Welcome, squids! If you’re venturing into the competitive waters of Splatoon 2, you’ve likely heard about tournaments, team comps, and maybe even the elusive “Looty” divisions. But one term you need to know intimately if you’re serious about leveling up is scrims. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to strengthen your squad’s performance, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about scrims—from their structure and purpose to etiquette, strategy, and sustainability.

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What Are Scrims?

Scrims (short for scrimmages) are structured private battles between two competitive teams, usually of similar skill levels. They’re not casual pickups or random solo queue matches—they are intentional practice sessions, often with specific goals like:

• Testing new team compositions
• Practicing a specific map or mode
• Prepping for an upcoming tournament
• Gaining experience against unfamiliar teams

Because they take place in private lobbies, you have the freedom to replay games, adjust comps between rounds, and even include a spectator—like a coach—who can analyze and provide feedback afterward.

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Why Scrim?

Scrimming isn’t just about playing more matches. It’s about practicing smarter. When you repeatedly face the same team, you start to notice patterns—your opponent’s tendencies, your own weaknesses, or synergy lapses in your squad. These repeated engagements allow for micro-adjustments between games that simply aren’t possible in the chaos of solo queue.

Different levels of opponents serve different purposes:

• Lower-level scrims help warm up after breaks, test new weapons, or onboard new teammates.
• Equal-level scrims offer the most balanced and productive experience—serious games, back-and-forth tension, and meaningful insights.
• Higher-level scrims are brutal, but if approached with humility, they can become excellent learning opportunities. However, repeated blowouts aren’t always helpful and can hurt morale. Know when to pull the plug and move on.

For newer teams, especially those without experience in tournaments or Looty divisions, it’s better to start small. Don’t label yourselves a “Div 4” team before you’ve played at that level—set goals, work your way up, and scrim teams who are a reasonable match for your current abilities.

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Finding Scrims: Discord Is Your Best Friend

Most scrims are organized through Discord servers, either by team captains or individual players. Common communities like the Looty server, Splatubus, and others have dedicated scrim channels where you can:

• Post looking for opponents
• See who else is available and DM them
• Specify skill level, availability, and preferred modes

Sometimes, you may hear about a team through word of mouth or a scrim channel. Reach out politely via DM, and if they’re interested, you’ve got a match.

Another scrim format is Pickups—less formal, team-less sessions where random players form temporary squads. These are great for intermediate or higher-level players wanting to play with others at or above their level without needing a full team. But for newcomers, pickups can be overwhelming. Try joining with a friend or experienced player first.

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Structuring Your Scrim Sessions

Scrims can range from 30 minutes to over 2 hours, depending on what both teams want. There’s no set rule, but don’t burn yourself out. If you’re tired or underperforming, it’s okay to:

• Ask for a break
• Sub yourself out
• End the scrim early

After a scrim, especially if your team is looking to improve, go over the footage or replay the mental highlights:

• What worked?
• Where did things break down?
• Were specials timed effectively?
• Was positioning coordinated?

If possible, record your matches using a capture card or built-in software. Analyzing them afterward offers incredible insights that in-the-moment awareness often misses.

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How to Behave in Scrims: Mindset and Etiquette

How seriously you take scrims is up to you—but a good mindset matters. If you’re playing against a stronger team and getting steamrolled, don’t spiral. Treat every match as a fresh start. Focus on learning. Try to isolate one or two small goals for each game: maybe better paint control, or more consistent special coordination.

On the flip side, if your opponents are too easy, don’t switch off completely. Give them a good fight and practice refining basic skills like timing and positioning. But if the scrim isn’t beneficial for either team, it’s okay to end it respectfully and look for a better match.

Try to enter each scrim with a rough team comp in mind. Be adaptable depending on the opposing team’s choices. For instance, if the other team lacks an anchor, that might be your chance to run something like Hydra on Zones. Identify patterns in their early-game aggression or defensive habits and adjust accordingly.

A quick team debrief after each round—even 30 seconds—is often more helpful than waiting until the end. Tweak, adapt, reset.

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When and How Often to Scrim

Timing matters. Early evenings are generally ideal—you’re awake, done with school or work, and still fresh. Don’t scrim when:

• You’re mentally exhausted
• It’s too late to focus
• You’ve been playing all day and hitting a wall

Scrims are only useful when you can give them your full attention. Quality beats quantity every time. An hour of good, focused scrims is more beneficial than three hours of going through the motions.

Know your limits. Daily scrims can lead to burnout. Practice in moderation and use your off-days to reflect, review footage, or just recharge.

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Final Thoughts: Make Scrims Work for You

Scrims are the engine behind most competitive improvement in Splatoon 2. They offer structure, variety, and a real chance to test your team in ways solo queue never could. But they only work if you treat them with intent:

• Set goals.
• Stay flexible.
• Respect your time and energy.
• Learn from wins and losses.

Most importantly, get involved. Join the servers. Make friends. Meet new players. Scrims aren’t just about skill—they’re about community, growth, and shared passion for the game.

Thanks for reading, and best of luck on your journey through the competitive scene. With the right mindset and habits, your team can climb the ranks and become a formidable force in no time.