Splatoon 2 Weapon Guide: Splash-o-matic (Vanilla) Overview and Strategy

Welcome back to the Victionary—a weapon guide series meant to give players a starting point and tactical insight into their favorite weapons. Today’s spotlight is on the Vanilla Splash-o-matic, a short-range shooter with incredible precision, unique utility tools, and a niche-but-potent role in competitive play. Whether you’re new to the weapon or just looking to master its mechanics, this guide has everything you need.

Weapon Overview

The Vanilla Splash-o-matic is a short-range shooter that features:

Toxic Mist (Sub Weapon)
Inkjet (Special Weapon)

It’s one of the only shooter-class weapons, alongside the Jet Squelcher, to have Toxic Mist, making it stand out for crowd control and area denial. This kit is also shared by the Ballpoint Splatling, so if you’ve used that and want a more mobile option, the Splash-o-matic could be a great choice.

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Strengths

Exceptional Accuracy: Post-3.2.0 buffs improved jump accuracy significantly. Misses due to jump flicks are far less likely now.
High Turfing Power: The Splash-o-matic excels at covering large patches of turf, which makes it invaluable for map control.
Fast Movement Speed: As a lightweight weapon, it offers increased base run and swim speed.
Low Special Cost (170p): You can charge Inkjet frequently, giving you more opportunities to influence key moments in a match.

Weaknesses

Four-Shot Kill: Less damage output means longer time-to-splat, especially against stronger mid-range weapons.
Limited Range: You’re often outranged by weapons like Splattershot Pro or Dualies, so positioning and smart engagements are critical.
Mismatch Between Playstyle and Kit: The aggressive nature of a shooter contrasts with the more defensive style of its sub and special.

Sub Weapon: Toxic Mist

Toxic Mist is a powerful utility tool. Here are the best ways to use it:

Clam Blitz: Toss it over the clam goal to slow down enemy pushes or during your own push to zone out defenders.
Rainmaker: Throw Mist along the likely path of the Rainmaker to add severe slowdown. Especially effective in tight corridors.
Tower Control: Place Mist on the tower to make it difficult for enemies to maintain control. Great for forcing them off during key moments.
Zoning and Ambush: Use Mist to delay opponents and set up ambushes. While Mist doesn’t prevent players from attacking, it can catch them off guard.

Use Ink Saver Sub to get more Mists out per fight or Sub Power Up to increase throw range.

Special Weapon: Inkjet

Inkjet allows you to play aggressively without compromising your mobility.

Use it to pressure anchor weapons or target clam ball carriers (who are marked).
Try to launch Inkjet from behind cover—after 3.2.0, opponents can see your landing marker, so don’t activate it in open space.
In endgame scenarios, pop out from corners or underneath platforms to surprise enemies and help secure a knockout.

Just remember: you can’t score a clam ball while using Inkjet, so plan your pushes accordingly.

Mode-Specific Tips

Clam Blitz

Excellent fit for this mode.
Mist buys time and confuses opponents during offensive and defensive plays.
High movement speed lets you juggle clams and sneak in scores.

Rainmaker

Mist slows Rainmaker holders dramatically.
Great on maps with narrow corridors (e.g., Humpback Pump Track, MakoMart).
Paint frequently to block enemy routes or prep your own paths.
Always have an Inkjet ready in case your flank goes wrong.

Tower Control

Mist is useful for contesting or defending the tower, but situational.
Use it at key checkpoints, but don’t rely on it when your team is outnumbered.
Throw Mist at your feet during 1v1s to reduce your opponent’s ability to dodge.
Inkjet can scare opponents off the tower—but if you don’t splat them, they may chase your landing spot.

Splat Zones

Can be tricky. You’re vulnerable in the open and often out-ranged.
Use movement and Mist for control, then flank with teammates.
Inkjet can swing fights, but poor positioning or overuse of Mist may expose your intent.

Map-Specific Considerations

Goby Arena: Good turfing options and opportunities for scoring.
Camp Triggerfish Zones: Not ideal—lacks reach to paint across chasms. You’ll need flanks or Inkjets to have impact.
Maps with narrow chokepoints (e.g., Humpback, MakoMart): Great for Mist usage and corner pressure.

Avoid places where high ground and long sightlines punish your limited range.

Recommended Abilities

Swim Speed Up / Run Speed Up: The Splash-o-matic is a speed demon—amplify that.
Ink Saver Sub / Sub Power Up: Enhance Mist spam potential and throw range.
Special Charge Up: Get more Inkjets faster.

Unlike some weapons that favor Ninja Squid, the Splash-o-matic benefits more from visibility and speed.

Summary

The Vanilla Splash-o-matic is a niche but versatile short-range weapon. Its synergy of accuracy, turfing power, and support tools makes it a strong asset—especially in Clam Blitz and Rainmaker. It requires smart positioning and excellent movement to offset its low damage and limited range.

Use Mist for disruption, Inkjet for aggression, and rely on your speed to reposition and support your team.

If you’re looking for a mobile, supportive shooter with high map coverage and utility—give the Splash-o-matic a try.

Thanks for reading! If you want more weapon breakdowns, check out the rest of the Victionary and leave your suggestions for future guides. Good luck out there, and keep splatting!