Ballpoint Splatling
The Ballpoint Splatling is a main weapon in Splatoon 2 and Splatoon 3. It is a splatling that changes its fire rate and range drastically after firing a short duration.[1]
This splatling works differently from other splatlings, as its fire range is split into two stages. The first stage, which lasts a quarter-ring charge, is a short-range burst with a range similar to the Splattershot Jr. This stage fires faster compared to other splatlings, and has mobility slightly higher than the Mini Splatling. When charged more than a quarter ring, the range increases dramatically, having a range in between the Heavy Splatling and Hydra Splatling, and has almost perfect accuracy, but fires at a slightly slower rate compared to other splatlings.
The Ballpoint Splatling has the ability to recharge itself by pressing at any time while it is firing. When recharging, the weapon maintains the property of whichever stage it was on. However, a charge exceeding 1¾ rings automatically defaults the weapon back to the first stage. Additionally, the weapon is able to maintain its stage-two charge even after it has finished firing by starting another charge within a second.
Appearance
The Ballpoint Splatling resembles an enlarged multi-color ballpoint pen, with four ballpoint cartridges inside a clear cover. The grip is silver-colored and is shaped like a pen clip, while the stock is mostly black with four tabs that go around the stock; these tabs, along with the butt of the weapon, change color to match the player's ink. The forestock is transparent, and houses four tipped ink chambers that serve as barrels, which also change color depending on the player's ink. On the bottom of the forestock is a white grip. On the side of the stock is the Nouveau logo in white. While charging, the clickers, cartridges, and butt glow in the color of the player's ink. A light on the butt end of the weapon indicates which firing mode is active: the outer ring being lit indicates the high spread short range mode, and the inner circle being lit indicates the high precision long range mode. Additionally, when in long-range mode, one of the ink cartridges can be seen protruding from the barrel.
Unlike other splatlings which are held parallel against the ground, the Ballpoint Splatling is held at a slight raised angle and is slightly rotated away from the body. Additionally, the Ballpoint Splatling shakes notably when firing in its short range mode but not when firing in its long range mode (this is especially visible in Splatoon 3). Sheldon's descriptions in both games seem to imply that this is caused by the rotation of the barrel, and is related to the bullet spread in its short range mode.
Splatoon 2
Basic information | |
---|---|
Category | Main |
Class | Splatling |
Sub | Toxic Mist |
Special | Inkjet |
Special points | 200p |
Range | |
Charge speed | |
Mobility | |
Obtainable at | |
Level | 25 |
Cost | 11,600 |
Added in | 1 July 2018 |
Specifications | |
Base damage | 28 (Short) 30 (Long) |
Ink consumption | 25% (Full charge) |
Other variant | Ballpoint Splatling Nouveau |
The Ballpoint Splatling was first shown during the Splatoon 2 World Championship 2018, as part of the announcement of updates extending until December 2018. It was released on 1 July 2018 at 00:00 UTC.[2] It comes with Toxic Mist and the Inkjet.
Data
- The Ballpoint Splatling is a middleweight weapon.
- The matchmaking range is 245. The game's matchmaking system looks at a team's average matchmaking range value, and matches them against a team with a similar average.
- The full charge ink consumption of 25% allows players to fully charge 4 times before needing to refill the ink tank.
- This stat can be changed with Ink Saver (Main).
- The Ballpoint Splatling cannot store its charge.
- The Ballpoint Splatling is rechargeable while firing.
- When charging the weapon, it will take 50 frames in order to charge its first ring and 100 frames in total for a full charge.
- With a single ring charged, it will have a firing duration of 100 frames. With a full charge, it will have a firing duration of 200 frames.
- When charging with an empty tank, the charge time is multiplied by 6.
- After firing, there is a 40 frame cooldown before the ink tank starts refilling.
- Shots have a radius of 2 units.
- The outer reticle immediately expands after jumping. After 25 frames, the outer reticle will start shrinking, and will finish shrinking after 70 frames.
- The Ballpoint Splatling has a 40% chance to shoot towards the outer reticle instead of the inner reticle.
- When jumping, the chance to shoot towards the outer reticle instead of the inner reticle is immediately set to 40%.
- The frequency at which ink drips from a shot occurs at a rate of 1 droplets per shot.
- There are a total of 6 different droplet patterns that can be created while firing this weapon.
First stage
- When firing, it shoots a bullet every 3 frames.
- When firing, the player's movement speed is set to 0.86 units per frame.
