Rolling back to A- in Splat Zones (7-0, Carbon Roller Deco)

My proximity to hitting A- again was short-lived. But after a couple of losses, a couple of victories gets me close again. I was going to head off-line, but instead I pull out the Carbon Roller Deco for one last battle this evening, trusting in it to help me back up a rank. It doesn't disappoint.

My first couple of Seekers go poorly, but the third is a peach. I even turn away from the explosion, that's how cool it was. I hold back a bit, sending out another Seeker that really shouldn't have hit its target, but the inkling pops out of the ink at an inopportune moment. I can't say I mind. Moving behind that inkling was almost a mistake, but a squidmate takes the hit for me, and I exact some revenge as consolation.

I wait for the super-jumper too, but get panicked with some blue inky pressure from above. I get the splat and escape, but accidentally activate my Seeker Rush, my Special going completely to waste. I only realise when I think I activate it and try to release more than one Seeker. I don't know at the time why that doesn't work.

I squid around, find opportunity, and retreat when an Echolocator hits me. When it drops, I head up on to the grate, wondering if Seekers would work up there. Maybe, but not without a target, so instead I sneak around the side. My Seeker goes astray, my aim being notoriously bad whatever I'm using, but the flick is nicely timed, if unintentional.

I aim for the charger, but run in to another inkling first, and when I somehow survive that, the charger has already been ousted from the perch. I decide that staying here would be bad for my health, so hop over the perch to patrol. But nothing's happening.

I head around the back again, but before I can do anything, the battle is over. That was quick. And I get a decent score, particularly for a short battle. It almost feels like cheating to use the Carbon Roller Deco in B+, and it's good to be back in A-.

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, kelp dome, splat zones, splatoon, wii u

Kelp splatting in Kelp Dome Splat Zones (5-2, Kelp Splat Charger)

A pause for inklings to jump out of the way, and off to the centre of Kelp Dome. A Sprinkler on the top seems like a good idea, but when my shot against the E-litre 3K misses, maybe the Sprinkler on that perch will slow her down a little. Moving that far up gets me in to trouble, and although I manage to get out of the way and splat the inkling above me, I'm still not out of the ink.

The Splat Zones are still neutral, which is unexpected but encouraging. I move around the corner to ink some long lines, and spy the E-litre 3K in a different position. My potshot misses again, and again I'm caught from a vulnerable angle. So it goes. At least my assaulter is turned in to a puddle, and accidentally helps us capture the Splat Zones. Now we're ticking over.

I head down the side and add some purple ink, via a Sprinkler, to the green team's ramp, as an early warning system. Pointing towards the Splat Zones gets another grating splat, and finds the E-litre 3K on the usual perch again, just as my Killer Wail charges. That'll do. The Wail catches the E-litre, and I spot another inkling dipping in to the ink to wait it out, giving me a good second target.

I cover some patches, and head back to the ramp, where an inkling is moving over. To my misfortunate, the inkling has a charged Bubbler ready. But a hasty escape and some nifty manoeuvring lets me get the upper hand, and I not only survive but get the splat. Nice! And all this time our counter has continued.

The missed shot and Echolocator don't seem like much of a worry. I just spread a bit more ink, hold near the back, and celebrate a comfortable victory. I'm nearly out of B+!

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Tags: console, kelp dome, kelp splat charger, splat zones, splatoon, wii u

Weird glitching in Rainmaker (10-5, Splatterscope)

In retrospect, that Slosher is not fully on the base at the opening of the battle. I doubt I thought anything of it at the time, and I took the weird glitching to perhaps be an artefact I'd not seen before, because of map, mode, and weapon combination. I think nothing more of a for a while, and just practice my Splatterscoping for a bit, with some measure of success.

The next clue I also don't see at the time, but the Slosher floats in front of me as I splat the opposite charger, disappearing in a puff of dust. That becomes a motif of the battle, as it turns out. They are clearly doing something squiffy. It works against them after I grab the Rainmaker and make a push.

