Opening Gambit
| Applicable Gear |
Headgear |
| Favored By |
|
| Unfavored By |
|
Opening Gambit is an ability in Splatoon and Splatoon 2.
Opening Gambit boosts run speed and swim speed for the first 30 seconds of the match, allowing players to move much faster. The ability is ideal for reaching objectives before opponents during the start of the match, and gaining a tactical advantage. After 30 seconds have passed, the effect wears off for the rest of the match. Players may prefer to use 
Swim Speed Up or 
Run Speed Up, which last the entire match, however one main slot of each of these abilities does not have the same strength as Opening Gambit. This ability is restricted to headgear as a main ability, and cannot be rolled as a sub ability.
Mutual exclusivity
This ability is found as the main ability only on headgear, so other abilities found only on headgear are mutually exclusive with it; in other words players cannot have them together. These abilities are 
Comeback, 
Last-Ditch Effort, and 
Tenacity.
Splatoon
Gear
Opening Gambit is the main ability of:
Headgear with Opening Gambit in Splatoon
Data
Opening Gambit has an effect equal to three mains of Swim Speed Up and Run Speed Up.
Version history
Splatoon 2
Gear
Opening Gambit is the main ability of:
Headgear with Opening Gambit in Splatoon 2
Data
Opening Gambit has an effect equal to five subs of 
Swim Speed Up, 
Run Speed Up, and 
Ink Resistance Up. While the effects normally lasts for 30 seconds, the timer can be extended by 7.5 seconds for each splat or assist the user is credited with. Splatting an opponent or being credited for an assist after the ability has worn off will not reactivate the effects of the ability.
Version history
- ▲ While active, Opening Gambit’s duration will be extended by 7.5 seconds for each opponent splatted by the player or assist they are credited with.
Names in other languages
| Language |
Name |
Meaning |
 Japanese |
スタートダッシュ
Sutāto Dassyu |
Start Dash |
 Dutch |
Vliegende start |
Flying start |
 French (NOA) |
Départ toute allure |
Start with full speed |
 French (NOE) |
Chapeaux de roue |
Flying start |
 German |
Startvorteil |
Head start |
 Italian |
Partenza a razzo |
Rocket launch |
 Russian |
Стартовый спурт
Stortovyy spurt |
Start spurt |
 Spanish |
Acelerón de salida |
Starting speed up |
 |
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Swim Speed Up or 
Run Speed Up, which last the entire match, however one main slot of each of these abilities does not have the same strength as Opening Gambit. This ability is restricted to headgear as a main ability, and cannot be rolled as a sub ability.
Comeback, 
Last-Ditch Effort, and 
Tenacity.
Zink
300
Opening Gambit
Forge
The SQUID GIRL
Skalop
Splash Mob
Swim Speed Up, 
Run Speed Up, and 
Ink Resistance Up. While the effects normally lasts for 30 seconds, the timer can be extended by 7.5 seconds for each splat or assist the user is credited with. Splatting an opponent or being credited for an assist after the ability has worn off will not reactivate the effects of the ability.
Opening Gambit now also grants the effects of the 
Japanese
Dutch
French (NOA)
French (NOE)
German
Italian
Russian
Spanish
