Against the tide in Rainmaker (22-10, Carbon Roller Deco)

It's all a bit chaotic at the start. That last Seeker hitting the bricks doesn't help, letting the blue team get the advantage on the Rainmaker's shield, and I have to duck back to avoid the explosion. The blue ink that flies everywhere stops me squidding over the crest, and although I see the Splat Bomb come my way, there's not much I can do. And here come the blue team. Being a tad low for a Seeker is unfortunate, but not as much as turning the wrong way from the Rainmaker blast.

I clean up my own mess first, and don't do bad in providing forward support with a Seeker Rush, as well as flicking backwards and below as the blue team push aggressively forwards, but I miss the Carbon Roller, who doesn't miss me. Heading along the flank gets me an opportunity for multiple splats, which I take with aplomb, but the Carbon Roller gets me again. Those things are quick. I should try one.

It seems better not to head directly towards a choke point, but in this case it's not much safer to stray beyond our front line. The blue team are everywhere, and quick to super-jump back, it seems. We have to defend again, and my Seekers are great for this in the Mall, as well as inking straight paths straight through blue inklings. I'm not sure where our Rainmaker carrier is going, though, until she catches up after the other Carbon Roller Deco and me have a bad-flicking contest.

I'm not quite sure where I'm super-jumping to, hence the slight pause on landing, and that explosion of blue looks a bit suspicious. Needless to say, the blue team are nearby and splat me away again. I come back with the standard Seeker throw, and consider heading over the top again, but a blue Rainmaker blast coming through the gap persuades me to be more direct this time. It's almost good I do, as even though I miss the Rainmaker, at least I prevent a blue path leading up the podium from being inked.

Our position looks pretty bad now. Thankfully, one of our squidmates holds back the Rainmaker shield just long enough for a Seeker to sneak underneath the explosion, temporarily preventing the almost-inevitable knockout defeat. Going up and over spies an inkling to splat out of the way, and dive-bombing her lines up two more super-jumpers for a nice triple. I could have waited for the quad-splat to land in my lap, but my conscience tells me to help with the push first. A squidmate gets the last super-jumper anyway.

The Rainmaker is somewhere again, and when it appears back in the middle of the Mall I realise a squidmate took one for the team and reset it. If only my Seeker Rush were slightly better timed, we could have pushed the Rainmaker forwards, but it just falls in to blue tentacles again. That's a suspciously good jump whilst carrying the heavy Rainmaker with no extra speed kit, though.

And it looks like one of our squidmates has been distracted. At this late stage, I doubt it matters. I indulge in a bit more splatting, but approached the Rainmaker at just the wrong moment and am caught by the Rainmaker's shield. By the time I'm back at base, our squidmate disappears in a puff of yellow dust, and the blue team are squidding up the podium. There's really not much I can do. We didn't even get on the scoreboard. So it goes.

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Tags: arowana mall, carbon roller deco, console, rainmaker, splatoon, wii u

Seeing orange in Rainmaker (17-7, Carbon Roller Deco)

My good start goes awry fairly quickly, as I fail to squid up a small ledge, throw a Seeker in to a wall, and get disorientated. Running out of ink doesn't help, but somehow I survive all of this to get splatted by running in front of the Dual Squelcher. Coming back along a different path inks another option for us, and charges my Seeker Rush. Just right to slow down the orange team, and I sensibly pause to flick when under pressure. I even burst the dropped Rainmaker. All looks cosy until I grab the Rainmaker and pop my beak over the ledge to be splatted immediately.

I don't really want to follow my Seeker and be an obvious target over the same ledge, so I tidy up a bit first. I also don't follow behind our Rainmaker, preferring as always to look around the side. That drops a squid in to my lap, who releases a flustered Killer Wail as I try to ink the wall to the top. I continue, getting in to a good flanking position whilst also charging my Seeker Rush. This Rush does better than the first, splatting inklings, bursting the Rainmaker, and leaving a trail behind me that actually leads forwards. I get a really good distance before halted in mid-air and pushed backwards in to a Killer Wail.

