I'm not going to sugarcoat it - there areSalmonids everywhere. Just stay focused on the task at hand, and you'll get through. I hope you had your coffee…
”
—Mr. Grizz at the start of a standard Big Run wave
Prior to the events in theSplatoon series, Big Runs were a great migration of salmon which occurred once every 70 years when smoke rose from seven rings.
Since the first invasion duringChill Season 2022 inSplatoon 3, Big Runs have become recurring events, which happen during the first month of eachseason. The change from 70 years to regular invasions has been recognized byMr. Grizz during the Big Run on theGrand Splatlands Bowl two years later.
Description
Big Run shifts follow the same pattern as in regular Salmon Run. Four players team up to battle oncomingSalmonids throughout three waves, splattingBoss Salmonids to acquireGolden Eggs and deposit them in theegg basket. In addition to appearing from the water of the flooded sections of the battle stage, Salmonids can now also spawn from largeGushers that burst open at the start of each normal and low tide wave. After the third wave, aKing Salmonid may appear during anXtrawave. The samerank system is used, with freelance and friend teams both available. The samebonuses are granted, with additional bonuses and superbonuses added to the bar. Additionally, a 1.2x multiplier is applied toCatalog Points earned from shifts during the event.
Three differenttide levels can occur on each wave. Unlike in normal Salmon Run, where normal tide and high tide always take place in the same location and low tide takes place elsewhere, the play area of Big Run changes differently on each map. On some maps, all three tide levels can have separate egg baskets. Big Run features theKnown Occurrences ofRush,Fog,The Griller, andThe Mothership (except onUndertow Spillway, where The Griller cannot occur).Cohock Charge,Goldie Seeking,Mudmouth Eruptions, andGiant Tornado are not available. The possibility of Rush and The Griller is still constrained by the wave's tide level, but each can appear in more than one of the playable locations on the map, unlike in normal Salmon Run, where they cannot appear in the low tide location.
The Golden Egg total from a shift will count for the player's high score even if the team fails to complete all three waves, withMr. Grizz indicating that he cares about the Golden Eggs more than he cares whether Splatsville is successfully defended from the Salmonid invasion.
During the event period, Big Run replaces access to regular Salmon Run shifts[1] through the Grizzco lobby, similar to howSplatfest Battles restrict access to non-SplatfestTurf War battles andAnarchy Battles. Normalbattles are still available, but the current Big Run stage is unavailable in any rotation until Big Run is over (however, this is not the case for 'repeat' Big Runs).
At the announcement and starting times of Big Run, a warning and recruitment message is delivered byDeep Cut during theAnarchy Splatcast. During the event,Splatsville,Inkopolis Plaza, andInkopolis Square become foggy. The skies overhead turn dark pink and filled with storm clouds, withGrizzco helicopters flying overhead, and the background music is changed to an eerier tune played on violin (for Splatsville) or a synthesizer (for Inkopolis Plaza and Inkopolis Square, with separate ambient themes for both), and various noises coming from Salmonids can be heard. Promotional flyers for Big Run can be seen scattered across the place in each hub area as well. InsideGrizzco Industries, a warning light flashes, and the usual Grizzco lobby music is replaced byBait & Click (Mutation), performed byω-3. When playing a shift, the battle stage's sky takes on the same appearance, andBait & Click plays instead ofDeluge Dirge orFrantic Aspic (other songs play as normal). Additionally, theAnarchy Splatcast theme is replaced during the event with aGrizzco Industries version.
Players do not have to reach Level 4 to participate in Big Run, unlike normal Salmon Run. This is seen in the stage schedule inSplatNet 3, where it shows a banner reading, "It's Big Run time! Grizzco hiring ANYONE!"
After theGrand Splatlands Bowl Big Run, there have been no new stages or rewards introduced from Big Run events due to the end ofSplatoon 3's regular content updates. Instead, Big Runs were announced to be "[continuing] for the time being"[2], and have since begun returning in sequential order, with the same stages repeated alongside their associated rewards. In these 'repeat' Big Runs, some differences can be seen: theKing Salmonid encounter is now always theTriumvirate, allrare weapons will be available as part of the random weapon selection instead of some events having set rare weapons only, and the stage used for the Big Run is no longer excluded from battle rotations.
