Sneakiness around the Splat Zones (14-5, Carbon Roller Deco)

The initial battle looks to be over our Splat Zone. But I suppose it would, as that's where I am. We mostly have to fend off the occasional Suction Bomb, whilst I try to work out when it's safe to push forwards. I don't make the best decision. I take a look at the other Splat Zone, but it seems just as contested, and we even capture both for a second. That's good.

As both Splat Zones are being fought over, I head back to ours, which has teal inklings around. My choice to launch a Seeker wasn't great, where a flick would have done, but it works out. I even catch the Rapid Blaster quickly enough to survive, which lets me clean up some ink, and leads me around to a decent place to launch a few Seekers.

I pick a nice time to follow a Seeker. Sure, I run in to three inklings, all shooting ink my way, but a couple of flicks splats the lot of then. A three-for-one trade is pretty good! I move back towards the teal Splat Zone, as that's where the action is, but jink at the sound of an Inkzooka. A bit of height, a Seeker, and following behind just in case gets me a satisfying splat.

I don't do enough to capture the Splat Zone, which I really should, and instead look to catch the Roller coming around the back. But his height advantage really helps, and I'm just a sitting duck. Another Inkzooka is active as I return, and I realise now that they have three Inkzookas on their team! That seems unfair. Either way, another Seeker, another Inkzooka splat. That evens things out, and I head the other way to help capture the teal Splat Zone, albeit a couple of seconds after we lose the lead.

My Seeker Rush splats the Rapid Blaster and pushes back another inkling, who super-jumps away after lobbing a bomb my way. That's fine, as it gives us time to ink over some teal mess. I help get our score ticking over again, and ink our conveyer belt to make our movement smoother, before heading to the teal Splat Zone, teal once more, to get a sneaky splat on the Carbon Roller.

Going back around the other way finds some action. I bide my time, and strike at just the right moment to stop the advancing Splatterscope, mid-Splat Bomb Rush. And we're back in the lead, nice! A bit of lurking has my chasing the Rapid Blaster. I am sure I get enough hits for the splat, but having to push for another hit gets me caught next to his Suction Bomb. I'm not happy with the amount of teal ink that leaves in our Splat Zone, but so it goes.

It all gets a bit messy around our Splat Zone. I try to sneak behind someone throwing Splat Bombs, and just about manage it, but get caught between two inklings, that causes a bit of confusion. I can't turn quickly enough to get the splats I want, and so get splatted myself. I move to the teal Splat Zone instead, where I manage to fake-out the Splatterscope, and lay down a nice chunk of ink in the Splat Zone.

I hang around the teal Splat Zone, trying to be sneak support. I suppose it doesn't work too well when they capture both Splat Zones, but I do just about enough to neutralise the Splat Zone again. Given our lead, and the lack of time left, that's all I really need to do.

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, piranha pit, splat zones, splatoon, wii u

Forwards and back in Splat Zones (9-2, Tri-slosher)

Sneaking around the back works out okay at the start of this battle. Not great, but I get an easy splat out of it, and help to neutralise the Splat Zones. Another splat jumps in front of my bucket, and I push back the Rapid Blaster nicely, before popping my charged Bubbler to survive some heavy inking.

Echolocating will stop my being sneaky, but that's why I have my Cold-blooded top on. Once the Echolocator drops, I do a 180 and squid up a wall for height, and happily hide behind a squidmate, before getting either away from or closer to a Suction Bomb Rush. Either way, I get a couple more lucky splats.

This aggressive pushing has left our Splat Zones nicely purple, but I feel vulnerable, so head back and get some height to relax for a second. I drop down to tidy up some green ink, and spot some movement. My Disruptor hits and I squid to flank, and our Splatterscope finishes the splat. Nice! Even so, our Splat Zones are neutralised, and threaten to turn green.

I head in to the Splat Zone, Bubbler at the ready, and help to push back the green team, at least for the moment before an Inkzooka catches me by surprise. But that's what they do. Heading down the right stops a green inkling, even if I don't get the splat, and it turns out that an Echolocator is much more helpful than my Disruptors. Maybe if I threw them better.

My squidmates take back control of the Splat Zones, so I leave them to it as I go skirmishing again, as I tend to. I catch the Octoshot Replica, just about, but the Rapid Blaster just about catches me moments later, which is all that pesky weapon has to do, particularly with so much cheesy strength enhancing kit.

Straight down the middle this time, turning back to double-team a green inkling, and that looks like it. I keep one Splat Zone purple as our score ticks to one, and, well, the other Splat Zone becomes green. So it goes. I stay in this Splat Zone, not wanting us to get another buffer to work through, and trust my squidmates to take care of the other one.

