Tricolor Turf War
Type | Online multiplayer mode |
Players | 8 (4v2x2) |
Ranked | No |
Weapons | All |
Controllers | ![]() ![]() |
Release Date | Launch |
Tricolor Turf War is a mode in Splatoon 3, exclusively available after the halftime report in Splatfests.
History
Tricolor Turf War was first announced on 10 August 2022 during the Splatoon 3 Direct, and was first available in the Splatoon 3 Splatfest World Premiere on 27 August 2022.
Description
In Tricolor Turf War, the goal is the same as Turf War: ink the most ground to win. It is a team of four versus two teams of two. One team of four, chosen at random, starts in the center of the stage and acts as defenders. Two of their spawn drones will start on the left; the other two on the right. The other teams, known as attackers, will send in two players each at the regular spawn areas of the map. The defending team will try to hold a majority of the map while the attacking teams will cooperate to overtake the first place team.
The defending team also has another goal: prevent the attackers from getting the two Ultra Signals. When an attacking player touches the Ultra Signal, it will be charged with ink to send a signal to one of the members of Deep Cut. That member will then send a Sprinkler of Doom to the battlefield, which will spray large amounts of ink around the stage, giving an advantage to the team that claimed the Ultra Signal. Players can splat others if they are trying to get a hold of the Ultra Signal as well.
Players can join Tricolor Battles alone (in which case they are paired with a random player), or team up with a friend. Each attacking team is one pair, and the defending team consists of two.
If an attacking team wins the battle (i.e., inks the most turf), members of that team earn 6,000 victory Clout, members of the other attacking team earn 5,000 victory Clout, and members of the defending team earn no victory Clout. On the other hand, if the defending team wins the battle, members of the defending team earn 9,000 victory Clout (multiplied by their Synergy Bonus), and the attackers earn no victory Clout.
When attacking as the second and third placed team, or defending as the first placed team, 1.5x Clout is rewarded on a successful victory. The team does not need to all be matching, as in, as the third placed team, no matter if first or second placed team is defending, the third placed team will always be awarded 1.5x Clout on victory.
The attacking teams can also earn Clout for Ultra Signals. Each unsuccessful attempt to claim an Ultra Signal is worth 300 Clout. Each successful attempt is worth 2,500 Clout, which replaces the Clout earned for unsuccessful attempts to claim the same Ultra Signal.
In addition, members of the defending team individually earn Clout equal to the amount of turf they inked multiplied by their Synergy Bonus.
In addition, members of the attacking team also individually earn Clout equal to the amount of turf they inked, if the match is not a victory.[Citation needed]
Stages
Splatfest | Stage | Halftime Leader |
---|---|---|
Rock vs. Paper vs. Scissors | Sturgeon Shipyard | Scissors* |
Gear vs. Grub vs. Fun | Hammerhead Bridge | Fun* |
Grass vs. Fire vs. Water | Sturgeon Shipyard** | Water* |
Spicy vs. Sweet vs. Sour | Undertow Spillway | Sweet |
Dark Chocolate vs. Milk Chocolate vs. White Chocolate | Mincemeat Metalworks | White Chocolate |
Nessie vs. Aliens vs. Bigfoot | MakoMart | Nessie |
Power vs. Wisdom vs. Courage | Scorch Gorge*** | Power |
- * Prior to Version 2.0.0 the team leading in halftime was locked to be the defending team while second and third place were attackers instead.
- ** The Tricolor Turf War layout of Sturgeon Shipyard was altered since its appearance in the Rock vs. Paper vs. Scissors Splatfest. The altered layout was implemented in version 1.2.0 in preparation for the Grass vs. Fire vs. Water Splatfest that took place in version 1.2.1.[1]
- *** Unlike other Tricolor Turf War stages, Scorch Gorge has a completely redesigned layout in the shape of the Triforce, rather than altering the Turf War layout to accomodate the mode.
