Splatoon 3 guide: 5 best abilities to equip on your Inkling

Splatoon 3 currently has 26 abilities on offer for players to equip, so it may be hard to figure out which ones Inklings should prioritize. There’s plenty of room for players to build their own custom load-outs, and some options will simply work better for others. While there’s no wrong way to play Splatoon 3, some abilities are certainly stronger than others in terms of what they bring to the ink-covered battle.

While there are far too many abilities to list, a few almost made the list and deserve honorable mentions. Quick Respawn is particularly useful for its ability to make you get back in the game faster. Additionally, Quick Super Jump and Ink Resistance Up are great abilities to use, but do not make it to the top five.

This is just the opinion of one writer, and other players' experiences may differ based on their requirements. These skills, when put together, can be incredibly effective in the hands of a talented player.

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Which abilities should Inklings be prioritizing in Splatoon 3?

1) Opening Gambit (Primary Ability - Headgear)

At this point, Opening Gambit definitely feels like a bit of a no-brainer. For the first 30 seconds of a battle, it automatically increases the player’s movement speed in Splatoon 3. This is an incredible way to get into position, or even get the drop on other players and start pelting them with ink.

This Amiibo has Opening Gambit on one of its equipment pieces (Image via Nintendo)

This is also an excellent way to get to objectives before opponents at the start of a match. It grants Run Speed Up and Swim Speed Up, and can be equipped on Headgear in-game. It’s worth noting that this can be unlocked if players own the Inkling Girl - Splatoon 2 (Red) Amiibo.

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2) Special Saver

In Splatoon 3, players are going to get defeated as this is simply the nature of shooting games. However, if a player can reduce their various penalties upon death, that can be a major advantage. Special Saver, in particular, does just that. This move lets players retain more of their special gauge when they die, so it can be used more often. Normally, players lose a significant chunk of this, so it’s a great equip option.

It can be found on the Inkling Boy Amiibo - Splatoon 2 (Green), on the Squinja Mask and on the Marina ‘Off The Hook’ Amiibo - Splatoon 2. In Marina’s case, Special Saver is found on the Marinated Headphones. While climbing the ranks, this can be an invaluable tool.

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3) Ink Saver (Main)

Ink Saver (Main) is another must-have ability for Splatoon 3. It does exactly what it says: Allow the player to fire more ink at their foes. It increases the amount of ink your main weapon consumes, which keeps you in an inkfight for much longer.

It’s easily one of the best abilities in the entire game, and there is no reason why a player wouldn’t want it in their build. It’s worth noting that this can also be found on Amiibo gear, for example, on the Splatoon 2 Octoling Girl Amiibo. Her Enchanted Hat will give her Ink Saver (Main), so it’s definitely something to consider.

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4) Ability Doubler (Primary Ability - Clothing)

This is another one of the best options in the whole game, thanks to it buffing everything else you have equipped. Ability Doubler, a Primary Ability, will double the effect of other gear abilities attached to that particular piece of gear.

It’s recommended to use this with Splatoon 3 sub-abilities that are useful with a low amount of AP. Swim Speed Up, Special Saver, and Ink Resistance Up are terrific options to pair with this.

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5) Ninja Squid (Primary Ability - Clothing)

When it comes to Primary Abilities, there are very few that are cooler than Ninja Squid. However, it does clash with Ability Doubler and other Clothing slot Primary Abilities. This ability is ideal for the player that loves being stealthy and sneaky.

Players who use Ninja Squid in Splatoon 3 will not leave ripples while swimming in ink on non-wall surfaces. Unfortunately, it does reveal your position on “wall” surfaces. It is worth noting that the minor marks left when swimming through ink will still appear.

The only major drawback is that players will have a reduced swim speed while using this ability. But for players who want to remain undetected, it’s an incredibly useful ability to have. While it does have a reduced Swim Speed, this is countered by making sure Swim Speed Up is on.

On another interesting note, for players that want to emulate this, if you swim at a slow speed, ripples don’t show up, and it can deceive players in this way.

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While there are many amazing abilities in Splatoon 3, the ones listed above will undoubtedly help players secure victories online. It’s up to the players to use them wisely, but they are among the best when it comes to equippable abilities.