The path to the grating isn't clear, so I try to blast my way ahead, which somehow manages to catch the glitching, and almost certainly hacking, Slosher. The problem is that they made their way quite a distance outside of the depot, and when the Kraken catches me, the Rainmaker is, for some reason, reset where no one can get it. I think my reaction to this captures my confusion.

I'm able to burst the Rainmaker, but it doesn't seem to do any good. I'm not quite sure what to do. I would be upset with the Slosher for being naughty, and I kinda am, but we are in the lead and the Rainmaker is unreachable and can't be reset. I think we've won, almost by default. Not that winning is the aim of hackers, I suppose.

I guess we just battle each other. I beat the yellow charger for another opposed splat, which is good, and it would have been good to splat the brush, who was standing still, given my bad timing in charging the shot, but the pressure got to me. That Inkzooka never hit me, though. But so it goes with Inkzookas.

I think the Slosher is still trying to get to the Rainmaker, but the game looks to be registering his movement as falling too far, so I doubt it will work. So with the Rainmaker out of commission, why not take advantage of everyone looking the wrong way? Good idea! I head in the other direction to hopefully surprise some inklings. It goes quite well!

I would be happier with the double-splatting Splat Bomb if one of the splats weren't the hacking Slosher, but it's still two splats. I'll take it. It looks like my squidmates want to get in on this action too, which pleases me. But I'm soon pushed back, not really being in the best place for a long-range weapon, but I get a very nice splat on the unsuspecting charger hiding in her ink on the brick wall.

Some more glitching, a few missed shots, and not failing to jump over a Kraken but getting splatted anyway, and the battle is over. It was an experience.

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Tags: bluefin depot, console, rainmaker, splatoon, splatterscope, wii u

Splats here and there in Rainmaker (9-3, Splatterscope)

I'm in B+! This seems like a good time to practice with the Splatterscope. I've not played a scoped charger for a while, so hopefully the zooming won't be distracting, and I think the extra range will be required for bridging the gap across Moray Towers. But there's an E-litre 3K on the other team, which completely out-ranges my puny charger, so I don't go near the normal perch to start.

My first shot could have been a good one, but I am still tensing up on release. I never have quite got the hang of being calm, hence this practice. But I've also been noticed, so I can't be blasé about my shots. Laying down some ink from cover should be helpful, one way or another, so I do that, rather more than aiming at inklings. At least I can hit the floor reliably.

Falling off the ledge wasn't part of the plan, and it has my scrabbling to get back as Splat Bombs are tossed my way. I soon get back to doing not very much, though, even when a Slosher heads my way. I try throwing a Splat Bomb, but apparently I can't hit the floor reliably. Luckily, I have a Splat Bomb Rush to throw lots of them. Eventually one hits.

It looks safe to burst the Rainmaker free, but looks can be deceiving. Thankfully, I pull off the pressure shot, which is good. The push with the Rainmaker isn't as smooth, my Splat Bomb rolling short, not having enough ink to throw another, and ending up standing next to an inkling not quite on my team. So it goes.

I'm not quite sure what happens when we lose the Rainmaker, but as I get close to the action we've taken the lead. Nice! The lead isn't much, so I take a pragmatic decision to cover the yellow ink leading over to our side, to hopefully slow down a new advance, and to give me somewhere to sit in support. Not direct support, I suppose, but I'd probably only get splatted if I got too close.

I move forwards just in time, as an unexpected charged shot flings ink my way. At least she's given away her position, and I am distracting her from my squidmates, who've fought well to recover the Rainmaker and squid up the wall with it. I take the opportunity to sneak around the side, and although I give away my position too, the unexpected pressure gives me a second opportunity for a splat.

I miss my next shot, which is quite bad given the stationary target, but fluke splatting the incoming super-jumper, which is something. I start my Splat Bomb Rush at a bad time, though, with a Suction Bomb next to me. A squidmate gets some squishy revenge immediately. I return to spreading ink until forced off my perch, and make the best of my position until forced away again, which is pretty soon. I still get a decent Rainmaker splat. Two, in fact, before a Splat Bomb Rush stops me effectively.