Tips

- During the match, but excluding the first few seconds and the last five seconds, there is a percentage tracker near the top of the map that shows how much turf each team has claimed out of the whole map. You can use this to your advantage to find which team might be better to paint over to bring them down from the lead. This is slightly easier to do as a defending team as you have access to the center of the stage and can get to either side of the map without having to cross another team's base or main territory.
- Similar to Clam Blitz in a way, this mode should be easier with good communication with your teammates.
- The defenders will all split up to protect the Ultra Signal, so take them out one on one then attempt for the Ultra Signal.
- Both attacking teams are sort of on the same team and shouldn't paint or splat the other attacking team because if one attacking team paints the most, it counts as a victory towards both attacking teams.
- Conversely, an attacking team has the most clout to gain by taking both signals, so it can be worth it to prevent the other attacking team from taking them, and only cooperating once both signals are captured.
- As an attacking team, every time your team fails to capture the Ultra Signal, the amount of time needed to capture it decreases. The first time an attacking team attempts to capture the Ultra Signal, it will take 180 frames (3 seconds) to secure it. The next time that team tries to capture it, it will take 150 frames (2.5 seconds), and then 120 frames (2 seconds), 90 frames (1.5 seconds), 60 frames (1 second), 40 frames (0.67 seconds), until it finally caps out at 20 frames (0.33 seconds).[2] Quick Respawn can be useful in this situation to brute force the objective and capture the Ultra Signal.
Attacking Teams
Special | Uses | Downsides | Weapons with it |
---|---|---|---|
Big Bubbler | Protects you from long-range weapons focusing on the Ultra Signal and occasionally tricks short-range weapons into thinking they can't cross the bubble to get to the user claiming the Ultra Signal | Other teams can still just walk through the Bubbler and splat the player at the Ultra Signal. | Blaster, Classic Squiffer, Splat Roller, Splattershot Jr., Zink Mini Splatling |
Ink Vac | Can assist your teammate by protecting them from shots aimed at them while they claim the Ultra Signal | Player using the special can still be splatted, removing all protection from the other teammate; requires somewhat good coordination and timing. | .96 Gal, Jet Squelcher, Rapid Blaster Pro, Splat Charger, Splatterscope, Tenta Brella, Big Swig Roller |
Booyah Bomb | Activate it close to the Ultra Signal, and when fully charged, drop it on the Ultra Signal. The tornado has the potential to scare off any attackers long enough for you to claim the signal. | The attackers have the ability to shoot you down before you can throw your Booyah Bomb. | Aerospray RG, Forge Splattershot Pro, Glooga Dualies, Hydra Splatling, Sloshing Machine |
Triple Inkstrike | Throwing the three inkstrikes so that they land when you pick up the Ultra Signal creates a pseudo-smoke screen and will splat any short-range weapons camping it. | Doesn't affect backlines and and opponents can still shoot through the inkstrikes. | Tentatek Splattershot, Rapid Blaster, Slosher, Splat Brella, Neo Splash-o-Matic, Z+F Splat Charger/Scope |
Defending team
Special | Uses | Downsides | Weapons with it |
---|---|---|---|
Killer Wail 5.1 | Face the player trying to get the Ultra Signal, then activate Killer Wail 5.1. The rays will likely splat the player before they can fully claim the signal. | The rays can be unpredictable, and may target the wrong enemy. | .52 Gal, Tri-Stringer, Bamboozler 14 Mk I, Neo Sploosh-o-Matic, Splattershot Nova, Inkbrush |
Reefslider | Face the player trying to get the Ultra Signal, then press to activate. The Reefslider will run them over. | Aiming the Reefslider before activating makes you vulnerable to attack, and your Reefslider might get denied. | Aerospray MG, Dark Tetra Dualies, Undercover Brella, Dapple Dualies Nouveau |
Kraken Royale | Activate the Kraken Royale in a safe spot to avoid getting splatted in its vulnerability period, then swim to the space where the Ultra Signal is located. Then face the player trying to get the Ultra Signal, hold ZR to charge, and release the button, rushing into the player and splatting them to protect it. | Activating the Kraken Royale in front the Ultra Signal may lead to you being splatted before the transformation is complete, since the Ultra Signal is usually located in an open space in the center of the stage. | .96 Gal Deco, Krak-On Splat Roller |
Quotes
“ | Speaking of research, we've got more on Splatfests. During the second half of each event, we'll see something we've never seen before - Tricolor Turf War battles! Results will be provided in something called a "Halftime Report," and the lower-tier teams will gang up on the leader!
