A year ago, we looked at ways to use and counter Splatoon 3’s special weapons. Now with four new specials added, it’s time for a full refresh. Below are practical tips—some new, some improved—for each special ability, both in using them effectively and countering them smartly.

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Kraken Royale

• Using: Don’t fixate on one target. Switch between opponents to apply more pressure and reduce chances of being juked.
• Countering: Don’t fight it head-on. Focus instead on zoning and pressuring its teammates.

Super Chump

• Using: It’s not about forcing movement—use it to create safe fight zones. Deploy where you intend to push.
• Countering: Don’t waste time shooting all chumps. Prioritize clearing the ones that pose risk and move away from drop zones.

Splattercolor Screen

• Using: It blocks everyone’s view, including your team’s. Consider lateral deployment or timing to avoid blocking ally specials like Crab Tank.
• Countering: Use vision tools like Point Sensor. If you’re a sharking weapon, use the screen as visual cover to ambush.

Triple Splashdown

• Using: Avoid super jump usage unless precise. Default use is better—use the fists to zone and trade.
• Countering: Learn its height and delay. Don’t panic—only shoot if you’re confident you can stop it. Sometimes, dodging is better.

Zipcaster

• Using: Don’t chase runners. Abuse your speed to hit distracted or out-of-position enemies.
• Countering: Track the end point via the tether. Punish the post-Zip lag with one-shot or burst weapons.

Inkjet

• Using: Use hover boost to dodge, especially short-range enemies. Great for dodging chargers.
• Countering: Hide under grates. Learn timing to parry with squid rolls for survival.

Reefslider

• Using: It’s now the fastest panic button. Use it to get away or try for a trade.
• Countering: It’s still punishable after detonation. Use bombs or high-damage shots to catch lag.

Trizooka

• Using: Target someone, then reposition and shoot again. Use remaining shots for area control.
• Countering: Fast healing helps—damage reduced from 60 to 53 means you can tank more if smart.

Crab Tank

• Using: Start in a good spot. If you must move, strafe diagonally for faster repositioning.
• Countering: Ball form is very punishable. Use area weapons to force it early.

Ultra Stamp

• Using: Prioritize fighting shooters, dualies, and splatlings—they’re weakest against stamp.
• Countering: Aim low. Standing still lets you land easier shots through the front block.

Big Bubbler

• Using: Place where you can block the weak point with terrain (e.g., hagglefish tower).
• Countering: Don’t let bubbler users sneak in. Deny access to key areas before they deploy.

Ink Vacuum

• Using: Perfect for capping zones or popping Rainmaker. Learn lineups.
• Countering: Don’t feed it. Avoid wasteful spam or shooting it when it’s irrelevant.

Tacticooler

• Using: Use terrain to shield the stand—cooler break cancels the cooldown only if it’s early.
• Countering: Everyone rushes to the cooler. Use bombs, area weapons, or ambush tactics.

Wave Breaker

• Using: Use it mid-fight to block bullets or create an anchor point. Works well as soft cover.
• Countering: Don’t always destroy it—avoid or let teammates handle it. Grounded weapons must focus it.

Booyah Bomb

• Using: Chain into other momentum. Use it to extend pressure after a win in combat.
• Countering: Many new specials like Trizooka and Tristrike can break it—watch and snipe.

Ink Storm

• Using: Maximize its full 8-second travel path. Cast behind objectives to sweep teams.
• Countering: Damage is low—stay in it if needed and disengage later.

Killer Wail 5.1

• Using: Target two or more for pressure spread. Best when it divides their team.
• Countering: Don’t super jump during this. It melts too fast now.

Triple Inkstrike

• Using: Use for more than paint—counter other specials and area denial.
• Countering: Bombs work great against the vulnerable casting phase. Don’t let them free-cast.

Tenta Missiles

• Using: With its new 10-second cooldown, play for team reveals and displacement, not spam.
• Countering: Listen for lock-on. Spread out and keep objective areas missile-free.