Kraken

From Inkipedia, the Splatoon wiki
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For the variant appearing in Splatoon 3, see Kraken Royale.

The ​Kraken is a special weapon in Splatoon. The Inkling Squid amiibo provides single player challenges that involve using the Kraken with a limited amount of time on different levels.

Appearance

The Kraken is similar in appearance to an Inkling's squid form. However, the Kraken is much larger, with longer tentacles and a pointier head. The Kraken's eyes and the main part of its body change color to match that of the user's ink. The top of its head and the end of its tentacles, however, are yellow. When the Kraken jumps, swirls of ink come out of it.

Splatoon

Kraken

Kraken

Category Special
Class
Sub
Special
Special points 200p
Special depletion
Range
Damage
Impact
Fire rate
Charge speed
Ink speed
Mobility
Durability
Handling
Level
Cost
Requirement
Introduced Specifications
Weight
Base damage 160
Base duration 5 seconds
Ink consumption
Base range
Rate of fire
Muzzle velocity
Base accuracy
MPU effect
SPU effect
SPU effect
Other variant

For a short period of time, the player changes into a monster-like squid form. It can move freely on enemy ink while leaving its own trail. Jumping into an enemy splats them instantly and the user is immune to all damage. However, Krakens are affected much more by knockback, and can still be splatted by falling into water or out of bounds.

Swim speed in Kraken form is the same as that of normal squid form. As such, its speed is affected by Swim Speed Up, Comeback, and Ninja Squid. However, Krakens are still fully visible even with Ninja Squid, so the only change is the speed reduction.[1]

Use

  • When damaged or cornered, it is recommended to use Kraken as it grants invincibility from incoming attacks for a short time. Though it may not be the most strategically smart choice in a given situation, it would be better to use it to stay in the battle than to lose it by being splatted.
  • A Kraken can be used in a pinch to avoid being splatted by special weapons, such as an Inkstrike or Killer Wail.
  • Equipping Swim Speed Up can slightly increase the Kraken's speed, allowing the player to chase opponents more easily. Likewise, Ninja Squid slows down the Kraken's speed and does not provide any benefits, so stay away from that ability.
  • Like the Bubbler, the Kraken can be used in Tower Control to sit on the tower without taking damage. However, the increased knockback can make it difficult to stay on if enemies hit from the right angle.
  • Super Jumps can still be performed as a Kraken if there is a need to escape.
  • The activation of a Kraken makes a unique noise, alerting nearby players of its presence. If this sound is heard and no teammate has used their Kraken, it may be wise to leave the area or find a place to hide.
  • Speedy targets such as the Inkbrush can be fast enough to escape the Kraken.
  • Krakens' only method of spreading ink is with the small trail behind them, so they cannot cover a large area like normal players can. Because of this, hiding in one's own ink, no matter how small the puddle, may cause the Kraken to swim right by without even noticing as long as they did not see the player before they hid.
  • Since Krakens are considered "squid forms", they can still go through grates. Opposing players can try to lure the Kraken onto a grate, making them fall and breaking their pursuit.
  • Krakens are immune to damage, but can still be splatted by falling into water or out of bounds. This can be used to one's advantage in stages with either hazard, such as Mahi-Mahi Resort.
    • In Arowana Mall, there is a grate above the water. Try luring them into falling through the grate and into the water, where they will splat themselves in the process.
  • Krakens are very vulnerable to knockback, which can be used to keep them out of melee range. Very fast weapons, such as the Aerosprays and Inkbrush, can even allow the user to simply stand in front of the Kraken and just keep shooting (or flicking) at it to keep it away, provided they have enough ink.
  • After coming out of Kraken form, there is a moment in which the player cannot use any weapons. This can be taken advantage for an easy splat if one is quick enough.

Version history

Version Adjustments
1.3.0
  • The Kraken can now be pushed back by firing directly at it to add counter play towards it.
2.2.0
  • Increased the amount of turf needed to be inked for filling the Special Gauge: 180p → 200p
  • Added a period of 0.75 seconds before players can attack again after using Kraken.
  • Increased the area that Kraken takes damage according to the size of its body.
  • Increased the amount of knockback when Kraken users are hit from above or below.
2.9.0
  • Base duration: 6 seconds → 5 seconds
  • Maximum extra duration added by Special Duration Up: 40% → 60%

Quotes

Activating Kraken transforms your character into a large, invincible squid for approximately six seconds. While in Kraken form, you can swim around a stage (including all inked and non-inked surfaces) leaving behind an ink trail your team can utilize to push deeper into enemy territory. You can also jump, taking out opponents in your path. You must jump to perform a lethal melee strike - simply bumping opponents will only push them around, inflicting no damage. But just like swimming in squid form, you can't cross over mesh walkways or grates while Kraken is active. If you attempt to swim over a grate, you will just fall through. This is an excellent way to avoid a pursuing enemy Kraken - rush over a grate to escape.
Splatoon Prima Guide