The orange team start bringing the Rainmaker back, which should just call for diligent defence. Not standing in a Killer Wail helps, but there's not much you can do about so many inklings cresting the ledge at the same time. My Seeker hit none of them either. I return to defend again, and a good defence can be as simple as turf control, and covering over direct paths to the podium is quite important.

I'm happy that bursting the Rainmaker doesn't push me back in to the water, and as much as I enjoy carrying the Rainmaker itself, I'd rather my Seekers helped to support someone else. Thankfully, a squidmate does grab the Rainmaker, as I am floundering near the brush, but even with a Seeker Rush active, we don't get too far. I'm then crushed by the Rainmaker's Shield when standing in an awkward position. So it goes.

I hit the flank again, our flank, to tidy up some orange mess and hopefully be a surprise to the orange team. I think I am, more than once, that drop-splat being pretty nifty, but my attempt to surprise the Sploosh-o-matic goes poorly when I simply pop up in front of her weapon. It looks like an inkling is trying to sneak around our flank as I head down the centre, but keeping the Rainmaker at bay is a higher priority. I balance inking the shield with standing back, and before I know it my squidmates are there to help. I somehow throw a Splat Bomb too. Nice!

A nice bit of Killer Wail avoidance by everyone as the ten-second counter appears makes it look like we have the battle won. Even when the Rainmaker is stuck near the water with me above the brush things look good. Then the brush becomes a Kraken, and bounces up the wall to splat me, and extra time is starting to look a bit more urgent. But a Seeker down the middle, and a dive-bomb flick stops the vanguard, and the whole team is there to stop the Rainmaker.

Good job, everyone! Woomy!

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Tags: arowana mall, carbon roller deco, console, rainmaker, splatoon, wii u

Green team aren't looking for Tower Control (10-3, Tri-slosher)

Okay, the green team take control of the Tower to start with, but we start pushing it the other way pretty quickly, and their efforts to control turf on our side of the Pit is ineffective. Maybe that's the difference: we end up controlling more turf, letting us hold the green team back. Not for a little while, as my early attempts to get on to the green ledge go wrong.

Still, I persist in getting on to that ledge as much as the green team persist in holding up there. It just takes a bit of finessing around the edges to start with, followed by some cautious uncertainty, but once we regain control of our turf I feel in control of the battle.

I finally get on to the ledge when no green inklings are around, which is good. They don't know I'm there, but they are coming. And when they come, they get splatted. I drop down to continue the splatting, knowing I can hop on and off the Tower to get back on the ledge. That gets me two more splats.

I drop down again, but loiter nearby, waiting for opportunities as my squidmates continue pushing the Tower. I am slightly startled by the sound of an Ink Mine being tripped when I move up to throw a Disruptor at the charger, but maybe it was one of ours. I know the sound of my Bubbler charging though.

I move up to pop my Bubbler and keep my squidmates on the Tower safe, but they are doing just fine as it is. I am a mere distraction as the Tower trundles to the goal. Woomy!

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Tags: console, piranha pit, splatoon, tower control, tri-slosher, wii u

Fighting back in Splat Zones (16-4, Tri-slosher)

That purple Splatterscope is only level 22. I smell a smurf. If that weren't bad enough, I'll drop back down to B+ if we lose this battle. I'm not looking forward to this. My basic plan is to hold back, take care of our Splat Zone, and try not to get picked on too much by the smurf. It mostly works, but the purple team were always going to get to our Splat Zone, and there's not much I can do about the Inkzooka.

Damn, that Inkzooka has some irritating gear too, which doesn't help my frustration. And I come back to a sea of purple, the Mini Splatling looking right towards our base, and I see an inkling heading down to ink the unused section. The situation looks pretty bad. I don't want to drop down in rank again, I have to go back, I just won't be stupid about it.

After a few moments reflection, I head around the side, sloshing short so that I don't spill ink over a ledge that would give away my position, and take stock. The inkling down the bottom is going around the side. The Splatterscope is in a cheesy position, but not looking this way. Let's see what I can do. I move cautiously and ambush the inkling coming up with brutal efficiency, and take advantage of the Splatterscope looking in the other direction to splat him with gusto too. Nice!

