Welcome, fellow Inklings—and more importantly, welcome to Team Ketchup. If you picked something else, you can still read this, but you’ve already let Marina down. Now, for those ready to claim dominance in Splatfest and walk the hallowed streets of Inkopolis as royalty, this is the guide for you. Whether you’re booting up Splatoon 2 for the very first time or have been swimming through ink since the Wii U days, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to win the Splatfest and beyond.

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What is Splatfest and Why Does It Matter?

Splatfests are more than just weekend events—they’re the pinnacle of Splatoon culture. Nintendo has always celebrated these events as major milestones. In fact, major story beats in the Splatoon universe hinge on the results of past Splatfests. In Splatoon 2, the stakes are even higher, because now owning a Nintendo console is cool again, and the competition is fierce.

Winning a Splatfest means bragging rights, glory, and most importantly, making Marina proud. And isn’t that what this is really about?

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Step One: Choose the Right Team

This might sound trivial, but the team you choose can impact your experience. Pro tip? Follow your favorite content creator or go with Marina’s pick. If that doesn’t help, follow your heart—unless your heart says “Cake,” in which case, it’s wrong.

Once you’ve picked Team Ketchup (obviously), grab your Splatfest Tee and start working on it. You’ll want to level this shirt up fully before the Splatfest proper.

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Step Two: Prepare Your Inkling (Especially If You’re New)

If you’re brand new to the game, play through the single-player campaign. Not only will this get you comfortable with Splatoon’s movement and combat, but it will also earn you food and drink tickets from Worlds 2 through 5, which will later help you earn XP and money faster.

Next, aim for Level 4 to unlock more gear. At Level 10, you can jump into Ranked Battles, but for now, Turf War is your proving ground.

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Understanding Weapon Types

There are three main weapon categories, plus a few extra oddballs. Here’s a breakdown:

• Shooters: Versatile and beginner-friendly. Includes weapons like the Splattershot and Splattershot Jr. They’re good for everything—inking turf, splatting foes, and building up your special.
• Chargers: Long-range sniper rifles. Use them if you like precise play and can aim under pressure. Scopes vs. no scopes comes down to preference.
• Rollers: Easy to use, but limited range. Great for turf coverage and surprise splats. Don’t be that camper who hides in ink for cheap kills.

Sub-categories include:

• Inkbrushes: Extremely fast mobility but weak ink coverage.
• Sloshers: Buckets of doom that arc over walls.
• Splatlings: Think miniguns—charge before firing.

Try them all in the test range and pick what fits your style.

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Gearing Up: Picking the Right Abilities

Your gear is more than just fashion—it can define your effectiveness. You can:

• Buy it in shops
• Order it from other players
• Use the Nintendo Switch Online app

Use tickets from Salmon Run or reroll gear using ability chunks to customize your setup. Prioritize abilities that match your playstyle—speed buffs, ink efficiency, special charge, etc.

Also, level your Splatfest Tee and re-roll it as needed. Use Crust Bucket tickets to increase cash and XP gains during battles.

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The Level-Up and Grind Strategy

You’ll want to maximize XP and money before and during Splatfest:

• Use Crust Bucket tickets for boosts
• Play Ranked Battles after hitting Level 10 for better rewards (but beware: wins matter more, and losses hit harder)
• Otherwise, stay in Turf War and aim to ink at least 1,000 points per match regardless of outcome

As you win, your weapon gains “Freshness,” which can result in bonus rewards. The best advice here is simple: win consistently.

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The Golden Rule: Focus on the Objective

Splatoon is not Call of Duty. Splatting is secondary. Your main goal—especially in Turf War—is to cover ground with ink. Splatting opponents can help disrupt them, but don’t chase kills.

Ideal team breakdown:

• One dedicated splatter (a Charger or Slosher user)
• Everyone else focused on inking turf

Other critical advice:

• Always be moving
• Spread out—don’t clump together
• Use the map to check where enemies are, safe jump spots, and which areas need coverage
• Ink your spawn—towards the end of a match, not the beginning

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Using Your Special Weapons

Here’s a quick rundown of some key specials:

• Ink Armor: Use early unless your team is far from conflict
• Tenta Missiles: Best launched from base; squid jump to aim
• Splashdown: Activate when surrounded or during a jump to surprise enemies
• Sting Ray: Aim before activating—it limits your vertical tracking
• Inkjet: Ideal for pressuring enemy lines; use ink stream for added control

Every special has its moment. Use wisely and avoid spamming them without purpose.

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Final Notes and Strategy Wrap-Up

You now have the tools to get good. Really good. This game is about teamwork, map awareness, and efficiency. Don’t stress if you lose a few matches early—keep learning and adjusting.

And above all: Don’t jump to teammates blindly. It’s a trap. Check your map first.

If you’re consistent, strategic, and geared properly, you’ll rise through the Splatfest ranks like a true King. Or Queen. But let’s not get caught up in titles—we all know who rules this game: Team Ketchup.

So gear up, get inky, and make Marina proud.

And if this helped, go subscribe to your favorite Splatoon content creators, share with your fellow scrubs, and keep spreading the ink.