- When charging, the player's movement speed is set to 0.86 units per frame.
- Each shot has a base damage of 28.
- If a shot is in the air for more than 11 frames after being fired, it loses 1.75 damage per frame until it reaches 14 damage at frame 19.
- The angle its shots can deviate while on the ground is 6 degrees.
- The angle its shots can deviate while in the air is 12 degrees.
- Initial shot velocity is 11 units per frame. Shots travel straight at the initial velocity for 8 frames.
- So shots travel straight at a rate of 11 units per frame for 8 frames. Shots travel straight for 88 distance units.
- After shots stop flying straight, the velocity is set to 10.27 units per frame if it is not already lower than the listed value, and decreases further as it travels.
- Ink droplets occur every 110 units.
- Droplets that occur within 11 units of the player have a radius of 19 units, and a width of 0 units.
- These droplets have their radius multiplied by a value ranging from 1.6 if they fell from a height above 100 units to 1.2 if they fell from a height below 30 units.
- Droplets that occur when they travel past 200 units of the player have a radius of 18 units.
- All other ink droplets have a radius of 12.8 units.
- Droplets that are far from the player and all other droplets have their radius multiplied by a value ranging from 1.6 if they fell from a height above 100 units to 1.6 if they fell from a height below 30 units.
- If no ink droplets have occurred within 11 units of the player for 0 shots, the next shot the player makes will force a paint droplet to appear at the player's feet.
Second stage
- When firing, it shoots a bullet every 5 frames.
- When firing, the player's movement speed is set to 0.5 units per frame.
- When charging, the player's movement speed is set to 0.86 units per frame.
- Each shot has a base damage of 30.
- If a shot is in the air for more than 11 frames after being fired, it loses 1.875 damage per frame until it reaches 15 damage at frame 19.
- The angle its shots can deviate while on the ground is 1 degrees.
- The angle its shots can deviate while in the air is 4 degrees.
- Initial shot velocity is 22.1915 units per frame. Shots travel straight at the initial velocity for 8 frames.
- So shots travel straight at a rate of 22.1915 units per frame for 8 frames. Shots travel straight for 177.532 distance units.
- After shots stop flying straight, the velocity is set to 22.1915 units per frame if it is not already lower than the listed value, and decreases further as it travels.
- Ink droplets occur every 240 units.
- Droplets that occur within 10 units of the player have a radius of 15.64 units, and a width of 0 units.
- These droplets have their radius multiplied by a value ranging from 1.4 if they fell from a height above 100 units to 1.2 if they fell from a height below 30 units.
- Droplets that occur when they travel past 250 units of the player have a radius of 13.8 units.
- All other ink droplets have a radius of 11 units.
- Droplets that are far from the player and all other droplets have their radius multiplied by a value ranging from 1.4 if they fell from a height above 100 units to 1.4 if they fell from a height below 30 units.
- If no ink droplets have occurred within 10 units of the player for 0 shots, the next shot the player makes will force a paint droplet to appear at the player's feet.
- The weapon still suffers from the general slower charge rate, however, but can bypass the extra slow initial charge and inferior initial range that other splatling weapons suffer from with low ink.
Version history
Version | Adjustments |
---|---|
3.2.0 |
|
4.3.1 |
|
4.4.0 |
|
4.8.0 |
|
4.9.0 |
|
5.2.0 |
|
Quotes
Sheldon's Introduction
The Ballpoint Splatling is a splatling cannon with two different firing ranges!
It spins super fast when you start shooting, letting you ink turf like crazy and splat foes in a flash!
Once the spin slows down a bit, you can target far-off opponents with pinpoint accuracy!
But that's not all it does, oh no... Unlike other splatlings, you can stop firing at any time to recharge!
Plus, it comes with a Toxic Mist sub and an Inkjet special for maximum splattitude! |
“ | Make your point with this PENsive weapon. The Ballpoint Splatling is a Splatling cannon with two different firing rates! It brings exceptional flexibility to the battlefield and is quite the signature weapon.
It comes with the Toxic Mist sub & Inkjet special ability. Get clicking and check it out tomorrow night (6/30) at Ammo Knights! |
” |
Gallery
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An Octoling girl (right) holding the Ballpoint Splatling.
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Different views of the Ballpoint Splatling.
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An official teaser image.
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Promotional image
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An Octoling holding the Ballpoint Splatling at Blackbelly Skatepark.
-
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Artwork of one of the 2020 Koshien winners featuring a Ballpoint Splatling.
