Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Gaming
  3. Guides

The best special weapons in Splatoon 3

Jesse Lennox
By

While Splatoon has always walked its own path in terms of weapons, opting for more family-friendly firearms like ink pistols, paint buckets, and giant rollers, most serve a similar purpose to the arsenal you’d find in other competitive shooters. You will equip your main and sub-weapons for either close-, mid-, or long-range encounters, with the added wrinkle of also wanting to be able to cover a lot of ground area as well. Where things get interesting, in both Splatoon 3 and more traditional shooters, is when ultimate or special weapons are added into the mix.

Special weapons in Splatoon 3 are just as unpredictable yet simultaneously perfect for the theme of the game as the main weapons. To access these weapons in a match, you will need to build up a charge by inking as much ground as possible. Once fully charged up, you will be able to pull out one of these powerhouse tools in a key moment that can turn the tides of battle in your team’s favor. There’s plenty to pick from, and all of them sound good, but these are our picks for the best special weapons in Splatoon 3.

Recommended Videos

See more

Crab Tank

An inkling rides a crab tank in Splatoon 3.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This new addition to Splatoon 3 was heavily shown off before the game came out, so naturally, a lot of players flocked to it to give it a try early on. This mobile tank is all it’s cracked up to be. You not only have a rapid-fire ink shooter but also the ability to lob a massive glob of ink. This does make you a bigger target and leaves your back exposed, but the Crab Tank is prepared for that as well. You can transform into mobile mode to quickly reposition and get the upper hand. Eventually, if you survive long enough, the Crab Tank will self-destruct (which won’t cause any damage) to keep you from abusing it for too long.

Related

Big Bubbler

A big bubbler in Splatoon 3.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Perhaps this special weapon is too good, considering you almost always see it in a match. The Big Bubbler is a deployable special weapon that emits a giant sphere-shaped barrier that blocks all enemy ink. However, the team that made the barrier is free to shoot ink through it. This effectively creates a safe zone for one team to cover the ground attack without much danger at all since the only ways around it are for the other team to avoid your fire and get inside the dome or destroy it by hitting the top.

Inkjet

An inkling riding a jetpack.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Inkjet is a more risky special weapon, but in the right hands can be very strong. When used, you will be equipped with an ink-propelled jetpack that sends you high above the map and equips you with an ink blaster. While flying, you are spraying twin ink streams below that you can use to cover ground or even splat opponents by flying directly over them. You can’t move as fast and are an easy target for snipers in the air, but when used with good team coordination, you can execute some awesome assaults from above while your teammates push from below.

Wave Breaker

An inkling holding a wave breaker.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Another utility type special, the Wave Breaker basically asks the other team to do an obstacle course while fighting you. How it works is you throw down the device, which then sends out waves of ink in horizontal rings along the ground. If the enemy is hit by one, they will take damage, forcing them to try and jump over them. They can’t even try and hide below the surface, either, since it will tag enemies in squid form. It only sends three waves out before deactivating and can be destroyed if shot, so it’s best used when you can get the most bang for your buck out of it.

Triple Inkstrike

A giant tornado of ink.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This is a special that you always hate to be on the receiving end of but certainly don’t mind using yourself. The Triple Inkstrike provides you with three orbs you toss out onto the map to designate where you want your ink missiles to land. These missiles explode into a massive column of ink, and the strike happens almost immediately after the ball is placed, so you don’t have to do too much planning ahead. Not only are these great for targeted coverage and attacking, but the ink streams last a decent amount of time as well, which can be used to block off smaller passageways.

Reefslider

An inkling riding a shark.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This is a fun new Splatoon 3 special that gives you a chance to ride on an inflatable shark. That alone might make it worth using, but it does actually have a lot of power. After summoning the shark, you select your direction and are automatically launched forward along that path, leaving a trail of ink in your wake. When you either reach the distance limit or choose to detonate early yourself, the inflatable shark will stop and let out a short-range splash of ink to anyone and anything around it. This one, similar to the Inkjet, can put you at some risk but is just so fun and deadly when you line up a perfect shot.

