Splattershot Jr.

The Splattershot Jr. is a main weapon in Splatoon and Splatoon 2, coming from the weapon brand Splat. It is the first weapon used by all players, given at the start of the in-game tutorial.

As the beginner weapon, the Splattershot Jr. appropriately has a quick firing rate, a high ink efficiency, and high shot spread, which enables its user to quickly ink large territories. Its loadout always includes both an offensive option and a strong defensive option. Since Version of Splatoon 2, it is also the first weapon to feature a unique ink tank.

Splatoon
The Splattershot Jr. comes in a set with Splat Bombs and the Bubbler.

Demonstration
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNymkFbCTfU

Splatoon 2
The Splattershot Jr. returns once again as the starting weapon, looking identical to how it did in the first game. It comes with Splat Bombs and Ink Armor. As of Version, the Splattershot Jr. and its variants, the Custom Splattershot Jr. and Kensa Splattershot Jr., now have a larger ink tank with 10% more capacity, making it an easier weapon for beginners and experts alike.

Quick facts
A.k.a.: Junior

Role: Support

Strengths: Turfing, Splat Bomb spamming, Ink Armor farming

Weakness: Weak in most one-on-one encounters

Use

 * The Splattershot Jr. has a wide shot spread, enabling it to turf large areas in a short amount of time, which provides two benefits:
 * Turfing allows the team to either gain or maintain map control. This also allows the Splattershot Jr. to quickly capture zones in Splat Zones.
 * It also builds up Ink Armor very quickly, allowing the user's team to mount a push at a moment's notice. Special Charge Up can further hasten the process of "farming" armor. If there are no other urgent tasks, just keep turfing so Ink Armor is ready whenever needed.
 * The main tradeoff of the wide shot spread is the resulting poor accuracy, which, along with the short range, makes the Splattershot Jr. a poor main weapon for directly engaging most opponents.
 * It is still capable of quickly splatting opponents, provided that its user can catch an opponent by surprise and within its short range. However, playing too aggressively risks depriving the user's team both map control and Ink Armor, so be judicious about when to either flank or shark.
 * Otherwise, if a certain matchup is disadvantageous, disengage - by dropping a Splat Bomb behind whenever possible - and bring a teammate along. Quick Super Jump can help escape more quickly.
 * The most reliable way a Splattershot Jr. player can engage an opponent is through constant and coordinated use of Splat Bombs:
 * When attacking an opponent's position, try to throw Splat Bombs behind the opponent. This more effectively cuts off the opponent's potential escape routes.
 * Splat Bombs are great at either stalling an opponent's push or providing cover while fleeing.
 * Ink Saver (Sub), combined with the larger ink tank unique to the Splattershot Jr., allows the player to throw bombs more often. 23 ability points – two mains and one sub – enable a Splattershot Jr. user to throw two consecutive Splat Bombs with a full ink tank.
 * Using any special weapon also provides a free ink tank refill. Therefore, it is possible to throw a bomb or two before and after using the Ink Armor. Combining this tactic with enough ability points of Ink Saver (Sub) (see above) can create a pseudo-Splat-Bomb Launcher.
 * When beginning a push, especially after activating Ink Armor, throw a Splat Bomb towards the opposing team to provide space to push in.
 * The Splattershot Jr. is a great complement to a slayer, particularly one whose weapon has trouble turfing, such as a Splattershot Pro or a blaster.
 * Turfing while following a teammate builds up Ink Armor and provides friendly turf to which a teammate can retreat whenever needed.
 * Cooperate with the teammate using primarily Splat Bombs when engaging an opponent: attack from different angles, or force the opponent to come within range of the teammate's weapon.
 * Ink Armor allows 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.
 * Time the activation of Ink Armor carefully; it takes up to two seconds to activate Ink Armor, which lasts for at least six seconds.
 * 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.

Countermeasures

 * Because the Splattershot Jr. is generally a poor main weapon for splatting, almost any weapon with longer range, better accuracy, or higher damage can defeat it in a one-on-one with relative ease. However, watch out for the Splattershot Jr.'s Splat Bombs.
 * A Splattershot Jr. will most likely assist a teammate armed with a more formidable weapon; that opponent is usually the higher priority. Trying to engage against both is usually a poor idea, so either find a teammate to assist or try to lure the Splattershot Jr.'s teammate to stray too far from them to receive assistance.
 * Keep an eye on the HUD to know when the opponent's Splattershot Jr. has Ink Armor ready to use, and both watch and listen for when it is activated.
 * The best way to prevent the opponent from using armor is to splat the opponent with the Splattershot Jr. (or any other Ink Armor-equipped weapon). A charger user can prioritize said opponent when sniping, or a slayer can attempt to pick off an unaccompanied Splattershot Jr.
 * Focus fire on armored opponents for longer than usual - preferably with everyone ganging up on one opponent at a time - to compensate for their armor.
 * Object Shredder triples damage inflicted onto armored opponents. Combining this with Ink Storm can nearly neutralize armored pushes by the opponent.

Demonstration
https://youtu.be/JoEJ_W4bNNM

Trivia

 * The Octo Shot Replica and the Splattershot Jr. are the only weapons not obtained with cash. As such, they are the only weapons not seen in Ammo Knights in.
 * In, the Splattershot Jr. does appear in Ammo Knights as if it were already purchased.
 * Callie seems to own a Splattershot Jr. in the manga series.
 * According to the first art book, in-universe, the Splattershot Jr. was one of the earlier weapons created around the Turf War's debut, and it was instead made out of metal, weighing around 10 kg (or 22.046 lbs).
 * In Splatoon 2, the Splattershot Jr. family of weapons are the only weapons in the game with a different design, higher capacity Ink Tank.
 * In Splatoon 2, the Splattershot Jr. is the only base game weapon to never get a Special gauge buff/nerf in game patches at 180p.
 * This weapon is used on the following Octo Expansion levels:
 * Ink 'n' Slide Station
 * Tubular 8-Ball Station

Etymology
Splattershot Jr. is a combination of Splatter (as well as Splat) and Shot. It also has the shortened form of Junior at the end to denote it is a weapon for beginners.

Its Japanese name, わかばシューター Wakaba Shūtā, means "Fresh Leaves Shooter". Its name is also a reference to the Wakaba mark (🔰), a symbol for new car drivers in Japan that has over time come to represent beginners in general.