Specials

Unlike sub weapons, specials aren’t readily available at the start of a match. Instead, you must earn the special by inking territory. The more territory you ink, the faster the circular special gauge fills, located in the upper-right corner of the screen. Once the special gauge is full, you can activate your special. But when and where you activate a special is important. Specials grant you a variety of offensive and defensive bonuses, but these bonuses only remain active for a few seconds. On the other hand, if you’re splatted while a special is ready, you’ll lose the special and progress on the special gauge when you respawn. So don’t wait too long to use those specials.

Bubbler

Availability:

• Splattershot Jr.
• Classic Squiffer
• Rapid Blaster
• Custom Blaster

You can never go wrong with Bubbler. When activated, a small impenetrable bubble appears around your character, rendering you invincible for approximately five seconds. Bubbler can also be shared with teammates. When activating Bubbler next to a teammate, they’ll also get a protective bubble around them. You can also run into a teammate while Bubbler is active to give them Bubbler too—but it will only be active for the same remaining time as yours. So make an effort to seek out a teammate before activating this special. Due to its relatively limited duration, only activate Bubbler when you absolutely need it, such as the beginning of a firefight with an opponent. Bubbler is also effective when entering known high-traffic areas such as Splat Zones and chokepoints where you know enemy ink is flying.

Bomb Rush

Availability:

• Splattershot
• Splat Charger
• Splatterscope
• Rapid Blaster Deco

Activating Bomb Rush allows you to deploy unlimited sub weapons, including Splat Bombs, Burst Bombs, and Suction Bombs. This special remains active for approximately six seconds. During this time, continually spam sub weapons in an effort to take out opponents and spread ink—don’t worry, you won’t run out of ink while Bomb Rush is active. During Turf War, a last-minute push with Bomb Rush can make all the difference, especially if using Splat Bombs or Suction Bombs, covering ink over a wide area before the opposing team can respond.

Echolocator

Availability:

• Custom Splattershot Jr.
• .96 Gal
• Dynamo Roller
• Dual Squelcher
• E-Liter 3K

Echolocator instantly reveals the locations of all opponents on the stage for approximately twelve seconds. And it doesn’t just work for you. Your teammates can see the locations of the enemy too. Opponents are shown on the screen as circling squid icons. The lines extending from your character’s feet show the direction in which each opponent is located—so even if an enemy is behind you, you get an indicator. With a quick glimpse, you can see exactly where each enemy is positioned. Use Echolocator in conjunction with a teammate’s Killer Wail or Inkstrike. By knowing the locations of each enemy, aiming the Killer Wail and Inkstrike specials is much easier, resulting in more splatted opponents.

Killer Wail

Availability:

• Splat Roller
• Kelp Splat Charger
• .52 Gal
• Blaster
• Kelp Splatterscope

Killer Wail is an extremely powerful special, ideal for splatting opponents caught within its lethal sonic cone. When activated, you’re prompted to aim the device, which appears like a large megaphone. In addition to rotating the device, you can also tilt it, aiming it up or down. Once set, shoot the Killer Wail to send a sonic blast through the stage. This wave travels through the entire stage, passing through walls and other objects. Given the special’s linear attack, aim it down narrow corridors or high-traffic chokepoints. While the Killer Wail doesn’t spread ink, any opponents unlucky enough to be caught within its blast will explode, spreading your team’s ink over a small area.

Inkzooka

Availability:

• Tentatek Splattershot
• Aerospray MG
• New Squiffer
• Forge Splattershot Pro

This shoulder-fired bazooka-like weapon fires swirling tornados of ink, instantly splatting opponents and leaving behind a narrow ink trail. This is by no means a precision weapon, but while active, you can fire the Inkzooka continuously for approximately six seconds, sending multiple twisters of ink across the stage. But be careful where you fire the Inkzooka. The recoil of each shot nudges you backward. If you’re standing near a ledge, this recoil may knock you off the side of the stage. You could also get pushed backward into enemy ink, so make sure the area around your feet is thoroughly coated in your team’s ink. The Inkzooka is also difficult to fire when aiming down over a ledge. For best results, activate Inkzooka when you’re on the same level as your opponent or just below them.

Kraken

Availability:

• Krak-On Splat Roller
• Custom Jet Squelcher

Activating Kraken transforms your character into a large, invincible squid for approximately six seconds. While in Kraken form, you can swim around a stage (including all inked and non-inked surfaces) leaving behind an ink trail your team can utilize to push deeper into enemy territory. You can also jump, taking out opponents in your path. You must jump to perform a lethal melee strike—simply bumping opponents will only push them around, inflicting no damage. But just like swimming in squid form, you can’t cross over mesh walkways or grates while Kraken is active. If you attempt to swim over a grate, you will just fall through. This is an excellent way to avoid a pursuing enemy Kraken—rush over a grate to escape.

Inkstrike

Availability:

• Jet Squelcher
• Splattershot Pro
• .52 Gal Deco
• Aerospray RG
• Gold Dynamo Roller

When Inkstrike is activated, you’re prompted to choose a target area on the GamePad’s map. While choosing a target, your character remains still and is extremely vulnerable to attack, so find a safe corner before initiating Inkstrike. Once a target area is selected, a large, ink-filled missile fires off your character’s back. Upon impact, the missile unleashes a tornado of ink, swirling about and spreading ink over a wide area. This makes Inkstrike extremely effective during Splat Zones. One Inkstrike can usually contest or outright capture an enemy-held Splat Zone. If you’re on the receiving end of an Inkstrike, watch for the swirling indicator on the ground—this is your cue to escape before the missile impacts. When possible, swim away from an incoming Inkstrike—you’re taking a risk if you try to outrun the ink tornado.