Cracking the Code: The Ultimate Guide to Grinding Ability Chunks in Splatoon 3

So, you want to optimize your gear and dominate the Splatoon 3 battlefield? You’ve come to the right place! The key to unlocking your full potential lies in strategically acquiring and utilizing ability chunks. Grinding them efficiently is crucial. The most effective method involves a multi-pronged approach: playing Salmon Run consistently, leveling up gear, and employing drink tickets. Let’s dive into the details of each method to maximize your chunk-collecting prowess.

The Chunk-Grinding Trinity: Three Paths to Power

The secret isn’t just doing one thing; it’s optimizing across multiple avenues. Here’s the holy trinity of ability chunk farming:

1. Salmon Run: Your Reliable Chunk Source

Salmon Run is undoubtedly the cornerstone of ability chunk farming. Here’s why:

• Duplicate Gear: The bonus track constantly throws gear your way. Once you already possess a piece of gear, any subsequent copies obtained are prime candidates for chunk extraction.
• Green Capsules: Pay close attention to those green capsules. Ordinary green capsules have a 40% chance to contain two ability chunks and a 10% to yield four, while shiny green capsules guarantee four chunks.
• Efficiency: Salmon Run offers a relatively consistent and predictable flow of rewards. Aim for high tide bonuses to maximize your haul. Learn the strategies for each map and weapon rotation to consistently reach higher pay grades and reap more rewards.
• Teamwork: Coordinate with your teammates! Communication and cooperation are key to surviving waves and earning those precious points that translate into rewards.

2. Gear Leveling: The Passive Chunk Generator

Don’t underestimate the power of passive income.

• Fill Those Slots: The first step is to fill all the secondary ability slots on your gear. This might require scrubbing them using Murch if they already have abilities you don’t want.
• Keep Leveling: Once your gear slots are full, continuing to level it up will reward you with an ability chunk for each level gained. This is where drink tickets come into play.
• Drink Tickets: Consume a drink ticket from the Crust Bucket to increase the likelihood of rolling a specific ability on your gear. This doesn’t directly give you chunks, but it allows you to strategically fill your gear with abilities, scrub them, and turn them into desired chunks. More importantly, drink tickets will allow your gear exp to gain faster allowing for chunks to appear faster.
• Strategic Scrubbing: After maxing the gear, scrub the gear from the abilities. This will provide ability chunks to add onto another piece of gear.

3. Maximizing Efficiency: Combining Strategies

• Focus on One or Two Abilities: When using drink tickets, concentrate on rolling for specific abilities that you need chunks for. This makes the scrubbing process more efficient.
• Rotate Gear: Continuously rotate between different pieces of gear, leveling them up and scrubbing them as needed. This prevents you from hitting a plateau and keeps the chunk flow consistent.
• Monitor Salmon Run Rotations: Keep an eye on the Salmon Run schedule and prioritize playing during rotations that feature weapons you’re comfortable with. The higher your score, the more rewards you’ll earn.
• Plan Your Spending: Chunks aren’t free! It costs 45 Ability Chunks to set the main ability and 10 Ability Chunks to set the first sub ability on a piece of gear. If you want to place multiple instances of the same ability on one piece of gear, the Ability Chunk cost will go up to 20 for two of the same ability and 30 for three. Don’t waste chunks on abilities you don’t need; focus on optimizing for your playstyle and weapon.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ignoring Salmon Run: As stated earlier, Salmon Run is your lifeline. Skipping it means missing out on a huge source of potential chunks.
• Wasting Drink Tickets: Use drink tickets wisely. Don’t just randomly consume them; plan ahead and target specific abilities.
• Not Scrubbing Strategically: Scrubbing is essential. Don’t hold onto gear with unwanted abilities; turn them into valuable chunks!
• Spreading Chunks Too Thin: Focus on perfecting a few key pieces of gear before trying to optimize everything.