BIG Big Run
Promotional image for the BIG Big Run during Sizzle Season 2024.
A special Big Run dubbedBIG Big Run was teased in theSizzle Season 2024 announcement trailer.[3] During this specialevent, all previous stages where Big Run events took place were taken over bySalmonids; event participants were randomly sent to any of the available stages. A new Grizzco weapon, theGrizzco Roller, made its debut as the solerare weapon available outside of Xtrawave. TheTriumvirate, a team consisting of the threeKing Salmonids (Cohozuna,Horrorboros, andMegalodontia), was also introduced in this event, being fought inXtrawaves, wherein players receive a random rare weapon and twospecial weapon uses.Fish scales obtained during an Xtrawave received a x3 Triumvirate bonus, which replaced the usual x2 scale bonus present in other Big Runs.
BIG Big Run took place from8 June 2024 to10 June 2024, during which the six stages (Wahoo World,Inkblot Art Academy,Undertow Spillway,Barnacle & Dime,Um'ami Ruins, andEeltail Alley) were absent from stage rotations in online battle modes. The stage selection for this event was referred to as "Multiple Sites" in in-game andSplatNet 3 rotation listings. The term "BIG Big Run" was only used inAnarchy Splatcast news dialogue and official social media posts; in mode selection and SplatNet 3 shift records, the event was referred to by the standard Big Run title.
Rewards
Big Run results announcement showing the high score breakdown for that event.
At the end of each Big Run event, exclusivelocker decorations are awarded based on the highest team-wideGolden Egg total the player achieved in any one shift. Each Big Run has three fixed tiers of scores to aim for, which are announced at the start of a Big Run during theAnarchy Splatcast. Players who do not meet score thresholds still receive a basic version of the decoration for participating in at least one shift.
Before version6.0.0, scores were instead ranked relative to the high scores of all participating players, with the different decorations awarded to players whose high score was in the top 5%, top 20%, top 50%, or bottom 50% (participation) of scores.
Additionally, starting from version4.0.0, Big Run participants receive doublefish scales after an Xtrawave. From version8.0.0 onwards, all Xtrawaves of a Big Run face off against theTriumvirate, therefore rewarding players with triplefish scales instead.
* Due to a bug, the scores for select players were still ranked relative to the high scores of all participating players. Version6.0.1 remedied this for some players, but not others, and it was fully fixed in version6.0.2. Another fix was later released in version8.0.0 to resolve any remaining issues players had with their rewards.[4]
Badges
Badges are available for reaching each tier of high score in any Big Run event.
Wahoo World was the first multiplayer stage to be played on during Big Run. It was revealed during theSplatoon 3 Direct, and was shown again during theChill Season 2022 announcement trailer.
Inkblot Art Academy was the second multiplayer stage to be played on during Big Run. It was revealed in aFresh Season 2023 promotion on20 February 2023. During this Big Run,Horrorboros made its first appearance duringXtrawaves.
Undertow Spillway was the third multiplayer stage to be played on during Big Run. It is the first stage fromthe Splatlands to be a part of Big Run. It was revealed in aSizzle Season 2023 promotion on19 May 2023.
Um'ami Ruins was the fourth multiplayer stage to be played on during Big Run. It was revealed in aDrizzle Season 2023 promotion on17 August 2023. During this Big Run, theGrizzco Dualies were available for the first time.
Barnacle & Dime was the fifth multiplayer stage to be played on during Big Run. It was revealed in aChill Season 2023 promotion on15 November 2023. During this Big Run,Megalodontia made its first appearance duringXtrawaves.
During the BIG Big Run, all six multiplayer stages were available again at random. The return of every stage was teased during theSizzle Season 2024 trailer on16 May 2024 and confirmed via social media on24 May 2024.
SRL Fashion Desk here! With the Big Run tomorrow, we wanted to let you know that you can earn a special Big Run badge for your Splashtag! You just need a top high score on a single shift—no fancy job title required. And if you don't get it this time, you can try again next time.
"Big Run" is a phenomenon where salmon rush to the area where the squid live. It is rumored that it occurs once every few months. During the Big Run, the stage you usually use in battle will be the stage of your part-time job.
