Splatoon 3is still trucking along. There’s DLC on the way, it’s hosted a bit of light DLC, and there are more Splatfests coming. It’s not a bad place to be in, especially since regular balance changes are still rolling around: like version 4.1.0, which just dropped.
Let’s dig in!
Breaking down the Splatoon 3 patch notes (link)
Several weapons have been reworked, including the Aerospray MG and RG, which have a reduced inked consumption to make them a bit more viable. As a rule many weapons have been buffed, which should allow for more variety across matches compared to the meta we were operating in pre-4.1.0. I’m particularly interested in trying out the Tri-Stringer post-patch: as it has increased explosion damage on top of providing additional movement speed while charging (13%!).
As far as sub weapons go, the sprinkler and angle shooter were buffed, as well as the Trizooka, Ink Vac, and Super Chump special weapons. The Inkjet was nerfed, which a decreased explosion area. Special weapon point requirements (the amount of points needed to use them) were altered as well, with the Clash Blaster Neo and Carbon Rollergoing down in point threshold values, while the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco, Tri-Slosher Nouveau, Mini Splatling, and Ballpoint Splatlingwent up.
The development team even provided a bit of background on what they intended to accomplish in patch 4.1.0:
“We have improved certain weapons to make them easier to use and modified some less popular weapons to be a bit closer to popular weapons in performance. We hope this will encourage a wider selection of weapon usage. Additionally, we have made adjustments to some sub weapons to make them easier to use in conjunction with main weapons. We have also adjusted some special weapons. In addition to similar adjustments mentioned above to encourage a wider selection of usage, we’ve dialed back the performance of some special weapons that had been modified in the past. Their specifications are now closer to the original weapon specifications.”
As for what’s next, there is a planned update “at the end of the current season,” which will bring “further weapon balancing.” That’s slated for September.
you may read the full current balance changes and patch notes below!
N-ZAP ’89
Changes to the Lobby
This update focuses on making tweaks to multiplayer.
We have improved certain weapons to make them easier to use and modified some less popular weapons to be a bit closer to popular weapons in performance. We hope this will encourage a wider selection of weapon usage.
Additionally, we have made adjustments to some sub weapons to make them easier to use in conjunction with main weapons.
We have also adjusted some special weapons. In addition to similar adjustments mentioned above to encourage a wider selection of usage, we’ve dialed back the performance of some special weapons that had been modified in the past. Their specifications are now closer to the original weapon specifications.
We plan on releasing the next update at the end of the current season. It will focus primarily on further weapon balance adjustments and adding features for the new season starting in September.