Demonstration
Splatoon 3
Basic information | |
---|---|
Category | Main |
Class | Splatling |
Sub | Fizzy Bomb |
Special | Inkjet |
Special points | 210p |
Range | |
Charge speed | |
Mobility | |
Obtainable at | |
Level | 30 |
Added in | Drizzle Season 2022 (1.1.0) |
Specifications | |
Base damage | 28 (Short) 30 (Long) 35 ( SRNW Short) 35 ( SRNW Long) |
Other variant | Ballpoint Splatling Nouveau |
The Ballpoint Splatling returns in Splatoon 3 with a slightly updated design. It has Fizzy Bomb and Inkjet as its kit.
It appears in only one mission in Return of the Mammalians:
Data
- The Ballpoint Splatling is a middleweight weapon.
- The matchmaking range is 24.5. The game's matchmaking system looks at a team's average matchmaking range value, and matches them against a team with a similar average.
- The full charge ink consumption is 25% per shot, allowing the user to fully charge 4 times on a full ink tank.
- This stat can be changed with Ink Saver (Main).
- The Ballpoint Splatling cannot store its charge.
- It takes 100 frames to fully charge the weapon (1.67 seconds).
- When airborne or low on ink, it takes 600 frames to fully charge the weapon (10 seconds).
- The Ballpoint Splatling is rechargeable while firing.
- When fully charged, the weapon will fire for 200 frames (3.33 seconds).
- The firing duration is 2 times longer than the time spent charging.
- After firing 10 bullets, the weapon switches to long range mode. Recharging back up to the point in which the mode switched without entering swim form or using a sub weapon will switch the weapon back into close range mode. If the weapon runs out of charge, the point in which the mode will switch is gradually brought down to the starting point.
- Switching between modes takes 10 frames. Shots fired during this time will have their properties interpolated between the two firing modes.
- After firing, there is a 40 frame cooldown before the ink tank starts refilling.
- The bullet hitbox for collisions with players has a radius of 0.2 units.
- The bullet hitbox for collisions with the environment has a radius of 0.2 units.
- The Ballpoint Splatling has a 0% chance to shoot towards the outer reticle instead of the inner reticle.
First stage
- When firing continuously, it shoots a bullet every 3 frames (20 shots per second).
- When firing while moving, the player's movement speed is set to 0.086 units per frame.
- When charging, the player's movement speed is set to 0.086 units per frame.
- Each shot has a base damage of 28, regardless of charge level.
- If a shot is in the air for more than 11 frames after being fired, it will lose about 1.75 damage every frame until it reaches 14 damage at frame 19.
- The angle its shots can deviate while on the ground is 6.0 degrees.
- The angle its shots can deviate while in the air is 12.0 degrees.
- The Ballpoint Splatling has a 40% chance to shoot towards the outer reticle instead of the inner reticle.
- The outer reticle immediately expands after jumping. After 25 frames, the outer reticle will start shrinking, and will finish shrinking after 70 frames.
- When jumping, the chance to shoot towards the outer reticle instead of the inner reticle is immediately set to 40%.
- Shots initially travel straight at a rate of 1.1 units per frame, regardless of charge level, for 8 frames. Shots travel straight for 8.8 distance units.
- After that, the shot's velocity is set to 1.027 units per frame if it is not already lower than the listed value, and it loses 36% of its speed every frame (including the first frame after it stops traveling straight). Once the shot velocity decreases below a certain threshold, it will begin to be slowed less and fall faster.
- The effective range is about 10.15 units, regardless of charge level.
- This number may vary at different firing angles.
Second stage
- When firing continuously, it shoots a bullet every 5 frames (12 shots per second).
- When firing while moving, the player's movement speed is set to 0.05 units per frame.
- When charging, the player's movement speed is set to 0.086 units per frame.
- Each shot has a base damage of 30, regardless of charge level.
- If a shot is in the air for more than 11 frames after being fired, it will lose about 1.88 damage every frame until it reaches 15 damage at frame 19.
- The angle its shots can deviate while on the ground is 1.5 degrees.
- The angle its shots can deviate while in the air is 4.0 degrees.
- The Ballpoint Splatling has a 40% chance to shoot towards the outer reticle instead of the inner reticle.
- The outer reticle immediately expands after jumping. After 25 frames, the outer reticle will start shrinking, and will finish shrinking after 70 frames.
- When jumping, the chance to shoot towards the outer reticle instead of the inner reticle is immediately set to 40%.
