14 Tips for Dominating Splatoon 2

Splatoon 2 is one of the most inviting online shooters out there, but that doesn't mean you won't find yourself drowning in colorful ink during your first few matches

Nintendo's wonderfully messy multiplayer game is deceptively deep, packing plenty of tricks and mechanics that are key to coating every arena and keeping your enemies scrambling. Whether you're new to the series or are a longtime Squid Kid specialist, here are 14 tips that will turn you into a Splatoon 2 master.

The first thing you should do in Splatoon 2 is try out the excellent single-player Hero Mode — especially if you're new to the series. Not only is Splatoon 2's campaign a fun and inventive shooter-platformer in its own right, it's also a great tutorial that gets you acquainted with the game's various weapons and abilities. Plus, playing through the story will earn you items you can use online.

Splatoon 2 uses motion-control aiming by default, but you can switch to analog controls by heading to the Options menu. You can create specific control settings for both TV and handheld mode, which is great if you like using motion controls at home but don't want to flail your Switch around on the subway

Many hardcore Splatoon 2 players swear by motion controls, thanks to their greater precision with aiming, though turning them off will make the game feel more familiar to folks who play lots of traditional shooters. Experiment with both to see what works for you.

The main goal of a standard Splatoon match is to cover as much of the arena as possible with your team's ink, so don't stress about trying to rack up kills. In addition to increasing your chance at victory, constantly inking the ground will fill up your special gauge faster and give you more frequent access to powerful abilities. Splatting enemies is still a key part of defending your turf, but always keep in mind that your team's total inkage is far more important than your personal kill count.

You can't play Splatoon effectively without using the in-game map, which you can pull up at any time via the X button. On top of giving you a handy overview of how the match is going, the map allows you to highlight any of your teammates and superjump to their location to get right back into the action.

Once your special meter is full, you might be tempted to wait for the perfect moment to unleash a barrage of missiles or activate your ink armor. And while you should aim to use your specials strategically, keep in mind that your meter resets every time you get splatted. If you sense danger, let that supermove rip before it goes to waste.

Splatoon 2 introduces the dodge roll, which you can only perform if you're using a dual-wielded weapon such as the Splat Dualies. To pull off the maneuver, simply press the B button while firing your Dualies, and hold the analog stick in whichever direction you want to roll. Rolling will briefly put your character in a crouching state and combine your two reticles into one, giving you a small window of time to land some extra-accurate shots. Be sure to experiment with different roll moves often, as they give you an added layer of mobility that your opponent might not have.

Speaking of mobility, you should always aim to be as elusive as possible during multiplayer matches. Stay submerged as often as you can, and don't hang around a single area for too long. Getting overwhelmed by enemies? Don't be afraid to retreat through friendly ink and find a new spot to attack from.