Core Gameplay

This guide breaks down the core gameplay of Splatoon 3 on the Nintendo Switch by player progression tiers. Each tier covers the main gameplay loop, combat and interaction systems, progression, exploration, quests/missions, economy, character/build growth, and endgame structures. Examples are specific to Splatoon 3 and include platform details where relevant.

Core Systems Overview

Ink Mechanic: All your ink covers turf, damages enemies, and lets you swim (squid/octo form). Moving through enemy ink slows you down and damages you.

Weapons: Main weapon (e.g., Splattershot, Roller), sub weapon (e.g., Splat Bomb, Burst Bomb), and special weapon (e.g., Tenta Missiles, Ink Storm).

Controls: Use gyro aiming for precision or stick-only. Recommended: Gyro + stick for camera movement.

Modes: Turf War (casual), Anarchy Battle (Ranked modes: Splat Zones, Tower Control, Rainmaker, Clam Blitz), Salmon Run (PvE), Tableturf Battle (card game), and Single‑Player (Alterna and Return of the Mammalians).

Progression: Player Level (XP), Catalog Level (seasonal), Gear Abilities (via chunks, drinks, scrubbing), Weapon Freshness, and Rank (C to S+).

Early Game (Level 1–10)

Gameplay Loop

Main Activity: Turf War matches (4v4). Each match lasts 3 minutes; cover as much ground with your ink as possible. After the match, you earn experience points (XP), cash, and gear for leveling.

Supporting Activities: Play through the Hero Mode (Alterna) campaign stages to learn advanced movement, try weapons, and earn Sheldon Licenses (used to unlock weapons). Also play Salmon Run (PvE wave-based) to earn bonuses and practice in a lower-stress environment.

Example First Steps: Complete tutorial (Turf War vs. AI), then jump into Turf War online. Use the Splattershot Jr. (default weapon) to learn ink coverage and sub weapon (Splat Bomb). After a few matches, start Hero Mode to unlock the Splat Roller or Splat Charger via Sheldon.

Combat / Interaction Systems

Aiming & Shooting: Hold ZR to fire ink. Use right stick for horizontal aim, tilt Switch (gyro) for vertical adjustments – this is the golden standard for accuracy.

Squid Form: Press ZL to turn into ink. Swim quickly in your ink to dodge, ambush, or reposition. While swimming, you can launch up ink walls or surfaces that you've inked.

Sub Weapons: Press R to use sub weapon (e.g., Splat Bomb). These cost a portion of your ink tank, so manage your ink gauge (displayed on screen).

Special Weapon: Build special gauge by covering turf or splatting enemies. Once full, press X (or R+Analog stick on Pro Controller) to activate (e.g., Tenta Missiles).

Ink Tank: Refills by staying in your ink (squid form) or walking over ink patches. Monitor the tank icon in HUD.

Progression

Player Level: Gain XP from matches (winning, ink coverage, kills). Level requirements: Level 1 → 2: ~500 XP, Level 10: ~3,000 XP per level. Level 10 unlocks Anarchy Battle (ranked).

Weapon Unlocks: Use Sheldon Licenses (earned from Hero Mode and leveling) to buy weapons from the shop. Early game gives you ~10 licenses. Example: Level 4 unlocks Splattershot, Level 7 unlocks Splat Roller.

Gear Progression: Gear (head, clothing, shoes) has base abilities + slots. Unlock slots by leveling gear (using it in battles) or using Ability Chunks. Early game: buy from shops (Cash) or receive as Tour points.

Catalog Level: Seasonal catalog (approx. 3 months). Earn points by playing matches. Levels 1–10 give basic items like gear, cosmetics, and Super Sea Snails (for gear upgrading).

Exploration

Hub World: Splatsville / The Shoal (lobby). The Hub is small; you can practice in the lobby area or test weapons at Sheldon's shop. No open world, but you can walk around and interact with multiple booths.

