How to Play Splatoon 3: A Beginner's Guide to Winning Your First Battles

Learning how to play Splatoon 3 effectively starts with understanding one crucial fact: if you don't get to the frontline immediately after the battle begins, your opponents will quickly invade your territory, putting you at a serious disadvantage.

During those critical first moments, especially in Anarchy Battles, it's important that everyone heads straight to the center to intercept opponents. This is just one of many essential Splatoon 3 tips we'll cover in this comprehensive guide. For beginners, weapon selection is equally important - ranged weapons like Sloshers or Shooters are ideal as they're easier to handle while keeping you safely out of the firing line.

Before you reach Level 10, your only available game mode will be Turf War, where your objective is simply to ink more of the map than your opponents. To succeed in this, you should first familiarize yourself with all twelve stages in the game to understand their layouts. Additionally, never neglect inking your base - failing to do so leaves points on the table and can directly lead to losing matches.

In this Splatoon 3 guide, we'll walk you through everything from basic movement techniques to advanced battle strategies. Whether you're wondering how to level up fast in Splatoon 3 or looking for specific Splatoon 3 tips and tricks, we've got you covered. Let's dive in and prepare you for victory!

Mastering Movement and Controls

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To master Splatoon 3, understanding the movement mechanics is essential. The game's unique swim mechanics set it apart from other shooters and mastering these skills will give you a significant advantage in battles.

Learn the basics of Swim Form and Squid Form

The foundation of movement in Splatoon 3 revolves around switching between your humanoid form and Swim Form. By pressing ZL, you transform into a squid or octopus that can dive through your team's ink. When in Swim Form, you'll move significantly faster through your own color ink, climb inked walls, pass through fences, and automatically refill your ink tank. Furthermore, if you remain still while submerged, you'll become practically invisible to enemies – a perfect stealth tactic.

How to perform a Squid Roll and Squid Surge

Once you've mastered basic movement, it's time to learn two advanced techniques that can dramatically improve your gameplay:

Squid Roll: This defensive maneuver allows you to quickly change direction while swimming. To perform it correctly:

1. Swim at high speed through ink
2. Press the jump button (B) while simultaneously flicking your control stick in the opposite direction
3. If done correctly, your character will briefly flash, providing a small window of invulnerability

Squid Surge: This technique helps you ascend walls rapidly and surprise opponents. Here's how to execute it:

1. Start swimming up an inked wall
2. Hold the B button until your character flashes
3. Release B to launch upward, even clearing ledges

Both techniques provide brief damage reduction when performed correctly. Neither uses ink, allowing you to employ them frequently during matches.

Adjust motion control sensitivity for better aim

Although initially counterintuitive, motion controls are crucial for competitive play in Splatoon 3. The point-and-click nature of the Switch's gyro controls enables much more precise aiming than stick controls alone.

To optimize your aim:

• Open the Options menu and adjust motion control sensitivity to your preference
• Practice with targets in the lobby to find your ideal settings
• Use the reset camera button (Y by default) when turning more than 45 degrees
• Consider starting in handheld mode if you're struggling, as seeing your hands match the movement can help with spatial orientation

Mastering these movement techniques and control settings will dramatically improve your performance in battles, helping you outmaneuver opponents and claim more territory for your team.

Early Match Tactics

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Success in Splatoon 3 battles frequently hinges on your team's early match strategy. The first 30 seconds can often determine who gains the upper hand throughout the entire match.

Why rushing to the center matters

As soon as the match begins, immediately head to the center of the stage. If you don't reach the frontline quickly, your opponents will close in on your territory, putting you at a serious disadvantage. For Turf War specifically, it's best to have most of your team push forward while one player helps ink around the spawn point. Consequently, learning how to play Splatoon 3 effectively means developing this forward-thinking mindset from the start of each battle.

Inking your base without wasting time

Covering your base is essential, yet many players disagree about when to do it. Rather than inking everything at the beginning, a more effective approach is to cover portions of your base each time you respawn. This balanced strategy ensures your base gets inked eventually without sacrificing early position. Moreover, save spots near your spawn to charge your Special weapons later in the match. Remember that walls don't count toward your score in Turf War—focus primarily on inking the floors.

Using sub weapons to control space

Sub weapons are perfect for controlling territory without requiring your constant presence. Splat Bombs and Suction Bombs can block pathways or force enemies to retreat, whereas Sprinklers and Fizzy Bombs continuously ink turf while you focus elsewhere. For defensive strategies, place Ink Mines at chokepoints to damage and track approaching enemies. Essentially, the right sub weapon usage allows you to suppress opponents while simultaneously inking the center—a crucial technique for gaining early advantage.

Winning During the Fight

Once battles are underway in Splatoon 3, your focus must shift from setup to maintaining momentum through strategic offense and defense.

Suppressing enemies while inking turf

The key to maintaining battlefield control lies in multitasking. When you spot opponents at the center, block their progress while simultaneously inking the area. Bomb sub weapons and long-range main weapons excel at suppression. This dual approach allows teammates to move freely and intercept enemies. Instead of fixating solely on splatting opponents, remember to ink terrain as you advance—otherwise you might win fights but lose the match.

