Splatoon 2

As promised, today sees the release of Splatoon 2's latest update, taking the game to Version 5.1.0. Nintendo has released the full patch notes for this multiplayer-focused update, and we've shared the full list of changes for you below.

You should find this update waiting for you the next time you boot up the game, so make sure to check you have the latest version of the software installed next time you play.

Splatoon 2 - Ver. 5.1.0

Changes to Multiplayer

  • Specifications for some of the main weapons have been changed.
    Weapon Change
    • Splattershot
    • Tentatek Splattershot
    • Kensa Splattershot
    • Hero Shot Replica
    • Octo Shot Replica
    • Decreased ink consumption by roughly 8%.
    • Luna Blaster
    • Luna Blaster Neo
    • Kensa Luna Blaster
    • Decreased amount of time after firing before being able to take further actions by roughly 4/60 of a second.
    • Decreased ink consumption by roughly 17%.
    • L-3 Nozzlenose
    • L-3 Nozzlenose D
    • Kensa L-3 Nozzlenose
    • Increased ink consumption by roughly 15%.
    • Reduced the effect of the Main Power Up gear ability.
    • Changed the amount of gear ability required to deal up to 33.3 damage from 1.8 times to 2.4 times the amount of the primary gear ability.
    • Each secondary gear ability is worth 0.3 of the primary gear ability.
    • Splat Charger
    • FIrefin Splat Charger
    • Kensa Charger
    • Hero Charger Replica
    • Slightly narrowed the area covered by ink droplets from fired shots.
    • Bamboozler 14 Mk I
    • Bamboozler 14 Mk II
    • Bamboozler 14 Mk III
    • Reduced the effect of the Main Power Up gear ability.
    • Changed the amount of gear ability required to deal up to 99.9 damage from 4.1 times to 4.4 times the amount of the primary gear ability.
    • Each secondary gear ability is worth 0.3 of the primary gear ability.
  • Specifications for the following special weapons have been changed.
    Special Weapon Change
    • Splashdown
    • Extended the area within which damage is dealt upward.
    • This change makes it easier to deal damage to mid-air opponents from even a moderate distance.
    • There is no change to the damage area for opponents standing near but lower than the epicenter of the blast.
    • Increased damage dealt to opponent Ballers by roughly 21%.
    • Baller
    • Decreased duration of active time from roughly 7 to roughly 6 seconds.
  • Points required for using specials have been changed for certain main weapons
    Weapon Before After
    • Tentatek Splattershot
    • Octo Shot Replica
    210 200
    • Octobrush
    • Herobrush Replica
    180 170
    • Enperry Splat Dualies
    210 200
    • L-3 Nozzlenose
    190 210
    • L-3 Nozzlenose D
    180 200
    • Bamboozler 14 Mk I
    180 200
    • Soda Slosher
    200 210
    • Tenta Camo Brella
    200 210
  • Downloading the latest update will prevent matching with players at the Shoal that are using previous update data.

    With this update we have made adjustments to the abilities of certain weapons to effectively hold the line of battle or to ink turf from afar. However, we have limited these adjustments in such a way that they should not affect weapon selection for players experienced with using these weapons.

    Following this update, we plan to consider similar adjustments for many other weapons going forward. Additionally, we will continue to watch for and analyze weapons that appear to have few or no drawbacks, and that also perform well against all other weapons.


Nintendo says that the next Splatoon 2 update is planned to release in April 2020.

If you missed it, a new year message shared by the official Japanese Splatoon Twitter account recently hinted at some potential new content. Whether this is a tease for new DLC, a full sequel, or simply just a bit of fun is unclear.

[source en-americas-support.nintendo.com, via gonintendo.com]