The yellow team are putting us under good pressure in the last thirty seconds, and they probably don't have too far to go to snatch the victory. Well, once they get up the wall, and I'm really happy not to miss that shot. Hitting the jumping Splat Bomb Rusher is excellent too, although I'm a little disappointed that I cover the ledge the other charger is on without getting the splat, but so it goes.

With seconds to go, the yellow team try one more push. I don't splat the Rainmaker, but inking the wall prevents progress effectively, and a squidmate ends the battle. Not too shabby with the Splatterscope, but I doubt I'm A-class with it at the moment.

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Tags: console, moray towers, rainmaker, splatoon, splatterscope, wii u

Making quick work of Squad Splat Zones (6-1, Tri-slosher)

The Splat Zones are around here somewhere. Actually, I think I went past them. Never mind, I've found a charger to splat, and I slosh the back of the Roller as our Roller splats him too. A Blaster is hitting me from below, though, so I back off, which is good timing, as a brush joins in the early mayhem too.

I survive the brush, just about, and charge my Bubbler, just about, but don't activate it in time to stop the Blaster from catching up with and splatting me. So it goes. We still have the Splat Zones. I head back down the side to have one of the most satisfying splats, catching an Inkzooka from behind.

I follow the ink to try to come up behind the Kelp Splatterscope again, but run in to two other inklings as I round the block. I'm probably just as surprised I survive the inking as the Roller, the second's pause being because I thought I was a puddle.

I return to my sense and look for the Kelp Splatterscope, but she's been splatted already, it seems. As I'm up here, and the Splat Zones remain blue, I push ahead a little, happy for my Bubbler as I hit the brush immediately.

Another inkling squids beneath me, but I'm aiming for the Splatterscope. She's on a high perch, though, definitely out of my range. A Disruptor should slow her down a bit, at least, and I squid through the grate out of harm's way, to go back and ink the Splat Zones a bit more.

That last splat was all that was needed. The Splat Zones remain blue, our counter hits zero, and we win the battle in quick time. Woomy! Maybe I can get out of B+ again soon.

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Tags: console, hammerhead bridge, splat zones, splatoon, tri-slosher, wii u

Against the S+ Sloshing Machine in Squad Splat Zones (12-9, Tri-slosher)

We have an S+ inkling in this squad battle. He's on the other team, with a Sloshing Machine. I like the ranking system because it pits me against inklings of a similar skill level. I don't much like squad battles (and smurfing) because of how this can subvert the ranking system and have my being squished like a bug by the better player. But I can only do my best, so let's see how I do.

Ah, I am splatted like a big by the Sloshing Machine. Not a great start, but it could just be how I often rush in to trouble at the start of battles. Indeed, despite my dodgy Disruptor throw, I manoeuvre towards the Splat Zones well enough, and although I am then out-manoeuvred at the Splat Zones, my Bubbler kicks in to keep me alive. And when the Sloshing Machine runs in to me, and despite the Defence Up kit he's wearing, I sneak the splat.

We capture the Splat Zones after that, which is good. I push up to ink as much turf as I can, but I run in to the Sloshing Machine again, and actual run in to it, which ends up badly. We've taken the lead, though! I head down the side to provide some support, stumbling through one encounter, and sneaking around the back for a more comfortable splat. My Bubbler doesn't help me like I had hoped, but I still stay unsplatted for longer than I should, which is good.

There's a decent tussle over the Splat Zones for a bit, until the blue team look to become quite dominant. I head down the side for some protection, just as the Sloshing Machine is trying to cut off that avenue. My little bucket beats the Machine this time, thanks to some cover, and I nearly get a quad-splat, but only manage an assist with the fourth. Not too shabby, though, and we can recapture the Splat Zones.

The Sloshing Machine gets some quick revenge, as I do what he tried to do. Maybe we should both learn from this. I head back down the same way, and jink to avoid Sloshing attentions, thinking I'm being clever to do so, but only running in to a Bubblered inkling. Still, I press on, surprise in my favour, but it's not the Sloshing Machine who is surprise, and so I get splatted anyway.