I drop back again, still not really wanting to engage a potentially much better skilled inkling, but when I move up to try the same ambush and no one's there, I have to move up. And an Inkstrike landing in the purple Splat Zone encourages me to be a little more aggressive. Lacking ink for a Disruptor doesn't help, but a Bubbler does as I jump down on to a Suction Bomb. That was handy.

Now I'm on the other side of the Pit. I start to defend the purple Splat Zone, but from the purple team. Splatting the Inkzooka is a nice way to start this second phase of the battle, I have to say. But I take a precautionary trip back to our side, before thinking that maybe I can make a difference. I choose a good time to press forwards too, avenging a splatted squidmate immediately.

I keep the ink sloshing, the Disruptors hitting, and all but force the purple team to concentrate on their own Splat Zone, leaving ours alone. I don't even mind getting splatted by three of them, as that's three of them on completely the wrong side of the Pit. And when I come back, I am in the perfect position to splat the smurf making a nuisance of himself. Nice!

A tagged inkling bags me a nice double splat, and squidding around lets me splat the Inkzooka from behind. Things are looking up, particularly as we are more reliably controlling the Splat Zones. More splats are had, more ink sloshed over the Splat Zones, and the purple team seem to be panicking. They are looking less for splats, and are just shooting what ink they can in to their Splat Zone. They neutralise it for a few seconds, but can't turn it purple, and we soon recover, taking us in to the lead! Nice!

I get a bit carried away and squid in to a Splat Bomb of the very smurfy smurf, and although they have a buffer to work through, the difference in scores isn't that great. We need to be calm and careful to secure the victory. I sneak around the side in time to splat an inkling squidding there to be a disruption, as he pulls out an Inkzooka, and survive a second Inkzooka, thanks to my Bubbler, to splat the super-jumping smurf.

I'm splatted away as time runs out, leaving enough of a purple stain for the battle to enter extra time. I push forwards, knowing we just need to neutralise one Splat Zone, and, rather fittingly, I think, splat the smurf in our Splat Zone to end the battle. Woomy!

The results screen appears, and it seems that we lost an inkling at some point. Looking back, our Brush disappeared after 28 seconds of the battle. I didn't even realise we were battling 3 vs 4. That makes the battle more impressive, and the win even sweeter.

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Tags: console, piranha pit, splat zones, splatoon, tri-slosher, wii u

Turning the battle around in Splat Zones (14-5, Tri-slosher)

That Inkstriker chooses an unfortunate time and place to launch the Inkstrike. But, then, I choose an unfortunate time to moonwalk on the conveyer belt. It's not unusual for me to walk in to bombs, though. I show that again almost immediately. Although I do well to dance around the Aerospray, I get much more flustered when her Ink Mine starts glowing, and squid in to a wall.

Running in to the Aerospray at close range is not much smarter, but I'm happy to protect my charger's flank on my return, particularly as she is trying to keep our turf inked. The purple team have managed to score some points, and we're still struggling to maintain hold over our own Splat Zone. I decide to be more active about it, and although my Disruptor overshoots its mark, splatting the Splatterscope lets me capture the purple Splat Zone.

Splitting the Splat Zones necessarily splits the attention of the purple team. Our own team too, but now we have more of a battle. But despite holding the Splat Zone for a bit, I could do more if I stopped walking in to Splat Bombs. At least the purple team are focussed on their Splat Zone, mostly leaving ours alone. A splash of ink on my way back, and we start our score counting down.

I avoid an Ink Mine! I'm pleased about that. And now we seem to be much more in control. The purple team struggle to keep control of their Splat Zone, and, owing to some good skirmishing, can't find their way to neutralise our Splat Zone. I've learnt not to push my luck too, and all this turf to squid around in lets me make good use of my Disruptors.

