Stringer
- For a similarly-named Boss Salmonid introduced in Splatoon 2, see Stinger.
Stringers are one of the main weapon classes in the Splatoon series.
Stringers are bow and arrow-like charging weapons that can fire spreads of arcing ink projectiles in horizontal or vertical configurations.
Stringers were first introduced in Splatoon 3.
General mechanics
Stringers have similarities to both charging weapon classes introduced before them. They possess increased range when charged with , while also increasing damage (with the potential for a one-hit splat) like chargers, but they also possess two levels of charge akin to splatlings.
When charging, range increases proportionally to the amount of charge, allowing the stringer user to more finely control where their arcing shots may land. However, damage is usually immediately increased by a flat amount when the first charging circle is filled, meaning stringers are not as beholden as chargers to a full charge for maximum lethality.
Stringers fire in a horizontal spread when grounded, but a user may additionally choose to fire vertically at any time by jumping with (or any other means of entering a midair state). Depending on charge level, this may narrow the horizontal spread of ink considerably, but can also increase lethality when targeting enemies.
List of stringers
Note: The series are arranged by their respective order in the weapon select screen with the Main filter.
| Series | Description | Variants | Games |
|---|---|---|---|
| |||
 Tri-Stringer |
The standard stringer, with long range but no charge hold. Reaching the first level of charge allows its shots to lodge themselves in terrain briefly before exploding. |  Tri-Stringer
|
✓ |
 Inkline Tri-Stringer
|
✓ | ||
 Order Stringer Replica
|
✓ | ||
 REEF-LUX 450 |
A lightweight stringer that can store its charge, but cannot fire explosive shots. It charges quickly and does more damage than the Tri-Stringer, but it is lacking in range. |  REEF-LUX 450
|
✓ |
 REEF-LUX 450 Deco
|
✓ | ||
 Wellstring V |
A heavyweight stringer with five explosive shots. Its first level of charge centers the ink projectiles, and the second level of charge spreads them out. |  Wellstring V
|
✓ |
 Custom Wellstring V
|
✓ |
Special stringers
The following stringer(s) are only available outside of battles as part of other modes:
| Weapon | Description | Games |
|---|---|---|
|
| ||
 Grizzco Stringer |
A modified rare weapon based on the Tri-Stringer, only available in Salmon Run Next Wave. It possesses a greatly increased number of spread projectiles (nine to the three of other stringers), as well as the same delayed explosions of the Tri-Stringer's charged projectiles. It possesses extreme damage potential when all projectiles hit, although this can be difficult due to its extremely wide spread and irregularly-arranged reticles. | ✓ |
 Order Stringer |
A stringer similar to the Tri-Stringer only used in Side Order when equipping Shiver's Palette. Upon successful completion of a run with this Palette equipped, the player will unlock the Order Stringer Replica for use in battles. | ✓ |
Sets
| Main | #ID | Sub | Special | Special Points | Level | Price | Class | Introduced | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tri-Stringer | 7010 |  Toxic Mist
|
 Killer Wail 5.1
|
190p | 4 |  1
|
 Stringer
|
Version 1.0.0 (Drizzle Season 2022) |
|
Inkline Tri-Stringer | 7011 |  Sprinkler
|
 Super Chump
|
190p | 11 | 1
|
Stringer
|
Version 5.0.0 (Drizzle Season 2023) |
|
Order Stringer Replica | 7015 | Toxic Mist
|
Killer Wail 5.1
|
190p | 1 | Stringer
|
Version 7.0.0 (Side Order) | |
|
REEF-LUX 450 | 7020 |  Curling Bomb
|
 Tenta Missiles
|
210p | 10 | 1
|
Stringer
|
Version 1.0.0 (Drizzle Season 2022) |
|
REEF-LUX 450 Deco | 7021 |  Splash Wall
|
 Reefslider
|
200p | 12 | 1
|
Stringer
|
Version 6.0.0 (Chill Season 2023) |
|
Wellstring V | 7030 |  Autobomb
|
 Ultra Stamp
|
200p | 19 | 1
|
Stringer
|
Version 8.0.0 (Sizzle Season 2024) |
|
Custom Wellstring V | 7031 |  Point Sensor
|
 Wave Breaker
|
200p | 24 | 1
|
Stringer
|
Version 8.0.0 (Sizzle Season 2024) |
Animations
Splatoon 3
Spawner pose:
- All styles: Stands in a crouched pose with their weapon angled down and their right hand readied.
