Profreshional Salmon Run [26-20-26, 19/569]

Low tide seems like an easy start to this Salmon Run, and our squidmate teasing Maws back to the basket makes it easier. A lone Flyfish is only awkward because of the salmonids in front of it, and my first throw just misses. Our second attempt shows that Flyfish who's boss. A couple more bosses are splatted next to each other, before a slightly more difficult test arises, with a Flyfish protected by a Scrapper. I pass this test easily by breaking out the Sting Ray.

In the end, the golden eggs are just lying around waiting to be collected. A really good first wave ends and leads us in to a mid-tide second, with my having a Brella to play with. That'll do! A Flyfish wanders in, and we make no mistakes splatting it. Dropping off a golden egg puts a couple of us above a Steel Eel, just right to splat without danger.

Things start to get a bit hairy down by the water, but I don't panic and find a safer route to take me back to the basket, before jumping off to take care of a Stinger on the other side of the Bay with a squidmate. It's good that he had the same idea, as going alone often gets me out of my depth. We rejoin our squidmates, and start collecting more golden eggs. I nearly squeeze one last golden egg in to the basket, but my desire to jump further has my mistiming it, and I merely drop through the grate. So it goes.

The skies go dark for the third wave. What are we in store for? Ah, glowflies! The team seems pretty solid, so this should work out well. The glowflies are on me first, so I stand behind the basket to lure the salmonids to me, before collecting golden egss when they move on. I spy a golden egg dropping beneath us and, as I am glowfly-free, I drop down to sneakily collect it. Naturally, that's the best time to attract the glowflies again, and things go about as well as you'd expected.

An excellent squidmate hears my pleas for help and revives me, I thankfully noticing his ink tickling my ankles, and we get back to the action above. I learn my lesson not to chase golden eggs on a different level, and stick to splatting salmonids, Goldies, and collecting golden eggs nearby. There are plenty around, and we safely double our quota for the wave.

That was an excellent Salmon Run, which deserves plenty of celebration! I even pull out my unused Sting Ray as a Death-Star salute. Woomy!

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Tags: console, marooner's bay, salmon run, splatoon 2, switch

Losing our grip on the Splat Zones [20(10)-6, Custom Splattershot Jr]

My Robot Chicken does me proud to start the battle, as I almost get stuck between two inklings. Instead, I get an Ink Storm out of it. I'm also starting out quite sensibly, being mobile, not chasing needless splats, and inking anything I can. Keeping the Robot Chickens flying when I have the ink for them also keeps the orange team on their toes. We're dominating the Splat Zones.

It looks like we're going for a straight knockout, but those Tenta Missiles do their job of keeping us out of the Splat Zones, whilst the Ink Storm helps reduce our purple cover. The orange team capture the Splat Zones, and we have a buffer to work through. Our position remains undeniably strong, though. My exceptionally good run of staying unsplatted comes to an end too, when a cunning orange inkling hits out flank successfully.

Now we are a little on the back foot. It shouldn't be too bad, as we have plenty of time on our hands, and can ink the orange turf to build up our specials. But even though we turn the Splat Zones orange again, even simply waiting for a super-jumper can cause problems these days, particularly if they can roll away on landing. Pretty cool, that.

Despite our lead being eroded away second-by-second, we still have the luxury of time, so I take a patient route around the back. The tactic may have worked had I been more aggressive at the right moment, but choosing the Ink Storm instead gets me splatted as soon as I'm noticed. By now we really are in danger of losing the lead, but thankfully a concerted effort re-captures the Splat Zones and gives the orange team a buffer.

All looks well again, even when pushed out of the Splat Zones by more Tenta Missiles. I spy an inkling harassing a squidmate, and think I help chase them off, but they turn out just to be quite good at not being seen, popping out to splat me when, once again, I think it's a good time for an Ink Storm. I think their Suction Bomb Rush will spread more ink. Or it would, if my Ink Storm didn't splat them.

Being half-forced in to the Splat Zones by an orange automaton, half by increasing desperation not to lose the battle, I come out worse in a direct ink fight, and with thirty seconds to go the tide has really turned orange, and we lose the lead we held for so long. The battle's not over yet, though!

With seconds to go, we stop the orange counter, and recapture the Splat Zones, giving us one last chance to reclaim our victory. In the midst of the action, I splat three inklings in quick succession, and I think surely that's enough to tip the balance in our favour. But apparently not. The orange team get a bunch of splats at the same time, and their last inkling standing makes the Splat Zones orange. So close. Good battle, everyone!