I notice our score has stopped, but the purple Splat Zone stays green. A purple inkling has sneaked past us and captured our Splat Zone. Good job, purple inkling, but I'm coming to correct this. I have the benefit of a charger Bubbler, which I use against the Splat Bombs, but it doesn't last long enough to survive the Inkzooka that gets pulled out. Even so, I dodge the Inkzooka blasts for longer than I should.

My effort and pushing back the Inkzooka lets my squidmates recapture our Splat Zone, and we get close to winning the battle before the inkling returns to turn our Splat Zone purple again. I slink around the side to splat them properly this time, and move up to recapture the Splat Zone. With only four points remaining, I do a little dance. Which, of course, is the right time for the purple team to neutralise their Splat Zone.

No matter, some more inking, a charged Bubbler, and a nice bit of squidmate rolling means that not even a last-second Inkstrike can prevent our knockout victory. Woomy!

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Tags: console, piranha pit, splat zones, splatoon, tri-slosher, wii u

Supporting the Rainmaker (10-4, Carbon Roller Deco)

I don't get too far patrolling the corridors from the back, with a fellow Roller avoiding my Seekers and blocking my flanking route. But I help keep the purple team at bay, and don't get splatted, so that's good. I also splat the Rainmaker once cornered, and help burst its shield.

With my Seekers and a Rush ready, I push forwards and trust in my squidmates to grab the Rainmaker, but there must be interference coming from the flanks, as it doesn't come far. I hold my position, though, and try to keep the way forward inked, but pushing too high gets me too much attention.

I come back to follow behind a new Rainmaker push, but in the midst of a purple Suction Bomb Rush. I get a bit further than the Rainmaker, but roll when I should have flicked. I'm back at base, which is bad because it allows the purple team to push, but good because it puts me in a good position to counter the purple push. I nearly do more, but I can't quite splat the entire purple team in time.

I catch up with the Rainmaker as it is dropped, and think I see a super-jumper land nearby. I dunno where, and don't really find them, but I find other inklings, and get really lucky with squishing one of them. I survive a bit longer to have a squidmate pick up the Rainmaker as I am in a good position to ink most of the rest of the way to the podium with a Seeker Rush.

I squid behind my Seekers to ink the ramp up to the podium, and am happy to see no purple inklings around, and happier to see a squidmate squid past me with the Rainmaker. The purple inklings catch me up on the ground, but my squidmate is clear to dunk the Rainmaker. Woomy!

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, port mackerel, rainmaker, splatoon, wii u

Follow the leader in Rainmaker (2-0, Carbon Roller Deco)

This Rainmaker battle is a great example of learning from my earlier errors. The one error I have made in the past, and still see some players make, is in using the Rainmaker's blast to ink a path, when it's not necessary.

Not this time. When I grab the Rainmaker, I notice that a squidmate surges ahead of me, and I trust in them. I use their ink, follow their path. The first thing that happens is that I avoid getting splatted from behind. The second thing that happens is my squidmate transforms in to a Kraken.

The Kraken carves a path up the ramp and on to the podium, and I'm right behind it.

This has got to be one of my most satisfying battles, partly because of the speed, but mostly because of the teamwork. Having the Kraken sat atop the podium with me is a fitting end. Woomy!

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, flounder heights, rainmaker, splatoon, wii u

Hitting the front in Rainmaker (8-1, Carbon Roller Deco)

Okay, I don't hit the front immediately, but that's because I've found it a great way to get splatted for nothing. Inking the channels with Seekers sets a better foundation. As a squidmate grabs the Rainmaker, I jink this way and that, trying to find the best route forwards, and decide on one of my Seeker trails.

I think I'm going to find that charger, but they turn in to a Carbon Roller, which is a bit more formidable close up. Still, some frantic flicking gets me the splat, and lets me move up behind two unsuspecting inklings. Those splats are easier.

A Seeker Rush keeps things green, but I stop short when I see a Killer Wail being aimed. I don't stop it, but I stop the inkling behind it. It seems a Seeker hits an unknown target too, which is nice. The Rainmaker goes forwards, as I and a squidmate try to find a Carbon Roller. I assume my squidmate manages it, as I don't, but I am also not splatted.