All looks good, though, so I squid over to take a tentative look at the other Splat Zone. Ah, it's pretty purple. And completely purple. The battle is won, woomy!

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Tags: blackbelly skatepark, console, splat zones, splatoon, tri-slosher, wii u

Good start goes south in Splat Zones (14-8, Tri-slosher)

Sneaking around the back often works when inklings focus on the Splat Zones. It works fairly well for me in this battle, although the green team get quite far forwards, and I have to work to catch up with them. My skin is saved a bit when I squid forwards quickly, dodging under a Carbon Roller, and my Bubbler charges in good timing to turn the splat around.

Going behind early isn't much of a problem if you can neutralise the other team, and that's what we manage to do. A bit more manic manoeuvring all here and there, up and over walls, and a second well-timed Bubbler gets me some more splats, until I am out-ranged in the Splat Zones. So it goes.

I ink our other flank now, curiously untouched so far, and look to keep myself mobile around and beyond the Splat Zones. Our Roller beats me to a couple of splats, but that works for me, it's a team battle, and it all keeps our score ticking down nicely. I do get a bit antsy in the Splat Zones when a squid gets stuck in ink, and pop my Bubbler only to see our Roller morph in to an inkling. That's cool, I meant to do that.

I remember my Disruptors here and there, putting one to good use against the Dual Squelcher, but am almost immediately counted with a pesky Inkzooka. That's okay, as I come back to the far Splat Zone with good timing to catch a Roller, and an inkling trying to sneak off an Inkstrike. She gets it launched, at least.

Our lead is looking pretty healthy. I'm tempted just to keep skirmishing, but am discouraged from sneaking around the back when an Echolocator hits me. My Cold-blooded jumper shrugs it off soon enough, but I've already turned around. I find myself wondering what to do, whereas their Carbon Roller has my splatting on his mind. I would say I'm lucky to make the splat mutual.

The green team have some time with the Splat Zones, which seems innocent enough, until it continues for long enough to look like they could threaten our lead. I try to do something about it, but it looks like my luck has run out. I get a splat here or there, but I mostly find myself getting splatted, whilst in the Splat Zones, only helping the green team out.

The battle enters extra time as the green team's score gets perilously closer to ours, and my efforts increasingly do little to help. Thank goodness for my squidmates, who spread blue ink in the right places in a timely manner, re-capturing the Splat Zones soon enough to secure our victory. Phew!

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Tags: blackbelly skatepark, console, splat zones, splatoon, tri-slosher, wii u

Zonal inking in Splat Zones (6-2, Kelp Splat Charger)

Oh boy, that E-litre 3K easily out-ranges my puny Kelp Splat Charger. I am going to have to be wary of him. Sure enough, he blasts ink clear over my head from the perch opposite to mine, where I barely get close to the perch itself. That's cool, I will stick behind the cover as much as possible and, because this is Splat Zones, do my best to cover up his and his squidmates' ink.

Of course, my Killer Wail can give me moments of respite, forcing the E-litre 3K of his perch. Maybe even a splat here and there too. The first Wail doesn't catch anyone, but I see an inkling heading our way, and pull off a really good shot to stop him being a nuisance. I don't quite manage the same when the Carbon Roller comes my way, but I stay safe, even if I perhaps waste a Killer Wail to do so.

The Carbon Roller comes back, from the side this time, and I only just get out of her way. At least she doesn't stick around, and I get back to inking. Some Splat Zones, mostly around the edges, to prevent movement. My Killer Wail charges just as an Inkzooka threatens, and I get a nice splat from that. But the Carbon Roller is back, bringing another inkling with her. I focus on the super-jumper, but the Carbon Roller's ninja squidding catches me off-guard. Nice splat by her.

We're in the lead, but now we have intruders near our base. That could pose problems. I'm really happy to splat the E-litre 3K in the back, and I clear up the Carbon Roller's mess. We lose the Splat Zones as I do this, but you need to work from a good base, or things just get messy. My Killer Wail charges at a good time again, and I manage to hit a squid in mid-air. One of ours, though.

The Carbon Roller's threatening again, with a Seeker Rush, but I get tense and pull my shot. That lets the E-litre 3K push me back a bit. But my Killer Wail charges again, whilst I am in a great position to angle it at the E-litre 3K. That takes some pressure off. Or so I think. The Carbon Roller is now behind me. I dive forwards to escape, and think I do okay, until the Suction Bomb explodes off my shoulder.

