Competitive:New Squiffer
- For information about the New Squiffer, seeNew Squiffer.
Splatoon 2
| Abbreviations | Squiffer, Charger |
| Sub |  Autobomb |
| Special |  Baller |
| Base damage | 40–80 (Partial charge) 140 (Full charge) |
| Base duration | |
| Ink consumption | 1.9% (No charge) 10.5% (Full charge) |
| Special points | 180p |
| Special depletion | |
| Role | Slayer[1][2][3]/AnchorFlex |
| Strengths | Range, one-shotsplat,mobility from midair charging and charge storing, protection from Baller[3][4] |
| Weaknesses | Less range than other chargers, vulnerable at close range |
Like the Classic Squiffer, theNew Squiffer trades some range and damage for a shorter charge time and more ink efficiency than theSplat Charger. Compared to theVanilla variant, its kit offers better survivability with a bomb for defense in close-quarters combat and a Baller for added personal protection.[3][4]
Use
Like the rest of the Squiffer series, the New Squiffer can flex between a slayer and an anchor's weapon:
- Like most other chargers, it can fire three different types of shots that vary in charge time, base range from the muzzle, and damage:
| Shot type | Charge time (frames) | Charge time (s) | Range (DU)[5] | Damage (HP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tap | 0 | 0 | 93 | 40 |
| Partially charged | 0 - 45 | 0 - 0.75 | 93-167.65 | 40-80 |
| Fully charged | 45 | 0.75 | 167.65 | 140 |
- In general, use tap shots forturfing, partially charged shots for close quarters combat, and fully charged shots for sniping.
- Like most other chargers without a scope, the New Squiffer can store a full charge while submerged in ink, providing its user more mobility and making left-side peeking more viable inSplatoon 2.[6]
- Unique to the Squiffer series is the ability to charge a shot at full speed while in midair, allowing a Squiffer user to snipe at opponents from underneath a short ledge — a position more associated with slayers.[1][3][4]
The New Squiffer has a couple weaknesses:
- It has the shortest range among all chargers — 167.65 DU versus theBamboozler's 195.64 DU and the Splat Charger's 240.37 DU. Not only does this put the New Squiffer at a disadvantage against other chargers and other longer-ranged weapons (e.g., versus theJet Squelcher at 212.64 DU), but it also leaves less room for error when sniping against opposing shorter-ranged weapon users.[1] Fortunately, its range – along with its turfing – can be increased to exceed the minimum range of aHeavy Splatling (178.05 DU) with a reasonable amount ofMain Power Up.[5][7]
- While not as immobile or slow-charging as most other chargers, the New Squiffer is still poor at close range compared to a rapid-firing weapon. Keep your distance from opponents and always watch for anyflanking attempts by the opposing team.
While not always as reliable as some other bombs (partly due to having a smaller explosion radius),Autobombs can still be used in a similar fashion and have some unique utility:
- Their tracking capability allows them to revealsharking opponents and both distract and flush out opponents from important areas, such as a perch or theTower.
- They are particularly effective when thrown at opposing users of slower weapons, such as anE-liter 4K orDynamo Roller, as it is more difficult for them to move out of the way.[8]
- Note that throwing Autobombs onto the Tower is slightly more difficult since it bounces off walls easily when thrown — including the pole on the Tower. Aim for the space on the side when throwing them.
- They can also be used to poke at and zone out opponents during theneutral phase, stall an opponent's push, or provide space to escape.
- An Autobomb can damage or destroy an opponent'sbrella shield,Splash Wall, orBaller or theRainmaker shield, while detonating on contact.
- An opponent'sSplashdown,Booyah Bomb, orUltra Stamp will defuse any Autobombs it touches, so hold off using them until after their special weapon finishes.
TheBaller provides its user an extra layer of protection:
- In general, activate the Baller in a relatively safe place before taking enemy fire, as its startup delay – similar to that of theBubbler inSplatoon – will deny its user protection if activated too late.
- The Baller cannot travel through grates or mesh that a morphed Inkling or Octoling can swim through, such as the gate leading to the court onGoby Arena. Keep this in mind when either pursuing or escaping an opponent while using Baller.
- Since version5.2.0, opponents'Toxic Mist will slow down players using Baller.
- Taking control of a certain area of thestage, such as aSplat Zone or underneath the opponents'Clam basket.
- Forcing the opponents to clear an area, whether leading a Tower orRainmaker push or stopping one.
- Providing its user an extra layer of protection, such as when fleeing an unsafe situation or while riding the Tower at a checkpoint. In the latter case, be wary of getting knocked off of the Tower by the opponents' weapons.
- After the Baller's explosion, nearby opponents not splatted are often damaged enough for one or two hits from either the main or sub weapon to splat them.
- Baller can be used to survive a Splashdown, although the Baller is instantly destroyed.
