Competitive:Rapid Blaster Pro Deco

Unofficial

Splatoon 2
The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco is the longest-ranged blaster along with its vanilla variant, giving it a defensive playstyle focused on support and poking opponents. Unlike said vanilla variant, this weapon has a kit that can fulfill the roles of being a supportive anchor.

Use
The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco can flex between the support and anchor roles: When placed properly, a Splash Wall can provide great utility, even in stages and areas that are more open: Ink Armor enables its user's team to either initiate a push, to recapture a Splat Zone for example, or maintain one, such as while locking out the opponent.
 * Its direct hit range of 180.852 DU easily exceeds that of short-ranged weapons, such as the Kensa Splattershot (116.99 DU), and exceeds that of medium-ranged ones, such as the L-3 Nozzlenose (141.36 DU) and Splattershot Pro (160.396 DU).
 * Factoring in its splash damage radius of 33 DU gives it a splash damage range of 213.852, which is comparable to the ranges of other long-ranged weapons, such as the Bamboozler (195.64 DU), Foil Squeezer's burst fire (187.39 DU), and Heavy Splatling (178.05-218.37 DU), . However, these weapons have significantly more splatting power and have decent DPS against a Splash Wall, so it is advised to find positions from which these weapons can be safely poked at rather than engage them directly in a one-on-one confrontation.
 * Its shots travel slower than those of rapid-firing weapons — 14 units per frame versus 23 units per frame for the Dualie Squelchers, for example. This means that a Rapid Blaster Pro user has to lead their shots in order to be accurate.
 * The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco suffers from jump RNG, a problem made worse with its long range - due to shot deviation and the long range, shots fired when jumping can end up farther from the mark than other blasters.
 * Waiting 25 frames – during the descent of a jump – will allow the outer reticle to shrink back and the accuracy to improve for up to 70 more frames.
 * Main Power Up reduces the shot deviation during a jump by up to 50%, in addition to increasing the blast radius by 5.9%.
 * The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco's damage widely varies depending on whether a target is hit directly, and if not, how close to the shot's explosion the target is and whether the shot exploded on a solid surface:
 * 85 health points (HP) of damage per direct hit — enough to splat most opponents in two hits, and combos with the two other methods of damage below for a splat
 * 35 HP per hit of splash damage if the shot's explosion does not hit a solid surface
 * 17.5 HP per hit of splash damage if the shot's explosion hits a solid surface; this can still be useful if being rushed and a direct was hit prior to that
 * Thus, when firing up a ledge or around either an obstacle or an opponent's brella shield for splash damage, avoid hitting solid surfaces to maximize damage.
 * The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco suffers a longer lag time after each shot compared to rapid-firing weapons, making it easily punishable after a miss:
 * The interval between firing and either morphing or using a sub weapon is 20 frames — far longer than the 4 frames of the Jet Squelcher.
 * Its firing rate is 40 frames between shots (1.5 shots per second) – far slower than the Jet Squelcher's 8 frames between shots (7.5 shots per second)
 * Therefore, unless attacking an opponent up a ledge or around either an obstacle or their brella shield, always go for direct hits.
 * Besides its long lag after each shot, the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco suffers from other drawbacks:
 * Its movement speed while firing (0.5 units per frame) is slow compared to most weapons of comparable range. Combined with the lag after shots, the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco is rather immobile and vulnerable to attack after each shot, so shots must be fired judiciously.
 * Its poor ink efficiency and turfing make it prone to getting surrounded by opposing ink if fired recklessly. This weapon can function as an anchor, so avoid overextending into the opponents' territory.
 * Swim Speed Up can help address some of the mobility issues, while Ink Resistance Up reduces the loss of running speed in opposing ink.
 * The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco operates best in areas and stages that are highly frequented – such as around the Tower – or less open, such as in an alley or beneath a short ledge, where an opponent has less room to avoid shots and outmaneuver the Rapid Blaster Pro user.
 * Splash Wall provides strong protection against opposing fire, allowing its user to safely control space while turfing and farming Ink Armor.
 * Any bombs thrown by an opponent that hit a Splash Wall will instantly explode, potentially splatting the Splash Wall's user or their teammates.
 * Refrain from either showering in or rushing through the wall until it is certain that the opponent has no bombs available in the area.
 * Do not throw a Splash Wall behind a teammate, as a thrown opponent's bomb can instantly splat them.
 * Defensively, it can hinder the opponents' push, blocking both their movement and their fire.
 * Offensively, a Splash Wall can restrain the opponents' movement, allowing its user and their teammates to push forward or gain map control.
 * Throwing a Splash Wall behind an opponent can prevent them from fleeing.
 * A Splash Wall can nullify a Brella shield — even a Tenta Brella shield.
 * If an opposing Brella user launches their shield, dropping a Splash Wall in front of it will cause both to negate one another, potentially denying a Rainmaker or Power Clam push.
 * At maximum, it takes 36-41% of the ink tank to launch a Brella shield and 60% to drop a Splash Wall. However, the Splash Wall can be deployed far more quickly, allowing its owner more time to reload ink or reposition themselves to a more favorable location.
 * In, the Tower will destroy any Splash Wall it collides into, meaning that it can no longer be used to stall the movement of the Tower itself.
 * However, a Splash Wall can still be used to stall opponents pushing ahead of the Tower and limit the opponents' movement around the Tower path.
 * Conversely, a Splash Wall may be placed onto the Tower to protect its user or their teammate while riding it. (Once again, watch out for the opponents' bombs.)
 * Time the activation of Ink Armor carefully so that you and your teammates receive its protection before engaging the opponent.
 * Try to activate Ink Armor when most or all teammates are active. Slayers, who risk getting splatted more often, benefit from Ink Armor more than anchors do.
 * Upon activation, Ink Armor will protect its user and their teammates except for those either carrying the Rainmaker or using either Baller or Booyah Bomb.
 * Also, players protected by Ink Armor lose it upon gaining possession of the Rainmaker.
 * A support player, such as a Rapid Blaster Pro Deco in some compositions, is often expected to carry the Rainmaker while their slayer teammates provide protection up front while turfing a path of ink. Therefore, while Ink Armor will not protect the Rainmaker carrier, it will still benefit their teammates, so cast Ink Armor just before picking up the Rainmaker whenever possible.