My first foray in to the Splat Zones encourages me to stay on the edge, but I need to tidy up again first. My caution pays off, revealing the Carbon Roller, and getting her stuck in my ink to be a fat target. My Killer Wail lets me refill my ink tank, but it's not enough. I need more ink, to counter all that green ink everywhere!

I must be laying down some good ink, as my Killer Wail charges again. I nearly get stuck next to a Suction Bomb whilst aiming it, but not quite, and I continue to cover the green team's mess the best I can. Being forced backwards in to green ink whilst trying to escape a Splat Bomb reminds me of the importance of keeping your turf the right colour, so I tidy up a bit more.

Hopefully my inking around the edges is helping in its way. I like to think so, particularly as we take the lead back from the green team. There's a little blip near the end of the battle, when the green team controls the Splat Zones, but it's not for long, and we win fairly comfortably. Woomy!

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Tags: ancho-v games, console, kelp splat charger, splat zones, splatoon, wii u

Could go either way in Splat Zones (11-7, Carbon Roller Deco)

My standard gambit in Camp Triggerfish Splat Zones with the Carbon Roller Deco works well again, and I turn away from our Splat Zone with supernatural timing to avoid being splatted. Hopefully this is a good omen, but I'm sure it's just luck. I look to cover some blue ink, then head over the bridge, where a Slosher is waiting in just the right position. It's too bad my Seeker Rush isn't more effective, though.

Everything looks good for the moment, so I sit somewhere safe and ink some turf outside the Splat Zones for a while. Maybe I should be doing more, actively stopping the blue inklings from contesting the Splat Zones. Or maybe where I am is good, so that I can stop our Splat Zone from being contested. That is, unless the Tri-slosher squids under my Carbon Roller, pops her Bubbler, and splats me out of the way.

Thankfully, a squidmate does better against the Tri-slosher than me, but we've lost the blue Splat Zone. Heading around the side to contest it again looks like it could be awkward, as most of the turf is blue. I don't want to squid in to a hiding inkling, so take some care as I go. That may have saved my squidmate too, but, then again, it doesn't really save me. A bit more skill may have.

Now both Splat Zones are blue. Circumstances don't look desperate yet, but we need to assert ourselves a bit. Lots of bombs being thrown over the gap don't help, particularly when you roll right in to one. Maybe a bit of height will help, so, with a brief pause for an Inkstrike, I head around the side to get on to the fence. Well, I suppose it helps, but just a second too late. We've lost the lead.

I get back across the bridge and launch a good Seeker Rush, but feel a bit guilty for splatting the Tri-slosher as she jumps down from the base. I turn away to not be quite so unsporting, and help protect the Splat Zones. It doesn't go so well, as the super-jumping Slosher does some good sloshing. The sloshing extends across the gap too, and the Splat ones turn blue again.

Super-jumping towards the blue Splat Zone helps contest it, and I learn from earlier and move away from the Suction Bomb, but I have a weird moment when I don't ink. I don't think that's related to my getting splatted by two inklings, though. I go back the same way, and get a bit lucky with the Slosher covering our green ink, but I'll take it, particularly as my futile reaching for Seekers gets me caught in blue ink, and an inkling's sights.

Fifteen seconds to go, and my squidmates capture the Splat Zones. Nice! Can we hold them for long enough, as the battle enters extra time, to snatch the lead back for the victory? A decent flanking move, and waiting for the super-jumper, gives us a nice inkling advantage for a bit, at least. A Seeker Rush charges at the right time too, but the ink is being sloshed down from above.

My Carbon Roller can't reach high enough to splat the inkling, so I focus instead on keeping the Splat Zone green, which is perhaps more important than a splat right now. My squidmates splat the Tri-slosher, though, which helps, and moments later our buffer is gone, our counter continues, and victory is ours! Woomy!

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Tags: camp triggerfish, carbon roller deco, console, splat zones, splatoon, wii u

A rather splatty Tower Control (14-4, Tri-slosher)

There's no charger on the other team, so I don't go charging around the back, but the Heavy Splatling may go up on the walkway. Or maybe not, and that prospective Disruptor throw is embarrassing. At least I give up quickly and drop down to see what I can do about one of the Carbon Rollers. Sort of! But it's quite a protracted tussle, for inklings, and I'm splatted away by some purple support. So it goes.

I think heading around the side would be safer, but I'm chased by purple ink soon enough. I get away and splat a Carbon Roller hassling a squidmate, but the other one surprises me nicely. Now let's go right around the back. That catches me a Killer Wailer, and although it's not just in time to stop the Wail itself, I don't get carried away and run in to the blast. I even get another splat from where I'm safe.

