Explosher

Sloshers · Sub: Point Sensor · Special: Ink Storm

Of the ranked modes, Explosher wins most in Splat Zones in version 11.3, where it is B tier at S–S+2. Its best stages there: Springs and Track. Estimated from stat.ink battle data through November 9, 2026.

Data through November 9, 2026

A heavy, long-range Slosher whose shots pierce through enemies and explode when they hit terrain. A direct hit (55) plus the blast (35) does up to 90 damage. It excels at attacking over walls and firing down from high ground, and its wide blasts paint to support your frontline. Its ink cost and end lag are very heavy, and it can barely defend itself up close. It's a weapon for experienced players.

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

Best stages / Worst stages

Find weapons that suit you with the 32-question Play Style Quiz→

Strengths

• Long range (direct hits reach as far as the Heavy Splatling, and blasts reach a bit farther than the Jet Squelcher), and arcing shots hit behind walls and over ledges
• No damage falloff from height differences, so firing down from high ground is especially strong
• Big blast painting on impact and good wall painting. Great for third-partying your teammates' fights and finishing off weakened enemies
• Shots pierce enemies, so you can damage a group of clumped-up enemies at once

Watch out for

• Extremely high ink cost (about 8 shots from a full tank with no gear), so you need to stack lots of Ink Saver (Main)
• Can't one-shot and fires slowly, so its TTK is among the worst of any weapon
• Very long end lag after firing makes you an easy target for bombs, Chargers, Trizooka, and more
• Extremely weak up close. Aggressive rushers like Dualies and Brushes are its worst matchups
• Blasts don't hit enemies on grates or in the air, so stages with lots of grates or flat layouts are tough

Tips

• Don't fight enemies on the same level. Put high ground, trenches, grates, or your frontliners between you, and shoot from outside their range and sight
• Fire at enemies your teammates are fighting from the side, and use the blast and ground paint for assists or finishing blows
• To land the 90-damage direct hit + blast, slam the shot down on them from above (firing flat tends to pierce and explode behind them)
• Back off immediately when you sense an enemy coming. Change your firing spot often to dodge bombs and Trizooka

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 8)
• 11.3.0: Special change, Triple Splashdown: invincibility starts about 10/60 of a second sooner, blast radius about 9% smaller, fist throw distance about 9% longer (Custom Explosher) (source 9)