- Shots initially travel straight at a rate of 2.21915 units per frame, regardless of charge level, for 8 frames. Shots travel straight for 17.7532 distance units.
- After that, the shot's velocity is set to 10.0 units per frame if it is not already lower than the listed value, and it loses 36% of its speed every frame (including the first frame after it stops traveling straight). Once the shot velocity decreases below a certain threshold, it will begin to be slowed less and fall faster.
- The effective range is about 20.66 units, regardless of charge level.
- This number may vary at different firing angles.
Version history
Version | Adjustments |
---|---|
1.2.0 |
|
3.0.0 |
|
4.0.0 |
|
4.1.0 |
|
6.1.0 |
|
Quotes
Sheldon's Introduction
Let me introduce you to a very special weapon—this is called the Ballpoint Splatling, and it has a unique dual fire rate! Here's how it works. When you start firing, the barrel spins super fast, spraying everything around you with tons of ink. It's great for covering turf quickly. But once the spin slows a bit, the weapon transforms into a long-range ace! You can target faraway enemies with shocking accuracy. And that's not all! Sorry—I've been watching infomercials. The Ballpoint can be paused midfire to recharge. Not all splatlings can do that! Now, with all of these features, this weapon might take some getting used to, so I recommend taking it for a test run on the firing range before heading straight into battle. In conjunction with Fizzy Bombs and the Inkjet special, this loadout may not be for beginners, but it's a technical wizard's dream come true. |
Badges
- Main article: Badge#Weapon Freshness badges
Reaching certain Freshness levels with the Ballpoint Splatling will reward the player with special badges that they can use on their Splashtag.
Ballpoint Splatling badges | ||
---|---|---|
4★ Ballpoint Splatling User | ||
5★ Ballpoint Splatling User |
Gallery
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2D icon
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Tableturf Battle card art
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Close-up view of the Ballpoint Splatling charging and firing; the shift to and from long-range mode can be seen (note the protruding pen tip).(link to file)
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The same view from behind; the mode indicator light can be seen on the butt of the weapon.(link to file)
Strategy
For competitive tips about the Ballpoint Splatling
View the strategy page. |
Trivia
- Splatoon 2
- The Ballpoint Splatling shares both its kit and unlock level with the Splash-o-matic.
- When equipped with a full Run Speed Up gear set, the Ballpoint Splatling has the fastest Inkjet possible.
- The Ballpoint Splatling, along with the Explosher and the Bloblobber, are the only main weapons to possess the dubious distinction of exclusively receiving nerfs through the various updates that followed their release.
- Splatoon 3
- Of the main weapons added to Splatoon 2 after Octo Expansion, the Ballpoint Splatling is the only one whose Splatoon 3 release special was not Ink Storm, the others being the Explosher, Bloblobber, and Nautilus 47.
- The Ballpoint Splatling has never had a repeated sub weapon across any of its kits.
- When considering weapons that have been available across multiple games, this trait is shared only with the Tri-Slosher, and the Goo Tuber.
Names in other languages
Language | Name | Meaning |
---|---|---|
Japanese | クーゲルシュライバー Kūgerushuraibā |
A Japanese loanword from the German Kugelschreiber ("Ballpoint pen"): Kugel ("Ball") and Schreiber ("Writer"). |
Dutch | Stylospetling | Ballpoint Splatling |
French | Badigeonneur stylo | Pen paint-coater |
German | Kuli-Splatling | Pen-Splatling[a] |
Italian | Tetrapenna | Tetra ("four") pen |
Russian | Кугельшрайбер Kugel'shrayber |
Transliteration of the German word Kugelschreiber ("ballpoint pen") |
Spanish (NOA) | Garabateador PLM | Doodler PLM[b] |
Spanish (NOE) | Ametrallógrafo | Machine gun writer |
Chinese (Simplified) | 圆珠笔 yuánzhūbǐ (Mandarin) |
Ballpoint Pen |
Chinese (Traditional) | 圓珠筆 yuánzhūbǐ (Mandarin) |
Ballpoint Pen |
Korean | 쿠겔 슈라이버 kugel syuraibeo |
A Korean loanword from the German Kugelschreiber, "Ballpoint pen", Kugel meaning "Ball" and Schreiber meaning "Writer". |
Translation notes
Internal names
Internal name | Meaning |
---|---|
Spinner_Downpour_00[5] | Spinner is the prefix for all splatling weapons, downpour refers to the weapon's high fire rate, 00 denotes this is the base version of this weapon rather than an alternate kit |