Splatoon 3 Version 11.3.0 Update Adds Splatoon Raiders Crossover Weapon and Balance Changes

Nintendo is launching the Version 11.3.0 update for the multiplayer shooter Splatoon 3, bringing a brand-new crossover weapon, multiple weapon balance adjustments, and bug fixes to the game. According to the official details, these changes will apply to both the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 builds of the game.

New Crossover Weapon: Plastic-Bottle Shot Replica

The headline addition for Version 11.3.0 is a new weapon called the Plastic-Bottle Shot Replica. This weapon shares the same technical specifications as the standard Tentatek Splattershot. To claim it, players must possess save data on the same system for the Nintendo Switch 2 software Splatoon Raiders, with the main story of that game fully completed. Eligible players starting Splatoon 3 under the same user profile can retrieve the weapon from the lobby terminal after updating.

Main Weapon Balance Adjustments

This update modifies several main weapons to adjust their range, ink consumption, or handling. Some weapons received boosts to their unique attributes, while others had their utility toned down to prevent them from safely holding Splat Zones or maintaining constant pressure on opponents:

• Carbon Roller / Carbon Roller Deco / Carbon Roller ANG-L: Adjusted the damage-falloff rate on vertical swings to deal 50.0 or 100 damage at greater distances than before. Additionally, the maximum movement speed when holding ZR to ink while moving forward has been increased by approximately 5%.
• Tri-Slosher / Tri-Slosher Nouveau / Tri-Slosher ASH-N: Ink consumption has been reduced by approximately 5%.
• Glooga Dualies / Glooga Dualies Deco: Shot scatter following a Dodge Roll has been reduced by approximately 10%.
• .52 Gal / .52 Gal Deco: The radius of the ink splatter at the point of impact for projectiles landing at a distance has been decreased by approximately 8%.
• E-liter 4K / Custom E-liter 4K / E-liter 4K Scope / Custom E-liter 4K Scope: The effect of the ink-consumption reduction from equipping the Ink Saver (Main) ability has been lessened.
• Snipewriter 5H / Snipewriter 5B: Ink consumption has been increased by approximately 7%.
• Tri-Stringer / Inkline Tri-Stringer / Bulbz Tri-Stringer / Order Stringer Replica: The size of the area inked by falling spray has been decreased.

Special Weapon and Point Adjustments

Special weapons have also received targeted performance adjustments in Version 11.3.0:

• Triple Splashdown: Players now become invulnerable to damage approximately 1/6th of a second faster after activation. The explosive damage area has been decreased by approximately 9%, but the distance traveled by the ink fists has increased by approximately 9% (consequently decreasing the overlapping area that deals 100 or more damage).
• Trizooka: The speed of shots has been increased by approximately 13% without altering the flight distance.
• Ink Vac: The amount of opponent ink that can be vacuumed up has been reduced by approximately 9%.

Additionally, the special point requirements have been adjusted for three weapons. The Splattershot Pro FRZ-N decreased from 190 to 180 points, and the Custom Hydra Splatling decreased from 200 to 190 points. Conversely, the Inkline Tri-Stringer's requirement increased from 190 to 200 points.

Bug Fixes and Future Updates

Version 11.3.0 patches a control issue where players performing specific actions immediately after jumping off a wall using a Squid Surge could achieve greater horizontal movement than intended. Nintendo has stated that the game's next update will continue to focus on multiplayer balance changes.