Alterna (Single-Player): Each world (e.g., Sulfurous Splatsville) contains multiple levels. Explore each level to find hidden collectibles (Sardines, Power Eggs). Early game: Focus on finishing first world to unlock basic upgrades for the story and earn Sheldon Licenses.

Quests / Missions

Hero Mode (Alterna): Main story campaign, ~30 main levels across 6 worlds. Each level is a specific challenge (e.g., platforming, boss, ink puzzle). Completing a level rewards Power Eggs (used for upgrades) and Sheldon Licenses.

Turf War Tutorial: The game's first mission is a guided Turf War match against computer opponents.

Salmon Run (Shift): A PvE horde mode where you collect Golden Eggs from bosses. Each shift lasts ~2 hours; complete shifts to earn bonus points and cash. Early game: use it to earn cash and tokens.

Tableturf Battle (Card Game): Optional 1v1 card game. Grid-based strategy using decks you build. Early game: learn the rules with a starter deck; rewards include cash and gear.

Economy

Cash (Gold): Earned from Turf War (win bonus, coverage payout). Also from Salmon Run bonuses and selling gear. Starting capital: ~500 cash. Early game: spend on basic gear (gear costs ~1,000–3,000 cash). Save for higher-level boots or hats with desired abilities.

Sheldon Licenses: Earn one per Hero Mode level completed and one per Player Level up to Level 20? Actually: Every 2-3 levels you get a license. Total about 50 across all content. Early game: use to unlock weapons like Splattershot Pro, Tentatek Splattershot, or Splat Charger.

Ability Chunks: Obtained by scrubbing gear (pay cash) to remove abilities and convert them into chunks. Early game: minimal chunks; accumulate by using gear you earn and then scrub unwanted abilities.

Shell-out Machine: Gatcha-like machine in the Hub. Costs cash, gives random items (food tickets, drink tickets, ability chunks, gear). Early game: avoid heavy spending; use only spare cash.

Food & Drink Tickets: Improve XP or cash gain for matches. Early game: use common tickets to speed up leveling.

Character / Build Growth

Loadout: Main weapon + sub weapon + special weapon are tied to the weapon kit. Build your playstyle: e.g., aggressive with Splattershot (Splat Bomb + Tenta Missiles) or support with Splattershot Jr. (Splat Bomb + Ink Storm).

Gear Abilities: Each piece of gear has primary ability (fixed) and up to 3 secondary slots (random when earned). Abilities improve stats: Ink Saver (Main), Swim Speed Up, Special Charge Up, etc. Early game: equip any gear; don't worry about perfect abilities – just level gear to unlock all slots.

Weapon Freshness: Each weapon gains freshness points per win. Levels: 1–5 stars. Freshness influences score at end of match and unlocks badges. Early game: try multiple weapons to see what you like.

Endgame Structure (Early Tier)

No access to Ranked or higher difficulties. Focus on completing Hero Mode, reaching Level 10, and unlocking all weapon types. Play Turf War to consistently level up. Once Level 10 reached, you have the option to dive into Anarchy Battle (Ranked).

Mid Game (Level 10–30)

Gameplay Loop

Main Activity: Anarchy Battle (Ranked) – Four modes rotate in 2-hour blocks: Splat Zones (control a zone), Tower Control (ride a tower to enemy base), Rainmaker (carry a weapon to pedestal), Clam Blitz (collect clams and throw them into basket). This becomes the primary source of XP, cash, and rank points. Also continue Turf War for catalog.

Supporting Activities: Salmon Run shifts with higher difficulty (Hazard Level), Tableturf Battle for collectibles, and Hero Mode completion (if not finished). Join Splatfest events (~3 per month) for exclusive gear and rewards.

Example Progression: At Level 10, jump into Splat Zones (first unlock). Play with Splattershot (tentatek kit). Win matches to rank up from C- to B. Use ability chunks from scrubbing duplicate gear to get Swim Speed Up on shoes.

Combat / Interaction Systems (Advanced)

Ranked Mode Mechanics: In Splat Zones, you must ink a designated zone and keep it under your team’s control (like a king-of-the-hill). Tower Control forces close combat; Rainmaker requires escort; Clam Blitz needs coordination. Learn map callouts (e.g., “flank left”, “push mid”).

