It’s time to dive back into the vibrant world of Splatoon 3, as Nintendo’s hit multiplayer game is gearing up for a fresh update. This week, Version 9.3.0 is set to splash down, bringing a tidal wave of changes, tweaks, and refinements to the beloved ink-splattering experience. Whether you’re a seasoned squid or a newcomer to the colorful world of Splatoon, the latest patch promises to bring a welcome infusion of excitement and challenge to the game. With a rich array of updates and improvements on the horizon, let’s take a deep dive into the full patch notes to see what Version 9.3.0 has in store.
Splatoon 3 Version 9.3.0 Update Overview
The latest update to hit Splatoon 3 brings a multitude of changes to enhance gameplay and player experience. Users can now expect more robust matchmaking for Anarchy Battles and Private Battles, with the introduction of ‘Matchmade Battles’ and ‘Private Battles’ categories. This change allows for players to filter search results based on the game mode or rules set.
Quality of Life Changes
- Cap frequency of disconnects in ranked battles before being penalized
- Display a ‘Disconnects’ category in the Ranked Battles stats screen
- Improve player visibility in dim environments
Mode-Specific Changes
| Mode | Update |
|---|---|
| Anarchy Battles | Clarified the conditions for taking down an opponent’s team in Tower Control |
| Clash | Added team-based spawn locations for specific stages |
Key Balance Changes to Enhance Gameplay
A significant part of the updates in version 9.3.0 aims to tweak game balance, ensuring that no single element becomes overwhelming. Developer Nintendo EPD revealed adjustments to Weapons, Subweapons, and Specials, with a focus on competitive play and overall enjoyment.
Adjustments to gear and gear classes include:
- Undercover Brella: Reduced charge duration by 1 frame. This should increase mobility while wielded and when the shield is up.
- Tri-Slosher: Increased time to startup a charged slosh by 2 frames. This allows opponents to dodge more effectively.
| Special Change: | Pre-Charge Time reduced to 0 seconds | This is in effect for all Speacial weapons. |
A dozen more weapon adjustments are introduced in this latest patch, aimed at addressing minor imbalances and issues.
New Maps and Modes to Shake Up the Experience
New maps and modes are just around the corner to shake up your Splatoon 3 experience.
The new Urchin Underpass and Tidal Heights maps are joining the fray, each with their own unique features that will challenge your strategies and playstyles.
Some of the notable additions include:
- Urchin Underpass features high-speed gameplay with narrow, winding paths, perfect for quick escapes and stealthy ambushes.
- Tidal Heights boasts large, open areas and a dynamic tide system that can either aid or hinder your progress.
- A new Farewell Iron Frenzy Special Battle is coming, pitting players against Iron enemies in a chaotic arena setting.
| Game Mode | Release Date | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Urchin Underpass | March 14, 2024 | Narrow paths, high-speed gameplay |
| Tidal Heights | March 21, 2024 | Large open areas, dynamic tide system |
| Farewell Iron Frenzy | March 28, 2024 | Special Battle, Iron enemies, arena setting |
Performance Improvements for Smooth Splatting
Optimized Movement Mechanics
In an effort to further enhance player experience, the developers have fine-tuned the movement mechanics to minimize delays and input lag. This update includes:
- Reduced delay when using the Inkstrike special to quickly change between movement modes.
- Improved responsiveness when using the Grappling Hook to traverse the battlefield.
Improved Sub Spawning Logic
Sub spawn locations have been reworked to reduce congestion and promote more fluid gameplay. With these changes, players can expect:
- More dispersed sub spawn points across the map, reducing the likelihood of overlapping sub spawn locations.
- Enhanced sub spawn point randomization, adding an extra layer of unpredictability to gameplay.
| Map | Number of Sub Spawn Points |
|---|---|
| New Albacore Hotel | 6 |
| Manta Maria Stadium | 5 |
| Blue Park | 7 |
Quality of Life Adjustments to Enhance Player Experience
Several quality of life adjustments have been made to further enhance gameplay and overall player experience in Splatoon 3. Notable changes include the addition of new gear, with over 40 fresh pieces now available for players to collect and wear. Some of these items can be purchased using in-game currency or earned through various events and achievements.
Moreover, the update also brings a variety of menu and UI improvements, making it easier for players to navigate and access different features within the game. These enhancements include the ability to view information about a player’s gear abilities in the Equip menu, as well as the option to view gear sets for players in the player list. The following changes have been made:
- Improved the loading speed of the Equip menu.
- Allowed players to view player lists for friends and players you’ve recently played with.
- Added the ability to disable the “Show current gear set only” option for individual gear types.
| Updated Menu Features | Description |
|---|---|
| Recent Players | View a list of players you’ve recently played with. |
| Equip Menu | Easily view gear information and customize your gear set. |
| Friend Lists | View a list of your friends and their current gear sets. |
Gear and Abilities Updates for Fresh Strategies
Version 9.3.0 brings exciting new updates to gear and abilities, allowing for fresh strategies in Splatoon 3.
The following gear will now have altered abilities:
- Tentatek Hexaspan – the “Main Power Up” special gear ability now also increases Ink Saver Sub’s effect. This allows for the efficient use of a wider variety of sub-weapons.
- Reefslider – the “Reefslider” will now be equipped with the “Quick Swimmer” special ability which increases movement speed while in squid form.
- Ink Saver Main increased effect.
- Opening Gambit increased odds of triggering a Super Jump when swapping between positions on the map.
- Quick Respawn, with the improved gear can instantly use the special ability.
- Gilded Scallop: A rare and exclusive item that grants a special bonus when collected.
