Sprinkler

The Sprinkler is a sub weapon in Splatoon and Splatoon 2. It sprays ink in a circular ring around itself in a staggering motion. It can be thrown onto virtually any surface, including ones that are upside-down. If the user already has a Sprinkler in use, throwing another Sprinkler will break the first one. A Sprinkler can also break by enemy fire or once the player who placed it gets splatted. Otherwise, Sprinklers have an infinite duration.

Appearance
The Sprinkler has two main parts; a base and a head. The base is flat and cone-shaped with a black bottom. It changes color to match the user's ink and has the Dolphin logo on it. The head is a short, wide pole with two flat and rectangular nozzles sticking out of it. The pole and nozzles are black and the nozzles have attachments that change color to match the user's ink. Once deployed, the Sprinkler's appearance is unchanged other than it spinning around and shooting ink.

Uses

 * The most effective spots for Sprinklers are those that are hard to see or reach. These include on top of boxes, sideways on walls, or on objects over the stage.
 * Exploring stages in Recon mode makes it easy to find strategic locations for Sprinklers without the pressure of a battle.
 * Putting a Sprinkler directly at one's feet can allow a chance to react should an enemy launch a sneak attack.
 * Sprinklers placed on or near the Tower in Tower Control can provide some cover for the user and their allies.
 * Like Squid Beakons, Sprinklers can be used as light shields in a pinch, taking some damage in place of the user.
 * Also like Beakons, Sprinklers work as bait to attract players and ambush them while reaching to destroy the Sprinkler.
 * Even when not used as shields, the attention drawn by an unguarded Sprinkler can be used to one's advantage for an ambush or escape.
 * One should avoid getting too close to enemy Sprinklers - while their damage is low, multiple hits can be dangerous.
 * A Sprinkler may be bait, especially if stuck to a high wall or ceiling. It would be wise to keep an eye on one's surroundings when destroying it.

Splatoon
Sprinklers sprays ink droplets every six frames until it is destroyed.

Ink management
The charts below show that with ability slots stacked with Ink Saver (Main) and Ink Saver (Sub), additional shots can be fired after throwing a Sprinkler from a full ink tank.

Quotes
"This device functions just like a lawn sprinkler, spreading ink over a modest 360-degree radius. The narrow streams of ink don't inflict much damage, but Sprinklers are a good way to maintain ink coverage in high-traffic areas during both Turf War and Splat Zones. Instead of tossing it on the ground, where it's likely to be spotted and destroyed, consider throwing it high on a wall - it will stick to any surface, like a Suction Bomb. But you can only deploy one Sprinkler at a time. If you toss a second one out, the first one will disappear. Enemy Sprinklers can be destroyed by shooting them. If left untouched, a Sprinkler will continue spreading ink indefinitely."

- Splatoon Prima Guide

Splatoon 2
The Sprinkler was tweaked in Splatoon 2 to have its inking power start out stronger but weaken over time. There are four distinct phases:


 * Deployment phase: This phase starts when the Sprinkler lands on the ground and ends when it fires its first drop of ink. This phase lasts 0.5 seconds.
 * High-power phase: The Sprinkler spins the fastest and has the most inking power during this phase. It fires ink droplets every four frames and rotates 33 degrees per frame. It lasts for 5 seconds.
 * Mid-power phase: The Sprinkler slows down and inks less in this phase. It fires ink droplets every six frames and rotates eleven degrees per frame. It lasts fifteen seconds.
 * Low-power phase: The Sprinkler slows down even further, with very low ink output and range. It fires ink droplets every nine frames and rotates one degree per frame. This phase lasts until the Sprinkler is relocated or destroyed.

The Sprinkler has 120 HP. Object Shredder multiplies the damage done against Sprinklers by ten.

Quotes
"A device that sticks to walls or the ground and sprays ink around.

Immediately after deployment it sprays vigorously, but gradually dwindles in strength.

You can only place one at a time."

- Splatoon 2 Sub & Special Guide

Strategy
For competitive tips about the Sprinkler

Trivia

 * The Dolphin logo can be found on the lower part of the Sprinkler.
 * Marie calls throwing a Sprinkler in the last few seconds of a battle in order to gain a bit more turf "Last Day of Summer".
 * There are no Splashdown or Inkjet sets that have Sprinklers as their sub weapon.
 * In the quotes for Goby Arena, Marina refers to "Splatted by Sprinkler" as the three most embarrassing words in the Inkling language.
 * It resembles a water sprinkler, hence the name.