I take the side route again, as it's been so good for me, and jink this way and that to throw the blue team off. I think it works, as I get three splats out of it, and help to neutralise the Splat Zones. It's probably predictable to go the same way yet again, so head down the other side, where I beat the Sloshing Machine to the Splat Zones, and slosh upwards for a decent splat, before foolishly squidding in to some nasty crossfire.

I go the first route again, needing to help recover the Splat Zones as the battle enters extra time. Unfortunately, I run in to an inkling with a Bubbler ready to be popped, plus two of her friends. I become a puddle of blue ink, and by the time I'm ready to rejoin, the battle is effectively lost. I'm not making it to the Splat Zones in time to help, so I compose myself for the defeat.

It was a good battle. But look at those results. The Sloshing Machine was splatted only four times (all four of those splats were by me, as it happens), and got thirteen splats. That just emphasises why the ranking system is in place, and what happens when you intentionally work around it.

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Tags: console, hammerhead bridge, splat zones, splatoon, tri-slosher, wii u

Behind the lines in Squad Splat Zones (10-2, Tri-slosher)

I pull out my bucket to hopefully give myself a boost in squad Splat Zones, and immediately head right around the back of the yellow team. But there's no one there. No matter, I slosh ink around until an inkling appears, and I get a decent jump on the charger, which reveals a second inkling.

We capture the Splat Zones, so that encourages me to do the same thing again. I pretty do the same thing again as well. We hold a good position, allowing us to push forwards, and when that works I do another lap around the back.

That lap works out well, so I do another, and another, until I'm stopped. By then, the battle is pretty much over, so I just do a little victory dance.

The dance is a bit unwarranted, though, as it turns out that the yellow team were missing an inkling. Oh well, it's nice to feel overpowered occasionally.

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Tags: console, mahi-mahi resort, splat zones, splatoon, tri-slosher, wii u

Early dunking, but good splats in Squad Splat Zones (13-6, Carbon Roller Deco)

I'm pairing up with AceThunder for some more squad battles, Splat Zones again. I pull out my Carbon Roller Deco, and promptly forget how to jump, landing me in the drink. I hope no one saw that. I remember how to jump soon enough, bagging me my first splat in the process, but the Haunting I get discourages me from neutralising the Splat Zone.

My jumping is on point now. I ink, squid, and hop over the water like I've been doing this my whole life. I think I'll be spotted heading around the back, given I was being shot at, but an Inkstrike hits handily where I'm going, providing me cover and forcing a green inkling to take avoiding action. His hop back hops him in to my Roller.

There's no one on the perch when I jump on to it, but rolling around for another attempt catches up with a brush, which is nice. It's a shame I miss the other inkling on the ground, as my second flick keeps me close to their Splat Bomb. Still, we now have a healthy lead, letting me waste a Seeker, which I clearly would have aimed better had we been under pressure.

The green team recapture the Splat Zones, though. A good lead lets me bide my time, and I jump back in to the fray at a good moment, helping get one splat and sneaking up on the Luna Blaster afterwards. I may as well use my Seeker Rush, as I'm haunted, and it may just put enough pressure on the brush to force the drop in to the water, and it certainly catches the Luna Blaster by surprise. But that means I'm haunted again.

Sneaking around the back doesn't get me splatted, but doesn't find anyone either. They're all in the Splat Zones, I think. I go to help out there again, which just gets me haunted yet again. Everything seems calm for a short while, though, so I roll around until I find trouble. That comes in the form of a Kraken. Not much I can do about that.

Following a Seeker to apply some pressure to the returning green inklings almost works, then almost goes badly, and ends up working fairly well, even if it ends up with my being splatted. Control of the Splat Zones is ours, then theirs, and a lucky Seeker splat helps us take back control, and a mutual splat leaves a green puddle in my wake, helping them retake control. Still we have a good lead, though.

The brush tries to catch me behind my Seeker, but I'm not there. Another Seeker catches the brush, though, and I follow with a Seeker Rush. Two Splat Bombs roll my way, but they don't really concern me. Well, the one coming from behind does, as that means an inkling is behind me. It's the Luna Blaster, and she doesn't wait for her Splat Bomb to splat me.

