Splatoon 3 - Best Special Weapons

Best Special Weapons in Splatoon 3

This guide breaks down the best Special Weapons in Splatoon 3, including each Special’s effects, applicable main weapons, and brief explanations on their unique characteristics, strengths, and weaknesses.

More Best Weapons Guides

You can also check out more of our Best Weapons Guides and Best Weapons for Each Game Mode (Splat Zone, Tower Control, Clam Blitz, and Rainmaker) from the table below.

Best Weapons Guides
Best Weapons for Beginners	Weapon Tier List	Best Special Weapons
Best Weapons for Each Game Mode
Best Weapons for Splat Zone Mode	Best Weapons for Tower Control Mode	Best Weapons for Clam Blitz Mode
Best Weapons for Rainmaker Mode

Best Special Weapon in the Game: Tacticooler

Tacticooler

Weapon	Damage	Duration
Tacticooler	–	15 seconds
Effect	Deploys a cooler containing 4 drink bottles that allies can grab (1 per person). The drink grants a temporary buff and which increases speed and allows the player to respawn immediately after getting splatted, negating special depletion.
Applicable Main Weapons	N-ZAP ’85 Dynamo Roller Dapple Dualies H-3 Nozzlenose

The best Special Weapon in the game is arguably the Tacticooler, owing to the extremely useful effects it grants allies during a match. In addition to the speed buff and instant respawn gained from the drink, various actions are also enhanced to help players outmaneuver the enemy team or dominate firefights.

One drawback of the effects of the Tacticooler drinks is that allies can easily be spotted on the map when the effect is active which may cause issues when setting up ambushes. Note that the enhanced speed gained from the Tacticooler drink does not stack with other speed buffs activated from certain gear abilities.

Special Weapon Runner-Up: Ink Vac

Weapon	Damage	Duration
Ink Vac	120	6 seconds
Effects	By pressing and holding ZR, creates a vortex that protects allies by sucking incoming ink (including most enemy specials). Releases a powerful ink bullet after letting go of ZR (when it is full or after the timer runs out).
Applicable Main Weapons	Splat Charger Splatterscope Tenta Brella .96 Gal Rapid Blaster Pro Jet Squelcher

While requiring a bit of skill, the Ink Vac takes the runner-up spot for its powerful defensive and offensive potential, including the ability to entirely negate most enemy Specials. These qualities make the weapon especially effectivel during one-on-one encounters.

Despite these advantages, the Ink Vac does poorly when multiple enemies engage you as they will be firing in different directions. Also keep in mind that certain Specials from opponents will not be nullified.

Honorable Mentions

Weapon	Damage	Duration
Big Bubbler	–	9 seconds
Effects	Generates a spherical barrier to protect allies from enemy ink but cannot prevent enemies themselves from passing through it. The barrier immediately dissipates if the generator at the top is destroyed.
Applicable Main Weapons	Splattershot Jr. Blaster Splat Roller Classic Squiffer
Reefslider	180 (Direct Hit)/60 (Splash)	2 seconds
Effects	Deploys an inflatable shark that the player can ride forward to damage enemies in the way. Pressing ZR will cause the shark to explode, dealing splash damage to nearby targets. The explosion can also be triggered by veering off course or simply riding the shark until it reaches its maximum travel distance.
Applicable Main Weapons	Aerospray MG Dark Tetra Dualies Undercover Brella
Trizooka	220 (Direct Hit)/40 (Splash)	6 seconds
Effects	Fires three big ink globs in a single shot by pressing ZR. Can be fired up to three times before powering down.
Applicable Main Weapons	Splattershot Clash Blaster Squeezer

Splatoon 3 Weapons Lists