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Tags: console, custom splattershot jr, humpback pump track, splat zones, splatoon 2, switch

Lone survivor in Salmon Run [21-26-19, 15/322]

Nice first bomb at the Flyfish, whilst wading through green muck! There's not that much pressure on, though, and we're waiting for the bosses to appear. I bet I'll miss this time by the middle of the third wave. The Steel Eels are nice and easy to take care of when you know who they're aiming for, and with good altitude changes available. They can't turn on a sixpence. I find myself in an excellent position for the Steelhead too. I solo him and collect all three eggs. Still, I bet my squidmates are busy too.

The second wave could start better, as I try to indicate which way the Stinger is, but that makes me fumble with the controls mid-jump over a grate, and I fall through. At least it's not high tide. And the Splat Charger I have really is not the weapon for Stingers. The Blaster is there to help out at the end, at least.

It's all rather straightforward for a while, until we're fragmented by nasty bosses on both sides of the Grounds. But we cope well enough, and we've easily made quota already, so we don't need to worry too much about collecting eggs, just keeping the numbers down. And when you splat the bosses, the eggs just seem to come. We get a good haul.

And look at that sloshing to start the third wave! I'm not completely au fait with the Sloshing Machine, but I make great use of its arc to splat a Steel Eel sloshing over its head. Nice! I'm a bit stymied by the salmonids as I try to splat the Scrapper, though. And as we drop here and there, even though we're revived, that time spent bobbing lets the bosses accumulate. It gets pretty inky out there.

We've made quota, which is good, but can we stay unsplatted as a team until the end? Kinda, maybe, sorta. It's a good run!

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Tags: console, salmon run, spawning grounds, splatoon 2, switch

Almost the comeback we deserve in Tower Control [16(4)-7, Custom Splattershot Jr]

A Robot Chicken seems like just the right thing to lob over the Tower at the start of a battle, more so than a mere Suction Bomb. Or any time, anywhere, really. I like them. A bit of flanking gets me a splat too, and an Ink Storm solidifies our early position, the blue inkling on the Tower realising the discretion is the better part of valour. I cling on to the Tower for as long as I can, but the blue team's return forces a minor retreat.

My squidmates are more bold, but they get splatted. I hang around the edges attempting to apply some control, which goes quite well, but I have to admit that my little tussles make me completely lose where the Tower has moved to by the time I want to launch a new Ink Storm. I decide to play it safe, and launch it backwards, in case the Tower has passed me by, and go looking for it. Oh, I was completely wrong. So it goes.

Sticking to the edges has my running in to and avoiding trouble, and throwing Robot Chickens here and there helps keep the blue inklings moving or splatted too. But I am eventually caught out by, rather ironically, sitting in one place for too long. Running in to the N-ZAP '85 wasn't a great idea, but I thought my automaton had forced him elsewhere. No matter. I'm rather more disappointed with not quite surprising the Forge Splattershot sufficiently. I could have made a difference there.

Our lead has been destroyed, and although another flanking move is much more effective, and I wrest control of the Tower back, a blue inkling sneaks back on as I am distracted by the Dualie Squelchers, increasing their lead and making my Ink Storm far less useful. But I head back and help splat the blue team away again, and we hop on the Tower to push it in the right direction. We've got a fair way to go, though.

The N-ZAP '85 splats me, I splat him, and I try to take control of the Tower. I spot the Suction Bomb just in time, but that gives the Slosher enough warning to trade ink with me. My Ink Storm helps a little ahead of us, at least. I'd like to do more, but I get in a bad position as a right-handed inkling against the Slosher.

It's good that a squidmate holds on to the Tower, so that with seconds to go the whole team super-jumps to him and we have one last try to secure the victory. Robot Chickens, plus some height advantage and strength in numbers pushes us a good distance, and I hope that an Ink Storm will rain on the blue team enough to keep us on the Tower.

We almost make it. Good battle, everyone.

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Tags: console, custom splattershot jr, port mackerel, splatoon 2, switch, tower control

Custom fun in Tower Control [12(5)-9, Custom Splattershot Jr]

I like the Splattershot Jr, and now the Custom version is here, with Robot Chickens and a stormier Ink Storm. That sounds like a great combination to me, both sub and Special forcing inklings to move, perhaps where they don't want to, allowing for more nuanced battling over the standard weapon. I grab one from Sheldon and head in to Tower Control with it.

My first few outings aren't great, although one opportunistic Robot Chicken chucked at the Tower finds a target, but I've never said I was good at battling. As the Tower heads our way again, I try to avoid a direct confrontation and be a bit more tactical. That's pretty much why I've chose the Custom Splattershot Jr after all. I think that does the trick.

Another Robot Chicken splat and some ink sprayed here and there clears the Tower, and we get to push it the other way. Having not been splatted in a few seconds lets my Ink Storm charge, and that provides some needed cover for our push, as I get some inky revenge on the Octobrush super-jumping to a dangerous location.