Ink Vac

An inkling holding a ink vac.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Last up, we have the Ink Vac. This special is perfect for coordinated teams, mostly. It will equip you with the titular weapon, which doesn’t shoot at first, but instead sucks in ink that’s shot at you. If you are aiming at an enemy, they will also have slowed movement speed while caught in your suction. When the timer runs out, all that ink you’ve built up can then be launched out in one massive ink explosion. The risks here are that, if the enemy team is smart, they can avoid shooting at you so you don’t build up much ink, and you will still need to aim and at least be close when firing your final shot to get the value out of it.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox
Jesse Lennox loves writing, games, and complaining about not having time to write and play games. He knows the names of more…
The best Switch games for 2023
Mario turning into Super Mario.

The Nintendo Switch has had a lot of success in the nearly six years since its release. The console-handheld hybrid has been on the market since 2017, and a slew of fantastic games from first- and third-party developers have launched over the course of the system's life cycle. Recently, heavy hitters such as Metroid Dread, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, and Kirby and the Forgotten Land have boosted the system's appeal, while a healthy list of upcoming Switch games continues to drum up excitement.

There are plenty of incredible games to enjoy on the Switch right now. But which ones should you check out? These are the best Nintendo Switch games (including free-to-play titles) for 2023.
Action

Read more
The best weapon upgrades in Alan Wake 2
Saga fights off a Taken in Alan Wake 2.

The Dark Place and Cultists in Alan Wake 2 may be dark and twisted manifestations of an evil force, but once you shed away the darkness, everything will fall into your arsenal of firearms. Neither Alan nor FBI agent Saga are exactly equipped with the firepower you'd want when wandering through the haunted woods and mind-bending Dark Place, but they can make do with what they have in clever ways. Saga specifically is skilled enough to upgrade all the weapons in her inventory to better protect herself against the supernatural threats that stalk her. Upgrades don't come cheap, and if you find all the weapons in the game, you will need to make some tough calls on how you improve them. Here are the upgrades you need to see the final chapter of Alan Wake 2's story.
How weapon upgrades work

You can upgrade your weapons whenever you like in Alan Wake 2 by visiting Saga's Mind Place. Any weapon you have is available to upgrade there, provided you have the required amount of manuscript fragments that you collect from the hidden Luncboxes around the map. These are distinct from the Cult Stashes, so be on the lookout for them since you will need to find quite a few before you can afford even the first upgrade.
Best weapon upgrades
More Bullets
Your starting pistol may not be the most flashy gun in Alan Wake 2, but it is always reliable and it never stops being effective. The first upgrade you should get has to be More Bullets. This will increase the pistol's default magazine size from 12 to 18. This will obviously make it easier and safer to deal with encounters since you won't be caught reloading as often but also helps keep your inventory clean since less space will be taken up for ammo.
Another Headshot
For another pistol upgrade, Another Headshot is very powerful if you're a sharpshooter. If you can score two headshots in a row, the unlucky Cultist will be stunned for a comically long time. That gives you plenty of time to either deal free damage, heal, or just run away if you're low on resources and not prepared for a fight.
Ready for More
The best shotgun upgrade is easily Ready for More. Healing is not only a limited resource, which again takes up inventory space but also a somewhat long animation. If you're in a tight situation and on the verge of death, there usually isn't much you can do. Ready for More can bail you out since it will turn any kill you get with the shotgun into a bit of healing. It isn't a huge amount, but every bit makes a difference.
Two Shots
The Crossbow may be a late-game addition to your toolset, but is absolutely worth saving some manuscript fragments to upgrade ASAP. Two Shots is borderline essential, making it so you can fire twice rather than just once before needing to reload.
Magnetic Pull
Magnetic Pull could be the best upgrade in the game. With it, after you skewer an enemy with a bolt, switching to another gun will make those bullets track to the bolt for guaranteed hits. If you're comfortable swapping weapons on the fly, this is satisfying and efficient.

Read more
The best weapons in Lords of the Fallen
A knight with a large sword prepares to stab a dragon in Lords of the Fallen.

