Ethan Crossfield 
Nintendo has released Splatoon 3 version 11.3.0, giving the long-running multiplayer shooter another round of weapon balance changes and adding a small connection to Splatoon Raiders. The update arrives shortly before the Summer Nights Splatfest, keeping the 2022 Nintendo Switch release active even after regular updates officially ended in 2024.
What happened in Splatoon 3 version 11.3.0
The headline addition is the Plastic-Bottle Shot Replica, a cosmetic weapon tied to Splatoon Raiders. It has the same specifications as the Tentatek Splattershot, so it does not create a new competitive option. Players can claim it from Splatoon 3's lobby terminal if the same system contains save data from the Nintendo Switch 2 version of Splatoon Raiders and its main story has been completed. The same user profile must be used in both games. Because Splatoon Raiders is a Switch 2 exclusive, players who have not upgraded their hardware cannot obtain the item. The patch also adjusts several main and special weapons, alongside a fix for unintended extra horizontal movement after using Squid Surge.
Why the balance changes matter
The patch is primarily a multiplayer balance pass rather than a content expansion. Carbon Roller variants gain better vertical-swing damage reach and roughly 5% faster forward movement while inking. Tri-Slosher variants use about 5% less ink, while Glooga Dualies become more consistent after a Dodge Roll. By contrast, Snipewriter variants consume about 7% more ink, and Tri-Stringer variants ink a smaller area with falling spray. The update also changes special-weapon performance: Triple Splashdown activates invulnerability sooner but has a smaller damaging explosion, Trizooka shots travel faster, and Ink Vac absorbs about 9% less enemy ink. Special charge requirements have changed as well, with Splattershot Pro FRZ-N and Custom Hydra Splatling requiring fewer points, while Inkline Tri-Stringer requires more.
What to watch next
The update leads into the Summer Nights Splatfest, beginning August 21 at 5 p.m. PT. Players will choose between reserving a palace, theme park, or beach for a day, with the three options represented by Shiver, Frye, and Big Man. Nintendo Switch Online is also offering themed profile icons, including frames based on each choice and additional options for participants. Nintendo has not officially announced Splatoon 4, and the current patch does not add new maps or major systems. For now, Splatoon 3's support consists of balance tuning, occasional Splatfests, and crossover touches such as the Raiders replica.
Key takeaways for players
- Version 11.3.0 is available now for Splatoon 3.
- The Plastic-Bottle Shot Replica requires completed Splatoon Raiders save data on the same system and user profile.
- The replica functions exactly like the Tentatek Splattershot, making it a cosmetic reward rather than a new competitive weapon.
- Carbon Roller, Tri-Slosher, and Glooga Dualies variants receive usability improvements, while Snipewriter variants become more ink-hungry.
- The Summer Nights Splatfest starts August 21 at 5 p.m. PT and features palace, theme park, and beach choices.
Selected balance changes
| Weapon or special | Change |
|---|---|
| Carbon Roller variants | Longer vertical-swing damage reach and approximately 5% faster forward movement while inking |
| Tri-Slosher variants | Approximately 5% lower ink consumption |
| Glooga Dualies variants | Approximately 10% less shot spread after a Dodge Roll |
| Snipewriter variants | Approximately 7% higher ink consumption |
| Trizooka | Approximately 13% faster shots without changing flight distance |
| Ink Vac | Approximately 9% less enemy ink absorption |
Expert View
Version 11.3.0 is a sensible form of continued support: meaningful enough to affect multiplayer habits, but restrained enough to avoid destabilizing a mature game. The Raiders reward is unlikely to change competition, yet it gives Nintendo a low-risk way to connect its newer spin-off with Splatoon 3. The bigger test will be whether these balance adjustments improve weapon variety during the upcoming Splatfest.
