- Snipewriter 5H Transformation: The 3.1.0 update increased the weapon’s maximum damage from 60.0 to 68.0, a pivot that effectively birthed the long-term “pencil meta” seen in competitive play through 2024 and 2025.
- Special Weapon Balancing: The Crab Tank received its most significant nerf during this window, introducing a 0.33-second fire-lock interval when switching from mobile mode to attack mode.
- Splatfest Scoring Overhaul: Nintendo recalibrated the Splatfest Final Results, significantly increasing the weight of Tricolor Battles (from 15p to 18p) to prevent early leads from feeling insurmountable.
When historians of the Splatoon franchise look back at the developmental trajectory of the third installment, the March 30, 2023, patch stands out as a foundational recalibration. While modern titles like the Marathon Update 1.025 focus on hyper-evolved AI ecosystems, Splatoon 3’s 3.1.0 update was a masterclass in manual weapon tuning. This update did more than just add data for the Inkopolis DLC; it fundamentally altered the hierarchy of the Splatlands.
The Snipewriter Catalyst and Meta Evolution
In the competitive landscape of early 2023, the Snipewriter 5H was often viewed as an experimental curiosity. Update 3.1.0 changed that perception permanently. By bumping the damage from 60.0 to 68.0, Nintendo allowed players to combo more effectively with sub-weapon chip damage and teammates’ stray ink. This shift was the first domino in a sequence that eventually led the Snipewriter to dominate the 2024 World Championships.
Pro-Tip: Archival Context
Unlike the multi-platform releases often seen in modern gaming, such as the Minecraft Update v1.048, Splatoon 3 remains a Nintendo Switch exclusive. Any legacy documentation suggesting PC or PlayStation availability is factually incorrect.
Main Weapon Specifications
The 3.1.0 patch targeted mobility and reliable damage fall-off. The Big Swig Roller and Slosher received buffs to their verticality, ensuring that “poking” from high ground remained a viable tactical advantage.
| Weapon | Key Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Splattershot Nova | Firing movement speed increased by 10%; improved foot-ink coverage. |
| Luna Blaster (Neo) | Explosion radius for 70.0 damage increased by 50%. |
| Big Swig Roller | Extended 100.0+ damage range by 15% and 50.0+ range by 49%. |
| Snipewriter 5H | Maximum damage increased from 60.0 to 68.0. |
Special Weapon Restrictions: The Crab Tank Nerf
Before version 3.1.0, the Crab Tank was widely considered “oppressive” due to its ability to instantly transition from a defensive ball to a rapid-fire turret. Nintendo addressed this by introducing a 0.33-second fire-suppression window. This forced Crab Tank users to be more deliberate with their positioning, a balance philosophy that stayed with the game until its final “Balance Patch” in 2025.
Sub Weapon and Gear Ability Tweaks
- Burst Bomb: Ink consumption increased from 40% to 45% (without Ink Saver Sub), curtailing the “Burst Bomb spam” that plagued early Rank X play.
- Opening Gambit: Received a significant duration buff (extension from 7.5s to 15s per splat) and added a built-in “Intensify Action” effect.
- Angle Shooter: Doubled the ink splatter radius upon terrain impact, making it a more viable painting tool.
Salmon Run: Enhancing Host Synchronization
Technical stability in Salmon Run saw a massive improvement with this update. Nintendo synchronized the “Golden Egg” interaction timing between the host and non-host players. This fix reduced the “phantom egg” glitch, where players would hear the pickup sound but not actually collect the egg due to latency—an essential fix for high-level “Big Run” events.
“This update focuses on making tweaks to online multiplayer and adjusting Splatfest Points… for the new special weapon Kraken Royale, its basic abilities are unchanged, but it has been adjusted in certain modes to reduce unfavorable circumstances.”
For players tracking the evolution of the series, the Official Nintendo Support Page remains the primary source for technical verification. While version 3.1.0 was later superseded by the definitive Version 9.1.0, these 2023 changes established the core competitive tenets that Splatoon fans still study in 2026.
Bug Fixes and Infrastructure
Beyond the headline balance changes, the 3.1.0 patch resolved several terrain exploits. Specifically, Flounder Heights was adjusted to prevent Kraken Royale users from invading enemy bases via unintended geometry. Additionally, a rare but frustrating bug in “Big Run” that denied players their earned badges based on high scores was permanently fixed, retroactively rewarding those affected.
Splatfest Scoring (Updated v3.1.0)
- Sneak Peek: Reduced from +8p to +7p
- Votes: Reduced from +10p to +8p
- Tricolor Battle: Increased from +15p to +18p
The legacy of Splatoon 3 Update 3.1.0 is one of precision. By curbing the dominance of the Crab Tank and elevating the Snipewriter, Nintendo transitioned the game from its chaotic launch phase into a more tactical, “think-before-you-ink” era.
