Best Weapons Tier List: Main Weapons Ranked

This tier list ranks all the best weapons currently available in Splatoon 3. Read on to see the best weapons to use in the game as well as an explanation of their rank, recommended gear, and the best weapons for different game modes and playstyles.

Tier List Articles
Weapons Tier List	Specials Tier List	Sub Weapons Tier List
Gear Abilities Tier List	Best Beginner Weapons	-

Best Weapons Tier List

Best Weapons Ranking

Rank	Weapons

Rankings last updated on: September 22nd, 2022

List of All Weapons

Ranking Criteria

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Highest Ranked Weapons Analysis

Rank SS

Weapons	Sub/ Special	Analysis
Splattershot		・Splattershot has one of the best sub-weapon and special weapon choices. The Trizooka in particular is easy to use, allowing you to splat enemies easily. ・A main weapon that has a good balance of splat and inking potential.
Sloshing Machine		・Decent range, with exceptional advantage against single-range shooters. ・Access to Booyah Bomb allows for a great panic special when in a pinch.
.52 Gal		・Using Splash Wall and .52 Gal in tandem allows you to splat foes with ease. ・Killer Wail 5.1 automatically tracks opponents, making it easier for lesser skilled players to splat foes.
N-ZAP '85		・N-Zap '85 is great for inking territory, and Tacticooler offers great support for your allies. ・Players using N-Zap '85 will more than often be in the heat of the battle, so careful consideration must be made when placing the Tacticooler.
Splattershot Jr.		・Great all-rounder with defense options thanks to the Big Bubbler and ranged AOE with the Splat Bomb ・Has great inking potential and combat potential.
Dualie Squelchers		・Wave Breaker keeps enemies at bay while giving you the upper hand to predict the enemy's movements. ・Decent survivability with the added benefit of Squid Rolls.

Rank S

Weapons	Sub/ Special	Analysis
Range Blaster		・Synergy with Wave Breaker allows for easy splats on tagged enemies.
E-liter 4K		・Many of the new stages are long and narrow, having a Charger weapon allows for both great inking and combat ability. ・Wave Breaker keeps enemies at bay while giving you the upper hand to predict the enemy's movements.
Slosher		・The Slosher has great sub and special weapons, with Triple Inkstrike being particularly powerful. ・The combination of the Slosher's high power and range, along with its sub and special weapons make it great for splatting opponents.
Heavy Splatling		・Heavy Splatting has great range, making it easy to ink turf and splat enemies. ・Wave breaker offers great support during matches.
Splash-o-matic		・Good inking ability that can easily fill up the Crab Tank's special gauge. ・Quick bomb allows access for quick damage.
Squeezer		・Great mid-range weapon that has access to the longer range Trizooka once charged-up. ・Splashwall provides great defensive utility as well.

Best Gear for High-Ranking Weapons

Sloshing Machine

Sloshing Machine

Fizzy Bomb Booyah Bomb

Recommended Gear Abilities
Comeback	Ink Saver (Main)	Run Speed Up	Stealth Jump

Great Weapon to Use in All Game Modes

The Sloshing Machine has a large hitbox and can shoot ink at greater distances. Since the ink has a huge splash radius, you can shoot enemies hiding behind walls, boxes and other small obstacles. In addition, the Fizzy Bomb can burst into three additional explosions making it good in flushing out opponents hidden behind corners. You can also build power for you and your team by using Booyah Bombs.

Splattershot

Splattershot

Suction Bomb Trizooka

Recommended Gear Abilities
Swim Speed Up	Stealth Jump	Intensify Action	Special Charge Up

Great for Inking and Combat With an Excellent Special

The Splattershot has great balance of damage, fire rate, ink turfing performance, and mobility. It is also great for defending and holding the line against opponents with the usage of Suction Bombs as well as the Trizooka special weapon which has a good amount of blast damage.

Dualie Squelchers

Dualie Squelchers

Splat Bomb Wave Breaker

Recommended Gear Abilities
Ink Saver (Main)	Ink Recovery Up	Ink Saver (Sub)

Great for Mid Range Combat and High Mobility

The Dualie Squelchers perform well in medium range ink fights paired along with its good mobility, the survivability rate is great with this weapon. You can pull enemies out in the open who are hiding behind corners and obstacles using the Wave Breaker special weapon.

Slosher

Slosher

Splat Bomb Trizooka

Recommended Gear Abilities
Comeback	Swim Speed Up	Quick Respawn	Stealth Jump

Synergy with Splat Bomb makes for Explosive Inking

The combo of throwing a Splat Bomb at an enemy right as you slosh them with the Slosher is enough to guarantee a kill while also inking a large area around you, making anyone think twice about coming within throwing distance of you. And if they prefer to stand back, you can blast them down with the Trizooka.

Heavy Splatling

Heavy Splatling

Sprinkler Wave Breaker

Recommended Gear Abilities
Run Speed Up	Ink Resistance Up	Ink Saver (Main)

Great for Combat and Inking at Range

Most weapons in Splatoon 3 have a short-medium range, so having a weapon that allows you to hit opponents, but have them struggle to hit you back is a great advantage. Ink and Splat from range, or be a front-liner for your team inking the path for them to take. Don't forget to use the Wave Breaker to have a better sense of where the enemies are. Maximize the Sprinkler by tossing it into hard to reach areas.