Sets

Weapons with Kraken in Splatoon
Main #ID Sub Special Special Depletion Level Price Class Introduced​​​
S Weapon Main .96 Gal Deco.png .96 Gal Deco 71 S Weapon Sub Splash Wall.png Splash Wall S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeHeavy 14 Cash 9700 Shooter 8 July 2015
S Weapon Main Aerospray PG.png Aerospray PG 32 S Weapon Sub Burst Bomb.png Burst Bomb S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeLight 20 Cash 20000 Shooter 8 June 2016 (2.8.0)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
S Weapon Main Custom E-liter 3K.png Custom E-liter 3K(NA)[a]
Custom E-Litre 3K(EU/OC)[b]
2031 S Weapon Sub Squid Beakon.png Squid Beakon S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeMedium 19 Cash 14200 Charger 17 June 2015
S Weapon Main Custom E-liter 3K Scope.png Custom E-liter 3K Scope(NA)[a]
Custom E-Litre 3K Scope(EU/OC)[b]
2041 S Weapon Sub Squid Beakon.png Squid Beakon S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeMedium 20 Cash 22600 Charger 10 October 2015
S Weapon Main Custom Jet Squelcher.png Custom Jet Squelcher 101 S Weapon Sub Burst Bomb.png Burst Bomb S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeLight 15 Cash 7900 Shooter 28 May 2015 (1.0.0)
S Weapon Main Custom Range Blaster.png Custom Range Blaster 221 S Weapon Sub Splat Bomb.png Splat Bomb S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeLight 17 Cash 10800 Shooter 10 October 2015​​​​​​
S Weapon Main Fresh Squiffer.png Fresh Squiffer 2002 S Weapon Sub Suction Bomb.png Suction Bomb S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeMedium 20 Cash 7200 Charger 13 April 2016 (2.7.0)​​​​​
S Weapon Main Heavy Splatling Deco.png Heavy Splatling Deco 4011 S Weapon Sub Point Sensor.png Point Sensor S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeMedium 9 Cash 9200 Splatling 7 November 2015​​​​​​​​​​
S Weapon Main Krak-On Splat Roller.png Krak-On Splat Roller 1011 S Weapon Sub Squid Beakon.png Squid Beakon S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeMedium 7 Cash 3000 Roller 28 May 2015 (1.0.0)​
S Weapon Main L-3 Nozzlenose D.png L-3 Nozzlenose D 301 S Weapon Sub Burst Bomb.png Burst Bomb S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeMedium 13 Cash 6600 Shooter 29 August 2015​​​
S Weapon Main N-ZAP '83.png N-ZAP '83 62 S Weapon Sub Point Sensor.png Point Sensor S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeMedium 20 Cash 7000 Shooter 8 June 2016 (2.8.0)​​​
S Weapon Main Neo Sploosh-o-matic.png Neo Sploosh-o-matic 1 S Weapon Sub Point Sensor.png Point Sensor S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeLight 18 Cash 10200 Shooter 11 November 2015
S Weapon Main Octobrush.png Octobrush 1110 S Weapon Sub Squid Beakon.png Squid Beakon S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeLight 12 Cash 8500 Roller 18 July 2015​​
S Weapon Main Permanent Inkbrush.png Permanent Inkbrush 1102 S Weapon Sub Splat Bomb.png Splat Bomb S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeLight 20 Cash 8200 Roller 13 April 2016 (2.7.0)​​​​​​​
S Weapon Main Slosher Deco.png Slosher Deco 3001 S Weapon Sub Splash Wall.png Splash Wall S Weapon Special Kraken.png Kraken Special gaugeLight 10 Cash 8300 Slosher 25 November 2015​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Gallery

Splatoon 2

In Splatoon 2, as explained in Sunken Scroll 11, no special weapons from the first game return. The role of the Kraken was indirectly replaced by the Baller, in that they both deal contact damage and leave a trail of ink in their path. However, the Baller deals much less contact damage, explodes after the timer runs out or directly by the player, and can be destroyed.

Splatoon 3

Splatoon 3 features Kraken Royale, a direct successor of Kraken from Splatoon, though it appears lighter in color and can now use a charge attack.

Trivia

  • The early name of the Kraken was "King Squid" as was found within the files of an early version of Super Mario Maker.
  • There are no Kraken sets with Seekers, Sprinklers or Disruptors as their sub weapon.
  • If modded to use Kraken, rival Octolings curl their tentacles like their normal octopus form.
  • While the average Inkling squid form has grey eyes, Krakens' eyes are the player's ink color.

Etymology

A kraken is a mythological sea monster and the subject of superstition and myths of many sailors. Although there are discrepancies, the legend of the kraken may date back to sightings of giant squid.

Names in other languages

Language Name Meaning
Japan Japanese ダイオウイカ
daiō ika
Great king squid (species of squid)
Netherlands Dutch Kraken[2] Same as English
CanadaFrance French Kraken Same as English
Germany German Tintentitan Ink Titan
Italy Italian Kraken Same as English
Russia Russian Кракен[3]
Kraken
Same as English
Mexico Spanish (NOA) Kraken Same as English
Spain Spanish (NOE) Supercalamar Supersquid

Notes

  1. 1.0 1.1 North America
  2. 2.0 2.1 Europe and Oceania

References