Three and a half years after its Switch launch, Splatoon 3 has received a sweeping balance update that Eurogamer describes as "meta-shaking". The patch arrives despite Nintendo having wound down its regular update cadence in late 2024 and while spin‑off Splatoon Raiders remains in development, underlining ongoing support for the mainline shooter.

The update spans a wide range of systems, with broad adjustments to weapon balance, special and sub‑weapon behaviour, and underlying gameplay interactions. Multiple weapons that dominated high‑level play have been toned down, while a number of underused kits have been strengthened to encourage greater variety. Mobility and neutral‑game tweaks are intended to open up more counterplay and reduce the prevalence of singular dominant strategies.

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Specials and subs also received targeted tuning, with changes designed to make their use more situational and to increase the opportunities for opponents to respond. The patch includes several quality‑of‑life fixes and clarifications to existing mechanics alongside the balance slate, intended to address long‑standing friction points in both casual and competitive modes.

Community reaction to the patch has been notable, with players and competitive teams rapidly testing the adjustments and reassessing previously established tier lists. The shake‑up is expected to have immediate implications for ranked play and tournament lineups as the meta stabilises over the coming weeks.

The update reinforces Nintendo’s commitment to keeping Splatoon 3 active and competitive even as the franchise expands. With the game approaching its fourth anniversary later this year, the developer’s capacity to deliver significant patches continues to shape the scene and extend the title’s lifespan.

Eurogamer provided the initial reporting on the update and its scale, while players across regions are already feeling the effects in live matches.