Surface

From Inkipedia, the Splatoon wiki
An Inkling in front of a variety of surfaces while confronting the Octowhirl.

Surfaces are terrain features in the Splatoon series. There are two types: inkable and un-inkable. Inkable surfaces comprise most of each stage's terrain, being counted towards players' turf counts. Un-inkable surfaces are less common, being used as barriers or stage boundaries or to make an area more difficult to maneuver in.

Inkable surfaces

Inkable surfaces are terrain features that can be covered in ink. Ink shot or flung with ZR will appear on these surfaces, allowing Inklings and Octolings to swim across them. Most inkable surfaces behave identically, despite varying appearances.

Concrete

File:S Stage Blackbelly Skatepark.png
Blackbelly Skatepark, comprised mostly of concrete.

Concrete is one of the main surfaces found in Splatoon, being featured heavily in most stages. It appears as a uniform black or gray surface, with few noticeable differences in a single area.

Tile

File:ArowanaMallSign.jpg
An Inkling standing on tiled floors in Arowana Mall.

Tile is found primarily in Arowana Mall and Walleye Warehouse. Instead of appearing uniform, like concrete, it takes on a tiled pattern. The tiles are typically beige or light gray.

Wood

An Inkling standing on a wooden surface in Camp Triggerfish.

Wood features heavily in Camp Triggerfish and some locations in Blackbelly Skatepark. It is also the material of crates, telephone poles, and planks found throughout Octo Valley.

Metal

File:S Stage Saltspray Rig.png
Saltspray Rig, comprised mostly of metal surfaces.

Metal can be found most often in Walleye Warehouse, Saltspray Rig and Bluefin Depot. It appears as a silver or rusted red pattern often adorned with rhombic designs.

Brick

Some brick in Bluefin Depot, covered in some vines.

Brick is used frequently in Octo Valley and various single-player missions. It can also be found in Bluefin Depot. As the name suggests, it appears as a common red or orange brick pattern. These bricks are often broken or cracked.

Soil

Soil, the majority of Kelp Dome's surface.

Soil is the main surface in Kelp Dome. It appears just like flat soil, with a brown appearance and the presence of a few weeds.

Grass

Grass found in the center of Urchin Underpass.

Grass is a type of surface that is primarily green or blue, often decorated with flowers and other small plants. It appears very frequently in Octo Valley and The Reef, and significantly less frequently in Urchin Underpass, Blackbelly Skatepark and Flounder Heights.

Plants

A plant found in Kelp Dome.

Plants are small surfaces that are often overlooked in Kelp Dome and Arowana Mall. They appear as beds of flowers in rectangular containers near each team's spawn point.

Paper

An Inkling standing near some cardboard paper in Walleye Warehouse.

Paper appears primarily in Walleye Warehouse on top of crates. They can be inked and swam on.

Signs

A sign found within Octo Valley.

Signs are plastic and metal signs that appear throughout Octo Valley, Inkopolis, and in the training area behind Ammo Knights. They tend to appear vertically, displaying various messages and graphics. They act like normal surfaces.

Trees

File:S Stage Urchin Underpass.png
Two trees in the old Urchin Underpass

Although trees are inkable, Inklings cannot swim up them as their leaves provide no support. They appear in Octo Valley, Inkopolis Plaza, Flounder Heights, Urchin Underpass, The Reef, and Inkblot Art Academy, but serve practically no purpose other than an obstacle.

Cicadas can be heard singing in the trees in Flounder Heights, unlike the trees found in other parts of the game.

Un-inkable surfaces

Glass

A glass pane surface in old Urchin Underpass
Main article: Glass

Glass is a common un-inkable surface, appearing in stages such as Urchin Underpass and New Albacore Hotel, and even in the fight against the Octowhirl. They appear in lots of stages as walls.

Grates

An Inkling squid going through a grated wall in Urchin Underpass.
Main article: Grate

Grates are semi-solid surfaces that allow the player to pass through, intentionally or not, while in squid or octopus form. The grates themselves, however, cannot be covered in ink. Examples of grates can be found in maps such as Bluefin Depot and Kelp Dome, to name a few.

Water

Water found in Camp Triggerfish.
Main article: Water

Water is a common liquid; it is less a surface and more a hazard, as it cannot be stood upon, much less inked. Water is deadly to the touch for Inklings and Octolings. Water can be found in maps such as Camp Triggerfish and Arowana Mall, in addition to various locations in Octo Valley.

Bumpers

A barrier in Camp Triggerfish.
Main article: Bumper

Bumpers can be found in multiplayer and Octo Valley in various locations. Their rubbery, cushiony qualities prevent the barriers from taking any ink whatsoever, making them excellent for cover. Be warned, however, as a weapon with an arc (such as a Slosher) can go over the top of the bumpers and still strike any vulnerable players behind. Bumpers can be found in stages such as Kelp Dome and Moray Towers, as well as various locations in Octo Valley.

Tarps

An Inkling firing just over a tarp in Bluefin Depot.

Tarps are large surfaces of plastic that cannot be inked at all. It is uncommon but it can be found at the top of containers in Port Mackerel, and in various spots in Bluefin Depot and Snapper Canal.