Opening Gambit
Template:Infobox ability Opening Gambit is an ability in Splatoon and Splatoon 2.
Opening Gambit boosts run speed and swim speed for the first 30 seconds of the match, allowing players to move much faster. The ability is ideal for reaching objectives before opponents during the start of the match, and gaining a tactical advantage. After 30 seconds have passed, the effect wears off for the rest of the match. Players may prefer to use Swim Speed Up or Run Speed Up, which last the entire match, however these abilities do not have the same strength as Opening Gambit. This ability is restricted to headgear as a main ability, and cannot be rolled as a sub ability.
Mutual exclusivity
This ability is found as the main ability only on headgear, so other abilities found only on headgear are mutually exclusive with it; in other words players cannot have them together. These abilities are Comeback, Last-Ditch Effort, and Tenacity.
Splatoon
The effect Opening Gambit has on movement speed:
| Run Movement | Squid Movement |
|---|---|
| 37.4% increase | 18.7% increase |
Gear
Opening Gambit is the main ability of:
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
B-ball Headband |  Zink
|
 300
|
 Opening Gambit
|
 
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Special Forces Beret |  Forge
|
9700
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
2.3.0 |
|
SQUID GIRL Hat |  The SQUID GIRL
|
1600
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Squid-Stitch Cap |  Skalop
|
8500
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Striped Beanie |  Splash Mob
|
1500
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
Version history
2.6.0
- ▲ Run Speed Up and Swim Speed Up will be applied as if 3 main slots were equipped.
Splatoon 2
Gear
Opening Gambit is the main ability of:
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Annaki Mask |  Annaki
|
 3600
|
 Opening Gambit
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
B-ball Headband |  Zink
|
300
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Special Forces Beret |  Forge
|
9700
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Squid Clip-Ons |  amiibo
|
 Inkling Girl (Splatoon 2)
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Squid-Stitch Cap |  Skalop
|
8500
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
3.0.0 |
|
Striped Beanie |  Splash Mob
|
900
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Zekko Cap |  Zekko
|
2700
|
Opening Gambit
|
|
3.0.0 |
