Splatoon 2 Guide Weapons & Gear Gear
Tester Loadouts
Need some help choosing your weapons and gear? The game’s testers have been kind enough to let you in on a few of their secrets. Here are some sample loadouts for different types of playstyles. Use these weapon/ability combinations to get the upper hand in any Ink Battle. Of course, these are just a few ideas. Feel free to experiment with the vast selection of weapons and abilities to create your own favorite loadouts.
Short-Range Combat
Recommended Weapon: Luna Blaster
Recommended Abilities:
If you like scoring one-shot splats, the Luna Blaster is tough to beat. But this high-damage weapon has ridiculously limited range—even some rollers have better reach—requiring you to get close to opponents, preferably when they’re not looking. Ninja Squid allows you to swim forward without being spotted. Swim Speed Up helps offset the slower swim speed attributed to Ninja Squid. The Luna Blaster is a thirsty weapon, so use Ink Saver (Main) to help manage its rapid ink consumption.
Mid-Range Combat
Recommended Weapon: N-Zap ’85
Recommended Abilities:
The N-Zap ’85 is one of the most versatile rapid-fire weapons, making it a solid choice for mid-range gameplay, ideal for splatting opponents or spreading ink. Equip Ink Saver (Main) to improve the weapon’s already impressively low ink consumption. The Ink Resistance Up ability is also useful, increasing your mobility while you’re stuck in enemy ink. Of course, Ninja Squid is always advantageous, particularly when you’re performing sneaky flanking maneuvers.
Long-Range Combat
Recommended Weapon: Jet Squelcher
Recommended Abilities:
Sporting nearly the same range as the Splat Charger, the Jet Squelcher is a good option when you want to engage at long range without sacrificing rapid fire. The new Thermal Ink ability comes in handy for this loadout—when hitting an opponent, you continue to see them even as they move behind a wall or other piece of cover. This allows you to anticipate their movements and line up shots with greater ease. Ink Saver (Main) and Ink Recovery Up help you deal with the Jet Squelcher’s high ink consumption. The Splattershot Pro and Heavy Splatling are good alternatives when seeking long-range weapons with rapid fire.
Turf War
Recommended Weapon: Aerospray MG
Recommended Abilities:
When it comes to spreading ink in Turf War, the Aerospray MG is a popular choice, thanks to its wide cone of ink coverage. It’s also a formidable weapon when encountering opponents at close range. This loadout benefits from a boost in speed, so use Run Speed Up and Swim Speed Up to push forward and ink more territory. And while you’re spreading so much ink, the Special Charge Up decreases the amount of turf you need to cover before acquiring the loadout’s Curling Bomb Launcher—which, in turn, allows you to spread more ink.
Splat Zones
Recommended Weapon: Rapid Blaster
Recommended Abilities:
During Splat Zones, stay along the perimeter and use the Rapid Blaster to saturate the zone with ink. Of the Blasters, the Rapid Blaster has the longest range, making it ideal for attacking or defending from the perimeter. The weapon drains ink quickly, so compensate with the Ink Saver (Main) ability. With so much ink flying around one area, you’re likely to get stuck in enemy puddles, so use Ink Resistance Up to improve your mobility. Quick Super Jump allows you to swiftly get back into the action by Super Jumping to a teammate or Squid Beakon.
Rainmaker
Recommended Weapon: Aerospray RG
Recommended Abilities:
It’s easiest to pop the Rainmaker’s bubble with a rapid-firing weapon. The two Aerospray variants have the highest rates of fire, making them good choices for securing this super weapon at the start of a round. The Aerospray is also a good option for flanking. Expect plenty of bombs to fly in Rainmaker; use Bomb Defense Up to reduce incoming explosive damage. Run Speed Up and Swim Speed Up are other useful abilities to consider during this fast-paced game mode.
Tower Control
Recommended Weapon: Blaster
Recommended Abilities:
When you’re defending in Tower Control, a good Blaster is essential for splatting opponents riding the tower. Tower riders tend to hide in their ink or behind the vertical post. By firing just above the tower, Blasters have the ability to rain down ink from above, splatting opponents regardless of where they’re hiding. Since bombs are always flying in this mode, Bomb Defense Up is a worthwhile ability. Use Quick Super Jump for rapid response to the stage’s center. When your team controls the tower, the Special Gauge fills at a faster rate. Special Charge Up increases the fill rate even more, ensuring you can access your special more frequently.