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Mastering Gear Acquisition in Splatoon 3: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re looking to deck out your Inkling or Octoling with the freshest gear in Splatoon 3? Excellent choice! A sharp look isn’t just about style; it’s about functionality, boasting abilities that can significantly impact your performance in Turf War, Anarchy Battles, and Salmon Run. Getting that perfect piece of gear involves knowing where to look, how to acquire it, and sometimes, a little bit of luck.

The core of gear acquisition in Splatoon 3 revolves around a few key methods:

Shops in Splatsville: Head to the various clothing stores in Splatsville’s vibrant plaza. Each shop specializes in a different type of gear (headgear, clothing, shoes), and their stock rotates daily. Check back often!
SplatNet 3: The Nintendo Switch Online app has a dedicated Splatoon 3 section, called SplatNet 3. Here, you’ll find the SplatNet Gear Shop, which offers exclusive items that you can order and pick up from Murch.
Amiibo: Certain amiibo figures unlock specific gear sets within the game. Scan your amiibo to receive the gear directly.
Hero Mode: Completing Hero Mode (the single-player campaign) rewards you with unique gear sets.
Salmon Run: Earn points in Salmon Run and exchange them for capsules containing various rewards, including gear.
Catalog Rewards: Leveling up your seasonal catalog grants you access to a variety of gear items, emotes, and other cosmetic items.
Spyke/Murch: These characters can upgrade existing gear and add additional ability slots for your favorite gear pieces.
Fish Scales: These rare scales can be exchanged for Slopsuits in different colors.

Diving Deeper: Exploring Gear Acquisition Methods

Let’s break down each of these methods with some extra tips:

Shops in Splatsville

The shops in Splatsville are your go-to for a regular supply of new gear. Each shop has a specific focus.

Headgear: This shop sells hats, visors, headphones, and other head-related items.
Clothing: Focuses on shirts, jackets, dresses, and other body coverings.
Shoes: Specializes in footwear, including sneakers, boots, and sandals.

The stock refreshes daily, so it’s a good habit to check them each time you log in. Keep an eye out for gear with the main ability you’re after or gear from brands you know tend to roll certain sub-abilities.

SplatNet 3

SplatNet 3 offers exclusive gear that you won’t find in the regular shops. To access it:

Open the Nintendo Switch Online app on your smartphone.
Select Splatoon 3.
Navigate to the SplatNet Gear Shop.
Order the gear you want.
Head to Murch in Splatsville to pick it up.

Be aware that items on SplatNet 3 are often more expensive than those in the shops and the stock rotates frequently. This is a great place to find items with specific main abilities.

Amiibo

Amiibo are a fantastic way to unlock unique gear sets quickly. Each Splatoon-related amiibo will grant you a specific set of gear, often inspired by the character represented by the amiibo.

To claim your amiibo gear:

Interact with the amiibo stand in Splatsville (it’s near the entrance to the lobby).
Scan your amiibo.
Complete a few matches.
Return to the amiibo stand to receive your gear.

Amiibo gear often comes with pre-set abilities, so choose your amiibo wisely!

Hero Mode

Completing Hero Mode not only provides a fun single-player experience but also unlocks exclusive gear sets. These sets are often themed around the Hero Gear and can provide unique looks for your character. Simply complete the story, and the gear will be yours.

Salmon Run

Salmon Run is a cooperative wave-based mode where you and your teammates fight off hordes of Salmonids. Completing shifts rewards you with points that you can exchange for capsules. These capsules contain a variety of items, including gear, ability chunks, and more. While the gear you get from Salmon Run is random, it’s a consistent way to earn new items, especially if you’re good at the mode!

Catalog Rewards

Each season in Splatoon 3 comes with a new catalog. By earning experience and leveling up your catalog, you unlock various rewards, including gear, emotes, titles, and decorations for your locker. Make sure to play regularly and complete challenges to maximize your catalog progress!

Spyke/Murch

Murch is your go-to guy for customizing your gear. He can:

Add ability slots: If a piece of gear has empty slots, Murch can add them for a fee (using Super Sea Snails, which you get from Splatfests).
Re-roll abilities: If you don’t like the abilities on a piece of gear, Murch can re-roll them randomly.
Scrub abilities: If you want to get rid of abilities and reclaim the ability chunks, Murch can scrub them.
Increase Star Power: Duplicate gear can be purchased from shops to upgrade the star power of the gear, increasing the experience gained from it.

