Killer Wail 5.1
The Killer Wail 5.1 is a special weapon in Splatoon 3.
Appearance
The Killer Wail 5.1 consists of six floating speakers, in contrast to the Killer Wail's singular megaphone. Each floating speaker can fire a laser beam for a total of six laser beams. The back of each speaker bears a strong resemblance to the Suction Bomb.
Splatoon 3
Description
When activated, six flying speakers spawn in a vertical hexagon formation and follow the user. The player can target opponents by facing the camera in their direction, indicated by a reticle similar to those of Tenta Missiles, though only one opponent can be targeted at a time, and there is no indicator for a targeting radius.
Two at a time and from top to bottom, at fixed time intervals, the speakers activate: they stop following the user, locking on to the currently-targeted opponent, and each firing a narrow, wall-piercing beam similar to the uncharged Sting Ray, which deals constant damage to opponents touching it. The speakers do not move after this point, but do rotate to track the targeted opponent with a short delay.
All speakers finish firing at the same time, as the special ends. This means that the first-firing pair of speakers fires for longer than the last-firing pair.
Each pair of speakers can be locked onto a different opponent, by switching targets after the previous pair has locked on.
If the targeted opponent is splatted, the speakers do not choose a new target. Instead they choose a seemingly-random direction, and rotate in that direction at a constant speed until the special ends. Two speakers in a pair will not necessarily rotate in the same direction as each other. It is unknown whether the direction of rotation can be influenced through the user’s or opponent’s movements.
If there is no targeted opponent when a speaker pair activates, the speakers simply point in the camera’s direction and fire, remaining stationary and not rotating. The beams will not lock onto any opponents after they begin firing.
Unlike the Sting Ray, the speakers’ beams do not ink surfaces they pierce through.
Most statistical information, such as duration and base damage, are currently unknown. The Killer Wail 5.1 is also confirmed to appear in Salmon Run Next Wave[1]. Similar to the Sting Ray, it can defeat a Flyfish without the use of Splat Bombs. [1]
Quotes
“ | Unleashes six speaker-shaped, laser-emitting devices to surround and devastate your enemies. Lock onto an opponent, and the emitters will track and blast them wherever they go! You can continue to use your main weapon and sub weapon while the Killer Wail 5.1 is firing. | ” | — In-game description
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Sets
Gallery
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The Killer Wail 5.1 in action
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The Sloshing Machine with the Killer Wail 5.1.
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Back view.
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A view of the lasers.
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Another view.
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The Killer Wail 5.1's special gauge icon in Salmon Run Next Wave.
Trivia
- The Killer Wail 5.1 is a modified version of the original Killer Wail from Splatoon.[2] It was likely modified with the intention of complying to the new regulations mentioned in Splatoon 2’s Sunken Scroll 11.
- The number refers to the 5.1 surround sound audio system, commonly used in home theatres.
- 5.1 capable audio systems consist of five relatively similar full spectrum speakers, as well as an additional low frequency speaker. Despite this, the Killer Wail 5.1's six speakers all appear to be identical.
Etymology
"Killer Wail 5.1" is a combination of "killer whale", "wail", and 5.1 surround sound system. "Wail" references its method of splatting opponents, while 5.1 (the most common format for surround sound systems) references its plural speakers. Notably, both Wii U and Nintendo Switch support 5.1 output.
The name is also derivative of the Killer Wail, a special weapon in Splatoon.