Synergy
Because blasters are generally poor at turfing, their users will have to rely on their teammates to maintain map control. Not having enough turfing ability – usually from having too many blasters and chargers – presents its own set of problems: The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco has great range and decent poking ability, but is vulnerable to being rushed down. Be sure to include some mobile, shorter-ranged weapons in the team composition. Otherwise, a team with too many longer-ranged weapons will have major drawbacks: The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco's lack of lethal bombs – particularly either Splat or Suction Bombs – generally necessitates its user's teammates to equip weapons that include them. Lethal bombs provide their user's team a couple advantages over another team that has no lethal bombs in its composition: Multiple Ink Armors used by the same team do not stack. Therefore, it would be redundant for a team to have more than two Ink Armor users.
 * A team whose composition lacks enough turfing ability can be rendered immobile if the other team dominates map control.
 * A lack of turfing also makes it difficult to alter the course of a game, even after wiping out the other team.
 * The lack of mobility will make it difficult for such a team to mount a push.
 * The reduced ability to battle in close range will make the team vulnerable to a well-timed flank or a well-positioned shark.
 * Their one-hit-splat offers its user's team chances of instantly gaining a numbers advantage, from which a game-winning push can arise.
 * Their lethal explosion provides space for its user's team to either push into an area held by the opponent or stall an opponent's push.
 * In general, when two Ink Armor-based weapons are on a team, the user of the more aggressive weapon should activate Ink Armor first, freeing them to engage the opponent without potentially losing both a potential Ink Armor and special gauge progress. Because this weapon is not particularly quick at turfing, they should generally wait for another Ink Armor-equipped teammate to activate their armor first then follow up with their Ink Armor as the first one wears off.