Special Weapons Usage: Coordinate specials with team. Example: Use Ink Storm to block enemy paths during Tower Control push. Special charge from ink coverage is vital in Ranked.

Movement & Techniques: Mid-game you should master squid rolls (dodge), squid surges (jump out of ink), and sub strafing (throwing bombs while moving). Practice in training area at The Shoal.

Map Knowledge: Learn common routes, choke points, and vertical mobility. Every map has inkable walls that allow fast climbing.

Progression

Player Level: Level 10 to 30 – each level requires ~5,000–10,000 XP. Win Streak bonuses in Ranked give more XP.

Anarchy Rank: Starts at C- (0 points). Win matches to earn rank points (+20 to +50 per win). Promotions: C → B → A → S. At Level 20, you unlock X Battle candidates? Actually X Battle is late game; Mid game you can reach A rank.

Weapon Unlocks: New weapons available per level up to Level 30 (e.g., Level 12: Dualie Squelchers, Level 18: N-ZAP '85). Use Sheldon Licenses (you get more from leveling and Hero Mode).

Gear Slots Unlock: Gear leveling: Each piece gains experience from matches. Mid game you can fully unlock all 3 secondary slots. Use Super Sea Snails from Splatfest to re-roll abilities on gear.

Catalog: Reach Level 20 in catalog to earn premium items (e.g., exclusive headgear). Mid game: catalog progression gives drink tickets that help build ability sets.

Exploration

Alterna (Cont.): If you haven't completed Hero Mode, mid game is a good time to finish (especially Secret Boss). Completing all worlds unlocks the Alterna Finale and a special reward (a cool hairstyle). Also explore hidden sectors for extra Power Eggs and gear.

Tableturf Battle: Unlock more cards by winning matches and purchasing from shops. You can build a competitive deck. Mid game: strategic deck building with cards like “Special Charge” or “Bomb Rush”.

Salmon Run: New boss Salmonids appear (e.g., Fish Stick, Big Shots). Higher Hazard Levels (Normal → Overachieving) provide more Golden Egg quota and bigger bonuses. Requires coordination – learn boss weak points.

Quests / Missions

Anarchy Battle (Ranked): Treat each rank promotion as a quest. Ranking up to A unlocks new weapon sets and matchmaking brackets.

Splatfest Events: Special limited-time events (3–4 times per season). Choose a team (e.g., Team Wizard vs Team Knight vs Team Ninja). Play matches to earn Splatfest level and reward scaling. At max level, you get a special badge and gear.

Salmon Run Personal Goals: Reach a high score (e.g., 50+ eggs) or complete a shift without losing any players. Mid game: aim for “Professional Part-Timer” rank (Eggsecutive VP 200).

Tableturf Battle: Complete the campaign (in-game challenges). There are tiers like “Tableturf Master”. Rewards: cash, gear tokens.

Economy

Cash: Ranked matches give higher cash. Also sell unwanted gear from Salmon Run. Mid game you will accumulate ~50k–200k cash. Spend on high-end gear from shops (e.g., 80k cash for a rare piece).

Ability Chunks: Use drink tickets (obtained from Salmon Run and catalog) to increase chance of specific abilities. Start building optimized sets (e.g., all Swim Speed Up or all Ink Resistance). Scrub gear with cash (~20k) to convert abilities to chunks.

Super Sea Snails: From Splatfest and level 40+ catalog. Use at Murch’s shop for ability chunk farming or to unlock gear slots. Mid game you may have 5–15 Snails.

Food & Drink Tickets: Use XP tickets (rare) or cash tickets for Turf War. Drink tickets are key for ability farming.

Character / Build Growth

Gear Optimisation: Decide on a primary ability for each slot (e.g., head: Special Power Up, clothes: Ink Saver Sub, shoes: Swim Speed Up). Use ability chunks to fill secondary slots. Mid game you can have a 2-star gear ( 2 main abilities) with a perfect set of 3 secondary abilities.