I don't quite catch up to the Tower, but it seems there's enough pressure on it already. Or less enthusiasm for riding it over splats. And I'm glad that I manage to save my Bubbler for a good moment, and activate it at that moment, keeping me going for longer, as squidmates push the Tower in to a stronger lead. I can't say the same the next time my Bubbler charges, but I've had a good string of splats up to that point.

I think super-jumping back is a good idea. A bit of manoeuvring never goes amiss either, letting me evade Burst Bombs, and hit the flank of the Splash-o-matic, before rushing in to the Heavy Splatling. I get the splat, though, which hopefully helps.

Coming back, I think about hitting the flank, but see the pressure the purple team have on the Tower, and change my mind, heading along the walkway instead. That gets some pressure off the Tower, but nearly has me in the middle of a Killer Wail. Somehow, I get clear in time, and although I don't hop on the Tower a squidmate manages to to keep it moving.

I squid around the back, and zoom ahead of the Tower, popping up in front of perhaps unexpecting inklings for a couple of good splats, and manage to pop my Bubbler just before a Carbon Roller squishes me. And, with the Bubbler still active, the Tower pretty much comes to me, so I hop on for the short ride to the goal. Woomy!

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Tags: console, kelp dome, splatoon, tower control, tri-slosher, wii u

Sloshing the sides in Tower Control (18-5, Tri-slosher)

That E-litre 3K is my first target, so I speed around the side to see if I can catch him. Yep! But the blue inklings have been just as quick at claiming the Tower and pushing it. At least my position gives me an advantage, and that advantage chargers my Bubbler. I splat the blue team one by one and turn the Tower around. The lead isn't so big, and the battle is early.

I hop off to ink and splat ahead, but my next encounter with the Luna Blaster isn't as lucky as the first. I think I do well on my return to intercept a blue inkling looking to flank, but my sloshing lets me down. Trying to catch up has a Disruptor throw not work, but I'm more used to that. I eventually catch up and get the splat. It was a lot of ink for little gain, but it gets me in to a favourable position as my squidmates hop on to the Tower.

Pushing around the side splats the Luna Blaster at close range, and moving right around the back gets the E-litre 3K out of the way too. Another lap catches the Luna Blaster again, I my Bubbler just in time to save me from the E-litre 3K, and although he gets out of the way of my bucket a different blue inkling isn't so lucky. I retreat as my squidmates get close to taking the lead, but they don't need my help. Instead, I get cocky in squidding towards the E-litre 3K again.

My usual contrary self decides not to go towards the Tower, but around the side from a hopefully unexpected direction. It almost works, but the blue team have the Tower, so I instead unexpectedly intercept an inkling looking to flank us. My little spat with the E-litre 3K ends in a draw, but I find myself in a good position to stop a Splat Bomb Rush in progress. I still have the Tower to chase, but I catch up in time to help my squidmates, who are doing a good job of preventing us losing the lead they fought hard for.

I head around the back and lurk. I'm looking for the E-litre 3K, but aim for an inkling who drops in my path instead. It doesn't go so well, which is fine, as I don't particularly feel comfortable lying in wait for targets like that, and having it not work discourages me from trying again. Besides, the Tower is moving forwards again nicely, and I head that way to support the push.

I distract and splat the E-litre 3K, which is good, and the Luna Blaster hopping over the ramp, and although I get splatted in return, all looks good for a knockout victory, the Tower trundling in to view. That is, until a blue inkling super-jumps in like a hero, Inkzooka ready and aimed at the Tower. I can't help but be impressed.

I go back to help prevent the blue team returning the Tower, which goes okay until I stand next to a Suction Bomb, so instead I cover the blue ink all around our base. We just need to defend for a little longer, and removing any advantage the blue team has will help.

Sure enough, the Tower is coming our way, but moving away from bombs, gaining some height advantage, and a little patience helps secure the victory. Woomy!

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Tags: console, kelp dome, splatoon, tower control, tri-slosher, wii u

Aiming for the objective in Tower Control (2-2, Kelp Splat Charger)

A good first splat gets my battle underway, although the inkling gets her revenge as soon as possible. She then moves towards our base, looking to cause us some disruption. I suppose it works, at least for me, but unless the green team wrests the Tower from my squidmates, all that green ink won't come to anything.

Hey, there's two of them. Seems a bit of a waste of energy when the Tower is on the other side of the dome, to be honest. To prove that point, I ignore them and head over to support our push. It almost works, but my Killer Wail placing isn't quite as quick as the other Kelp Splatterscope's.

Still, the Tower remains far away from the interlopers. It looks like those inklings either realised the futility of their actions, or believe their work is currently done. Fair enough, and it lets me cover over some of their ink, whilst trying to make sure I'm not about to be ambushed.