Synergy
The New Squiffer's range and one-shot splat potential allow its user to maintain spatial control and pressure without having to thoroughly ink large swaths of turf. However, its requirement to charge before firing leaves its user vulnerable at close range. Therefore, it is generally advised not to add more than one other long-ranged weapon to a teamcomposition for a few reasons:[11]
- A team with too many long-ranged weapons will have fewer mobile weapons that can quickly capture turf and wrest control of the objective, hindering its ability to begin an effective push into the opponents' territory. Such a team will also have difficulty breaking out of an opponent'sspawn camp.
- Longer-ranged weapons, such as the Foil Squeezer, are generally less effective at close range, so a team with too many of them is more prone to getting flanked and sharked than usual.
While quicker and more efficient at turfing than most other chargers, the New Squiffer still turfs less efficiently than many typical slayer weapons, such as theSplash-o-matic and theSplattershot. A team whose composition lacks sufficient turfing ability will struggle to maintainmap control, which can make games seem like a constant uphill battle:[11]
- A team whose composition lacks enough turfing ability can be rendered immobile if the other team dominates map control.
- A lack of turfing also makes it difficult to alter the course of a game, even afterwiping out the other team.
While Autobombs technically count as a lethal bomb, they are noticeably easier to avoid. Due to this, make sure that at least one teammate has more reliable bombs (particularly eitherSplat orSuction Bombs), as they provide its user's team many advantages over another team that has no reliable lethal bombs in its composition:[11]
- Their one-hit-splat offers its user's team chances of instantly gaining a numbers advantage, from which a game-winning push can arise.
- Their lethal explosion provides space for its user's team to either push into an area held by the opponent or stall an opponent's push.
- The turf inked by the resulting explosion contributes to both maintaining map control and building up thespecial gauge.
Given the New Squiffer's unique set of strengths and weaknesses, its user will benefit from having teammates with mobile, short-ranged weapons; quick-turfing weapons; and lethal bombs:[12]
- The Neo Splash-o-matic, the Kensa Splattershot, and theL-3 Nozzlenose D are just a few slayer's weapons whose users can be of benefit to a New Squiffer user. They all turf well, and have bombs included in their kits.
- Having a second support player team up with a New Squiffer user can be valuable if the former is good at turfing and has bombs. These weapons can include theAerospray MG, theN-ZAP '85 or'89, and theMini Splatling.
Countermeasures
A skilled, opposing New Squiffer user is a threat from distance, beneath a ledge, and around a corner. Splatting them will temporarily remove their ranged pressure for their team.
- Shorter-ranged weapon users should not rush haphazardly at an opposing New Squiffer user — especially if they are fully charged; they will punish those who move predictably.
- Instead, rely on flanking and sharking to get within range and neutralize their range advantage. If they tag you with a point sensor, either briefly keep a distance from opponents to avoid getting splatted or lure them away from the objective or another important area to distract them.
- Throwing bombs or Toxic Mist at an opposing New Squiffer user can briefly force them out of position and throw off their aim. While Toxic Mist does not damage them, it drains their ink tank and limits their movement, making them more vulnerable to a direct assault.
- Longer-ranged weapon users each have to confront an opposing New Squiffer user differently:
- Other chargers, theBloblobber, theBallpoint Splatling, and theHydra Splatling outrange the New Squiffer, and the Jet Squelcher, theExplosher, and the Heavy Splatling also outrange a New Squiffer without Main Power Up. However, an opposing New Squiffer user is more mobile.
- TheNautilus out-turfs the New Squiffer and is more mobile (due to being able to store a charge longer), but the New Squiffer can splat in one shot and has a longer range.
Gear abilities
Gear abilities provide different effects in battle that benefit the player with their equipped weapon. This is a guide to gear abilities in relation to the weapon. Strategy, synergy, viability, and purpose may be written here.
Ever since its introduction in version4.3.0, Bomb Defense Up DX will not only reduce the damage taken from opposing sub and special weapons that are not one-hit-splat but will also reduce the duration of the tracking effects of certain opponent's sub and special weapons, such asPoint Sensors andInk Mines, allowing the user of this ability to evade detection more easily. While this is a useful ability for any player, a New Squiffer user would want it to reduce the splash damage taken from bombs,Tenta Missiles, and Inkjet shots. Just threeability points, or onesub, offer a great amount of utility:[13][14][15][16]
- The splash damage of most bombs is reduced from 30 HP to 28.6 HP. This reduction in damage provides two benefits:
- It prevents its user from being exposed on their opponents'map by the splash damage of most single bombs.
- Ink Armor will not break due to splash damage from a single bomb whose splash damage normally inflicts 30 HP of damage.
- The splash damage of near-misses from either Tenta Missiles or Inkjet, the minimum splash damage of bubbles, and the collision damage from Baller are all reduced from 50 HP to 48.3 HP,[14] enabling one to survive two hits from any of these specific means of special weapon damage.
