orange team actually pick the Rainmaker up and move it. I have to make do on my own for a bit, which pretty much involves hiding. That lets the orange team hit the checkpoint, but I run the Dynamo Roller around a bit, before noticing my squidmates battling for the Rainmaker. I help pop it free, then splat the Heavy Splatling not looking my way and the Dynamo Roller with an excellent turn, and help with one of the Splattershots. Still my squidmates dont move the Rainmaker. Come on, guys.
The Rainmaker resets, we battle for it again, and I grab a refreshing beverage. There is a lot of frantic jostling for turf, and for splats, but zero movement of the Rainmaker, despite the Special weapons thrown around. Finally, Ive had enough dilly-dallying, and launch myself past an orange Sprinkler and Suction Bomb, grab the Rainmaker, and head kinda behind a Hammer to hit the checkpoint, as an oblivious Trizooka shoots elsewhere. Its a decent result, even if I get trapped when out of ink. We can do something with this position, right?
Apparently we cant. We get splatted, the orange team recover the Rainmaker, and were back at an impasse. At least a squidmate picks up the Rainmaker to move it back the other way, and its only good defence from the orange team that stops us before we get past half-way. Im by myself again as I return, so hide for a bit and pick my moment, splatting the Dynamo Roller but not the Heavy Splatling, at least not until some defensive blasting picks them off around a corner. At least we keep the orange team at bay still, even if Im disappointed to miss the Dynamo Roller the next time we meet.
Time is running out, but the Rainmaker is in orange turf, and we dont need to go far. We just need some determination and a bit of turf. Sadly, the orange team have both, and move the Rainmaker in to our turf. But as time ticks down, we splat the Rainmaker, recover it, and get a bit of luck in the Dynamo Roller disappearing. If only we realised that, calmed down a bit, and took our time at the end, instead of all rushing forwards in to a bottleneck guarded by a fresh Trizooka. Oh well.")