It looks like my Ink Storm helps splat a couple of inklings away, and although we don't take the lead we make a good statement of intent. I put by Robot Chickens to work next, and they do a good job of getting the orange team inky. I meet the Octobrush again, whose wild flailing beats my wild spraying, but my Ink Storm has the last word.

My next outing is short, falling off the ledge throwing a Robot Chicken. So it goes. I hassle an orange inkling sticking around our high turf afterwards, and it's fun to watch him run this way and that from my little automatons, but there's a battle to fight too. I drop down to get some revenge for a squidmate, before the squidmate I was hassling with Robot Chickens tracks me down to get her own back.

My flanking move doesn't catch anyone, but it baits the Sploosh-o-matic to chasing me again, this time without a Splashdown. I still get a bit lucky with the result. We get to push the Tower again, with not much time left, so it's good I have an Ink Storm ready to help. That Octobrush catches me out again, though, and my last-ditch attempt to recover the Tower is foiled by a jumper.

It was a close battle. Better than that, the Custom Splattershot Jr looks like a lot of fun!

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Tags: console, custom splattershot jr, manta maria, splatoon 2, switch, tower control

Taking back the Splat Zones [14(3)-6, Tri-slosher]

Activating the ink rail as a distraction clearly doesn't fool that Octobrush, and I bet that's not the last I'll see of him. I try to be more pragmatic on my return, hoping to neutralise the Splat Zones and dropping down only when there's clear opportunity. But, as happens curiously often these days, I overshoot my target and end up victim to a Splashdown that I react too late to avoid. So it goes.

Everyone's hurting as I return, which isn't a good sign. I decide not to be quite so direct, just in case, and end up finding a good position to slosh from. We even briefly capture the Splat Zones. I should probably try to stick around here for a bit. I do some loops, keeping turf inked, and I think my ink-rail gambit pays off a little. Or the brush is covering our Burst and Splat Bomb ink.

My Burst Bomb throwing still needs work, as I keep hitting walls and not inklings, but I hold my position fairly well. It's only when an Ink Storm passes overhead that I get a bit inky. Still, we've take the lead, which is good! The teal team capture the Splat Zones soon after, and my running in to a Splashdown doesn't help us much. I take the alternative route down, and help neutralise the Splat Zones, as well as fight over super-jumper splats.

I activate the ink rail again, and this time decide to ride it, to see what happens. I am ignored, which is good, and I get to drop down on top of one inkling, and sneak up behind another, before helping re-capture the Splat Zones. Nice! Trying to sneak around the side again just has my sloshing this way and that, before finally hitting my target as my target hits me.

I get back to the Splat Zones in an excellent position to get some swift splats, but I don't make the most of the opportunity and get flanked before I can get two of them. My squidmates are still around, at least, and the Splat Zones stay a healthy shade of orange as the ten-second countdown appears.

One last splat boosts my numbers nicely, as we win the battle. My Fake Contacts come out looking quite nice too. Woomy!

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Tags: console, moray towers, splat zones, splatoon 2, switch, tri-slosher

The Rainmaker goes both ways [15(5)-9, Tri-slosher]

E-litre chargers remain annoying, unfortunately, but I get to have a bit of fun with the Rainmaker kind of as a result. I get a fair distance, but the blue team recover it and look to want to get splats more than advance their lead. Whatever, weirdoes. What's worse is my timing to activate my Ink Armour, right after a squidmate did it. I need to pay more attention. Either way, it emboldens me to charge the Rainmaker, and helps me splat the Nozzlenose.

I don't manage to sneak up on the E-litre 4K, which isn't a surprise when I am sloshing my ink ahead of me. At least my squidmates have grabbed the Rainmaker, and I can super-jump back to them to support with my bucket. We take the lead from the blue team, and when we lose the Rainmaker I take a step back to avoid getting splatted for nothing. Instead, I get some height, and apply some inky pressure, splatting the brush and, better yet, the E-litre 4K.

The blue team's focus on the Rainmaker left them vulnerable, and with them splatted away and the Rainmaker in front of us, I grab it and push to increase our lead. I'm splatted quickly, but in a good position for the battle. The squidbagging by the Octobrush seems unnecessary. The blue team try another push, but maybe 'push' is the wrong word, as the E-litre 4K treads backwards with the Rainmaker for a while, and doesn't get to the middle of the port before losing it.

As we battle for possession, I sneak around the side to try to surprise the blue team. It doesn't really work, much like the E-litre 4K looking to get a cheeky splat. He has to panic-fire to recover the situation, but maybe he shouldn't be so cocky in the first place. Meanwhile, the Rainmaker is coming our way, and with plenty of support.

We only just stop the Rainmaker before the blue team steals the lead, sloshed in mid-air with support. And with less than thirty seconds to go, we need to be careful with our defence. The Rainmaker is grabbed and moved up a bit, but not much, and the blue team starting inking its shield.

