Special Weapons are the most powerful tools in Splatoon 3. Unlocked by inking enough turf and splattering opponents, these weapons can deal an immense amount of damage or provide nice boosts for your team. And, in the Splatoon 3 specials top previous games with more on offer than ever before.
Whether it is the returning, classic, Tenta Missiles or the new Zipcaster that lets you dodge around like a ninja, Splatoon 3’s specials are more diverse than ever before.
Each one comes alongside a sub-weapon and your base weapon so you can pick a weapon package that best fits your playstyle. And, the diversity of specials means that now they are tailored to close-quarters combat and ranged fights even more than before.
Splatoon 3 Specials
Below, you can find all 15 specials in Splatoon 3. The first ten are brand new and the last five are returning from previous games.
Big Bubbler Special Weapon
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 of the inner device will cause the barrier top pop more quickly.
Crab Tank special weapon
Leave your foes in a pinch with this scuttling tank’s superior inkpower. Press 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 Special Weapon
Make your ink shots more powerful by sucking up enemy attacks! Hold ZR to generate a vortex that sucks up enemy ink attacks. 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 Special Weapon
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 Special Weapon
Hop onto a shark-shaped, ink-propelled float, and charge forward. When you reach the end of the path, or if your press ZR, the float will explode and deal damage.
Tacticooler Special Weapon
Deploys a fridge stocked with drinks that enhance some of 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 special weapon
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 Special Weapon
Press ZR to launch three blasts of spiralling ink in a single shot. You can fire it up to three times.
Wave Breaker special weapon
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 Special Weapon
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 weapons like normal with ZR. When your ink runs out, your transformation will end, and you’ll Super Jump back to your starting location.
Booyah Bomb Special Weapon
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 Special Weapon
Throw this device to generate a rain cloud of ink. The cloud gradually moves away from where the device was thrown.
Inkjet Special Weapon
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 RB.
Tenta Missiles Special Weapon
Press ZR to fire missiles at any enemies within your targeting reticle. Locking on to several enemies will change the number of missiles that hit each target.
Ultra Stamp Special Weapon
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.
All of these specials are available as a part of the weapon packages you can buy from Sheldon. But, if you are struggling to get Sheldon Licenses our guide can help you out.
For more help with Splatoon 3 and tips to get started, check out our picks for the best weapons in the game and an overview of the Splatoon 3 maps.