Splatoon Raiders Tips: 7 Essential Strategies to Help You Master Nintendo’s New Co-Op Adventure
Nintendo has expanded the Splatoon universe with Splatoon Raiders, a new PvE-focused adventure available on the Nintendo Switch 2. Building on the series’ acclaimed single-player gameplay while introducing loot-driven progression and cooperative exploration, the game challenges players to battle enemies, collect treasure, and explore mysterious island environments. Whether you’re a longtime Splatoon fan or jumping into the series for the first time, these tips can help make your early hours much smoother.
Use Gyro Controls for Better Accuracy
Motion aiming improves combat precision
Players who have previously disabled motion controls in Splatoon may want to reconsider in Raiders. The game enables gyro aiming by default, and for good reason.
Using the right stick for broad camera movement while relying on motion controls for fine aiming provides much greater precision, especially during hectic encounters or when targeting fast-moving enemies. Single-player gameplay offers a forgiving environment to become comfortable with the control scheme before tackling more difficult challenges.
Cover the Ground With Ink Whenever Possible
Movement and survival depend on ink coverage
Although Splatoon Raiders emphasizes exploration and loot collection, inking the terrain remains one of the game’s most important mechanics.
Swimming through your own ink allows faster movement, refills your ink supply, and provides a quick escape route when surrounded by enemies. Players focused solely on attacking may find themselves trapped during difficult fights if they neglect to paint the battlefield beforehand.
Maintaining ink coverage is just as important as defeating enemies.
Make Full Use of Your Gadgets
Free abilities should never sit unused
Unlike standard weapons, gadgets require no ink to activate and instead operate on cooldown timers.
Many players coming from Splatoon 3 may forget they have access to two gadget abilities. Regardless of character build or specialization, these tools are designed to be used frequently throughout combat.
Whenever a gadget becomes available again, it’s usually worth activating rather than saving it for a hypothetical emergency.
Explore Every Corner of Each Island
Hidden rewards are often off the main path
Many missions contain optional areas packed with treasure, currency, and additional weapons.
Using the Bot Hop ability allows players to perform a powerful jump followed by a brief hover, making it easier to reach elevated platforms or cross water to otherwise inaccessible locations.
If you accidentally fall into the ocean, take a moment to recover in your ink before attempting another jump instead of rushing back into danger.
Adjust Accessibility Settings if Needed
Color Lock can improve visibility
Players who have difficulty distinguishing ink colors can take advantage of the game’s Color Lock accessibility option.
This setting allows players to choose a preferred ink color combination and keep it consistent throughout the game, making it easier to identify friendly and enemy territory during fast-paced encounters.
Replay Missions to Become Stronger
Grinding rewards can make difficult battles easier
Some missions and boss fights in Splatoon Raiders become significantly more challenging as players progress.
Fortunately, the game encourages replaying completed missions. Running earlier stages again can reward players with:
- New weapons
- Treasure
- Currency
- Equipment upgrades
- Additional experience points
Certain rewards also depend on the ink tank currently equipped, providing another incentive to revisit previous levels using different builds.
Repeated missions help strengthen characters before attempting tougher objectives.
Experiment With Different Weapons and Builds
Every loadout offers unique advantages
As players unlock additional weapons and ink tanks, experimenting becomes an important part of progression.
Each ink tank features its own upgrades and gadget combinations, allowing for a wide variety of playstyles. Even if an existing build feels effective, switching equipment may reveal strategies that better suit a player’s preferences.
Some collectibles and mission rewards are only available when using specific equipment, making experimentation worthwhile.
Take Advantage of Co-Op Multiplayer
Playing with friends makes progression easier
One of Splatoon Raiders’ standout features is its seamless cooperative mode.
Friends can complete missions together, with story progression, cutscenes, and mission completion counting for every participating player. The host selects available missions, but the group can effectively experience the entire campaign together.
Rewards also appear to scale with player progression, allowing higher-level players to earn stronger loot while still helping newer teammates advance. This system encourages experienced players to join friends without sacrificing meaningful rewards.
Final Thoughts
Splatoon Raiders successfully expands Nintendo’s colorful shooter franchise into a cooperative PvE experience that rewards exploration, experimentation, and teamwork. Learning motion controls, maintaining ink coverage, replaying missions for upgrades, and embracing co-op play can make the adventure significantly more enjoyable. For both returning Splatoon veterans and newcomers on Nintendo Switch 2, these strategies provide a strong foundation for tackling the game’s increasingly demanding challenges.
Jacob Whitman is a contributor at Prudent Press Agency, covering a wide range of topics including news, politics, business, technology, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. He focuses on delivering clear, balanced reporting that helps readers stay informed about current events and emerging developments. With an emphasis on accuracy, relevance, and accessibility, Jacob aims to provide useful insights and timely stories that matter to everyday readers and the communities they follow.