Welcome to Grizzco Industries. And congrats on making the kind of sound business decision that future you will no doubt appreciate. I take it my advertisements for help with theBig Run have been effective. We are... somewhat short-staffed at the moment. You've come at just the right time!
You... are aware of theBig Run phenomenon, yes? Where Salmonids stray far from their own turf and invade our city? It is business critical that we prevent the Salmonids from damaging the city. Stopping them is no small task, but Grizzco employees are willing to risk it all. The primary objective of stopping the Salmonids just so happens to dovetail nicely with our core business model -- collecting Golden Eggs. It's all about synergy!
Now, we at Grizzco recognize the risk associated with this challenging task. That's why we'reincreasing our payout for all surviv-- Um... for all top producers. We've even prepared aspecial decoration for everyone, regardless of job performance. For more details, just press when you're talking to me before a job.
This has been productive. I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do with this opportunity. Good luck!
Welcome to Grizzco Industries. And congrats on making the kind of sound business decision that future you will no doubt appreciate. I take it my advertisements for help with theBig Run have been effective. We are... somewhat short-staffed at the moment. You've come at just the right time!
By now you know that Salmonids are swarming toward the Grand Festival venue. Your job this time is to make sure there's still a place left for the Splatfest. But it's not all work, no play. Which is why I have a special surprise for you.
See the number on the electric board over there? That's thetotal number of Golden Eggs delivered by everyone helping out with this Big Run. If it hits thequota I set, all participants get a bonus set offish scales. The quota is700,000,000. Where did I get that number, you're wondering? Glad you asked. The great migration of salmon used to happen once every 70 years. But about two years ago, it started happening all over. This is the seventh site. And what do you get if you add seven zeros to 70? You get 700,000,000.
So there you have it. It's a big ask, but you have big skills. I'm already thinking about giving you all even more fish scales if you go enough over the quota. Now go out, form your crews, and make that number go up.
Mr. Grizz's Grand Splatlands Bowl Big Run thank you letter. (English)
In-game
Deep Cut announcing Big Run
Wahoo World during a Big Run
Inkblot Art Academy during a Big Run
During BIG Big Run
Undertow Spillway during a Big Run
Um'ami Ruins during a Big Run
Barnacle & Dime during a Big Run
Eeltail Alley during a Big Run
The Grand Splatlands Bowl during a Big Run
The electric board in the Grizzco lobby during the Grand Splatlands Bowl Big Run
The electric board after surpassing 700,000,000 Golden Eggs
The electric board after surpassing 1,000,000,000 Golden Eggs
The electric board in the Grizzco test range during the Grand Splatlands Bowl Big Run
The electric board after surpassing 700,000,000 Golden Eggs
The electric board after surpassing 1,000,000,000 Golden Eggs
Load video
Local File
Local File might collect personal data.
An in-game advertisement that plays during Big Run (link to file)
Title screens
The game's splash screen of Splatsville during a Big Run
The game's splash screen of Inkopolis Plaza during a Big Run
The game's splash screen of Inkopolis Square during a Big Run
Splatsville splash screen during a Big Run and Splatfest preparation
Inkopolis Plaza splash screen during a Big Run and Splatfest preparation
Splatsville splash screen during a Big Run and Grand Festival preparation
Inkopolis Plaza splash screen during a Big Run and Grand Festival preparation
Inkopolis Square splash screen during a Big Run and Grand Festival preparation
Trivia
Too long!
Thistrivia section is too long. Information should either be consolidated, rewritten, or otherwise integrated into the main article.
The seven rings island in-game. Note the lack of the seven rings themselves, but the presence of the lights they cast.
During the initial Big Run reveal, the sky in the footage was a dark red, matching the appearance of the sky during an Xtrawave. This was most likely a placeholder, as the sky was changed to pink in the second trailer.
In the background of a promotional image for Wahoo World, the "seven rings" mentioned inSplatoon 2'sSunken Scroll 17 can be seen in the sky, above an island. During its initial appearance, the rings themselves were not present in-game, though the lights coming from the seven rings were still visible; this was corrected during the BIG Big Run. The rings are much closer to the stage and more visible atUm'ami Ruins.
