Splatoon 3 Shooter – Best uses and weaknesses

Splatoon 3 offers many ways to engage in ink-based warfare. You can choose from various weapon types, but it is hard to go wrong with the classic Shooter. This type of weapon has the largest number to choose from but typically features a balanced kit. Below you can find a list of strengths and weaknesses and different Shooter-type weapons.

Splatoon 3 Shooter Strengths

The Shooter class in Splatoon 3's main strengths are their versatility and tendency to be a balanced weapon. This weapon class has the most options and, therefore, the greatest range of traits. This can be used to your advantage as your opponent may not know what type of Shooter you are using. Shooters tend to have good kits, with 2/3 of its main weapon, sub-weapon, and special being strong options in battle and when inking turf.

• Great versatility over 13 Shooters.
• Tend to be balanced between long and short range, battle and inking.
• Have strong kits.

Splatoon 3 Shooter Weaknesses

The Shooter class' versatility and balanced can also be considered a double-edged sword. While it can do all things well, other weapons specializing in those strengths generally perform better in targeted areas. This leaves you relying on your whole kit to take out certain weapon matchups, whereas other weapons can focus on splatting.

• Typically don't excel in one particular area.
• Can be outmatched by other weapons' strengths.
• Usually have to rely on the whole kit to be effective.

Related: Splatoon 3 Blaster – Best uses and weaknesses

Splatoon 3 Shooter Type Weapons

• Splattershot Jr. (Level 1)
  • Splat Bomb: A bomb that explodes a short time after it lands. When it explodes, it inks the area around it and can even take out opponents.
  • Big Bubbler: Deploy this device at your feet to shield yourself with a large, spherical barrier. This bubble will block outside ink attacks, but it can't prevent opponents themselves from entering. Damage to the top section or the inner device will cause the barrier to pop more quickly.
• Splattershot (Level 2)
  • Suction Bomb: A bomb that attaches to the ground and walls. It takes longer to explode than the Splat Bombs and spreads ink farther.
  • Trizooka: Press ZR to launch three blasts of spiraling ink in a single shot. You can fire it up to three times.
• Aerospray MG (Level 5)
  • Fizzy Bomb: bomb loaded with special carbonated ink. Hold R to build power, then unleash up to three explosives. Shake the controller, move the Stick, or mash buttons to build power faster!
  • Reefslider: Hop onto a shark-shaped, ink-propelled float, and charge forward. When you reach the end of the path, or if you press ZR, the float will explode and deal damage.
• N-ZAP '85 (Level 6)
  • Suction Bomb: A bomb that attaches to the ground and walls. It takes longer to explode than the Splat Bombs and spreads ink farther.
  • Tacticooler: Deploys a fridge stocked with drinks that enhance some of your abilities for a brief time. There are four drinks, but you can only have one—the rest are for sharing! You'll lose the enhancement if you're splatted while the drink is in effect, but you'll respawn right away.
• Splattershot Pro (Level 9)
  • Angle Shooter: Fires straight forward and leaves a line in its path. Opponents hit directly will take damage, and those that touch the remaining line will be marked. When a shot hits a solid surface, it will bounce off of it and continue in a straight line.
  • Crab Tank: Leave your foes in a pinch with this scuttling tank's superior inkpower. Press ZR for rapid-fire shots. Its back is vulnerable to enemy attacks, but you can shift into mobile mode with ZL to protect yourself.
• Sploosh-o-matic (Level 9)
  • Curling Bomb: A bomb that moves in a straight line, inking the ground before it explodes. It also bounces off walls! You can adjust the length of time until detonation by holding down R.
  • Ultra Stamp: Attack with an enormous hammer. Press and hold ZR to advance while striking with the hammer. If you press and release R, you'll throw the hammer far into the distance to attack and the special will end.
• .52 Gal (Level 11)
  • Splash Wall: A device that erects a wall of ink in front of you that blocks enemy intrusion and attacks. Attacks from enemies will speed up the time it takes for the wall to come down. You can only place one at a time.
  • Killer Wail 5.1: Unleashes six speaker-shaped, laser-emitting devices to surround and devastate your enemies. Lock onto an opponent, and the emitters will track and blast them wherever they go! You can continue to use your main weapon and sub weapon while the Killer Wail 5.1 is firing.

Related: Splatoon 3 – Little Buddy Hairstyles

• L-3 Nozzlenose (Level 13)
  • Curling Bomb: A bomb that moves in a straight line, inking the ground before it explodes. It also bounces off walls! You can adjust the length of time until detonation by holding down R.
  • Crab Tank: Leave your foes in a pinch with this scuttling tank's superior inkpower. Press ZR for rapid-fire shots. Its back is vulnerable to enemy attacks, but you can shift into mobile mode with ZL to protect yourself.
• Jet Squelcher (Level 15)
  • Angle Shooter: Fires straight forward and leaves a line in its path. Opponents that are hit directly will take damage, and those that touch the remaining line will be marked. When a shot hits a solid surface, it will bounce off of it and continue in a straight line.
  • Ink Vac: Make your ink shots more powerful by sucking up enemy attacks! Hold ZR to generate a vortex that sucks up enemy ink attacks. Once the tank is full, or after the timer runs out, let go of ZR, and you'll launch a souped-up super ink shot!
• Splash-o-matic (Level 16)
  • Burst Bomb: A bomb that explodes when it touches something. It's a small, weak explosion, but it doesn't consume much ink, so you can throw one after another.
  • Crab Tank: Leave your foes in a pinch with this scuttling tank's superior inkpower. Press ZR for rapid-fire shots. Its back is vulnerable to enemy attacks, but you can shift into mobile mode with ZL to protect yourself.
• .96 Gal (Level 17)
  • Sprinkler: A device attaches to the ground or walls and sprays ink. It operates at full power right when you place it but gradually gets weaker. You can only place one at a time.
  • Ink Vac: Make your ink shots more powerful by sucking up enemy attacks! Hold ZR to generate a vortex that sucks up enemy ink attacks. Once the tank is full, or after the timer runs out, let go of ZR, and you'll launch a souped-up super ink shot!
• Squeezer (Level 19)
  • Splash Wall: A device that erects a wall of ink in front of you that blocks enemy intrusion and attacks. Attacks from enemies will speed up the time it takes for the wall to come down. You can only place one at a time.
  • Trizooka: Press ZR to launch three blasts of spiraling ink in a single shot. You can fire it up to three times.
• H-3 Nozzlenose (Level 24)
  • Point Sensor: A device that marks opponents nearby where it's thrown. It reveals the opponents' locations to your teammates.
  • Tacticooler: Deploys a fridge stocked with drinks that enhance some of your abilities for a brief time. There are four drinks, but you can only have one—the rest are for sharing! You'll lose the enhancement if you're splatted while the drink is in effect, but you'll respawn right away.

For more information on Splatoon 3, check out Splatoon 3 Splatling – Best uses and weaknesses and Splatoon 3 Stringer – Best uses and weaknesses on Pro Game Guides.