Special Saver
Special Saver is an ability in the Splatoon series.
Each time a player gets splatted, their special gauge is reduced by a certain amount; Special Saver reduces that amount.
Tactics
Special Saver tends to be helpful when players get splatted just before earning a special, or after earning it but before having a chance to use it.
Splatoon
In the initial version of Splatoon, on respawn the special gauge would always be reduced by 50%, and Special Saver allowed users to reduce this amount by up to 50% of the total special gauge size so that players could lose as little as 0%. As of version 2.7.0, special gauge reduction upon respawn depends on the weapon. Three special gauge depletion classes were added in the 2.7.0 update: 40% depletion, 60% depletion, and 75% depletion. Special Saver was essentially unchanged, as it still allowed users to reduce this amount by up to 50% of the total special gauge size. So, weapons in the 40% class could reduce as low as 0%, weapons in the 60% class could reduce as low as 10%, and weapons in the 75% class could reduce as low as 25%. Because the 40% depletion class has such a low base loss, only one primary ability and eight secondary abilities (or 34 ability points) of Special Saver are necessary to reduce the points lost to 0%.
Tactics
Special Saver can be useful with weapons that have a hard time covering turf such as blasters and some long-range shooters, and for special weapons that require a lot of ink to charge such as the Inkzooka, Kraken, and Echolocator.
Stacking
Points Lost (relative to Special Gauge filled amount) for each Depletion class:
| Abilities | Light | Medium | Heavy | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 40.0000% | 60.0000% | 75.0000% | |||
| Main: 0, Sub: 1 | 
|
35.1715% | 55.1715% | 70.1715% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 2 |
|
30.5860% | 50.5860% | 65.5860% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 3 |
|
26.2435% | 46.2435% | 61.2435% | ||
| Main: 1, Sub: 0 | 
|
24.8500% | 44.8500% | 59.8500% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 4 |
|
|
22.1440% | 42.1440% | 57.1440% | |
| Main: 1, Sub: 1 |
|
20.8315% | 40.8315% | 55.8315% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 5 |
|
|
18.2875% | 38.2875% | 53.2875% | |
| Main: 1, Sub: 2 |
|
17.0560% | 37.0560% | 52.0560% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 6 |
|
|
14.6740% | 34.6740% | 49.6740% | |
| Main: 1, Sub: 3 |
|
13.5235% | 33.5235% | 48.5235% | ||
| Main: 2, Sub: 0 |
|
|
12.4000% | 32.4000% | 47.4000% | |
| Main: 0, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
11.3035% | 31.3035% | 46.3035% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 4 |
|
|
10.2340% | 30.2340% | 45.2340% | |
| Main: 2, Sub: 1 |
|
|
9.1915% | 29.1915% | 44.1915% | |
| Main: 0, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
8.1760% | 28.1760% | 43.1760% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 5 |
|
|
7.1875% | 27.1875% | 42.1875% | |
| Main: 2, Sub: 2 |
|
|
6.2260% | 26.2260% | 41.2260% | |
| Main: 0, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
5.2915% | 25.2915% | 40.2915% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 6 |
|
|
4.3840% | 24.3840% | 39.3840% | |
| Main: 2, Sub: 3 |
|
|
3.5035% | 23.5035% | 38.5035% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 0 |
|
|
|
2.6500% | 22.6500% | 37.6500% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
1.8235% | 21.8235% | 36.8235% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 4 |
|
|
1.0240% | 21.0240% | 36.0240% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 1 |
|
|
|
0.2515% | 20.2515% | 35.2515% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 19.5060% | 34.5060% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 5 |
|
|
0.0000% | 18.7875% | 33.7875% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 2 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 18.0960% | 33.0960% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 17.4315% | 32.4315% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 6 |
|
|
0.0000% | 16.7940% | 31.7940% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 3 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 16.1835% | 31.1835% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 15.0435% | 30.0435% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 4 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 14.5140% | 29.5140% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 13.5360% | 28.5360% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 5 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 13.0875% | 28.0875% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 12.2715% | 27.2715% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 6 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 11.9040% | 26.9040% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 10.9635% | 25.9635% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 10.2660% | 25.2660% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
0.0000% | 10.0000% | 25.0000% |
-
Graph showing special points lost when the player is splatted with a full special gauge.