Weapon Kits: Experiment with different sub weapons and specials. For example, the Splattershot (Tentatek) has Suction Bomb and Ink Storm – good for support. The Splat Roller (Carbon) has Burst Bomb and Ink Vac – aggressive mobility.

Freshness: Keep high freshness on your main weapon for badge (e.g., 5-star badge). This doesn’t affect performance but shows dedication.

Build Examples:

Rushdown (Splat Dualies):

Support (Splat Brella):

Slayer (Octobrush):

Endgame Structure (Mid Tier)

Ranked up to A rank; still climbing to S. You'll unlock X Battle at Level 30? Actually X Battle is unlocked at Rank S+ (in mid game you may reach S). Mid game ends around level 30 with a good understanding of some weapons and Ranks. The next tier is late game with S ranks and weapon mastery.

Late Game (Level 30–50, Ranks S to S+)

Gameplay Loop

Main Activity: Anarchy Battle X (once you reach S+0) – X Battle is the highest skill tier, with a separate rank (X Power). You play unranked but with a hidden MMR. You also continue playing Ranked (S and S+). Focus on competitive improvement: watch replays, learn positioning, and team synergy.

Supporting Activities: Master Salmon Run Eggsecutive VP 300–999, Tableturf Battle high ranks, Splatfest (now you can reach top 100 regional leaderboards), and the Side Order DLC (released Aug 2024) if owned – but base game late game includes completing all story content and maximizing gear.

Example Goal: Reach S+50 in Anarchy Rank, X Power above 2,000. Use the Tri-Stringer (bow weapon) you unlocked earlier. Optimize gear with 3 mains and 9 subs all abilities matching your playstyle.

Combat / Interaction Systems (Expert)

Meta Analysis: Understand current meta weapons (e.g., Splash-o-matic, Flingza Roller, E-liter 4K). Study opponent behavior and adapt weapon kits. Use bomb rushes with special combinations: e.g., Tenta Missiles with Ink Mine for area denial.

Advanced Techniques: Squid roll with auto dodge, super jump cancellation, bomb bounce trick (throwing bombs off walls for angles). Master using the environment: ink ceilings, grate floors (no ink coverage), and moving platforms.

Team Communication: Use the “Here!” ping (up on dpad) for super jump coordinates. Late game you should coordinate with voice chat via Nintendo Online app (optional but helpful).

Map Control: In Splat Zones, control the middle; in Tower Control, push with support specials (e.g., Ink Storm to block enemy approach). Recognize rotation power plays (e.g., inkjet rush).

Progression

Player Level: Level 30 to 50 (max is 50*? Actually no max but XP gains slow; you earn badges for each 10 levels). At Level 50, you unlock the “Fresh” badge and maxed gear slots.

Anarchy Rank: From S to S+0 (requires ~500 rank points per tier). You need win streaks to climb; losses cost points. Late game: S+0 to S+50 (tiers come from accumulating points). At S+0, you unlock X Battle.

X Battle Power: Starts at 1,500. Winning increases power; losing decreases. Aim for 2,000+ to be competitive. X Power impacts matchmaking; top players reach 2,500+.

Gear Abilities: Fully optimized gear with 3 mains and 9 subs. Use ability chunks to craft “perfect” sets (e.g., all Swim Speed Up + Nautilus). Late game you can scrub and re-roll dozens of times.

Catalog: Earn seasonal catalog levels up to 100. The catalog includes exclusive gear (e.g., headgear with special ability). Complete it each season for max rewards.

Exploration

Alterna 100% Completion: Find all hidden items, unlock all lore (via scrolls). Complete the Secret Boss (difficult) for a special badge. Exploration is mostly done; you may revisit for completionist purposes.

Tableturf Battle: Reach rank “Champion” or higher. Build a top-tier deck using synergy cards (e.g., Crayfish with Special Charge, Dualies with Ink Walk). Late game: this mode is niche but offers rare badges.

