Splatoon 3 Best Weapons [Top 7]

Splatoon 3 is the newest entry in the Splatoon multiplayer line of video games, developed and published by Nintendo. Like the previous games, Splatoon 3 involves each team trying to cover the map in paint, with the team with more paint on the map at an advantage. Like the previous games, there is a wide variety of weapons to choose from, and in this guide, we will explain the Splatoon 3 Best Weapons in the current meta.

N-ZAP ’85

The N-ZAP ’85 is one of the best guns currently in the game. With excellent inking potential and a very fast time to kill, the N-ZAP ’85 is easily an S-tier weapon. It is also the best weapon to have the Tacticooler currently available.

The weapon’s very high fire rate is its biggest strength, allowing the player very fast eliminations and painting potential. Moreover, the gun has very good range and excellent special weapons in the form of the Tacticooler and the Suction Bombs for more challenging encounters, making it an excellent pick for most scenarios.

Attribute	Value
Damage	28(Max)
Range	2.5(Max)
Inking Potential	4/5
Offense	3/5
Utility	5/5
Ease of Use	5/5
Defense	4/5
Shield Penetration	3/5

The player should make use of the N-ZAP ’85’s exceptional rate of fire to quickly fill up their Special Gauge as soon as the match starts. A strategy that can work very well is to start inking every surface in sight while on the way to the center of the map. At this point, the player’s Special Gauge should be roughly half complete, and thus only a few more hits will be needed to get the highly useful special weapons.

Moreover, to best take advantage of the Splatoon 3 Weapons low weight, players should remain mobile and active. Dodging enemy attacks by strafing and erratic movement can be highly beneficial, especially as players can utilize movement to line up shots against fast-moving opponents.

The N-ZAP ’85 is an obvious homage to the NES Zapper controller, which was an accessory to the Nintendo Entertainment System, released in 1985. This is also where the weapon gets its name, with “ZAP” referring to the Zapper, and “’85” referring to the year 1985.

The N-ZAP ’85 resembles a pistol, with a grey-black color scheme along with a red button-style trigger. The grip, barrel, and rear sights are black, and the receiver is white, with red text on one side. The gun resembles the .44 Auto Mag Pistol, designed by Auto Mag Corporation.

Splattershot

The Splattershot is another excellent weapon in Splatoon 3, and will no doubt work great for any scenario, as it does not have any specific weaknesses. It is an easily available weapon, acquired as soon as Level 2, and excels at both inking walls and fighting other players. The Splatoon 3 Best Weapons has a Suction Bomb sub-weapon and a Trizooka special, which is extremely effective, as we will discuss below.

To make the best possible use of the special, the player should not hesitate to use it as soon as it is available. After the player’s special gauge is filled, shooting the special weapon Trizooka in the general direction of an enemy can be highly effective, due to the high explosion radius of the ink.

Attribute	Value
Damage	36(Max)
Range	2.5(Max)
Inking Potential	3/5
Offense	5/5
Utility	4/5
Ease of Use	5/5
Defense	3/5
Shield Penetration	5/5

However, it is important to note that the player only gets three shots to use in a finite amount of time, so it is best to fire all 3 in the general location of where enemies might be, as the player will likely get lucky and score an elimination. In any case, they will be able to spread ink over a large area.

In general, due to the Splatshooter’s limited range, fighting enemies one-on-one with equal advantage is a difficult scenario. As such, the most beneficial approach is to wait in a spot where enemies are likely to pass by and then take them by surprise. The best way to do it is to learn the map layout and pathways.

Every map in Splatoon has certain routes that players take more than others, and these routes often have hiding spots in the form of alcoves and corners. Hiding in these spots and waiting for the players to pass allows for a satisfyingly easy kill. Another option is to set up kills using the Suction Bomb sub-weapon.

The Splattershot resembles a water-gun style toy, with colorful, friendly styling. It consists of a white reservoir that holds paint and is comically large, with the barrel assembly being yellow/black. The end cap on the back, which appears to be where the weapon is reloaded from, is blue, and the grip is pistol-style and purple in color. The trigger is also yellow.

Sloshing Machine

The Sloshing Machine is another very powerful and effective weapon in Splatoon 3. Due to it being a Slosher type weapon, it is a somewhat complicated weapon to use, especially when considering its below average rate of fire. However, despite these drawbacks, when employed correctly, it can absolutely demolish opponents.

The Sloshing Machine has a very wide angle of attack, meaning that the projectile can damage enemies even when they are not directly aimed at. This makes dodging the Sloshing Machine a nightmare, as the enemy is guaranteed to take at least some amount of damage, if not the full force of the projectile.

Attribute	Value
Damage	76(Max)
Range	3.3(Max)
Inking Potential	2/5
Offense	5/5
Utility	4/5
Ease of Use	4/5
Defense	3/5
Shield Penetration	4/5

To compensate for the low rate of fire of the weapon, utilizing cover and quick-peeking enemies can be highly effective. The correct strategy is to fire a shot, then retreat behind cover to dodge enemy shots and repeat the process.