Now our lead is threatened, and it takes some decent manoeuvring to reduce the inky pressure from both sides. A few splats later, and the green team is temporarily wiped out, making it simple for us to ink the Splat Zones purple. That gives the green team a big buffer, and almost assures our victory. But it was close.

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, mahi-mahi resort, splat zones, splatoon, wii u

So many splats in Rainmaker (19-4, Carbon Roller Deco)

Going around the back could be said to be ignoring the objective, but it is normally good for getting splats, and splats can often help advancing the objective, as long as your team is in control. Thankfully, a squidmate grabs the Rainmaker and pushes as I come up behind the yellow inklings. There's not much left to splat, though, and it looks like we could get an early dunk.

My squidmates look to have everything in hand, so rather than clumping together, I head around the side, to support from a different angle. My Seeker Rush comes in handy, even from the limited angle, as the Splatling walks back in to it. I push a bit high afterwards too, but still last longer than I really ought.

The Rainmaker still is not sitting on the podium. The yellow inklings are being nicely stubborn and combative. I return to hit a different side, and have to pause as an Aerospray appears ahead of me. A Seeker helps me get close when he's not looking, though. I'm glad I slip off the ramp when flicking ink at the Splatling too, but the Rainmaker is now heading the wrong way, so I must turn around.

Nope, my squidmates have the situation covered, so I head back and lurk, almost unsportingly, except the Rainmaker squids past me. That's alright then. I would say I waste my Seeker Rush on bursting the Rainmaker out of its shield with three Seekers, but after I realise I'm losing the range battle with the Splatling, I run in to the Splat Roller, pretty much literally.

I find the Roller again, flicking ink down on me this time, but it keeps me honest, particularly after my three attempts to splat the Splatling sitting beneath me like a fat duck. The Roller continues rolling, making good inky paths for her team, and I'll take credit for seeing her transform in to a Kraken, which is why I head down the side, and not just because I'm generally contrary.

My long path is perhaps misguided, as the Rainmaker is going the other way, but I get lucky again by stopping an Inkstrike. My Seekers aren't quite so lucky this time, as the Splatling sidesteps to avoid them all easily. The Rainmaker is back in our tentacles, but I don't think I agree with our squidmate running backwards with it. I hope he's just hitting the side route, but it's a risky move, with the inkable block there and all.

A splat here and there, as I push forwards, finds the Rainmaker having followed me, so all is good. It's out of territory that could offer an easy and quick push for the lead. But the battle isn't yet over. Some ink splatters my way, but that warning and some cover let's me pull off a smooth one-two, after which I cover the yellow inklings tracks a bit. A Seeker Rush helps me do that a bit more, and splat the Rainmaker by accident.

The Rainmaker is burst free again, and I push forwards aggressively, still hoping for the knockout. I get caught up flicking ink on top of a crate, until I realise how vulnerable that makes me, so I roll around instead, which ends up being good timing for me. Rushing further forwards lets me walk through a Kraken too, which is nice.

On top of that, enough inky pressure has finally been applied, and a squidmate squids up the podium to dunk the Rainamker for the knockout! Woomy!

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, rainmaker, splatoon, walleye warehouse, wii u

Super-fast Walleye Warehouse Rainmaker (3-1, Carbon Roller Deco)

My first Seeker isn't great, hitting the wall on the ramp, but once I have enough ink for the next it carries me past the Rainmaker, where one inkling doesn't expect me, and the other doesn't react quickly enough.

As a squidmate carries the Rainmaker, I indulge in some mutually assured splatting with another Roller. I super-jump back as the squidmate looks to be ready to dunk the Rainmaker, but he's splatted feet away from doing so.

The Rainmaker regenerates, and I splat the other Roller from a position of safety this time, before moving up to push one inkling back and, remembering what we're doing, ink the podium a bit.

I don't think my squidmate needed my ink on the podium, but it's good to feel like you've helped, particularly in such a quick battle.

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Tags: carbon roller deco, console, rainmaker, splatoon, walleye warehouse, wii u