It looks too dangerous to contest the shield, so instead I let them burst the Rainmaker free from a safe distance, and go for stopping the Rainmaker itself. That does the trick. Woomy!

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Tags: console, port mackerel, rainmaker, splatoon 2, switch, tri-slosher

Going against the flow in Rainmaker [13(2)-9, Tri-slosher]

I'm not worried about the low battery as much as that inkling inking his way to our podium, in preparation of a purple Rainmaker drive. I suspect he will be an irritating presence for most of the battle, and I would do well to ignore him, if not his ink. I can't help but feel responsible for our defence, though. Still, I should probably be more concerned about the Rainmaker itself.

My squidmates move the Rainmaker away from our podium and at least get us a score, but the purple team seem to be everywhere, much like their ink. It's looking tough even to defend, let alone make any progress. But as we claim the Rainmaker a second time, I try what the other inkling did and advance to ink a path, and maybe keep it clear of inklings. I don't do too badly, even if the Rainmaker isn't able to follow me.

The Rainmaker is pushed to the purple side of the Academy, though, and it stays there for a little while. I drag my heels getting there myself, mostly because I'm expecting it to come right back, and I'd rather they encountered the green ink of resistance rather than a smooth run, and tidy up as I go. But when I move up, I am quite effective. I squeeze under the Sting Ray and become a distraction. Getting three splats helps too, and our squidmate romps in to the lead, nearly getting the knockout victory! Nice!

I'm beginning to believe, so race back to the purple side, but they are back in control of the Rainmaker and are spreading purple ink again. I think it's time to adopt a defensive posture. But attack is a good form of defence, so I move up to try to keep the Rainmaker out of purple tentacles, but my sloshing lets me down. Throwing a Burst Bomb in to a wall doesn't help either. My squidmates splat the Rainmaker nicely short of our territory, though.

Time runs out, but with the Rainmaker back in purple tentacles. That means extra time. All we have to do is prevent the purple team from sneaking the lead, which means we have plenty of turf to work in and we don't need to rush in to trouble. Even so, despite my tactical positioning, they look to get much closer than I intended.

I think we did really well, considering the general flow of that battle. And I'm glad I was able to contribute at a couple of vital points. Woomy!

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Tags: console, inkblot art academy, rainmaker, splatoon 2, switch, tri-slosher

Missing a squid in Splat Zones [11(5)-3, Splattershot Jr]

That's a pretty good Splat Bomb to start with, splatting one inkling and getting another inky. Losing the Splat Zones initially isn't a problem either, not if they are captured from a shaky foundation, and we overpower the yellow team to take control. Unfortunately, we've already lost our Jer Squelcher, making our position considerably weaker.

I keep myself going, trying to ink the Splat Zones as best I can, and hitting the flank when the Splat Zones aren't safe. I see one inkling trying to splat me, and leave a Splat Bomb as a welcoming present, but the rest of their team has captured the Splat Zones and are solidifying their presence there.

Our lead is lost, and yellow ink is everywhere. We really are missing our Jet Squelcher. Not even the odd splat here and there really helps us out, as that only puts us on even terms for a short few seconds. It's no surprise that the yellow team's control continues in one streak.

It was a good battle for a while, but losing an inkling really is felt quite hard.

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Tags: console, splat zones, splatoon 2, splattershot jr, switch, the reef

Settling in to a groove in Splat Zones [13(4)-2, Splattershot Jr]

Caution doesn't really pay off at the start of this battle. The green team lunge for the Splat Zones, capture them, and hold us off successfully. It's hard to know what to do differently sometimes. I look for another angle and hit the flank, and although that catches the Squiffer's attention, it takes some pressure off the Splat Zones. My squidmates take that opportunity to capture them.

We press up and keep the pressure on nicely, taking the lead. I push my luck a bit, and charge head-on in to ink, naturally getting me splatted. Not too smart! The green team do a good job of recapturing the Splat Zones, giving us a buffer, but we apply the pressure back and make them purple again. I drop down from the bridge at the right moment to stop a Curling Bomb Rush, and catch a super-jumper, but only manage a stalemate with the Squiffer.

The Squiffer doesn't want a draw and comes looking for me. He gets too close, though, and is punished. Holding the high turf looks like a good idea, but you really can't see what's happening under the bridge, which I realise when the green team capture the Splat Zones. I drop down to help out, spreading purple ink and looking for splats. I find quite a few too!

I keep to the purple ink, whilst maintaining our turf and pushing for more where I can, and we keep hold of the Splat Zones successfully. I'm trying to stay away from the Aerospray, whilst dropping Splat Bomb lures, as we win the knockout victory. Woomy!

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Tags: console, splat zones, splatoon 2, splattershot jr, switch, the reef