Victory:
- Flip Out: Jumping into the air while shooting the weapon downwards twice, then lands kneeling and pulls its string back while aiming into the distance.
- Reppin' Inkopolis: Twirls the weapon around before pulling the string back and aiming into the distance while standing. (Added in version 7.0.0. Versions prior used the same animation as Flip Out.)
- The Square Show-Off: Throws the weapon in the air, spins with it after catching it, and pulling the string back while kneeling with their back turned the camera.
Quotes
| “ | We've obtained imagery of a new class of weapon known as the stringer. It seems stringers can fire ink horizontally or vertically depending on whether they are fired while standing or jumping. Either way, a simple press of  is all it takes to start splatting.
|
” | — @SplatoonNA[1]
| ||
Gallery
Reason: Add videos
-
An Inkling doing the Flip Out emote with the Tri-Stringer after winning a battle.
-
Art of the stringer weapon class icon in Splatoon 3.
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An Inkling holding the Tri-Stringer
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An Inkling shooting a Tri-Stringer.
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An Inkling aiming a Tri-Stringer.
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The Tri-Stringer charging its shot.
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The Inkling furthest to the left is holding the Tri-Stringer.
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Key art with the Tri-Stringer
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Render of an Inkling with the Tri-Stringer
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An Octoling using the Tri-Stringer
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The Tri-Stringer is held by the Inkling on the right
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The Tri-Stringer on the left, representing team Wisdom in the Power vs. Wisdom vs. Courage Splatfest.
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The Wellstring V in the Sizzle Season 2024 trailer.
SplatNet 3 icons
2D icons
Promotional renders for Splatoon 3
Tableturf Battle cards for Splatoon 3
Videos
-
Early footage of the Tri-Stringer being used in Splatoon 3 gameplay. (link to file)
-
Inkling with the Tri-Stringer shoots strings of ink. (link to file)
-
Rotating model of the Tri-Stringer (link to file)
-
Rotating model of the Inkline Tri-Stringer (Link to file)
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Rotating model of the REEF-LUX 450 (link to file)
-
Rotating model of the REEF-LUX 450 Deco (link to file)
-
Rotating model of the Wellstring V (link to file)
-
Rotating model of the Custom Wellstring V (link to file)
Trivia
- Stringers have a currently unused feature that traces the path that their projectiles will take while they charge.
- As of Sizzle Season 2024, the stringer class is tied with the Splatana and Brush classes for having the least number of weapon sets in it, with only six.
- Despite stringers' shots falling, the shots do not lose damage as they fall. The only other main weapons to have this trait are the Bloblobber and Explosher families.
- The internal ordering of stringer weapon IDs is different from all other weapon classes.
- Following the first one or two digits, which identify a weapon's class, all other weapon classes have a weapon internally listed as being the "0"th main weapon of that type. It is then followed by another number to indicate which kit loadout of the weapon it is. Curiously, the stringer class skips the expected value 7000 and begins with the Tri-Stringer as weapon ID 7010, which would usually be reserved for the second weapon in the class.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
 Japanese |
ストリンガー sutoringā |
Stringer |
 Dutch |
Spanner | Drawer |
 French |
Transperceur | Piercer |
 German |
Stringer | Stringer |
 Italian |
Calamarco | From calamaro ("squid") + arco ("bow") |
 Russian |
Тетиватор Tetivator |
Bowstringator |
 Spanish |
Arcromatizador | Bow-chromatizer, from arco ("bow") + cromatizador ("chromatizer") |
 Chinese (Simplified) |
猎鱼弓 lièyúgōng (Mandarin) |
Fishing bow |
 Chinese (Traditional) |
獵魚弓 lièyúgōng (Mandarin) |
Fishing bow |
 Korean |
스트링거 seuteuringgeo |
Stringer |
 Portuguese |
Stringer | Same as English |
| Firing ink horizontally | Firing ink vertically | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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