Welcome to the pilot of “Map Mode of the Day,” a focused tactical breakdown series where we analyze one map and mode combination in Splatoon 2. Today’s feature: Clam Blitz on Goby Arena. This guide covers movement lines, control zones, flanking options, role expectations, and how to maximize team impact based on map dynamics.
Let’s break down what makes Goby Clam Blitz tick.
The Objective Line
We start with what we’ll call the Objective Line—the main path your team must control to reach the enemy basket. While flank routes exist, this line represents your team’s primary push vector and helps visualize how far along you are in terms of map control:
- Defensive Zone: Area closest to your spawn. If this is all your team holds, you’re defending.
- Neutral Zone: Mid-map area leading to the enemy basket. You’re contesting but not yet pressuring.
- Offensive Zone: Area around the enemy hoop and basket. You’re in scoring range.
- Lockout Zone: Fully pushed up. You’re controlling areas where enemies spawn, creating ideal scoring windows.
As your team gains space, you push the objective line forward. Lose ground, and you’re forced to reset.
Role Expectations
Slayers and Skirmishers
Your job is to clear forward on the objective line. Skirmishers draw aggro, slayers convert those openings into picks. A good tactic:
- Skirmisher distracts left side
- Slayer sharks on the right hoop, then pinches from behind as enemies collapse on your bait
Frontline Short-Range Shooters
Ideal positioning is near the enemy hoop, watching common chokepoints. If unchecked, you can ambush distracted enemies or Inkjet upward to pressure from height.
Backliners
Backlines hold forward progress and deny entry zones:
- Lock down the enemy hoop or mid-box
- Use specials like Sting Ray, Booyah, or Missiles to dislodge defenders from basket positions
Supports
Once your frontline pushes up, your job is to solidify gained ground:
- Paint the turf to cash in map control
- Gain special, spot clams faster (they glow in your ink), and ensure teammates have escape paths
Painted turf equals:
- Special gauge charge
- Movement options
- Clam visibility
More painted turf = longer pushes + better map vision.
Key Positions
- Right Hoop (Enemy Side): High-value location. Gives scoring access and is hard to defend against.
- Under Basket: Dangerous but grants fast clam throws. Consider flanks to clear this out.
- Mid Box: Holding this lets you control transitions from neutral to offensive zones.
- Grate at Basket Entrance: Extremely risky. You can’t shoot or move freely. Defenders with lethal bombs or chargers can easily hold this.
Specials and Paint Strategy
- Inkjet: Fantastic on Goby. Launch from behind cover and pressure the hoop area.
- Missiles/Sting Ray: Force defenders out from cover. Use on long-range defenders camping near the basket.
- Bomb Rush/Bomb Pressure: Great for clearing defenders off perches.
Always try to paint ahead of your team. If you’re scoring, maintain control over the enemy half to chain follow-up pushes. When defense regains space, quickly refill your side to prevent lockouts.
Defense Principles
When defending:
- Hold right hoop: Prevent enemies from gaining basket access.
- Watch flanks: Check for signs of ink near left flank. Don’t overcommit unless confirmed.
- Punish the grate: Stand below it and splat enemies trying to cross.
- Stagger respawns: Hold neutral or close positions after a scoring push to keep pressure and reduce full resets.
Common Flanks and Options
- Left Side Flank: Risky but powerful. Avoid painting unpaintable turf—enemy map watchers will see you. Time this flank with team pressure to sandwich defenders.
- Wall Behind Basket: Defend or attack from here. Watch for jumps and throws.
- Upper Left Box: Get teammates into the lockout position for super jumps and multi-angle scoring.
Be mindful: flanks are disadvantageous without coordination. Always communicate or coordinate pushes to prevent overextending.
Transitioning Map Control
Progression:
- Control your hoop
- Control mid box
- Move to enemy hoop
- Secure basket area
- Extend to lockout position
Paint and pressure along this path increases scoring consistency and defensive resilience.
Final Notes
Goby Arena’s tight corridors and multi-level layout reward teams with strong coordination, special synergy, and rapid response to positioning shifts. Flanks can make or break pushes. Control the right hoop, paint constantly, and always push forward together.
If you maintain painted turf and deny drop zones, you not only extend scoring pushes—you also slow down your opponents’ ability to counterattack. That’s the secret to long-term control.
Thanks for joining this first edition of Map Mode of the Day! If you’d like to see more or tweak the format, let me know. Catch you next time, squid squad.
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