This is where it gets REALLY interesting. The leading team will start with four players and the central turf, and it must defend itself against two teams of two! Just like a regular Turf War battle, it'll be three full minutes of chaos. |
” |
Ultra Signal messages


Event | Appearance | |
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The Ultra Signal appears | Attackers and Defenders | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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The Ultra Signal appeared! | - |
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スーパーシグナルが出現した! | The Ultra Signal appeared! |
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Het Ultrasignaal is verschenen! | The Ultra Signal has appeared! |
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La Tridenfusée est apparue! | The Ultra Signal appeared! |
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Surimi-Signal entdeckt! | Ultra Signal discovered! |
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Ультра-маячок! Ul'tra-mayachok! |
Ultra Signal! |
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¡Apareció la ultraseñal! | The Ultra Signal appeared! |
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Event | Appearance | |
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Your team touches the Ultra Signal | Attackers | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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Teammate going for the Ultra Signal! | - |
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味方が スーパーシグナルにトライ! | The teammate is trying for the Ultra Signal! |
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Een teamlid laadt het Ultrasignaal op! Een teamgenoot heeft het Ultrasignaal veroverd! (Pre-2.0.0) |
A teammember charges the Ultra Signal! A teammate has captured the Ultra Signal! |
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Ton acolyte tente d'activer la Tridenfusée! | Your teammate is trying to activate the Ultra Signal! |
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Team aktiviert das Surimi-Signal! | Team activates the Ultra Signal! |
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Союзник пытается заполучить ультра-маячок! Suyuznik pytayetsya zapoluchit' ul'tra-mayachok! |
Ally tries to get the Ultra Signal! |
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¡Tu equipo asalta la ultraseñal! | Your team storms the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appears | |
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Player Team loses the Ultra Signal | Attackers | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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We lost the Ultra Signal! | - |
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スーパーシグナルを失った! | We lost the Ultra Signal! |
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We hebben het Ultrasignaal verloren! | We have lost the Ultra Signal! |
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Ton duo a perdu la Tridenfusée! | Your pair lost the Ultra Signal! |
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Surimi-Signal verloren! | Ultra Signal lost! |
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Ультра-маячок больше не у нас! Ul'tra-mayachok bol'she ne u nas! |
Ultra Signal is no longer ours! |
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¡Perdimos la ultraseñal! | We lost the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appears | |
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Player Team launches the Ultra Signal | Attackers | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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We secured the Ultra Signal! | - |
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スーパーシグナル確保した! | We secured the Ultra Signal! |
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We hebben het Ultrasignaal laten afgaan! | We have set off the Ultra Signal! |
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Ton équipe a sécurisé la Tridenfusée! | Your team secured the Ultra Signal! |
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Surimi-Signal gesichert! | Ultra Signal secured! |
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Мы захватили ультра-маячок! My zakhvatili ul'tra-mayachok! |
We captured the Ultra Signal! |
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¡Aseguramos la ultraseñal! | We secured the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appears | |
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Opposite attacking team touches the Ultra Signal | Attackers | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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Other team going for the Ultra Signal! | - |
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他チームが スーパーシグナルにトライ! | The other team is trying for the Ultra Signal! |
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Het andere team laadt het Ultrasignaal op! Het andere team heeft het Ultrasignaal veroverd! (Pre-2.0.0) |
The other team charges the Ultra Signal! The other team has captured the Ultra Signal! |
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L'autre duo tente d'activer la Tridenfusée! | The other pair is trying to activate the Ultra Signal! |
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Anderes Team aktiviert das Surimi-Signal! | Other team activates the Ultra Signal! |
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Противники захватывают ультра-маячок! Protivniki zakhvatyvayut ul'tra-mayachok! |
Opponents are capturing the Ultra Signal! |
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¡El otro equipo asalta la ultraseñal! | The other team storms the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appears | |
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Opposite attacking team loses the Ultra Signal | Attackers | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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Other team lost the Ultra Signal! | - |