The Sunken Scroll's illustration also appears briefly in theChill Season 2022 announcement trailer for a few frames at the beginning of the Big Run segment.
Every instance of a Big Run introduces a new gameplay mechanic:
Eeltail Alley is the only Big Run stage where the whole stage is always available due to unchanged water levels, and Salmonids spawn exclusively fromGushers. However, three different tide levels are still indicated at the beginning of a wave, and the play area changes along with them.
TheGrand Splatlands Bowl was the only stage to debut during a Big Run, which featured Mr. Grizz's modifications ofBig Shot launchers for delivering Golden Eggs alongside a unique music track calledDouble Clickbait for regular waves. It was also the only Big Run so far to be a rare-weapon only rotation.
During the Undertow Spillway Big Run, the lighting on the inside of the helicopter was incorrectly applied, causing a small strip at the bottom of the screen to always appear fully lit. The same error was visible during the Barnacle & Dime Big Run, although less conspicuously. This was fixed during the BIG Big Run.
The numbers of accounts that participated in the first three Big Runs are present in the game's data.[7]
For the first Big Run at Wahoo World, there were 2,869,022 registered accounts.
For the second Big Run at Inkblot Art Academy, there were 2,766,896 registered accounts.
For the third Big Run at Undertow Spillway, there were 1,853,657 registered accounts.
Load video
Local File
Local File might collect personal data.
Anarchy Splatcast glitch after the Barnacle & Dime Big RunFor certain players, the initial Anarchy Splatcast results after the Barnacle & Dime Big Run had ended were skipped. These players also received prizes that were not consistent with their high scores, indicating that the older percentage-based system utilized before the 6.0.0 update was still in use, despite the prize qualifications previously being shown to be different. The glitch was quickly acknowledged by Nintendo.[4] The version 6.0.1 update remedied this for some players, but not others; those affected were able to collect the correct rewards by entering thelobby after the 6.0.2 update, though they were allowed to keep the initial incorrect figures.
During this time, each figure threshold was listed in the in-game help menu as "0"Golden Eggs.
TheEeltail Alley Big Run was the first to be held afterInkopolis Square was added. Several details were missing from the square during this time, including the origami crane statue, the sign over the entrance tothe Shoal, the smartphone border on one of Deca Tower's screens, and the tortoise statue's neckband. This was fixed in7.2.0, with the fixed version debuting in the BIG Big Run.
The repeat Undertow Spillway Big Run was the first to be held after the launch of theNintendo Switch 2; however,Splatoon 3 tended to run slower on the Nintendo Switch when there was a lot of action going on compared to updates prior to version10.0.0, making Salmon Run far more difficult even if the Salmonids were brought under control.[8] This was fixed in version10.0.1.
During the Grand Splatlands Bowl Big Run:
There are flashing sirens placed outside the entrance to the Grizzco building for all three hub areas.
Additional sirens can be seen attached to the tree in front of Inkopolis Plaza's Grizzco entrance, and the closest telephone pole to Inkopolis Square's Grizzco entrance.
Grizzco flyers can be seen falling from the sky in front of all three Grizzco buildings.
The Grizzco lobby is decorated with party decorations (likely for the Grand Festival, which this Big Run takes place just a week before) and two scoreboards both showing how close they are to reaching each quota.
The song in the Grizzco lobby was changed to a Deep Cut version, with Shiver and Frye singing along to the main melody with Big Man accompanying. There are also drums and a whistle akin to Anarchy Poisons (Bird Mix) playing in the background as well.
This rendition can also be heard right outside of Splatsville's Grizzco building.
A false announcement for a Big Run on Wahoo World.
Due to a misconfiguration, some players'Anarchy Splatcast announcement for the Inkblot Art Academy Big Run on8 March 2025 showed the reward and dialogue for Big Runs on Wahoo World instead.
Joy-Con
Nintendo Switch Pro Controller
Grizzco Blaster
Grizzco Brella,
Grizzco Charger,
Grizzco Slosher,
Grizzco Stringer,
Grizzco Splatana,
Grizzco Dualies,
Grizzco Roller
Japanese
French
German
Italian
Russian
Spanish
Chinese
Korean
Internal
Dutch
French (NOE)
