Whether you’re brand new to Splatoon 3 or a returning fan brushing up on your fundamentals, Turf War is the heart of the experience. Unlike traditional shooters where eliminations are everything, here your true goal is simple: cover the ground with as much of your team’s ink as possible.

This guide compiles essential tips for newcomers (and a few veterans) that will help you not only understand Turf War’s dynamics, but also sharpen your strategy and stay ahead in every match.

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1. The Real Objective: Paint the Turf, Not Just Opponents

While splatting opponents feels satisfying—and certainly helps by slowing down the enemy team—it’s not the win condition in Turf War. Victory is measured by how much ground your team covers with ink, not by how many kills you rack up.

Think of this mode more like a domination or control point match in traditional FPS games. Focus on spreading your ink as widely and efficiently as possible, especially during the final 30 seconds.

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2. Don’t Ignore Your Base

It’s tempting to rush toward the middle of the map, but your starting base holds untapped value. Most enemy teams won’t make it into your base, which means any unpainted ground there is essentially free percentage you’re giving away.

Take the time at the start—and each time you respawn—to ink your base. It’s a smart way to boost your team’s coverage.

⚠️ Note: Inking walls doesn’t contribute to your score, but they’re vital for traversal. Paint them to create movement paths.

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3. Understand Shot Velocity and Arc

Splatoon 3 isn’t a point-and-click shooter. Weapons have visible bullet drop and arc, which impacts how you approach targets at various distances.

Use this to your advantage by slightly angling shots upward to extend range and ensure they connect. Mastering this mechanic will greatly improve both inking efficiency and splat consistency.

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4. Choose Weapons That Match Your Playstyle

Not every weapon is made for every player. Some are great for painting from a distance, others for aggressive play or flanking.

Every loadout comes with:

• A main weapon (shooter, roller, charger, etc.)
• A sub weapon (e.g. bombs or traps that cost ink)
• A special weapon (your ultimate ability)

Experiment with different kits to find what feels natural. Some specials like Tacticooler or Crab Tank offer team-wide utility or pure pressure. Choose what fits your rhythm.

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5. Use Your Special—Don’t Save It Forever

Your special meter charges as you paint, and sitting on a full meter is wasted potential. Specials like the Booyah Bomb, Killer Wail 5.1, or Zipcaster can swing momentum in seconds.

Use them wisely, but don’t hoard them. You want to use them multiple times per match—not just once right before the timer ends.

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6. Master Tactical Movement in Ink

Your team’s ink isn’t just paint—it’s your highway, your shield, and your hiding spot.

• Swim fast through inked ground
• Ambush enemies by hiding just beneath the surface
• Flank from behind to hit the backline or paint key areas

Opponents often focus forward—approaching from the side or rear can completely turn a fight.

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7. Use Verticality and High Ground

Maps in Splatoon 3 are layered, with lots of elevation changes. Use walls and ramps to gain height, giving you better visibility and paint spread.

High ground isn’t just for snipers—it also gives you wider inking range and positional advantage in fights.

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8. Manage Your Ink Economy

Ink is your ammo. You’ll burn through it fast if you’re not careful.

Refill by swimming in your team’s ink—ideally between fights or after a bomb throw. Running out mid-fight can leave you helpless.

Establish a rhythm:

• Paint
• Throw sub
• Dip back into ink to recharge
• Repeat

You also move faster and can reposition while refilling—making it essential in both combat and evasion.

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9. Learn New Mobility: Squid Roll & Squid Surge

These new techniques add depth to mobility:

• Squid Roll lets you leap out of enemy ink in a twirling dodge
• Squid Surge lets you rocket up walls and jump from the top

Both add a layer of mind-games and escape options, letting you stay alive longer and reposition more creatively.

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10. Gear Up for More Than Style

Clothing in Splatoon 3 isn’t just fashion. It comes with passive buffs—such as faster swim speed, ink recovery, or resistance to bombs.

When building gear sets:

• Choose abilities that match your playstyle
• Add one-sub utility abilities like Quick Super Jump, Ink Resistance, or Special Saver

These tiny buffs can save your life, speed up your recovery, or help you fight more consistently.

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Bonus Tip: Consider Gyro Controls

While gyro aiming might feel awkward at first, it offers incredible precision and speed once mastered. You can even play with split Joy-Cons to mimic a pointer-style setup, which many players find improves aim finesse.

If you’re struggling with stick-only aiming, give gyro a try. It’s worth the adjustment period.

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Final Thoughts

Turf War in Splatoon 3 is about balance: between aggression and coverage, combat and evasion, individuality and teamwork. With these tips, you’ll be equipped to make better decisions, ink smarter, and outplay your foes—one puddle at a time.

Practice your mechanics, explore your gear options, and most of all—have fun. See you on the battlefield!