Salmon Run High Ranks: Hazard Level reaches maximum (270). Play with random or team to achieve Eggsecutive VP 999 (max). This is a significant challenge requiring perfect teamwork.

Quests / Missions

Rank Quests: Your own goals like reaching S+0 in each of the four Ranked modes. Some players aim for “S+0 in all” to get a special badge.

X Battle challenges: Maintain X Power above a certain threshold for the season's end leaderboard. Top 3,000 get a special reward (badge).

Splatfest: Become “Splatfest Champion” by reaching Sovereignty rank (highest level) each event. Also consider joining a Splatfest team and competing for Top 100.

Salmon Run: Eggsecutive VP: Complete shifts without any failures (X rank). Also try the “100 Eggs” quota in a single shift (very hard).

Tableturf Battle: Complete all “Card Master” challenges (hard AI).

Economy

Cash: Millions possible from Ranked and Salmon Run. Use cash to scrub gear freely, buy any weapon, and buy rare gear from shops (like toki gear). No cap, but no huge sink beyond gear upgrades.

Ability Chunks: You may have hundreds of each chunk type. Use drink tickets wisely to farm specific sets. You can reroll gear abilities at Murch using Super Sea Snails.

Super Sea Snails: Late game you can have 50+ from Splatfest and catalog. Use them to add slots to gear (but you likely have all slots already). Alternatively, use for ability chunk farming: reroll secondary abilities on a 3-slot gear to try to get 3 of the same ability (expensive but possible).

Food & Drink Tickets: Max out your inventory. Use XP tickets to accelerate leveling (if still needed). Drink tickets are used in bulk for ability crafting.

Character / Build Growth

Perfect Gear Sets: Aim for a set with all same secondary ability (e.g., 3 main abilities + 9 Swim Speed Up). This requires RNG and many ability chunks. Late game you can achieve this for a few weapons.

Weapon Mastery: Become proficient with a specific weapon or class. Contribute to online tier lists and adapt to patches. Update builds as new abilities are added.

Ability Synergies: Pair abilities for rare combos: e.g., Respawn Punisher + Thermal Ink for tracking enemies. Or Quick Respawn + Special Saver for aggressive play.

Freshness Badges: Get 5-star freshness on multiple weapons. Late game you can have several badges.

Endgame Structure (Late Tier)

Continue climbing X Battle and leaderboards. Participate in Splatfest events and Salmon Run Eggsecutive VP. This is the “fun” competitive phase. There is no formal endgame beyond improving personal skill and collecting all items.

Endgame (Beyond Level 50, X Battle Leaderboard, All Ranks Maxed)

Gameplay Loop

Main Activity: X Battle (highest competition) and maintaining X Power. Compete on the global leaderboard. The only progression is personal skill and seasonal rankings. Also engage in Splatfest events to earn exclusive badges and top placements.

Supporting Activities: Complete all in-game collections: all weapons (via Sheldon licenses and cash), all gear (including amiibo gear, gear from Salmon Run, Splatfest), all tableturf cards, all badges. Play Salmon Run at Eggsecutive VP 999 repeatedly for fun or to help others.

Side Order DLC (optional): If you own the DLC, you can play a roguelike mode with permanent upgrades (Palettes, Chips). This provides a deep endgame with hours of replayability. It also adds online leaderboards for score attack.

Example: Log in daily to check X Power, play a few matches to maintain rank, then grind Salmon Run for the “Golden Scale” (rare reward from King Salmonid). Alternatively, aim for the “999” victory mark in X Battle.

Combat / Interaction Systems (Mastery)

Tactical Gameplay: Use advanced techniques like “splatting from above” with Tenta Missiles, or coordinated Ink Jet pushes. Understand all specials and counters (e.g., Ink Armor vs. Ink Vac).

Role Specialization: Become a skirmisher, slayer, support, or anchor. Perfect your role using specific loadouts. Endgame players often main one weapon and know every matchup.