Although the weapon excels at long range, it can be somewhat lacking and difficult to use at closer ranges. To compensate for this, the player should use Fizzy Bombs to deter any players looking to get in close.

The Sloshing Machine resembles a washing machine and has 2 handles on each side. It is a very large weapon, giving it an imposing profile and a very high intimidation factor.

.52 Gal

The .52 Gal is another excellent weapon, especially for those with precise aim. Unlike most Shooter class weapons, the .52 Gal has a lower fire rate but a much longer range, making it a pseudo-sniper. When combined with its excellent damage, the .52 Gal is one of the best weapons to get eliminations with.

Attribute	Value
Damage	52(Max)
Range	2.7(Max)
Inking Potential	2/5
Offense	5/5
Utility	2/5
Ease of Use	4/5
Defense	5/5
Shield Penetration	4/5

The Splash Wall sub-weapon is also extremely useful, as it allows the player to quickly make a barrier to protect themselves from enemies. This ability serves essentially as portable deployable cover, allowing the player to peek out and take pot shots at enemies who are out in the open. Moreover, the wall can serve as cover when the player needs to reload.

To best take advantage of the weapon, the player needs to take into account the low fire rate. Due to its very high damage, the gun will 2-shot most enemies, so taking them by surprise is a reliable strategy.

Dualie Squelchers

The Dualie Squelchers are a fantastic option for players that like to get in close and contest objectives with grit. Their high rate of fire can make quick work against enemies, and their low weight promotes a very aggressive and mobile style of play. However, due to their limited range, they suffer immensely at long-distance engagements, and also have poor inking potential.

Attribute	Value
Damage	28(Max)
Range	3.3(Max)
Inking Potential	3/5
Offense	4/5
Utility	5/5
Ease of Use	2/5
Defense	5/5
Shield Penetration	2/5

Because of their excellent fire rate, the Dualie Squelchers can splat enemies very quickly. As such, the Wave Breaker special can be used to quickly close the gap with enemies, allowing the player to take them by surprise and quickly eliminate them.

Moreover, the player can also take advantage of squid form to maneuver behind enemy lines and flank them, which in the best of scenarios allows the player to wipe out entire swarms of opponents.

The Dualie Squelchers resemble portable drilling machines, with aggressive red accenting and black undertones. There is text in an unknown language on the sides of the weapons.

Heavy Splatling

The quintessential Splatling-style weapon, the Heavy Splatling is the most well-rounded weapon in the category, and highly effective in most situations. The weapon takes some time to rev up, but once it does, it dishes out ink at exceptional speeds.

Moreover, the weapon has a considerable amount of range, so it can serve well as a “keep out” tool to force enemies to keep their distance. Lastly, its excellent inking potential allows it to excel in turf wars. This is further helped by the enormous magazine size.

Attribute	Value
Damage	30(Max)
Range	4.3(Max)
Inking Potential	3/5
Offense	4/5
Utility	5/5
Ease of Use	3/5
Defense	4/5
Shield Penetration	5/5

However, the weapon does have a few drawbacks, namely that the delay before being able to fire can mean death when the player is caught off-guard, along with limited mobility due to the weight of the weapon. Players should take these disadvantages into account, and keep an aware eye for enemies waiting to take them by surprise.

The Heavy Splatling’s fantastic fire rate also allows it to be an excellent weapon for covering teammates. Teammates can advance in a fight with the player continually keeping an eye out for flankers, as with the high damage output, the player can make quick work of enemies.

The Heavy Splatling resembles the typical minigun weapon archetype found in fiction, but with some interesting and unique additions. There is a massive can on the side that holds ink, and the weapon’s scheme is a colorful pink and black, lending it to have a striking and iconic look.

Aerospray MG

The Aerospray MG is essentially a buzzsaw but in weapon form. The blistering rate of fire shreds through opponents, and also makes the weapon exceptionally easy to use. All the player needs to do is aim the weapon in the general direction of the enemy, and the gun will do the rest.

Moreover, the high rate of fire lends itself well as a crowd control weapon capable of taking down many opponents at once. This trait inherently makes the weapon a great carry weapon, with the player able to quickly take down enemies to make room for their teammates.

Attribute	Value
Damage	24(Max)
Range	2.1(Max)
Inking Potential	5/5
Offense	4/5
Utility	2/5
Ease of Use	5/5
Defense	2/5
Shield Penetration	1/5

Although the player can only ink small distances due to the low range of the weapon, the high rate of fire still allows excellent inking potential. The player can ink a path towards the battlefield, and use that path as a squid to quickly return to the action when they die and respawn.

The advantages of the Aerospray MG, however, are balanced by the low range on the weapon. This means that the player is at a severe disadvantage when at range, both in terms of turf and killing potential.

The Aerospray MG resembles an aerosol spray gun and is a shiny chrome color all over. There is a large tank on the top of the weapon that serves as the paint reservoir, and the grip and back of the barrel appear to be connected by a black tube.

The Splatoon Wiki is an excellent place to get more information about every weapon and its unique traits.