Gear
Special Saver is the main ability of:
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Jet Cap |  Firefin
|
 700
|
Special Saver
|
 
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Skate Helmet |  Skalop
|
2500
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Skull Bandana |  Forge
|
1550
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.3.0 |
|
Two-Stripe Mesh |  Krak-On
|
700
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
B-ball Jersey (Home) |  Zink
|
2300
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Black Pipe Tee |  KOG
|
800
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Green Tee | Forge
|
1500
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Layered Vector LS |  Takoroka
|
2500
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Reggae Tee | Skalop
|
8200
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.3.0 |
|
Shirt & Tie |  Splash Mob
|
8400
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Splatfest Tee |  SquidForce
|
 Splatfest
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
White Layered LS | SquidForce
|
500
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.3.0 |
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Cream Basics | Krak-On
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) | |
|
Octoling Boots |  Cuttlegear
|
 Octo Valley
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Punk Yellows |  Rockenberg
|
3000
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Red Sea Slugs |  Tentatek
|
8000
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
Gallery
Splatoon 2
Splatoon 2 does not have the special gauge depletion classes that were present in the original Splatoon post-2.7.0, so Special Saver is once again used to bring a 50% reduction to as low as 0%. It still works by reducing the loss by up to 50% of the total size of the special gauge. Players who get splatted after using but not completing a Splashdown have their 25% special gauge loss reduced to as low as 0% by Special Saver, and because the base loss of 25% is so low, only five secondary abilities (or 15 ability points) of Special Saver are necessary to reduce the points lost to 0%.
The effectiveness of Special Saver can be temporarily decreased by Respawn Punisher used by any player.
Stacking
Points lost (relative to special gauge filled amount) for when getting splatted after using but not completing a Splashdown, and every other case:
| Abilities | Points lost | Points lost for incomplete Splashdown | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 50.000% | 25.000% | |||
| Main: 0, Sub: 1 | 
|
41.070…% | 16.070…% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 2 |
|
35.394…% | 10.394…% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 3 |
|
30.683…% | 5.683…% | ||
| Main: 1, Sub: 0 | 
|
29.259…% | 4.259…% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 4 |
|
|
26.589…% | 1.589…% | |
| Main: 1, Sub: 1 |
|
25.333…% | 0.333…% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 5 |
|
|
22.960…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 1, Sub: 2 |
|
21.838…% | 0.000% | ||
| Main: 0, Sub: 6 |
|
|
19.712…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 1, Sub: 3 |
|
18.704…% | 0.000% | ||
| Main: 2, Sub: 0 |
|
|
17.730…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 0, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
16.790…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 4 |
|
|
15.883…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 2, Sub: 1 |
|
|
15.006…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 0, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
14.160…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 5 |
|
|
13.343…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 2, Sub: 2 |
|
|
12.554…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 0, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
11.793…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 6 |
|
|
11.059…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 2, Sub: 3 |
|
|
10.352…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 0 |
|
|
|
9.671…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
9.015…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 4 |
|
|
8.384…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 1 |
|
|
|
7.778…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
7.196…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 5 |
|
|
6.638…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 2 |
|
|
|
6.103…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 1, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
5.591…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 6 |
|
|
5.101…% | 0.000% | |
| Main: 3, Sub: 3 |
|
|
|
4.635…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
3.768…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 4 |
|
|
|
3.367…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
2.630…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 5 |
|
|
|
2.294…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 2, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
1.684…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 6 |
|
|
|
1.410…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 7 |
|
|
|
0.711…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 8 |
|
|
|
0.196…% | 0.000% |
| Main: 3, Sub: 9 |
|
|
|
0.000% | 0.000% |
-
Graph showing special points lost when the player is splatted with a full special gauge.
