Inkstrike

The Inkstrike is a special weapon in Splatoon, and is also used by Octostrikers.

Appearance
The Inkstrike consists of two parts, the Inkstrike itself and a touchpad used to launch it. The touchpad is yellow-green with green handles and a red antenna. The screen displays a multicolored swirl pattern in the middle and some boxes displaying information on the left with a black background. The Inkstrike itself is shaped like a missile. The main part of its body changes color to match the user's ink, the bottom part is yellow-green with red highlights and a green propeller, and the top part is red with black-and-white googly eyes on it. Strapped around the main body are some yellow-green supports that are connected via a red handle. Once the Inkstrike is launched, a warning marker appears where it will land. Said marker is a half-sphere with stripes that change color to match the user's ink. A black squid-shaped arrow with highlights in the user's ink color surrounds it. When used by an Octostriker, the marker has an octopus-shaped arrow instead of a squid-shaped one.

Splatoon
Once activated, the user targets a specific area of the stage by tapping it on the. When about to launch, the attacker covers their ears with the pad in their hand and ducks their head a little. The Inkstrike is then launched to that location, creating a large tornado of ink that splats enemies caught in it.

Octo Valley
In Octo Valley, Octostrikers fire Inkstrikes from a cannon on their helmet.

Data
The amount of turf an Inkstrike covers largely varies but typically ranges from 80 to 100BP. Based on the area of each stage and the amount of inkable vs uninkable turf, an Inkstrike typically contributes 4-6% of the total coverage without including the base percentages earned from each spawn point (which is typically around 5 to 6BP).

Use

 * Because using the Inkstrike prevents players from spreading ink momentarily and requires them to concentrate on the, those using an Inkstrike can be easily splatted. When using an Inkstrike, make sure to stay a safe distance away from the action, or hide behind a wall.
 * When an Inkstrike is placed, a large, swirling icon will appear on the battlefield. Quickly evacuate this area to avoid being splatted.
 * In Ranked Battle, using an Inkstrike directly on top of a Splat Zone or a Tower can turn the tide of the battle. In Rainmaker, it can easily destroy the shield or keep enemies from picking up the Rainmaker.
 * In Turf War, players can use the Inkstrike as a distraction by launching it at the opponents' side of the map. To make this strategy more efficient, it is best to have clothing with the ability Special Charge Up.
 * Launching an Inkstrike deep into enemy territory at the end of a Turf War can cause an unavoidable swing of about 6% or 7%, which can determine the winner of a match.

Quotes
"When Inkstrike is activated, you’re prompted to choose a target area on the GamePad’s map. While choosing a target, your character remains still and is extremely vulnerable to attack, so find a safe corner before initiating Inkstrike. Once a target area is selected, a large, ink-filled missile fires off your character’s back. Upon impact, the missile unleashes a tornado of ink, swirling about and spreading ink over a wide area. This makes Inkstrike extremely effective during Splat Zones. One Inkstrike can usually contest or outright capture an enemy-held Splat Zone. If you’re on the receiving end of an Inkstrike, watch for the swirling indicator on the ground—this is your cue to escape before the missile impacts. When possible, swim away from an incoming Inkstrike—you’re taking a risk if you try to outrun the ink tornado."

- Splatoon Prima Guide

Splatoon 2
Though the Inkstrike does not return in Splatoon 2, a drawing of one appears on a Sunken Scroll explaining the absence of special weapons and on the bulletin boards in Skipper Pavilion. The same drawing can be seen on the back wall of Inkopolis Square.

The role of the Inkstrike is indirectly replaced by the Tenta Missiles, in that they are both able to lock on from far away to summon large ink projectiles from the air, and the Booyah Bomb and Splashdown, in that they both create a swirling ink explosion. Octostrikers do not return either, but their role has been replaced by the Missile Octocopter, which only appears as sanitized in the Octo Expansion, which they fire Tenta Missiles instead.

Splatoon 3
The Inkstrike does not return in Splatoon 3, but the game introduces a spiritual successor to it with the Triple Inkstrike, which, as the name suggests, fires three small ink tornadoes instead of one large one. In addition, instead of being targeted with the, which the Nintendo Switch does not possess, it is instead targeted with three small throw-able targeting beacons which stick to objects, contained in a backpack.

Mario Kart 8 Deluxe
An ATV kart based on the Inkstrike, called the Inkstriker, is in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.

Trivia

 * The Inkstrike was originally called "Ink Tornado", as seen in an image from before release.
 * If a location is not chosen ten seconds after activation, the Inkstrike automatically goes off around the user.