- Salmon Run-themed gear: Exclusive clothing and accessories inspired by the Salmon Run experience.
- Charging can be canceled when charging a charger-type sub-weapon.
- These adjustments enhance combo potential with team-powered charger-type sub-weapons.
- Creatures of the Deep – Deep-Sea Creatures vs. Giant Squid
- Mythic Creatures – Unicorns vs. Dragons
- Fixed an issue where the “Invincibility Time” setting was not working as intended in Private Battles, potentially leading to unnecessary stress and frustration for players.
- Resolved an issue where the Lobby screen was occasionally freezing after a battle, making it difficult for players to leave or start a new match.
- Settings for Chat shortcuts have been added to the ‘Settings’ menu, allowing for easier access to chat channels and messages
- Performance improvements for improved overall stability and responsiveness
More updates to existing gear include:
| Ability Name | Effect/Description |
| Special Saver | Increases the special gauge fill rate, when using a Super Jump special. |
| Sub Power Up | Increases damage caused by sub-weapons. Has no effect on some sub-weapons. |
Salmon Run Next Wave Details and Rewards
Splatoon 3’s Version 9.3.0 update will introduce the next wave of Salmon Run. This wave brings back a familiar location, the Spawning Grounds, but with new challenges to overcome. The latest wave is set to include new special events and hazards, including the infamous Mandiblaster, which will force players to strategize and adapt quickly.
New Salmonid variants and rewards will also be introduced in this wave. Players can earn the following rewards by participating in the latest wave of Salmon Run:
| Special Events | Salmonid Type |
| The Great Salmon Rush | Goldie’ Chinook |
| Low Tide | Mistake’ Muddler |
These special events and Salmonid variants will provide more challenges for players to face and exclusive rewards to earn.
Battle Adjustments for Competitive Players
Various fine-tuning adjustments have been made to battles, particularly in competitive modes. Specifically, the Main Power-Up of each player’s sub-species will be displayed on the map screen during Anarchy Battle and Anarchy Battle (Series) modes. This information will only be available for matches that have started after the update.
Tactically tuning skills will ensure players can improve their strategic gameplay. To that end, changes have also been implemented in the way Mr. Grizz’s Bullet Hell move performs. When this special attack is triggered, it now has an increased Super Jump speed. Moreover, Super Jump can be used more quickly after using Mr. Grizz. Although this may increase mobility, it can also potentially open opportunities for counterattacks. Adjustments like these improve competitive matches by enhancing the roles and strategic uses of different special moves.
| Bullet Hell usage has received the following alterations: |
| Increased Super Jump speed. |
| Super Jump can be used more quickly after using Mr. Grizz. |
Adjustments have been made to Splat Zones and Tower Control modes to enhance attack and defense strategies:
More detailed balancing changes are also presented in the patch descriptions for Version 9.3.0, aimed at optimizing the ways in which players can utilize various special moves and combination tactics during high-level matches.
Splatfest Changes and Upcoming Events
Enhanced Splatfest Experience
In the upcoming version 9.3.0, the Splatfest format will see some exciting changes. Players can now expect a more dynamic and challenging experience, with Tricolor Turf War available in the new Splatfest format. Additionally, changes have been made to the way teams are assigned during Splatfest matches. Players will now be divided into three teams, with each team vying for control of the map.
Upcoming Splatfest events have also been announced, with the Creatures of the Deep and Mythic Creatures events scheduled to take place this month. Event dates and times are listed below:
| Splatfest Event | Start Time | End Time |
|---|---|---|
| Creatures of the Deep | March 17, 2023, 3:00 PM PST | March 18, 2023, 3:00 PM PST |
| Mythic Creatures | March 24, 2023, 3:00 PM PST | March 25, 2023, 3:00 PM PST |
A list of upcoming Splatfest events and their corresponding themes can be found below:
Bug Fixes and General Improvements
This update brings a plethora of bug fixes and quality-of-life improvements across various game modes, providing a more seamless experience for players. Some notable issues that have been addressed include:
Additional general improvements have also been made to enhance game stability and performance. The following adjustments have been implemented:
| Game Mode | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Turf War | Enhanced visual effects for Splat Fests to reduce lag. |
| Salmon Run | Optimized server performance to reduce disconnections. |
Additional Features and Tweaks in the Update
Refined Play Experience
The update also introduces a host of tweaks that refine the overall play experience in Splatoon 3. These changes include the ability to press Y to quickly switch between the main and secondary mini-maps, allowing players to stay focused on the action while keeping an eye on the big picture. Furthermore, displaying the main map has been made more convenient, as it can now be shown by pressing the X button at any time.
| General Changes | Description |
|---|---|
| – Controller settings for the screen zooming effects for explosions and other large events have been adjusted for a more immersive experience | Optimize visual feedback and control for intense moments |
| – Fixed a bug that caused other players’ names to not be displayed properly in the ‘Drowned’ screen | Correctly display players’ information in various situations |
Future Outlook
As the latest wave of updates washes over the world of Splatoon 3, it’s time to gear up and dive back into the ink-stained battlefields. With Version 9.3.0 now on the horizon, players can look forward to a refreshed experience that’s sure to bring new excitement to the Splatoon fandom. From adjustments to the game’s balance to fresh fixes and features, Nintendo has once again shown its commitment to evolving and refining the Splatoon 3 experience. Whether you’re a seasoned squid or just starting out, these changes are sure to bring a splash of fun to your next match. So suit up, grab your trustySplattershot, and get ready to make a splash in the world of Splatoon 3.