While you technically could get through a game like Lords of the Fallen bare-handed and wearing no armor, most people will have a far better experience using real weapons and armor. Weapons in particular are key to soulslikes since the weapon you want, or at least the type, is key to how you will want to build your character and distribute your stats. Just like a FromSoftware game, every weapon has different stat requirements and scaling grades that make some objectively better than others. While it isn't terribly difficult to compare the weapons you find, Lords of the Fallen gets crazy with just how many different weapons there are across all the different types. Rather than build using the wrong stats for a weapon that will be outclassed, here are some of the best weapons in Lords of the Fallen for any build.
The best weapons in Lords of the Fallen

With hundreds of weapons across all the different types, we've narrowed our list down to some of the best that cover all the major builds you would consider running.
Pieta's Sword
Swords are going to be one of the most popular weapon types in this game. Not only are they kind of the default weapon for soulslikes, but Lords of the Fallen has an almost overwhelming number of them to pick from. This shortsword can be purchased fairly easily from Molhu at the Remembrance of Pieta for 40 Umbral Scourings. This is a boss weapon that comes from none other than Pieta herself and is one of the best zoning swords in the game. It is made for Radiance builds, and comes with the Smite status effect of 100. You need your Radiance stat to be 25 or higher to wield it, and it scales starting at a C and ends at an A- rank with that same stat after upgrades.
Hallowed Praise
To throw a second short sword into the mix for consideration, we turn to another early-game option. Unlike the last pick, this sword is more traditional and works best for agility-focused builds, but with the added effect of 80 Bleed on each hit for some spice. You only need 12 Agility to equip it, again making it great early on, and it scales starting at C, but can go up to A with Agility.
Bloodlust
Despite the name, Bloodlust actually isn't as focused on Bleed as Hallowed Praise. That said, it has both 60 Bleed and Burn damage on hit. What pushes this to a top-tier sword, though, is the special effect of restoring a small amount of HP for each kill. You'll need to build to at least level 3 in both Agility and Inferno to use it, but it's more than worth it. Bloodlust scales with both Agility and Inferno, starting at a C in both and ending at an A-.
Hushed Saint's Halberd
Polearms are a more niche choice, but those who know how to handle them are almost untouchable. The Hushed Saint's Halberd is another weapon you should save up to buy from Molhu for 20 Umbral Scourings if you are going for a Strength and Agility build. It admittedly doesn't scale as high as other weapons on this list, but it does come with an insane 150 Poison effect that can easily make up for the lack of raw damage. You'll need a decent 19 Strength and 16 Agility to make use of it, and its dual scaling for those stats starts at C and D, but works up to B+ and C+, respectively.
Iron Wayfarer's Hammer
Another boss weapon that you can claim, this time by beating the Iron Wayfarer, is that character's hammer. If you are anything like us, seeing how deftly this boss utilized it against you will inspire you to try it out for yourself, and boy is it worth it. If you're using a Strength build, this could be the last weapon you ever need. It will take a huge 31 Strength to even hold, but this is a powerhouse. Despite scaling with Strength, Agility, Radiance, and Inferno, you really only need to pay attention to Strength. It starts at a B- but turns into an S by the time you hit +9 with it, while all other characteristics only go from E to D at best.
Charm of Fortune's Sight
We haven't forgotten you mage builds out there! Sure, catalysts aren't technically "weapons" in the strict definition, but they serve essentially the same purpose for spellcasters. Again, pay a visit to everyone's favorite vendor Molhu in Skyrest to buy it off him. What's so special about this catalyst in particular is that it lets you use four different spell types at once, in addition to boosting their power. You will need to be a bit of a mixed build as it requires 12 Radiance and Inferno, which are the two stats it scales with as well. To start, you get C- scaling in both, but end up with B when at +9.
Bow of the Convert
Spellcasters might be a small percentage of players, but archers are even less popular. However, they're a completely viable build in Lords of the Fallen, especially with the Bow of the Convert. Just looking at the stats, it might not seem all that special, but it has an 80 in Bleed, Burn, Poison, and Frostbite. If you add on elemental arrows, you're likely to hit an unsuspecting enemy with four or five status effects in a single shot. You only need 16 Agility to equip this bow, and the scaling isn't even that bad once you upgrade it. It starts at a C and ends at a B+.

Read more