Understanding Murch’s services is crucial for optimizing your gear and getting the exact abilities you want.

Fish Scales

Fish Scales are a rare drop from defeating King Salmonid in Salmon Run. These are only obtainable once you’ve reached the Profreshional Part-Timer rank or higher. The color of the scale is also random, with gold being the rarest and bronze being the most common. Different colors of suits are unlocked once you hit specific numbers of Silver Fish Scales, namely 10 for Green/Yellow, 30 for Pink/Blue, and 100 for Black/White.

FAQs: Your Burning Gear Questions Answered

Here are 15 frequently asked questions about gear in Splatoon 3, providing further clarification and helpful tips:

Can I get gear from previous Splatoon 3 catalogs?
- While you can no longer directly earn rewards from past catalogs, Nintendo occasionally reintroduces past items through special events or promotions. Keep an eye on official announcements.
Are Splatoon 3 catalogs limited time?
- Yes, Splatoon 3 catalogs are seasonal and typically last for three months. A new catalog is released at the start of each new season.
Does Splatoon 2 items transfer to Splatoon 3?
- No, gear from Splatoon 2 does not directly transfer to Splatoon 3. However, having save data from Splatoon 2 grants you three Gold Sheldon Licenses, which you can exchange for main weapons regardless of your player level.
What is the best beginner gear in Splatoon 3?
- The “best” gear is subjective and depends on your playstyle. However, focusing on gear with abilities like Ink Saver (Main), Ink Recovery Up, and Run Speed Up can be beneficial for new players. Also, remember that the weapons that are best for new players are the Splattershot, Slosher, Aerospray MG, and the Tri-Stringer.
Can you get hero gear in Splatoon 3?
- Yes, completing Hero Mode unlocks the Hero Gear set, which is a great option for those wanting a unique look.
Can you transfer gear to Splatoon 3 from previous titles?
- No, gear cannot be directly transferred from previous Splatoon games. However, as mentioned earlier, Splatoon 2 save data grants you Gold Sheldon Licenses.
Where is the secret in Splatoon 3?
- The “secret” likely refers to the After Alterna level. This is unlocked by completing all missions in Hero Mode and spending 333 Power Eggs at the Secret Kettle found near the entrance of Alterna.
How do you unlock Sheldon in Splatoon?
- To unlock the Shel-Drone in Splatoon 3, players must complete Hero Mode and thoroughly explore the central headquarters of the main campaign. The Shel-Drone is an automated device in Splatoon 3 that serves as a delivery assistant that supplies valuable resources to players, free of effort.
Is there a secret level in Splatoon 3?
- Yes, the After Alterna level is considered a secret level, unlocked after completing the main campaign and spending 333 Power Eggs to access the secret kettle.
How do you unlock samurai gear in Splatoon 3?
- The Samurai Gear is unlocked by scanning the Inkling Boy amiibo. It’s a unique set that cannot be obtained through other means.
How do you get the pink Sleepsuit in Splatoon 3?
- The pink Slopsuit is unlocked by collecting 30 Silver Fish Scales which are rewarded for defeating King Salmonid in Salmon Run once you’re at least Profreshional Part-Timer.
How do you get 3-star gear in Splatoon 3?
- You upgrade gear’s star power by buying the duplicate item from the store or by paying Murch Super Sea Snails at any time.
What happens if you 100% Splatoon 3 story mode?
- If you’ve fully surveyed every site and completed the main story, then, the Shel-drone will appear on the launch pad next to the Squid Sisters Camp.
How do you get the black hero suit in Splatoon 3?
- The Hero Suit is given as a hand-me-down from Cap’n Cuttlefish when he recruits Agent 3.
What is the most expensive gear in Splatoon?
- 12,000, the Varsity Jacket is the most expensive piece of gear with Damage Up, most expensive piece of Zekko gear, and most expensive piece of clothing in Splatoon. It is tied with the 18K Aviators and Blue Moto Boots for the most expensive gear overall.

Mastering Abilities: The Key to Victory

Beyond the aesthetics, the most crucial aspect of gear is its abilities. Understanding how abilities work and how to optimize them for your playstyle is key to becoming a formidable Inkling or Octoling. Experiment with different combinations and find what works best for you!

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With a little dedication and these insights, you’ll be rocking the freshest gear and dominating the competition in no time! Happy splatting!

How do you get specific gear in Splatoon?