Ballpoint Splatling Nouveau
An unusual Splatling that starts in a fast-firing short-range mode and switches to an accurate long-range mode if you keep firing. You can stop firing and top off the charge, so one weapon covers painting, close fights and long-range pressure. It's a very strong weapon, but switching between the two modes takes practice.
Strength by modeTier and score (win-rate points vs. an average weapon).
| Mode | C–A | S–S+2 | S+3 and up | X Battle | Regular |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Splat Zones | D -4.3 | C -3.3 | C -2.8 | D -5.2 | — |
| Tower Control | C -3.5 | B -2.0 | C -2.9 | C -3.0 | — |
| Rainmaker | C -3.9 | C -3.6 | C -2.2 | C -4.2 | — |
| Clam Blitz | -2.0 | -0.7 | -1.4 | -2.6 | — |
| Turf War | — | — | — | — | -1.9 |
Best stages / Worst stages
Splat Zones
Tower Control
Rainmaker
Clam Blitz
Turf War
Strengths
- Long-range mode outranges a lot of weapons and is by far the most accurate Splatling, so your shots land where you aim
- Short-range mode fires very fast, which makes it easier than most long-range weapons to punish enemies who get close
- You can top off the charge mid-fire, so you can switch between shooting and stopping freely
- You walk fast while charging and in short-range mode, so you can fight while dodging bombs and shots
- Short-range mode paints thick lines like a Shooter, which makes it easy to lay down paths
Watch out for
- Can't win head-on against weapons with more range, like the Splat Charger, E-liter 4K and Snipewriter
- Fights at in-between distances are the hardest: short-range mode can't reach and long-range mode is hard to aim
- Long-range mode paints poorly, and you walk slowly while firing it
- At close range it struggles against a deployed Splash Wall, Rollers, Splatanas and Brellas
- The charging and firing effects and sounds stand out, so your position gets exposed easily
Tips
- Learn when the mode switches on the test range so you can use short and long range on purpose
- Even when firing in long-range mode, manage your charge so you can snap back to short-range mode if needed
- Charge behind cover and don't show yourself more than you need to draw attention
- If you end up fighting at that awkward middle distance, first think about backing off to a range you're good at
Common gear
Run Speed Up, Special Power Up, Ink Resistance Up, Intensify Action, Drop Roller, Quick Super Jump, Ink Saver (Main)This kit
A support-leaning kit: an Ink Mine behind you warns of flankers, and Ink Vac soaks up enemy attacks to protect teammates on the front line.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)
- 11.2.0: Special change, Inkjet: damage to Big Bubbler increased by about 30% (Ballpoint Splatling) (source 9)
- 11.3.0: Special change, Ink Vac: amount of enemy ink absorbed reduced by about 9% (Ballpoint Splatling Nouveau) (source 10)