Replay Analysis: Use the “Replay” feature to review matches. Study top players’ movements. The competitive meta evolves; stay updated with patch notes.

Progression (Beyond Max Level)

Player Level: No hard cap; each level grants a random item (gear, ticket, cash). Grinding levels for cosmetic badges (e.g., 100, 200).

Anarchy Rank: Already maxed at S+50. No further rank up. The only numeric progression is X Power (seasonal reset).

Catalog: Each new season resets catalog; endgame players try to reach Level 100 each season (takes ~4 hours/week). Rewards are cosmetic.

Gear Optimization: Continually refine sets with new abilities added in updates (e.g., Quick Respawn rework). Try odd combos for fun (e.g., all Special Power Up to charge Booyah Bomb in 5 seconds).

Weapon Freshness: Unlock all 5-star badges for all weapons (88 weapons). This is a long-term grind.

Exploration

Alterna 100% already done. No new areas except future updates (Nintendo has announced no new major single-player content outside side order). Explore all maps in multiplayer with new rotations.

Salmon Run: Explore different maps (modes) at max hazard. No new exploration.

Side Order DLC: Explore new procedural floors with unique environments. This is the only new exploration endgame content.

Quests / Missions

All Badges: There are over 200 badges (e.g., “Gold Splatfest Champion”, “X Battle Top 500”, “Salmon Run Eggsecutive VP 999”, “All Weapons Freshness 5”). Endgame is badge hunting.

Splatfest: Always participate to earn a badge for each event. The “Fame” level (Superstar) gives a unique badge.

Salmon Run: Collect all scales (bronze, silver, gold) from king salmonids to buy exclusive gear from the shop (e.g., Gold Toothpick). This is a rare RNG drop.

Tableturf Battle: Complete the card collection and achieve the “Card King” badge.

Side Order DLC: Complete all rooms (20 floors) with all palettes, collect all Chips, and achieve high scores on the leaderboard.

Economy

Cash: Overflow (millions). The only use is to scrub gear (20k each) or buy occasional gear from shops (but you own everything). Economy is effectively trivial.

Ability Chunks: You will have thousands of chunks. Use them to craft perfect gear for every weapon. Consider creating themed or meme builds.

Super Sea Snails: Hundreds from past Splatfests. Use to reroll abilities endlessly.

Food/Drink Tickets: You likely have stacks of 99. Use for fun.

Character / Build Growth (Endgame)

Ultimate Build Variety: Create dozens of gear sets for different weapons and situations. Optimize for every map and mode (e.g., high Ink Resistance for The Reef, Swim Speed Up for Mincemeat Metalworks).

Weapon Diversity: Master multiple weapons to adapt to team composition and map rotations. Endgame players often have one main per mode.

Ability Experimentation: Test new abilities after patches. For example, when “Intensify Action” was added, endgame players tried it on Splatlings to reduce shot spread while jumping.

Personal Goals: Set personal records: highest X Power, most kills in a match, fastest King Salmonid kill.

Endgame Structure

The main endgame loop is self-directed: improve X Power, chase badges, play Salmon Run for scales, and participate in seasonal events. The game does not have a traditional MMO-style raid or continuing narrative beyond updates. The Side Order DLC provides a structured roguelike endgame with progression that resets per run (but permanent upgrades exist). This adds significant replayability for those who want it.

Competitive Circuit: Nintendo hosts official tournaments (e.g., Splatoon 3 World Championship). Endgame players may form teams and compete. This is the ultimate endgame for skilled players.

Achievement Completion: 100% completion (all badges, gear, weapons, catalog, Tableturf, Hero Mode secrets). This can take hundreds of hours.

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Conclusion: Splatoon 3 offers a rich core gameplay loop that evolves from beginner-friendly Turf War to high-stakes competitive X Battles. The progression system naturally guides players through early learning, mid-game ranking, late-game mastery, and endgame collection/competition. Whether you prefer PvP, PvE (Salmon Run), or the single-player campaign, there is always something to achieve. Adapt your playstyle, grind for that perfect gear set, and have fun inky battles!