Creating attack opportunities with special weapons

Tracking opponent positions is critical for identifying attack openings. Special weapons can dramatically disrupt enemy formations. The Trizooka, for instance, can reduce active enemy members, while the Wave Breaker reveals locations to help plan optimal approaches. For maximum impact, coordinate specials with teammates—when the top of your screen glows, check if teammates are also ready before activating. All special weapons refill your ink tank upon activation, providing a tactical advantage.

How to level up fast in Splatoon 3 by staying active

Anarchy Battles offer the fastest leveling path with knockouts yielding a substantial 2500 XP bonus. With food tickets that double experience, a knockout can net you 5000 XP per game. Daily first wins or clears provide 7500 bonus points. For consistent progress, focus on these bonuses:

Time Bonus: 300 XP for completing matches

Ink Bonus: 500 XP for spreading 500p worth of ink

Win Bonus: 600 XP in Turf War

Handling Wins and Losses

Maintaining your advantage or recovering from setbacks is crucial for mastering Splatoon 3, with the right tactics making all the difference in close battles.

What to do when your team is ahead

Whenever your team gains an advantage, push up the frontline immediately to secure more territory. This pressure makes it harder for opponents to approach key areas like Splat Zones. First thing to remember is to occupy high ground positions after pushing forward - this gives you the upper hand in shootouts. Despite having the lead, remain cautious and avoid overextending individually.

Avoiding ambushes and staying alert

Opponents frequently hide in shadows, corners, and uneven terrain, making ambushes common. Indeed, submerged enemies are particularly difficult to spot. Accordingly, shoot at potential hiding spots while advancing to prevent surprise attacks. Never rush blindly into unfamiliar territory, regardless of how confident you feel about your team's position.

How to recover when your team is losing

After experiencing setbacks, stick together with teammates rather than attacking alone. Certainly, timing is critical - if you get splatted while allies are respawning, you'll return at different times, making coordinated pushes difficult. Prioritize safety while charging your special and wait for opportunities to counterattack as a unit.

Using special weapons together for a comeback

Coordinating special weapons creates powerful comeback opportunities. Whenever multiple teammates have charged specials (indicated by glowing icons at the screen's top), activate them together to overwhelm opponents. This synchronized approach makes it exceptionally difficult for enemies to maintain their frontline advantage.

Conclusion

Mastering Splatoon 3 certainly requires practice, but armed with these fundamentals, you'll find yourself climbing the ranks much faster than going in blind. Most importantly, remember that controlling territory starts with understanding movement mechanics and making smart decisions during those critical first moments of each match. After all, rushing to center, maintaining map awareness, and coordinating with teammates forms the backbone of any successful strategy.

Players who excel at Splatoon 3 likewise understand when to be aggressive and when to fall back. Therefore, don't get discouraged after losses—instead, analyze what went wrong and adjust accordingly. Your ability to adapt during matches will ultimately determine your success more than any single technique.

Finally, don't forget that Splatoon 3 remains a team game at its core. No matter how skilled you become individually, victories come through coordination and smart positioning. The best players balance turf control with opponent suppression while staying connected to their teammates' movements.

We hope these beginner strategies help you secure your first victories! Once you've mastered these fundamentals, you'll discover even more advanced techniques to elevate your gameplay. Until then, grab your ink weapons, perfect those squid rolls, and dive into the colorful chaos of Splatoon 3!

FAQs

Q1. How do I get started with Splatoon 3 as a beginner? Start by playing the single-player campaign to learn the controls and mechanics. Practice using motion controls for better aiming. Try different weapons in the test range to find what suits you best. Focus on understanding maps and movement before worrying about advanced strategies.

Q2. What are some essential early-match tactics? Rush to the center of the map immediately to gain control. Have most of your team push forward while one player inks around the spawn point. Use sub-weapons strategically to control space and suppress enemies. Ink your base gradually as you respawn rather than all at once at the start.

Q3. How can I level up quickly in Splatoon 3? Participate in Anarchy Battles for the highest XP gains, especially with knockouts. Use food tickets to double your experience. Focus on getting daily first win bonuses and completing matches for time bonuses. Spread ink consistently to earn ink bonuses, and aim for wins in Turf War for additional points.

Q4. What should I do when my team is losing? Stick together with teammates instead of attacking alone. Time your respawns to coincide with allies for coordinated pushes. Focus on charging your special weapon while staying safe. When multiple teammates have charged specials, activate them together for a powerful comeback opportunity.

Q5. Are motion controls really necessary in Splatoon 3? While not mandatory, motion controls are highly recommended for competitive play. They allow for more precise aiming than stick controls alone. Start by adjusting sensitivity in the options menu and practicing in the lobby. Consider starting in handheld mode if you're struggling to adapt. With practice, motion controls can significantly improve your performance.