Splatoon 2 is gearing up for its second Splatfest as we publish this, a battle between Flight and Invisibility; inklings will battle across a variety of stages to determine which side will reign supreme. Of course, that means those inklings are going to need to know how to outsmart and outshoot their opponents. Not all of us are naturals when it comes to shooters, your humble scribe included; with that in mind, we’ve put together a list of simple tips to help you bring your team to victory in the coming festivities.

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Take the Centre

In any Turf War, the first thing you and your teammates should be doing is rushing the centre of the map. In most maps the centre is the most fought-over spot, and it's easy to see why; it's the halfway point on the map, and if you can hold it that means your enemy won't get to your base and halt your forward momentum. If you can take this critical objective early on, it means your opponents will have to spend the rest of the match trying to either get it back from you or take the surrounding areas by sneaking past you. Either way it's pivotal and can seal the outcome of the match early on. Once you have the centre, you'll want to follow the recommendations we have for you below.

Ink Your Base

There's no shame in being splatted, it happens to the best of us, but when you do meet your eight-tentacled maker take a new route to your objective; this will not only confuse your opponents with their clearly incorrect ideologies, but will allow you to ink another portion of your base. Whenever possible make sure to prevent your opponents from getting past you so they can't ink your spot when you're not looking.

Ink Their Base

If you're lucky enough to take the centre of the map, don't stop there. Keep pushing forward and capture as much of the opposition's territory as possible. The point of taking an enemy base is that they'll need to re-ink routes before they can even try to take you on. Being slowed down is more deadly than any slosher or splattershot.

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Use Your Map

It's easy to get caught up in what's happening in your immediate surroundings, but a crafty foe will sneak their way out of the fray and wreak havoc on areas that were thought to be safe. Be sure to tap the X button every now and then to make sure the battle isn't getting away from you.


Know When to Go

Remember, Turf Wars aren't about splatting people; sure, it helps, but it's not the be all and end all. If you find yourself outgunned, retreat. It's better to build your score and escape a potentially lethal opponent than to stand your ground. At the end of the day, your special is likely to score you far more points than taking out an opponent or two. You could also run away to throw your opponent off before sneaking up on them if you'd rather finish the fight.

Use Bombs Wisely

Bombs are used far too sparingly in your run of the mill Turf War, especially considering how wonderfully useful they are. At a distance, bombs can be used to keep enemies at bay, but it also can serve double duty as an excellent trap. If an enemy is trying to hold a spot, try throwing a bomb to get them to move, thus covering your advance. Not all bombs are created equally however, and you'll have to be mindful of costs, though you can mitigate some of that cost. Speaking of abilities, we have a tip for that, too.

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Pick Your Abilities

Finding the right abilities is key to being an effective splatter. Some things to consider are your play style, your gun and how much ink it consumes, as well as how often you like to use special weapons and bombs, as there are abilities that will provide all manner of effects to compliment your play. Sneaky? Get Squid Ninja. Hate reloading and ducking in ink? Use Ink Saver. Better yet, consult our ability guide for some extra help!


This is by no means a comprehensive guide to winning, in fact, we're barely scratching the surface of the tactics available to you to prove your choice of Splatfest team is superior. With that in mind, take heed of these tips, but dig deep and find a style and weapon that best suits you, mix it up with some good abilities and keep your eyes peeled for threats. Good luck out there, and let us know what your favourite tactics are in the comments.