The Rainmaker's shield is a lost cause, so I just retreat to avoid the explosion. We're in a good position to just poke the defences too, and another Seeker Rush comes to my aid. I sneak around the side and splat the Carbon Roller, and push the Squiffer backwards. Rather than chase a pointless splat, I do the sensible thing and ink the ramp up to the podium.

With the podium inked, I drop down and provide some more forwards pressure. Even though I get splatted, it does the trick. I get the attention of three inklings, whilst a squidmate dunks the Rainmaker. Woomy!

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, port mackerel, rainmaker, splatoon, wii u

Cake or splat in Cake Splatfest (11/2 Splattershot)

Time to switch out for the Splattershot, if only to have a Special that may be a bit more useful than the Stingray. I haven't really played a shooter in Splatoon for a long, long time, which makes the limited selection of weapons in this Splatfest a bit more of a handicap. But the selection will stay limited for a while whilst I level up on release, so it's good to get an early feel for the Splattershot again.

I'm mostly getting an idea of the layout of the Starfish Mainstage, particularly with which surfaces are inkable and which aren't. I also notice water, and have to be careful not to accidentally drop in to it. My first use of the Inkjet goes well, with respect to splats, but not to control. It takes me some time, and poking about in the info pages, to realise that you can press B to gain a bit of height.

I waste a bit of time trying to knock an inkling off a perch, and then squid around the side to catch one below me. There's probably a lesson there about having the high ground. I dunno, just because it works then, and with the Inkjet above me. I'm just not sure.

Trying to find uninked turf in an unfamiliar area is tricky, but I am drawn to that big, neon green patch. But the green inklings are drawn to our pink patch too. A bit of luck, a bit of skill, and I get a splat with the Splattershot and assist with my Splat Bomb, and push my luck a little charging at a pair of Splat Dualies.

Another Inkjet gets another splat, but I disorientate myself again getting it. A bit of wandering around inking turf finds another splat, but a couple of inklings sneak past below me. I think I'm just happy to see lots of pink turf.

I spy one inkling squidding nearby as time runs out, and just about get my Splattershot aimed his way, and get handed a final splat from a super-jumper that lets me steady my aim first. It's a solid victory for the team, and a decent individual effort from all of us. I think we still woomy. Woomy!

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Tags: console, splatfest, splatoon 2, splattershot, starfish mainstage, switch, turf war

Going for turf in Cake Splatfest (2/1, Splat Charger)

Cake Splatfest! Splat Charger for me to start with. I'd like to try holding the charge whilst squidding, but I don't think I'll be able to put that to much use. I'd need to aim quickly when popping up again, and I can't do that at the best of times. Still, I find out that the pigeon is turf to be inked and perched on, in a strange turn of events.

I get forced off the pigeon quickly, and soon overwhelmed at short range. Dunno where my squidmates are, as there's precious little inked turf for me to squid away to safety. I come back an ink the turf myself, which charges my Stingray, and this is early enough in the Splatfest for me to realise that you can't just keep firing the Stingray, you need to do it in bursts, or you'll hit nothing. Splatting anyone is still hit-or-miss, though. It's a tricky Special to use effectively.

My squid sense tingles, but the Roller is on top of me far too quickly for me to react. I head back along the other direction, and look for opportunity. I am shooed from my minor perch, but that pushes me towards a couple of splats that I'm happy for, even if splatted in return.

Hey, it's the map! Super-jumping from the base is actually pretty straightforward, and you have plenty of time to check things out. I still land in trouble, but that's generally the way. The map also shows me that we're in a spot of bother, as regards to turf inked.

Aiming for the other team won't win us this battle now. Instead, I squid around the side, and hopefully bypass their attention to try to ink as much turf as I can in the final thirty seconds. Ignore what people say about chargers being inefficient inkers, check out what I managed to do. A win by 1.5%, and my charger lines are mostly untouched.

That's a good win!

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Tags: console, inkblot art academy, splat charger, splatfest, splatoon 2, switch, turf war