Ink Storm

Ink Storm
Information
Type	Special weapon
Base Damage	0.4 per frame

The Inkstorm (アメフラシ, amefurashi^?, Lit, Anaspidea, literally "rain-maker") is a Special Weapon in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3. When the object is thrown, a storm cloud of ink is created, and rains drops of ink down onto enemies and turf. After spawning, the cloud slowly moves around before disappearing.

Description

An Ink Storm being deployed and damaging the enemies.

The ink storm, when activated, can be thrown like a bomb. When thrown, it will travel until hitting the ground. After hitting the ground, it will burst open and let out a roar before it summons a cloud the same color as the thrower's ink. It then slowly moves in the direction it was summoned, spewing drops of ink as it goes.

Version history

Version	Adjustments
1.3.0	Increased radius of affect by roughly 13%. Area radius: 80 -> 90 units. Drops paint radius 18 -> 20.25 units Decreased points required to use the Ink Storm special for most main weapons it is paired with.
1.4.0	Increased damage dealt to opposing Ballers by the storm by roughly 150%: 1 -> 2.5 multiplier Fixed an issue causing the predicted range of the sub weapon to incorrectly display when readying an Ink Storm special while also equipped with either a Point Sensor or Toxic Mist sub weapon (Splattershot Pro or Rapid Blaster Pro). Fixed an issue causing the inking effect of an Ink Storm special to occur unnaturally when the storm intersected with a roof or other similar object in a stage.
2.0.0	Reduced the frequency with which it inks the ground by roughly 20%: 240 -> 192 drops.
4.5.0	Decreased area of effect radius by roughly 6%. Area radius: 90 -> 85 units. Drops paint radius: 20.25 -> 19.125 units.

Weapons with Ink Storm

Splatoon 3

Special	Sub	Special
Bloblobber	Sprinkler	Ink Storm
Custom Jet Squelcher	Toxic Mist	Ink Storm
Explosher	Point Sensor	Ink Storm
Nautilus 47	Point Sensor	Ink Storm

Tips

• Immediately upon activating the special, its user will be holding the Ink Storm device. While this phase of the special is untimed, allowing its user to relocate and aim it, they are vulnerable to attack. Therefore, do not activate the special while being attacked, and make sure to throw it before an opponent can splat you.
• The Ink Storm device needs to be thrown onto a surface in order to work. Throwing the device ether into water or out-of-bounds will waste the special altogether.
• The Ink Storm cloud will begin directly above the exact point where the device struck a surface and travel in the direction that it was thrown.
• The ink drops from the storm will inflict damage at a rate of 0.4 HP per frame, or 24 HP per second. Therefore, it will take 4.17 seconds of exposure to splat an opponent at full health. Slower, less mobile opponents – especially those carrying the Rainmaker – are the most adversely affected by Ink Storm since they are less capable of escaping its AoE (Area of Effect).
  • This rate of damage also applies against opponents protected with Ink Armor, making it a great counter against Ink Armor. If equipped, Object Shredder will triple the damage inflicted onto armored opponents, including from Ink Storm.
  • Ink Storm's damage on the opponent becomes more effective whenever the opponent has less space to maneuver around, such as in an alley or on the Tower.
• Defensively, Ink Storm can slow or disrupt the opponents' push by either altering their intended attack routes or weakening any opponents within the storm.
• Offensively, Ink Storm can soften opposing defenses by forcing opponents out of optimal positions and inflicting chip damage onto those caught in the ink rain.
• Besides potentially damaging opponents, Ink Storm also gradually turfs any non-vertical surface it travels over, allowing its user's team to gain map control and push further into the opponents' territory, such as under the opponent's Clam basket.
  • The damaging and turfing effects of Ink Storm are slower and more gradual than those of Booyah Bomb but last longer and affect a larger area, due to its drift.
  • While an Ink Storm may not be enough to capture an entire zone or two by itself, it can still help capture zones.
• An Ink Storm above the Rainmaker can either weaken its shield to pop it or prevent the opponent from popping it.

Countermeasures

When facing an opponent's Ink Storm, assess where a safe place is to either reroute an attack or reposition on defense:

• In general, avoid getting caught under an opponent's Ink Storm for an extended time, but also be wary of opponents waiting to pick off anyone fleeing the Storm.
• If you must travel under an opponent's Ink Storm, move in a direction that is either perpendicular to its path or in the opposite direction to minimize damage.
• Even while avoiding an opponent's Ink Storm, it is still possible to turf or otherwise influence the area underneath. Long-ranged weapons, thrown sub weapons, and other special weapons (such as a counter-Ink Storm or Bomb Launcher) can splat opponents or dissuade them from occupying the turf underneath.

Gallery

Splatoon 2

2D icon

The Ink Storm as it is pouring ink on the map and splatting enemy Inklings in Starfish Mainstage.

The Ink Storm's cloud as viewed from the ground.

An Inkling preparing to throw the Ink Storm itself.

Splatoon 3

2D icon

30 Wins with Ink Storm badge

180 Wins with Ink Storm badge

1,200 Wins with Ink Storm badge

The Tableturf card icon of the Ink Storm

Trivia

• The weapons with the lowest special gauges for Ink Storm in Splatoon 2 are the Custom Splattershot Jr. and Carbon Roller with 160p each, while the highest are the Ballpoint Splatling Nouveau and Custom Dualie Squelchers at 220p.
• Ink Storm appears paired with every sub weapon except for Torpedo and Burst Bomb.