Countermeasures
An opponent's Splash Wall is often a hindrance, but it can be worked around: Keep an eye on the HUD to know when the opposing Rapid Blaster Pro Deco user has Ink Armor ready to use, and both watch and listen for when it is activated.
 * To engage an opposing Rapid Blaster Pro user with a shorter range weapon, try to catch it off guard through either careful flanking or sharking, better positioning, wise use of bombs, or relying on better mobility to get into its blindspot (the area where indirects can't connect). Being inside the blindspot forces the user to either hit two directs if at full health, or rely on Splash Walls - which aren't always accessible - to survive. Both variants of the Dualie Squelchers can easily rush into the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco's blindspot but may struggle when fighting it outside of it.
 * The Splat Brella and Kensa Undercover Brella and their variants cannot sufficiently protect their users from the splash damage of the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco, but can occasionally predict where they will shoot to move in a way that makes the shot hit the shield instead of going around it and dealing indirect damage.
 * Whenever possible, exploit the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco's poor ink efficiency and turfing by surrounding it with ink. Sub weapons and teammates can help accomplish this.
 * It is preferable to engage an opposing Rapid Blaster Pro Deco in a more open area – where there is more room to outmaneuver it and surround it with ink – than in a closed area. If this is not possible, remain farther back on a ledge or further around a corner to avoid splash damage.
 * A long-ranged weapon, such as a charger, Jet Squelcher, or most splatlings, can attack an opposing Rapid Blaster Pro Deco user from long distance with impunity.
 * While the Rapid Blaster Pro can poke and remove your team's Ink Armor easily, using Tenta Missiles to displace them will make this harder for the Rapid Blaster Pro to do so.
 * Lethal bombs are generally the most efficient means to damage and destroy opposing Splash Walls. Their explosions can also splat opponents who either stay too close to the Splash Wall or attempt to rush through it.
 * If wielding a Brella, refrain from launching the shield at an opposing Rapid Blaster Pro Deco user unless it is to clear out a planted Splash Wall.
 * An Ultra Stamp will easily destroy a Splash Wall, breaking through any chokepoints the opponent may be defending. The Ultra Stamp wielder can then proceed to splat or chase out opponents while teammates follow behind to either mount or continue a push.
 * The best way to prevent the opponent from using armor is to splat the opposing Rapid Blaster Pro user.
 * Fight fire with fire by having and using Ink Armor to counter the opposing Rapid Blaster Pro user's Armor. Skirmishes between armored teams will depend on when each Ink Armor was activated, the players' skill and positioning, turf control, and the availability of other specials.
 * Ink Armor can negate up to 30 HP of damage, so there are a few main and sub weapons that can remove an opponent's Ink Armor in one hit:
 * For example, all variants of the Splattershot, the Splattershot Pro, and the Splat Dualies all inflict at least 30 HP of damage per shot and fire relatively rapidly. All variants of the Splash-o-matic and the Dualie Squelchers can also accomplish this with enough Main Power Up.
 * Object Shredder triples damage inflicted onto armored opponents, allowing weapons that cannot otherwise inflict 30 HP of damage to break an opponent's Ink Armor in one hit. Combining Object Shredder with Ink Storm can nearly neutralize armored pushes by the opponent.
 * The splash damage of most bombs will destroy the Ink Armor of opponents who have no Bomb Defense Up DX equipped. Burst Bombs are quite effective at this due to their instant explosion and low ink consumption.
 * Otherwise, focus fire on armored opponents for longer than usual - preferably while ganging up on one opponent at a time - to compensate for their armor.