N-Zap '85

N-ZAP '85

Suction Bomb Tacticooler

Recommended Gear Abilities
Stealth Jump	Ink Resistance Up	Comeback	Special Charge Up

Fast shooter with great utility thanks to the Tacticooler

With a high rate-of-fire, the N-Zap '85 is one of the fastest weapons that can charge up their Tacticooler special. Taking advantage of your own Tacticooler boosts also increases your movement speed allowing you to ink further and faster upon taking a drink. Focus on a playstyle of a quick and slippery inker with this weapon.

.52 Gal

.52 Gal

Splash Wall Killer Wail 5.1

Recommended Gear Abilities
Swim Speed Up	Stealth Jump	Ink Resistance Up	Intensify Action

High Damage with Good Survivability

Enemies can be eliminated quickly with this weapon using only two direct hits. The Killer Wail 5.1 special weapon provides protection for yourself along with an automated targeting ink gun that shoots and splats the opponent closest to you.

Squeezer

Squeezer

Splash Wall Trizooka

Recommended Gear Abilities
Swim Speed Up	Stealth Jump	Ink Saver (Main)	Ink Saver (Sub)

Mid-Long Range set with decent defensive options

Although it takes time to get used to, the Squeezer offers a strong mid-long range weapon set thanks to the combination of its main attacks, and the Trizooka special. This allows for a great pick for players who like the playstyle of covering for their team mates. In defensive positions, you can also throw out the Splash Wall that will protect you and your team from shots ahead of you.

Best Weapons For Each Game Mode

Splat Zones

Splat Zones Guide

Tower Control

Tower Control Guide

Rainmaker

Rainmaker Guide

Clam Blitz

Clam Blitz Guide

Best Weapons For Each Type

Weapon Type	Main Weapon	Sub/Special	Reason
Best Shooter	Splattershot		・Splattershot has one of the best sub-weapon and special weapon choices. The Trizooka in particular is easy to use, allowing you to splat enemies easily. ・A main weapon that has a good balance of splat and inking potential.
Best Blaster	Range Blaster		・Synergy with Wave Breaker allows for easy splats on tagged enemies.
Best Charger	E-liter 4K		・Many of the new stages are long and narrow, having a Charger weapon allows for both great inking and combat ability. ・Wave Breaker keeps enemies at bay while giving you the upper hand to predict the enemy's movements.
Best Roller	Splat Roller		・Great for inking large areas of territory. ・Players using the Splat Roller will often be on the front lines of battle, so proper timing of the Big Bubbler can save you from getting splatted.
Best Brush	Inkbrush		・Great for close quarters combat as this brush weapon has a high swing speed and great damage. ・Can also be threatening at range with the Splat Bombs and the Killer Wail.
Best Slosher	Sloshing Machine		・Decent range, with exceptional advantage against single-range shooters. ・Access to Booyah Bomb allows for a great panic special when in a pinch.
Best Splatling	Heavy Splatling		・Heavy Splatting has great range, making it easy to ink turf and splat enemies. ・Wave breaker offers great support during matches.
Best Dualie	Dualie Squelchers		・Wave Breaker keeps enemies at bay while giving you the upper hand to predict the enemy's movements. ・Decent survivability with the added benefit of Squid Rolls.
Best Brella	Tenta Brella		・The Brella itself offers great defensive and support utility. ・Ink Vac synergizes well with the defensive playstyle.
Best Stringer	REEF LUX 450		・Great inking potential from range. ・Tenta Missiles can easily be charged up, allowing you to switch to the offensive in between bouts of inking turf.
Best Splatana	Splatana Stamper		・Easier to use than the Splatana Wiper. ・Strong splat potential with every slash.

Best Weapons for Each Playstyle

Best Weapons for Versatility

Weapons	Sub/ Special	Analysis
Splat Roller		・The Splat Roller is a reliable weapon for Inking Turf as it lets you ink a large area of turf while moving. ・It's also used as an offensive weapon to splat other players while still inking turf.
Splattershot		・Balanced stats and high fire rate makes it a great weapon to use whether splatting or inking turf. ・Can deal burst damage with the Trizooka, which can instantly splat enemies with a direct hit.
Tenta Brella		・Its high damage and durability makes it a great defensive weapon when inking turf or splatting enemies. ・Fully-charged shots can heavily damage or instantly splat enemies.
Slosher		・High damage and range makes it a staple weapon for inking turf or camping on platforms. ・Triple Inkstrike deals great burst damage and can ink a wide area of turf.

Best Weapons for Beginners

Weapon	Features
Splattershot Lv. Unlocked: 2	Great range for inking and combat Easy to get kills with its Suction Bomb and Trizooka
Heavy Splatling Lv. Unlocked: 4	Has massively long range Support your team with its Wave Breaker Special move
Aerospray MG Lv. Unlocked: 5	For players who want to concentrate on inking turf You can use its Fizzy Bomb to kill enemies from afar, while it's special, Reefslider can ink turf and kill enemies
N-ZAP '85 Lv. Unlocked: 6	High fire rate great on close to medium combat. Its Tacticooler is great for supporting allies
Sloshing Machine Lv. Unlocked: 14	Consistent at killing opponents Its Booyah Bomb also deals massive damage

Best Beginner Weapons

Splatoon 3 Related Guides

Tips and Tricks: Beginner's Guide to Splatoon