From there, I move up to push the Tower again, just about evading a Roller as I do. There are other inklings to avoid too, which I achieve well enough by hopping on and off the Tower, as my squidmates do the splatting. That works for me, as we're all contributing to the battle.

I don't get any more splats, even trundling down the channel, even with a Killer Wail aimed along that channel. But I keep the Tower moving, and my squidmates keep the inklings engaged, all the way to the goal. And this is why you don't ignore the Tower. Woomy!

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Tags: console, kelp dome, kelp splat charger, splatoon, tower control, wii u

Blasts in the Skatepark in Tower Control (12-8, Grim Range Blaster)

Going around the back takes a little longer, but it eventually helps stop the initial push and get the Tower moving in the right direction. Spotting the Blaster heading my way helps me get a nice splat, but I point the Killer Wail in the wrong direction. I should have guessed that perch would be occupied and aimed it that way. So it goes.

The same perch works for me, even before the Tower has gone far, and although maybe I could have stayed up there, I don't think I would have been less vulnerable to the Slosher had I not jumped down. He gets me again on even ground seconds later.

Trying to come around the back of the purple team nearly works, but I tip my hand a little early, giving the E-litre 3K the opportunity to Burst Bomb me from above. I splat the Slosher, at least, but ceding the column to the charger may not be the best result. I head back to see if I can splat her off, which I do, but the Slosher catches me, with some nifty wall clinging. It seems I can splat one or the other of the Slosher and E-litre 3K, but not both.

I try to push the Tower again, but again I aim the Killer Wail towards the base, and not the obvious perch. To be fair, it looked like no one was there as I blasted it, but circumstances change quickly. My squidmates have a ride on the Tower next, and I fall in behind to support.

I think I see the Slosher clinging to another wall, which is nice and sneaky, but I definitely spot the Luna Blaster squidding underneath us. We pause to splat the threat, and, with only a couple of points between the scores, hop back on to take the lead. Hiding helps us extend the lead, but I misgauge the blast radius of a Suction Bomb and I am splatted away.

I would say we've done enough to win the battle, as long as we defend successfully, which makes it obvious where to head. A bit of inky pressure is applied, preventing much of a push, and a decent Killer Wail, at least, stops the Tower in its tracks. From there, a quick attempt to prove that a good defence is a good attack maybe loses the Tower slightly, but it lets me splat the E-litre 3K and Slosher sequentially. Nice!

The clock ticks down, my squidmates retake control of the Tower, and the battle is won. Woomy!

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Tags: blackbelly skatepark, console, grim range blaster, splatoon, tower control, wii u

This way and that in Tower Control (13-6, Grim Range Blaster)

It's a fair exchange to start my splatting, but I was jumping in to a risky position again. I should learn at some point. I take the same route back, despite the Tower being pushed by squidmates, but with some method to my manoeuvres. I hope to get behind the green team, and it pretty much works, although that's probably more because my squidmates already splatted the other team.

Still, there Hero Charger Replica is still there, applying pressure, and I splat him nicely. But there's no green inkling near the Tower for my Killer Wail, which I waste, whereas moving up and aiming it towards the goal would have been better. Even so, we have a convincing lead within the first minute of the battle.

My moves aren't as sneaky as I expect them to be after that, and getting in to close range of a Luna Blaster is rarely a good idea. The Tower trundles on, and despite my advantageous position, I can't topple the Kraken from the Tower, or clear it completely of inklings before our lead is immediately lost. That's pretty unfortunate.

We push the Tower back and clear the inklings out of the way, but it's just a bit too late. What can we do from here? Our first push is thwarted by the other Range Blaster, in rather a better position than I managed, and she even disrupts my trying to sneak around the back.

The Tower gets pushed towards our goal again, and I push a bit more aggressively forwards after the last failure to defend, nearly looking good for a quad splat, if it weren't for the Splat Bomb Rush that comes flying our way. And I would mind losing my Killer Wail more if the green inkling that splats me was on the Tower. But she isn't, and it trundles back to the middle of the Skatepark. That suits me.

We get the Tower moving again, but with some presence of mind to not get caught stubbornly riding the Tower. Hopping off here and there helps protect the push, my Killer Wail points in the right direction, and a squidmate's Bubbler is saved for just the right moment. We retake the lead!

Of course, taking the lead puts us next to the goal, which the Tower hits seconds later, as I'm fumbling to yell a victory 'Nice!' That was a rollercoaster of a battle.

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Tags: blackbelly skatepark, console, grim range blaster, splatoon, tower control, wii u