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他チームが スーパーシグナルを失った! | The other team lost the Ultra Signal! |
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Ze hebben het Ultrasignaal verloren! | They have lost the Ultra Signal! |
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L'autre duo a perdu la Tridenfusée! | The other pair lost the Ultra Signal! |
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Anderes Team hat Surimi-Signal verloren! | Other team has lost Ultra Signal! |
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Ультра-маячок больше не у чужих! Ul'tra-mayachok bol'she ne u chuzhikh! |
Ultra Signal is no longer theirs! |
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¡El otro equipo perdió la ultraseñal! | The other team lost the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appearance | |
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Opposite attacking team launches the Ultra Signal | Attackers | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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Other team got the Ultra Signal! | - |
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他チームが スーパーシグナル確保した! | The other team secured the Ultra Signal! |
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Ze hebben het Ultrasignaal laten afgaan! | They have set off the Ultra Signal! |
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L'autre duo a sécurisé la Tridenfusée! | The other pair secured the Ultra Signal! |
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Surimi-Signal von anderem Team gesichert! | Ultra Signal secured by other team! |
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Противники захватили ультра-маячок! Protivniki zakhvatili ul'tra-mayachok! |
Opponents captured the Ultra Signal! |
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¡El otro equipo aseguró la ultraseñal! | The other team secured the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appearance | |
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Attackers touch the Ultra Signal | Defenders | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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They're trying for the Ultra Signal! | - |
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スーパーシグナルにトライされた! | The Ultra Signal has been touched! |
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Het Ultrasignaal wordt opgeladen! Het Ultrasignaal is veroverd! (Pre-2.0.0) |
The Ultra Signal is being charged! The Ultra Signal is captured! |
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L'adversaire tente d'activer la Tridenfusée! | The opponent is trying to activate the Ultra Signal! |
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Surimi-Signal wird aktiviert! | The Ultra Signal is being activated! |
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Они пытаются заполучить ультра-маячок! Oni pytayutsya zapoluchit' ul'tra-mayachok! |
They're trying to get the Ultra Signal! |
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¡Asaltan la ultraseñal! | They assault the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appearance | |
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Attackers lose the Ultra Signal | Defenders | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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Protected the Ultra Signal! | - |
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スーパーシグナルを防いだ! | Protected the Ultra Signal! |
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Het Ultrasignaal is verdedigd! | The Ultra Signal has been defended! |
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Ton équipe a protégé la Tridenfusée! | Your team protected the Ultra Signal! |
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Das Surimi-Signal wurde verteidigt! | The Ultra Signal has been defended! |
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Ультра-маячок защищен! Ul'tra-mayachok zaschischyon! |
Ultra Signal is protected! |
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¡Defendimos la ultraseñal! | We defended the Ultra Signal! |
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Event | Appearance | |
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Attackers launch the Ultra Signal | Defenders | |
Language | Message | Meaning |
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Ultra Signal lost! | - |
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スーパーシグナル確保された! | The Ultra Signal has been secured! |
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Het Ultrasignaal is afgegaan! | The Ultra Signal has been set off! |
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L'adversaire a sécurisé la Tridenfusée! | The opponent secured the Ultra Signal! |
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Surimi-Signal verloren! | Ultra Signal lost! |
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Ультра-маячок потерян! Ul'tra-mayachok poteryan! |
Ultra Signal lost! |
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¡El rival aseguró la ultraseñal! | The rival secured the Ultra Signal! |
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Gallery
Openings
Tricolor Turf War opening during Rock vs. Paper vs. Scissors
Tricolor Turf War opening during Gear vs. Grub vs. Fun
Tricolor Turf War opening during Grass vs. Fire vs. Water
Tricolor Turf War opening during Spicy vs. Sweet vs. Sour
Tricolor Turf War opening during Dark Chocolate vs. Milk Chocolate vs. White Chocolate
Maps
Sturgeon Shipyard as seen before Version 1.2.1 (Splatoon 3)
Sturgeon Shipyard as seen after Version 1.2.1 (Splatoon 3)
Icon
Badges
- Main article: Badge#Battle
Winning a certain amount of battles will reward the player with special badges that they can use on their Splashtag.
