All Specials: How to Use Special Weapons

There are 15 Specials available in Splatoon 3, including 10 brand new Special Weapons and a few returning from previous games! Read on to see a list of all new and returning Special Weapons and how to use Specials.

All New Special Weapons

There are a total of 10 new Special Weapons introduced in Splatoon 3. These new weapons can grant unique new effects that can help you conquer the battlefield.

Special Weapon	Effect
Big Bubbler	Deploy this device at your feet to shield yourself with a large, spherical barrier. This bubble will block outside ink attacks, but it can't prevent opponents themselves from entering. Damage to the top section or the inner device will cause the barrier to pop more quickly.
Crab Tank	Leave you foes in a pinch with this scuttling tank's superior inkpower. Pres ZR for rapid-fire shots-- R will fire your cannon. Its back is vulnerable to enemy attacks, but you can shift into mobile mode with ZL to protect yourself.
Ink Vac	Make your ink shots more powerful by sucking up enemy attacks! Hold ZR to generate a vortex that sucks up enemy ink attack. Once the tank is full, or after the timer runs out, let go of ZR, and you'll launch a souped-up super ink shot.
Killer Wail 5.1	Unleashes six speaker-shaped, laser-emitting devices to surround and devastate your enemies. Lock onto an opponent, and the emitters will track and blast them wherever they go! You can continue to use your main weapon and sub weapon while the Killer Wail 5.1 is firing.
Reefslider	Hop on a shark-shaped, ink-propelled float, and charge forward. When you reach the end of the path or if you press ZR, the float will explode and deal damage.
Tacticooler	Deploys a fridge stocked with drinks that enhances your abilities for a brief time. There are four drinks, but you can only have one- the rest are for sharing! You'll lose the enhancement if you're splatted while the drink is in effect, but you'll respawn right away.
Triple Inkstrike	Throw and deploy a guidance device with R to cause a tornado-generating ink strike to land on that spot from above. You can deploy up to three guidance devices to activate three separate ink tornadoes.
Trizooka	Press ZR to launch three blasts of spiraling ink in a single shot. You can fire it up to three times.
Wave Breaker	Deploys a device that generates sonic waves to drive hidden opponents out into the open. Waves expand along the ground, marking and dealing damage to any opponents they touch. To avoid damage, simply jump over each wave.
Zipcaster	Transform into an ink-cloaked acrobat, and sling your stretchy arm to zip around the battlefield! Use R to Aim and stick to walls. You can still use your main weapon like normal with ZR. When your ink runs out, your transformation will end, and you'll Super Jump back to your starting position.

All Returning Special Weapons

There are a total of five returning Special Weapons from previous games. Though these Specials are from previous games, some of them will not be paired up with the same main weapons as before.

Special Weapon	Effect
Booyah Bomb	Funnel power into an explosive ink ball, and launch it at the enemy. By sending and receiving "Booyahs" from your team, you can build power more quickly. Teammates who send Booyahs will be rewarded by having their special gauge filled a little.
Ink Storm	Throw a device that creates a rain cloud of ink. The cloud of ink gradually moves to the direction it was thrown.
Inkjet	This launches you into the air by spraying out ink, allowing you to attack opponents with the attached launcher. You can fly higher temporarily by pressing B.
Tenta Missiles	Press ZR to fire missiles at all targeted enemies. Effective at catching many opponents.
Ultra Stamp	Attack with an enormous hammer. Press and hold ZR to advance while striking with the hammer. If you press and release R, you'll throw the hammer far into the distance to attack and the special will end.

How to Use Specials

Fill Up Your Points Gauge by Inking Turf

In order to use your Special Weapon, you first need to fill up your points gauge found on the upper-right corner of the screen. Once the gauge is fully-charged you are able to use your Special Weapon.

Used Alongside Main and Sub Weapons

Special Weapons are used alongside your Main Weapon and Sub Weapon. Each Main Weapon will have a specific Special Weapon and Sub Weapon equipped to it. It is important to keep this in mind when picking your preferred Main Weapon.

List of All Weapons

Find the Best Special for Your Playstyle

When picking a weapon from the shop, make sure to take its Special into account. It is best to select a Special Weapon that also fits with your playstyle and the needs of your team. Some Specials excel at certain aspects of gameplay more than others.

Specials Tier List: Best Special Weapons

Splatoon 3 Related Guides

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