Splatoon has always had a diverse set of weapons that allow players of all skill levels to engage with the series in whatever ways they fancied. Splatoon 3 continues that tradition and even adds in two new weapon types – the sword-like Splatana, and the focus of this guide, the bow-like Stringer.
Stringers are unusual in Splatoon 3 because they take aspects of several pre-existing weapons and mushes them together to make something completely new – completely different. Stringers are not for the faint of heart either. These weapons typically require a higher skill threshold to use well, and even then, they are quite the challenge.
More Splatoon 3 content:
Beginner’s Guide | Brush Guide | Splatfest Guide | Super Sea Snails
What Are Stringers?
Stringers are medium to long-range weapons that heavily rely on charging their shots to deal damage. As standard, every Stringer has a lot of utility. This is thanks to their ability to fire vertically, horizontally, or use the aforementioned charge. This lets them attack in many ways, with the trade-off being their damage is noticeably lower than other weapons, and unreliable to boot.
Stringers may seem like a powerful anchoring weapon at first, however, Stringers often fill a support role better. This is largely due to their inability to reliably threaten targets due to the spread of their shots, low close-range damage, and the difficulty associated with the class.
How To Use Stringers In Splatoon 3?
Stringers can fire in three ways in Splatoon 3. Holding down ZR allows you to draw back your bow and charge a powerful charge shot. Depending on the Stringer in question, you can charge to level one or level two, with higher-level charges being more powerful. Tapping ZR fires out a short-ranged, low-damage spread of ink horizontally. Finally, jumping and tapping ZR will fire a short-ranged, low-damage blast of ink vertically. Your charge shot can also be fired vertically if you Jump when releasing the trigger.
Stringers deal low damage without charging – so low fact that just about every weapon in the game will likely end up splatting your first in those situations. To use a Stringer effectively, you want to keep enemies at a safe distance, and charge. Where things get tricky is the unreliable nature of your shot. Unlike Chargers, Stringers don’t fire in a straight line – they arc instead. This makes landing your full salvo substantially more difficult.
Thankfully Stringers are very effective at inking, although their inking tends to be limited to the immediate area around you. Tapping ZR allows you to fire quickly, cover a lot of ground, and use very little ink. You can very quickly cover an area in ink with Stringers, and this allows you to gain access to your Special ludicrously fast.
Finally, Stringers love elevated positions. This not only gives them a defensive advantage against ground-based foes, but it also extends their range and therefore, their zone of influence. Do be warned that many weapons like elevated positions, however. Chargers and Splattlings can often outrange you, making you an easy target. Not only that, but they will likely be able to kill you more reliably.
How To Use The Tri-Stringer
The Tri-Stringer is the first Stringer you will gain access to via Sheldon. It is also by far the hardest weapon in the game to use when you first get it. Tri-Stringers require a lot of skill to use effectively, and their damage output makes them a liability if you aren’t an ace at landing those kill shots.
What makes the Tri-Stringer unique is its two levels of charge, and what that means for the weapon. A fully charged Tri-Stringer can one-shot enemies if all three projectiles hit at once. This is very powerful, as you can snipe enemies fairly effectively with a bit (a lot…) of practice. Even if you miss, however, the Tri-Stringer’s fully-charged arrows are explosive, and they will explode with a small AOE where they land. This deals around 80 damage depending on proximity.
One downside to the Tri-Stringers gameplay, especially when compared to its long-ranged rival, the Charger, is that it cannot store its charge when swimming. This makes the Tri-Stringer a shockingly static and vulnerable weapon if you are caught out of position.
Sub Weapon
Unfortunately, the Tri-Stringer doesn’t have the best Sub Weapon. Toxic Mist is fine, but that’s about it. Its effects are minor (for the most part) and whilst it will technically make it easier to land your shots since it impairs your opponent’s movement, by the time you’ve drawn your bow and fired, most enemies can just move away from the mist. It’s not useless, it’s just really underwhelming.
Special Weapon
This is somewhat made up for with your Special, however. The Killer Wail 5.1 is an excellent fire-and-forget weapon that lets you reach out and splat enemies from across the map. Failing that, it will always displace enemies as they are forced to move to avoid death. Finally, you gain vision on all enemies for a brief time, letting you plan slightly when moving into position, etc.
How To Use The REEF-LUX 450
The Tri-Stringer is a complicated weapon that often underperforms when you are first learning the ropes. The REEF-LUX 450 on the other hand is a pretty simple weapon that manages to do a lot with substantially less practice. It still struggles on the battlefield due to its unreliable spread and low damage, but it makes up for that in several ways.
Firstly, the REEF-LUX 450 charges much faster than the Tri-Stringer, with the trade-off being lower damage and the removal of exploding arrows. This is not as bad as you think, as the speed increase is substantial. So much so that you can spam it quite easily when in a close-range scrap with a bit of practice
Secondly, the REEF-LUX 450 has a much shorter range, but a higher rate of fire overall. Where the Tri-Stringer comfortably operates at mid to long-range, the REEF-LUX 450 loves to be in close to mid-range fights. Not only that, but it can perform well even when spamming uncharged shots. Heck, its faster fire rate even makes Inking easier.
In short, the REEF-LUX 450 is much easier to use for beginners, and despite losing out in some areas, tends to be a much more well-rounded weapon.
Sub Weapon
The REEF-LUX 450’s playstyle is wonderfully complemented by its Sub, the Curling Bomb. The Curling Bomb is a great weapon as it not only deals enough damage to kill on explosion, but you can set the timer on the fly, letting you catch enemies out. You can even bounce it off walls and around corners to mess with people’s threat perceptions.
Where the Curling Bomb shines is at closing the distance. It leaves a trail of ink for you to follow, allowing you to throw a deadly explosive, and quickly relocate to take territory or engage enemies.
Special Weapon
Adding to the beginner-friendly nature of the REEF-LUX 450, it comes with the wonderfully explosive Tena Missiles. You get this, you fire it off at whoever and wherever, and you get splats. It’s that simple. Even if you don’t manage to get the splat, enemies are forced to move, allowing you to displace enemies. This is especially effective against Chargers, Tri-Stringers, and Splatlings – all of which tend to be fairly stationary.
This, in turn, can help your team push territory, as the big hitters of the enemy team are preoccupied with dodging an air strike.
Tips For Using Stringers
We have covered every Stringer in the game (as of writing), but here are some basic tips to help you get to grips with these complex weapons.
- A-B-C – This stands for ‘Always Be Charging’. For the most part, tap-firing your Stringer will lead to a quick death. You want to use your powerful charge shot to quickly dispatch enemies from a safe distance.
- Elevation – Get the high ground and use your superior range to bully enemies below you. This is especially true for the Tri-Stringer, but even the REEF-LUX 450 benefits greatly from a bit of height.
- Practice, Practice, Practice – This is the big one. Stringers require a lot of work to get good with in Splatoon 3. Especially if you are dedicating yourself to the Tri-Stringer. They have a very unique way of playing, and they sacrifice a lot for utility. Jump into games, take some blows to the chin, and practice.
That’s all we have for Stringers in Splatoon 3. Keep an eye out for more Weapon Guides. Until then, happy Splatting!