Tricolor Badges | ||
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1 Attacker win badge | |
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10 Attacker wins badge | |
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1 Defender win badge | |
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10 Defender wins badge |
Trivia
- Prior to Version 2.0.0, whichever team was in first place at the Halftime Report was always on defense, and the other two were always on offense. Players on the first-place team could not directly select Tricolor Battles from the menu. When they chose Splatfest Battle (Open), they had a random chance of being thrown into a Tricolor Battle.
Names in other languages
Language | Name | Meaning |
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トリカラバトル torikara batoru |
Tricolor Battle |
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Driekleurenoorlog | Tricolor war |
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Guerre tricolore | Tricolor War |
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Dreifarb-Kampf | Three-color Battle |
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Partita tricolore | Tricolor Battle |
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Трехцветный бой Tryokhtsvetnyy boy |
Tricolor battle |
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Territorial tricolor | Tricolor Territorial (Turf War) |
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Combate tricolor | Tricolor Combat |
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三色夺宝对战 Sānsè Duóbǎo Duìzhàn (Mandarin) |
Tri-Color Treasure-seizing Battle |
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三色奪寶對戰 Sānsè Duóbǎo Duìzhàn (Mandarin) |
Tri-Color Treasure-seizing Battle |
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트리컬러 배틀 teurikeolleo baeteul |
Tricolor Battle |
Language | Name | Meaning |
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トリカラアタック (Pre-2.0.0) torikara atakku トリカラマッチ torikara macchi |
Tricolor Assault Tricolor Match |
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Driekleurengevecht | Tricolor Battle |
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Match tricolore | Tricolor Match |
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Dreifarb-Angriff (Pre-2.0.0) Dreifarb-Match |
Tricolor Attack Tricolor-Match |
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Attacco tricolore | Tricolor attack |
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Трехцветная битва (Pre-2.0.0) Tryokhtsvetnaya bitva Трехцветная стычка Tryokhtsvetnaya stychka |
Tricolor battle Tricolor skirmish |
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Combate tricolor | Tricolor combat |
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Ataque tricolor | Tricolor attack |
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三色夺宝攻击 (Pre-2.0.0) 三色夺宝比赛 sānsè duóbǎo gōngjí sānsè duóbǎo bǐsài |
Tri-Color Treasure-seizing Assault Tri-Color Treasure-seizing Match |
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三色奪寶攻擊 (Pre-2.0.0) 三色奪寶比賽 sānsè duóbǎo gōngjí (Mandarin) sānsè duóbǎo bǐsài(Mandarin) |
Tri-Color Treasure-seizing Assault Tri-Color Treasure-seizing Match |
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트리컬러 어택 (Pre-2.0.0) eurikeolleo eotaeg 트리컬러 매치 tteurikeolleo maechi |
Tricolor Assault Tricolor Match |
References
- ↑
@OatmealDome on Twitter. Archived from the original on 2022-11-02.
- ↑ OatmealDome on Twitter
- ↑
@SplatoonNA on Twitter
- ↑
@SplatoonNA on Twitter
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