Version 4.3.0 (Splatoon 2)

Version 4.3.0
For Splatoon 2

4.2.0 ⟶ 4.3.0 ⟶ - Version history

Version 4.3.0 is an update to Splatoon 2 that was released on 5 December 2018 at 01:00 UTC. It is the last update for Splatoon 2 that will add new weapons.

Stages

The announcement image for the renovations to Blackbelly Skatepark.

• Blackbelly Skatepark underwent renovation, similar to the changes made to Starfish Mainstage in Version 4.0.0 and The Reef in Version 4.2.0.
  • This marks the first time since December 16, 2017 that the stage's Rainmaker layout has appeared in a Ranked or League Battle rotation in Splatoon 2, as one of the changes made was to adjust the balance in said mode.

Weapons

Promotional image for Kensa Collection 4.

• Four variants of previously existing weapons were added to the game - Custom Explosher, Ballpoint Splatling Nouveau, Bloblobber Deco, and Nautilus 79. These were the final weapons that did not have a second version.
• In addition, a fourth Kensa Collection was released, containing the Kensa .52 Gal, Kensa Glooga Dualies, Kensa Mini Splatling and Kensa Rapid Blaster.

Abilities

• Existing gear abilities Bomb Defense Up and Cold-Blooded were combined into a single ability, Bomb Defense Up DX.
  • The new ability has the same effect as equipping both the old ones, with no downgrade.
  • Existing Ability chunks and drink tickets were also converted.
• An additional new ability, Main Power Up was also added to gear as well as in secondary ability slots.
  • This ability's effect varies between different main weapons, even in the same class (see the ability page for details). Examples given prior to release were:
    • Splattershot - increase shot accuracy when firing while jumping.
    • Aerospray MG - increase ink coverage.
    • Splat Roller - increase damage.
    • Heavy Splatling - increase duration of firing in a burst.
    • Undercover Brella - speed up Brella canopy regeneration.
    • Inkbrush - Slightly increase movement speed while inking.
    • Jet Squelcher - increase range.
• Gear that previously appeared in shops with Bomb Defense Up will now appear with Bomb Defense Up DX.
• Gear that previously appeared in shops with Cold-Blooded will now appear with Main Power Up.
• amiibo gear that previously appeared with either Bomb Defense Up or Cold-Blooded ( Pearlescent Crown, Power Mask, Fringed Loafers, Power Boots Mk I) will now appear with Bomb Defense Up DX.
• Both new abilities started appearing on gear in the .
  • As a special promotion to allow players access to the new abilities, the first three pieces of gear added to the shop after the update's release ( Studio Headphones, White Tee, and Pink Trainers, in that order) had the Main Power Up ability, which could not have been acquired otherwise if the player opened the game with the previous version on the same day due to the way shop inventory is generated.
    • Following this, several sets of gear featured in official art were released, all with Main Power Up as their main ability.

Balance changes

Main weapons

Specifications for some of the main weapons have been changed.

Weapon	Change
Mini Splatling Zink Mini Splatling	▲ Increased the effect of the Run Speed Up gear ability.
Heavy Splatling Heavy Splatling Deco Hero Splatling Replica	▲ Increased the effect of the Run Speed Up gear ability.
Hydra Splatling Custom Hydra Splatling	▲ Increased the effect of the Run Speed Up gear ability.
Splat Charger Firefin Splat Charger Kensa Charger Hero Charger Replica	▼ Slightly narrowed the spread of ink created by shots.
Splatterscope Firefin Splatterscope Kensa Splatterscope	▼ Slightly narrowed the spread of ink created by shots.
Tenta Brella Tenta Sorella Brella	▼ Decreased durability of the umbrella portion by roughly 13%. ▼ Increased damage dealt to the umbrella portion after launching it by roughly 20%.

Sub weapons

The specifications for some sub weapons have been changed.

Weapon	Change
Autobomb	▲ Decreased time after use for the Autobomb to start walking in the direction of its target by roughly 20/60 of a second.
Ink Mine	▲ Increased the effect of the Ink Saver (Sub) gear ability.
Sprinkler	▲ Increased the effect of the Ink Saver (Sub) gear ability.
Point Sensor	▲ Decreased ink consumption from 60% to 55% of a standard ink tank. ▲ Increased the effect of the Ink Saver (Sub) gear ability.
Squid Beakon	▲ Increased the effect of the Ink Saver (Sub) gear ability.
Fizzy Bomb	▼ Increased time after use before ink recovery begins by roughly 10/60 of a second. ▼ Decreased the effect of the Ink Saver (Sub) gear ability.

Special weapons

The specifications for some sub weapons have been changed.

Weapon	Change
Tenta Missiles	▲ Greatly increased the effect of the Special Power Up gear ability that increases ink coverage of missiles when they hit.
Splashdown	▲ Greatly increased damage dealt to opponent Brellas. Increased damage to opponent Brellas varies from roughly 2 to 3.2 times the previous amount depending on the Brella. ▲ Increased damage dealt to an opponent Baller by roughly 2.5 times.
Baller	▲ Greatly increased damage dealt to opponent Brellas. Increased damage to opponent Brellas varies from roughly 3 to 4.8 times the previous amount depending on the Brella.
Ultra Stamp	▲ When holding ZR to attack repeatedly, number of possible attacks has been increased by shortening the amount of time the stamp is cocked back, making it easier to block shots from directly in front of you. ▲ Increased player movement and rotation speed when holding ZR to attack repeatedly.
Sting Ray	▼ Decreased duration by roughly 35/60 of a second. ▼ Decreased effect granted by the Special Power Up gear ability. ▼ Decreased damage dealt to opponents using Ink Armor by roughly 56%. ▼ Decreased damage dealt to opponents using a Baller by roughly 25%. ▼ Decreased ability to knock back opponents using a Baller.
Inkjet	▼ Decreased damage dealt to opponents using a Baller by roughly 30%.

Special gauge

Points required for using specials have changed for certain main weapons.

Weapon	Adjustment
Kensa L-3 Nozzlenose	▲ 190 → 180
Kensa Octobrush	▲ 190 → 180
Kensa Splattershot Jr.	▼ 190 → 200
Splat Brella Hero Brella Replica	▼ 190 → 200

Abilities

Specifications for some of the abilities have been changed.

Ability	Change
Run Speed Up	▲ Previously, Run Speed Up only gave a significant boost to speed while firing a Splatling weapon, but will now also significantly boost speed while charging a Splatling as well.
Swim Speed Up	▲ When using weapons that feature lower movement and swim speeds when not firing, such as the E-liter 4K or Dynamo Roller, Swim Speed Up will now grant a significant boost to swim speed, even when using fewer instances of the gear ability than in previous updates.
Ink Resistance Up	▲ When using this gear ability, players will avoid taking damage for a brief time after first stepping into an opponent’s ink. The length of time before taking damage in this way will be increased in proportion to the number of Ink Resistance Up abilities being used.
Thermal Ink	▲ Extended duration of effect by roughly four seconds.

External Links

• Update announcement video on NintendoUKVS Twitter