Every player, especially a New Squiffer user who swims while storing a charge, is expected to come in contact with the opponent's ink on various surfaces, which can both be damaging and reduce mobility. Ink Resistance Up not only partially offsets the reduction in mobility but also delays the damage taken from contact with opposing ink:[13][15]
| Ability points | Mains | Subs | Invulnera- bility time (frames) | Rate of damage (HP/f) | Maximum damage (HP) | Run speed in opposing ink (DU/f) | Jump height in opposing ink[14] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.3 | 40.0 | 0.24 | 0.800 |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0.2 | 38.0 | 0.33 | 0.854 |
| 6 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 0.2 | 36.2 | 0.39 | 0.888 |
Main Power Up enhances the performance of the New Squiffer in two areas:[7][13][14]
- It lengthens the range of fully charged shots by up to 8.95%.
- It increases the New Squiffer's ink coverage by up to 24%.
Each of these benefits respectively improve the main weapon's capability to snipe further targets and turf quickly. Of the 284 New Squiffer builds submitted to Sendou.ink, over 45% of them have between 19 and 32 ability points of Main Power Up:[18]
| Ability points | Mains | Subs | Increase in fully charged shot range (%) | Fully charged shot range (DU) | Increase in ink coverage per shot (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 167.65 | 0.00 |
| 19 | 1 | 3 | 4.74 | 175.59 | 12.71 |
| 29 | 2 | 3 | 6.53 | 178.60 | 17.52 |
| 32 | 2 | 4 | 6.97 | 179.34 | 18.71 |
Quick Super Jump decreases both the "charge" time before and the travel time of a Super Jump, helping its user escape unfavorable situations more quickly. A New Squiffer user tends to be vulnerable in close-quarters combat and would prefer to quickly retreat and preserve precious special gauge progress for Ink Armor, which can prevent a disadvantageous situation from becoming a losing one.[13][15]
- Three ability points, or one sub, of Quick Super Jump decreases the "charge" time from 80 frames (1.33 seconds) to 58 frames (0.97 seconds).[17]
A universally valuable ability for almost any weapon, Swim Speed Up is particularly useful for a New Squiffer user, who often swims while storing a charged shot. Swimming faster enables one to both more easily close the distance between themselves and a longer-ranged opponent and maintain enough distance between themselves and a shorter-ranged opponent.[13]
- Six ability points, or two subs, increase the swim speed from 1.92 DU/f to 2.01 DU/f.
- Ten ability points, or one main, further increase the swim speed to 2.07 DU/f.[17]
In competitive play
References
- ↑1.01.11.2
"The BEST AGGRESSIVE WEAPONS inSplatoon 2" byKyo ofFTWin - ↑ "Splatoon 2 - Weapon Roles and Playstyles (Classifying every Weapon)" byWadsm
- ↑3.03.13.23.3 "The BEST Weapons InSplatoon 2 - Ver 5.5 Tier List (Top Tiers)" byChara, formerly ofProphecy andClimb
- ↑4.04.14.2 "Top 10 Most UnderratedSplatoon 2 Weapons" by Chara, formerly of Prophecy and Climb
- ↑5.05.1Splatoon 2 range list compiled by DrFetus
- ↑ "Splatoon 2 - Weapon Analysis: Splat Chargers & SplatterScope (A Weapon That Requires Dedication!)" by ThatSrb2DUDE, formerly of Team Olive
- ↑7.07.1 "How Much EVERY WEAPON Needs Main Power Up" by Chara, formerly of Prophecy and Climb
- ↑ "The Best Special ISN'T Ink Armor?! -Splatoon 2 Patch 5.5 Tier List (Subs And Specials)" by Chara of Climb
- ↑ "How To Get Good Using The N-Zap 8X?! (+ Handcam) |Splatoon 2" byThatSrb2DUDE, formerly of Team Olive
- ↑ "Qualifier Finals Part 2 |Splatoon 2 North America Inkling Open 2019" Game 2, Ross (ɪик Sigma) splats Arashi (Lowkey) with a Fizzy Bomb thrown onto bubbles launched by Astrocities (ɪик Sigma)
- ↑11.011.111.2 "Splatoon 2 - What is a good team comp? (TOP 6 mistakes)" by Sendou, formerly of Team Olive
- ↑ "How To Build An AMAZING Team Comp (Splatoon) Ft. Dr. Prodigy" by Chara, formerly of Prophecy and Climb
- ↑13.013.113.213.313.4 "Splatoon 2 - The Ultimate Gear Guide! (Tips and Tricks + all Abilities explained)" by Wadsm
- ↑14.014.114.214.3
loadout.ink - Stat Calculator & Gear Planner forSplatoon 2, applicable for version 4.8.0 - ↑15.015.115.2 "How To Make A PERFECT Gear Build for ALL WEAPONS?! (Gear Building Guide) |Splatoon 2" byThatSrb2DUDE, formerly of Team Olive
- ↑ "Add 3 Abilities To EASILY Improve Your Gear on ANY Weapon (Splatoon 2 Gear Guide Pt 1)" by Chara, formerly of Prophecy and Climb
- ↑17.017.117.217.3Sendou.inkSplatoon 2 Build Analyzer
- ↑Sendou.ink New Squiffer Builds
- ↑Lean's Loadout Database - Usage of abilities in Ranked modes, data based on version 5.2.0
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