.96 Gal Deco

Shooters · Sub: Splash Wall · Special: Kraken Royale

Of the ranked modes, .96 Gal Deco wins most in Splat Zones in version 11.3, where it is A tier at S–S+2. Its best stages there: Resort and Bridge. Estimated from stat.ink battle data through November 9, 2026.

Data through November 9, 2026

A heavy hitter with the highest per-shot damage of any shooter (62), a two-shot kill, and more range than the mid-range shooters. On the flip side, its fire rate is slow and its spread is big, so results swing hard on whether you hit or miss. The base .96 Gal is a support kit with Sprinkler + Ink Vac, the Deco is a frontline kit with Splash Wall + Kraken Royale, and the Clawz .96 Gal runs Angle Shooter + Tacticooler.

Strength by modeTier and score (win-rate points vs. an average weapon).

Best stages / Worst stages

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Strengths

• 62 damage per shot means a two-shot kill, and the shots-to-kill doesn't go up even at some distance
• From farther away than mid-range shooters can reach, it splats about as fast as a Splattershot when it hits
• Each shot leaves a big splat, so you can roughly paint up the enemy side from far away
• The first 1–2 shots are very accurate, so it really shines when you ambush from lurking
• Any enemy that's been chipped even a little dies to one shot, so combos with teammates or your sub are easy

Watch out for

• Slow fire rate, so a single miss nearly doubles your TTK
• Big spread, and jump shots are especially unreliable
• Slowest walk speed while firing of any shooter, so it's hard to keep your distance while backing up
• Dualies that dodge roll out of your shots and Brellas that block them are natural enemies, and Chargers outrange you
• Bad at detailed painting or making quick footholds, and the base and Clawz versions have no bomb, so they have few ways to zone

Tips

• After 1–4 shots, swim or lurk for a moment to reset your spread before your next burst
• Take the first shot before enemies notice you, and stay outside their range
• Paint your path in and your escape route before a fight, so you can get away despite your slow movement
• Sprinkler also works as bait, for scouting, and to block escape routes. Picking off enemies who come to break it is the classic play

Recent changes

• 11.0.0: System change for all weapons: main weapons get bigger hitboxes against players (the shorter the range, the bigger the boost), squid form gets a smaller hurtbox, and the game adds "Flow Aura" (a temporary power-up when you keep performing well) plus a remaining-health display (source 11)
• 11.3.0: Special change, Ink Vac: amount of enemy ink absorbed reduced by about 9% (.96 Gal) (source 12)