Gear abilities
Gear abilities provide different effects in battle that benefit the player with their equipped weapon. This is a guide to gear abilities in relation to the weapon. Strategy, synergy, viability, and purpose may be written here. Ever since its introduction in Version, Bomb Defense Up DX will not only reduce the damage taken from opposing sub and special weapons that are not one-hit-splat but will also reduce the duration of the tracking effects of certain opponent's sub and special weapons, such as Point Sensors and Ink Mines, allowing the user of this ability to evade detection more easily. Since the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco is prone to being attacked by bombs and Tenta Missiles due to it being an anchor, having this ability is great for improving its survivability. Just three ability points, or one sub, offer plenty of utility:
 * The splash damage of most bombs is reduced from 30 HP to 28.6 HP. This reduction in damage provides two benefits:
 * It prevents its user from being exposed on their opponents' map by the splash damage of most single bombs.
 * Ink Armor will not break due to splash damage from a single bomb whose splash damage normally inflicts 30 HP of damage.
 * The splash damage of near-misses from either Tenta Missiles or Inkjet, the minimum splash damage of bubbles, and the collision damage from Baller are all reduced from 50 HP to 48.3 HP, enabling one to survive two hits from any of these specific means of special weapon damage.

Any weapon, including a Rapid Blaster Pro user, can often come in contact with the opponent's ink on various surfaces, which can both be damaging and reduce mobility. Ink Resistance Up not only partially offsets the reduction in mobility but also delays the damage taken from contact with opposing ink:

The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco uses a large portion of the ink tank per shot. Ink Saver (Main) not only allows it to fire more shots per ink tank but also conserves ink for Splash Wall use.
 * Thirteen ability points, or one main and one sub, increases the number of shots fired with a full ink tank from twelve to fifteen, and increases the number of shots that can be fired after throwing a Splash Wall from five to six.

Main Power Up improves the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco's jump accuracy by up to 50%, in addition to increasing the blast radius of its shots up to 5.9%. While the increased blast radius has a small difference, the increased accuracy is valuable due to the weapon's long range, which allows shots to deviate farther from their intended target.
 * 13 ability points, or one main and one sub, will improve the jump accuracy by 19.17%.

Quick Super Jump decreases both the "charge" time before and the travel time of a Super Jump, helping its user escape unfavorable situations more quickly. There are some situations where a Rapid Blaster Pro Deco will have to jump back to spawn to avoid getting splatted and preserve its Ink Armor, and Quick Super Jump will help in this regard.
 * One sub, or 3 ability points, of Quick Super Jump decreases the "charge" time by 22 frames, or 0.36 seconds.

Despite a 180p special gauge, the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco's poor turfing means that it will not have Ink Armor readily available like other support weapons, like an N-ZAP '85. Special Charge Up can help mitigate this issue.
 * 6 ability points, or two subs, reduces the special gauge from 180p to 171p.
 * 13 ability points, or one main and one sub, further reduces this to 162p.

The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco has trouble turfing and is vulnerable to being rushed down. Due to this, they can greatly benefit from Swim Speed Up, which enables its user to better maintain an optimal distance from an opponent, more quickly respond to an opponents' push, or even escape unfavorable situations.
 * 16 ability points – one main and two subs – increase the swim speed from 1.92 DU/f to 2.14 units per frame.

In competitive play
The Rapid Blaster Pro Deco was a highly anticipated weapon at the top level before its release on June 1st, 2018, especially from players such as Sendou. During this time, the Rapid Blasters were strong weapons due to the prevalence of Inkjet, which Rapid Blasters were good at countering.

Currently in the version 5.5 meta, the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco sees use in countering the Custom Jet Squelcher, as the Jet Squelcher lacks strong DPS against a Splash Wall with the main weapon and poor damage with the Burst Bombs, and Sting Ray is too committal of a special to use on the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco and is also countered by Ink Armor. There is a current rock-paper-scissors with anchors, where the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco counters Custom Jet Squelcher, Custom Jet Squelcher counters the vanilla Jet Squelcher, and Jet Squelcher counters the Rapid Blaster Pro Deco.