Gear
Special Saver is the main ability of:
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bucket Hat |  SquidForce
|
 400
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Green Novelty Visor |  Tentatek
|
 Nintendo Switch News
|
Special Saver
|
|
15 April 2019 |
|
Hero Headphones Replica |  Cuttlegear
|
 Octo Canyon
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Jet Cap |  Firefin
|
700
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Marinated Headphones |  amiibo
|
 Marina
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Skate Helmet |  Skalop
|
2500
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Skull Bandana |  Forge
|
7800
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Squash Headband |  Zink
|
400
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Two-Stripe Mesh |  Krak-On
|
700
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Annaki Blue Cuff |  Annaki
|
4800
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
B-ball Jersey (Home) | Zink
|
2300
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Blue 16-Bit FishFry | Firefin
|
3750
|
Special Saver
|
|
3.0.0 |
|
Eggplant Mountain Coat |  Inkline
|
7600
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Green Tee | Forge
|
1200
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Green Velour Octoking Tee |  Enperry
|
1450
|
Special Saver
|
|
3.0.0 |
|
Layered Vector LS |  Takoroka
|
1200
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Reggae Tee | Skalop
|
8200
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Shirt & Tie |  Splash Mob
|
8400
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Squinja Suit | amiibo
|
 Inkling Boy (Splatoon 2)
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
White Layered LS | SquidForce
|
500
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
White V-Neck Tee | SquidForce
|
3800
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Black & Blue Squidkid V | Enperry
|
12800
|
Special Saver
|
|
3.0.0 |
|
Cream Basics | Krak-On
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) | |
|
Orca Hi-Tops | Takoroka
|
2800
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Punk Yellows |  Rockenberg
|
3000
|
Special Saver
|
|
3.0.0 |
|
Red Sea Slugs | Tentatek
|
8000
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
|
Sunny Climbing Shoes | Inkline
|
3200
|
Special Saver
|
|
Initial Release (1.0.0) |
|
Yellow Iromaki 750s | Tentatek
|
1050
|
Special Saver
|
|
2.0.0 |
Version history
| Version | Adjustments |
|---|---|
| 3.0.0 |
|
Splatoon 3
Gear
Special Saver is the main ability of:
| Name | Brand | Availability | Ability | Star power | Added in
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bucket Hat |  SquidForce
|
 400
|
 Special Saver
|
|
Drizzle Season 2022 (1.1.0) |
|
Glam Clam Specs |  Splash Mob
|
10,000
|
Special Saver
|
|
Sizzle Season 2023 (4.0.0) |
|
Green Novelty Visor |  Tentatek
|
 Switch News Channel
|
Special Saver
|
|
21 March 2025 |
|
Jet Cap |  Firefin
|
700
|
Special Saver
|
|
Fresh Season 2023 (3.0.0) |
|
Marinated Headphones |  amiibo
|
Marina
|
Special Saver
|
|
Drizzle Season 2022 (1.1.0) |
|
Scrum Cap |  Forge
|
8,500
|
Special Saver
|
|
Chill Season 2022 (2.0.0) |
|
Skate Helmet |  Skalop
|
2,500
|
Special Saver
|
|
Chill Season 2022 (2.0.0) |
|
Skull Bandana | Forge
|
7,800
|
Special Saver
|
|
Chill Season 2022 (2.0.0) |
|
Squash Headband |  Zink
|
400
|
Special Saver
|
|
Fresh Season 2023 (3.0.0) |
|
Swim Reaper | SquidForce
|
Switch News Channel
|
Special Saver
|
|
20 October 2023 |
|
Two-Stripe Mesh |  Krak-On
|
700
|
Special Saver
|
|
Fresh Season 2023 (3.0.0) |
|
Worker's Cap |  Grizzco
|
 30
|
Special Saver
|
|
Sizzle Season 2024 (8.0.0) |
|
ZedFry Funface | SquidForce
|
Switch News Channel
|
Special Saver
|
|
28 June 2024 |
Trivia
- In Splatoon 2, Special Saver is the only ability that is unfavored by two gear brands.
- Special Saver is the only ability that appears in both games where a piece of gear that had it in Splatoon has a different ability in Splatoon 2.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
スペシャル減少量ダウン supesharu genshōryō daun |
Special Decrement Down |
 Dutch |
Speciaalspaarder | Special saver |
 French |
Baisse spéciale - | Special Decrease |
 German |
Spezialabzug - | Special deduction - |
 Italian |
Riduzione speciale - | Special reduction - |
 Russian |
Особый резерв Osobyy rezerv |
Special reserve |
 Spanish (NOA) |
Ahorro especial (Splatoon 3) Ahorro en especial (Splatoon & Splatoon 2) |
Save in (the) Special |
 Spanish (NOE) |
Reducción especial | Special reduction |
 Chinese (Simplified) |
降低特殊武器减少量 jiàngdī tèshū wǔqì jiǎnshǎo liàng (Mandarin) |
Reduced Special Weapon Reductions |
 Chinese (Traditional) |
降低特殊武器減少量 jiàngdī tèshū wǔqì jiǎnshǎo liàng (Mandarin) |
Reduced Special Weapon Reductions |
 Korean |
스페셜 감소량 다운 seupesyeol gamsoryang daun |
Special Decrement Down |
|
|
|