Advanced Techniques

• Gear Brands and Ability Affinity: Different gear brands have different tendencies to roll certain abilities. Research which brands are more likely to give you the abilities you want, and then use drink tickets to further enhance those odds. This combines the power of both methods!
• Team-Based Chunk Farming: Collaborate with friends to efficiently farm Salmon Run. Coordinate your weapon choices and strategies to consistently achieve high scores.

By combining these strategies and avoiding common pitfalls, you’ll be well on your way to becoming an ability chunk master! Remember, consistency and strategic planning are the keys to success. Now get out there and start grinding! Consider exploring the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org for more insights into the educational and strategic aspects of gaming.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are ability chunks used for?

Ability chunks are used to add abilities to the secondary slots of your gear. You can visit Murch in the Inkopolis Square or Splatsville to add these abilities. They provide a reliable method for acquiring specific abilities that might be difficult to obtain through random rerolling. It costs 45 Ability Chunks to set the main ability and 10 Ability Chunks to set the first sub ability on a piece of gear. If you want to place multiple instances of the same ability on one piece of gear, the Ability Chunk cost will go up to 20 for two of the same ability and 30 for three.

2. How do I get main ability chunks?

The game does not allow for adding chunks to the main ability slot. It is unique to that piece of gear.

3. What happens to ability chunks when my gear is full?

Once all the slots on your gear are filled, you’ll just be awarded one ability chunk instead of adding an ability. This is a passive way to collect more chunks while waiting for your drink to expire.

4. How many ability chunks do I need?

As mentioned earlier, it costs 45 Ability Chunks to set the main ability and 10 Ability Chunks to set the first sub ability on a piece of gear. If you want to place multiple instances of the same ability on one piece of gear, the Ability Chunk cost will go up to 20 for two of the same ability and 30 for three.

5. Can I trade ability chunks with other players?

No, ability chunks cannot be traded with other players. They are tied to your individual account.

6. Do ability chunks stack?

Yes, ability chunks stack. However, the effect of each additional chunk of the same ability diminishes slightly. While they do completely stack, each additional ability will add a smaller effect than the previous one.

7. What’s the best way to use drink tickets?

Use drink tickets to increase the probability of rolling specific abilities on gear that you plan to level up. Choose abilities that you need chunks for, and focus on a few key abilities at a time.

8. Does rerolling gear give ability chunks?

Yes, rerolling gear at Murch’s grants you chunks based on the abilities that were previously on the gear.

9. What is AP in Splatoon 3?

The ability point (AP) is a unit of measurement used internally by all games in the Splatoon series.

10. What are some of the most useful abilities to have?

Some of the most useful abilities include:

• Run Speed Up
• Ink Saver
• Ink Recovery Up
• Quick Super Jump
• Sub Resistance Up

The effectiveness of each ability varies depending on your weapon and playstyle.

11. What is Comeback in Splatoon 3?

While active, Comeback gives the user 12 AP in Splatoon or 10 AP in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3 of the following: Ink Saver (Main) Ink Saver (Sub), Ink Recovery Up.

12. How do I increase my chances of getting into a 100x or 333x battle?

Every 10x battle you win will increase your chances of then randomly getting into a 100x or 333x battle, which winning will earn you 100 times or 333 times respectively. After being in a 100x or 333x your chances reset.

13. What is the max level in Splatoon 3?

The Level cap is raised to 99. After reaching Level 99, players can talk to Judd to reset to become Level ★1, and continue to work their way up to Level ★99. Once the player reaches Level ★99, they can reset it back to Level ★1 by talking to Judd again.

14. How do I get Sheldon Licenses?

Sheldon Licenses can be obtained by increasing the player’s level and by increasing a weapon’s Freshness to 1 star.

15. Are there any other ways to get ability chunks besides Salmon Run and gear leveling?

While Salmon Run and gear leveling are the most efficient methods, you can occasionally obtain ability chunks through other events or promotions in the game. Keep an eye on in-game announcements for special opportunities.