Hero Gear



The Hero Gear is the set of equipment used by Agent 3 while exploring Alterna, and is also present as a weapon option for golden kettles.

Description
The Hero Gear consists of the Hero Shot and Smallfry by default. It is also equipped with Splashdown, which operates exactly like special weapons do in multiplayer matches (i.e. the special gauge charges as the player inks turf, and the player can use Splashdown with when it is full). Whenever the player obtains a Canned Special, it temporarily replaces Splashdown and the special gauge is immediately filled. Once the Canned Special is used, the special gauge is reset to zero regardless of any previous charge.

While exploring Alterna, the player's Splashdown is replaced with a unique ability that powers up Smallfry with Power Eggs, allowing the player to throw them at a Fuzzball to clean it up. This ability does not need to be charged and there is no limit on its use, although it will fail if the player does not have enough Power Eggs to clean the targeted Fuzzball. A variant of this Special is used during Rocket Battle, requiring Golden Eggs to activate instead.

Upgrades
The player can use Upgrade Points to purchase upgrades that provide bonuses to Agent 3 and Smallfry while the Hero Gear is equipped, as well as the ability to use Splat Bombs, Burst Bombs and Curling Bombs. If more than one type of sub weapon is unlocked (including Smallfry), the player can switch between them at will using.

There are a total of 23 upgrades to purchase, eight of which are duplicates of another upgrade. When an upgrade that has a duplicate is purchased, the description and sometimes the title of its pair will change to become the second level of that upgrade (i.e. "Get Curling Bombs" becomes "Better Curling Bombs".) Some upgrades will change the appearance of Agent 3 or their Hero Shot.

Most upgrades must be unlocked using Sardinium before they can be purchased. A maximum of 99 Upgrade Points can be earned, which is exactly enough to purchase every possible upgrade when paired with the 27 pieces of Sardinium available in Alterna. The player can reset the Hero Gear at any time, relocking all upgrades and refunding all spent Upgrade Points and Sardinium. Upgrade Points are earned by inking the ground, using Smallfry to clear Fuzzy Ooze, and finding items throughout Alterna.

Upgrades have no effect while the player is not equipped with the Hero Gear.

Trivia

 * The Upgrade Point's icon closely resembles the Cuttlegear logo.