Opening Gambit

Opening Gambit

Applicable gear	Headgear
Favored by
Unfavored by

Opening Gambit is an ability in Splatoon and Splatoon 2.

Opening Gambit gives the user Run Speed Up and Swim Speed Up (and in Splatoon 2, Ink Resistance Up) for the first 30 seconds of the battle. In Splatoon 2, that time is extended by 7.5 seconds for each splat and assist the user gets while the ability is still active.

Tactics

The ability is ideal for reaching objectives before opponents during the start of the match.

Splatoon

Gear

Opening Gambit is the main ability of:

Headgear with Opening Gambit in Splatoon

	Name	Brand	Availability	Ability	Rarity
	B-ball Headband	Zink	300	Opening Gambit
	Special Forces Beret	Forge	9700	Opening Gambit
	SQUID GIRL Hat	The SQUID GIRL	1600	Opening Gambit
	Squid-Stitch Cap	Skalop	8500	Opening Gambit
	Striped Beanie	Splash Mob	1500	Opening Gambit

Mechanics

When active, the ability provides 30 AP each of the following:

• Swim Speed Up
• Run Speed Up

The ability is active when any of the following conditions are met:

• The elapsed time indicated by the timer is 30 seconds or less.

Version history

Version	Adjustments
2.6.0	▲ Run Speed Up and Swim Speed Up will be applied as if 3 main slots were equipped.

Splatoon 2

Gear

Opening Gambit is the main ability of:

Headgear with Opening Gambit in Splatoon 2

	Name	Brand	Availability	Ability	Rarity
	Annaki Mask	Annaki	3600	Opening Gambit
	B-ball Headband	Zink	300	Opening Gambit
	Special Forces Beret	Forge	9700	Opening Gambit
	Squid Clip-Ons	amiibo	Inkling Girl (Splatoon 2)	Opening Gambit
	Squid-Stitch Cap	Skalop	8500	Opening Gambit
	Striped Beanie	Splash Mob	900	Opening Gambit
	Zekko Cap	Zekko	2700	Opening Gambit

Mechanics

When active, the ability provides 15 AP each of the following:

• Swim Speed Up
• Run Speed Up
• Ink Resistance Up

The ability is active when any of the following conditions are met:

• The elapsed time indicated by the timer is 30 seconds or less.
  • Only while the ability is active, that amount of time is extended by 7.5 seconds for each splat and assist the user gets.

Version history

Version	Adjustments
1.4.0	▲ During its active period, Opening Gambit now also grants the effects of the Ink Resistance Up gear ability.
3.0.0	▲ 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