Ink Storm

The Ink Storm is a special weapon in Splatoon 2.

Splatoon 2
Ink Storm is an area of effect (AoE) special weapon that creates a rain cloud of ink, which gradually drifts above the map and sprinkles ink onto inkable non-vertical surfaces and opponents.

Use

 * Immediately upon activating the special, its user will be holding the Ink Storm device. While this phase of the special is untimed, allowing its user to relocate and aim it, they are vulnerable to attack. Therefore, do not activate the special while being attacked, and make sure to throw it before an opponent can splat you.
 * The Ink Storm device needs to be thrown onto a surface in order to work. Throwing the device ether into water or out-of-bounds will waste the special altogether.
 * The Ink Storm cloud will begin directly above the exact point where the device struck a surface and travel in the direction that it was thrown.
 * The ink drops from the storm will inflict damage at a rate of 0.4 HP per frame, or 24 HP per second. Therefore, it will take 4.17 seconds of exposure to splat an opponent at full health. Slower, less mobile opponents – especially those carrying the Rainmaker – are the most adversely affected by Ink Storm since they are less capable of escaping its AoE.
 * This rate of damage also applies against opponents protected with Ink Armor, making it a great counter against Ink Armor. If equipped, Object Shredder will triple the damage inflicted onto armored opponents, including from Ink Storm.
 * Ink Storm's damage on the opponent becomes more effective whenever the opponent has less space to maneuver around, such as in an alley or on the Tower.
 * Defensively, Ink Storm can slow or disrupt the opponents' push by either altering their intended attack routes or weakening any opponents within the storm.
 * Offensively, Ink Storm can soften opposing defenses by forcing opponents out of optimal positions and inflicting chip damage onto those caught in the ink rain.
 * Besides potentially damaging opponents, Ink Storm also gradually turfs any non-vertical surface it travels over, allowing its user's team to gain map control and push further into the opponents' territory, such as under the opponent's Clam basket.
 * The damaging and turfing effects of Ink Storm are slower and more gradual than those of Booyah Bomb but last longer and affect a larger area, due to its drift.
 * While an Ink Storm may not be enough to capture an entire zone or two by itself, it can still help capture zones.
 * An Ink Storm above the Rainmaker can either weaken its shield to pop it or prevent the opponent from popping it.

Countermeasures
When facing an opponent's Ink Storm, assess where is a safe place to either reroute an attack or reposition on defense:
 * In general, avoid getting caught under an opponent's Ink Storm for an extended time, but also be wary of opponents waiting to pick off anyone fleeing the Storm.
 * If you must travel under an opponent's Ink Storm, move in a direction that is either perpendicular to its path or in the opposite direction to minimize damage.
 * Even while avoiding an opponent's Ink Storm, it is still possible to turf or otherwise influence the area underneath. Long-ranged weapons, thrown sub weapons, and other special weapons (such as a counter-Ink Storm or Bomb Launcher) can splat opponents or dissuade them from occupying the turf underneath.

Quotes
"Throw this device to generate a rain cloud of ink. The cloud gradually moves away from where the device was thrown."

- Sub & Special Guide

"Throw a device that generates a rain cloud of ink. The cloud will slowly drift along, raining ink as it goes."

- Splatoon 2 Sub & Special Guide🇪🇺


 * Notes

Strategy
For competitive tips about the Splattershot

Trivia

 * The weapons with the lowest special gauges for Ink Storm are the Custom Splattershot Jr. and Carbon Roller with 160p each, while the highest are the Ballpoint Splatling Nouveau and Custom Dualie Squelchers at 220p.
 * Ink Storm appears paired with every sub weapon except for Torpedo and Burst Bomb.