In this post, we’re going to gather all the details, pics, GIFs, videos, etc. for Splatoon 2, straight from the Squid Research Lab, posted between June 1st and June 15th. As we get closer to launch, we will most likely have to switch to a weekly format, due to the increase in posting frequency.

Posts for June 16th to June 30th can be found on this page!

June 12th

Today, the Squid Research Lab introduced some of the Gear Abilities available in the 2017 Splatoon 2 World Inkling Invitational tournament. There will be 14 them in total, and the Gear will only be available in their basic version (no upgrades available).

Here’s a few of them:

Special Power Up: increases the performances of the special weapon you have equipped. The effect varies depending on the weapon. For example, the Tenta Missile sees the range of its visor increased, allowing you to lock on more targets;

Sub Power Up: increases the performances of the sub-weapon you have equipped. The effect varies depending on the weapon. For example, for the Splat Bomb, this Ability will have the same effect as the Bomb Range Up Ability from Splatoon. As for the Ink Mine, it sees its range increased;

a new Ability reduces the effect of enemy ink. Basically, it has the exact same effect as the Ink Resistance Up Ability, but with one major difference: it can be equipped on pretty much any piece of Gear (whereas Ink Resistance Up can only be equipped on shoes)

Quick Respawn: reduces the amount of time required for you to respawn.

As noted by the researchers, some Gear Abilities are returning from Splatoon 1, but have been modified (similar to what happened to some of the weapons)

June 9th

Today, the Squid Research Lab re-introduced weapons that were previously introduced via Twitter:

Splattershot (Burst Bomb, Splashdown)

Splat Roller (Curling Bomb, Splashdown)

Splat Charger (Splat Bomb, Sting Ray)

Splatterscope (Splat Bomb, Sting Ray)

Splat Duallies (Burst Bomb, Tenta Missile)

Slosher (Suction Bomb, Tenta Missile)

Heavy Splatling (Sprinkler, Sting Ray)

The researchers also have details about changes regarding the Sprinkler. Just like in Splatoon, you place it somewhere, and it sprinkles ink automatically. This time around, the ink is sprinkled more strongly when the Sprinkler has just been placed, but it starts weakening after a while.

Finally, the researchers confirm that the Squid Beakon and the Splash Wall are in Splatoon 2, which is no big surprise. There are also more sub and special weapons yet to be introduced!

June 8th

Today, the Squid Research Lab introducing two more weapons to be found in the E3 demo of Splatoon 2, starting with the Dynamo Roller (another returning weapon from Splatoon). Here’s the description from the Inkipedia:

Like all rollers, the Dynamo Roller can cover turf while in motion and fling a large amount of ink at medium range, but high range for a roller. Compared to the Splat Roller, this roller is much slower but covers a larger area while rolling and throwing ink.

Its sub and special weapons are:

Sub weapon: Ink Mine (a returning sub weapon from Splatoon). You hide it in the ground, and it explodes when an opponents comes near it. It’s been modified, and you can now place two of them at a time. Also, opponent hit by the blast and not KOed are now tagged (as if you used the Point Sensor).

Special weapon: Sting Ray, which was available in the Splatoon 2 Global Testfire. It allows you to shoot high pressure ink by pressing the ZR button. You can quickly change your aim as long as you’re not firing it. This weapon allows you to see the silhouette of opponents behind walls (thanks to a pretty fancy sensor), which is pretty handy as this special weapon just happens to allow you to shoot through walls!

The second weapon introduced today is the Splash-o-matic, another returning weapon from Splatoon. Here’s the description from the Inkipedia:

The Splash-o-matic is a Shooter with a high rate of fire but not a lot of attack power. Its attack power is slightly better than the Aerospray MG and RG, but has a slightly diminshed rate of fire equal to the Splattershot Jr.. It has a narrower splat range outwards.

Its sub and special weapons are:

Sub weapon: Poison Mist. When used, it covers a given area in dubious mist of your team’s color. It will not do anything to your teammates, but when an opponent enters that mist, their movements are slowed, and they start losing ink gradually. The longer one stays in that mist, the more ink they lose. Pretty useful when you want to block the way to your opponents, and force them to find an alternate path (or take the risk of facing you in a weakened state);

Special weapon: Inkjet.

June 7th

Today, the Squid Research Lab introducing another weapon to be found in the E3 demo of Splatoon 2: the Splattershot Pro (another returning weapon from Splatoon). Here’s the description from the Inkipedia:

More powerful than the Splattershot, it is an advanced in terms of power and rate of fire, making it easy to use for more experienced players.

Its sub and special weapons are:

Sub weapon: Point Sensor, a returning sub weapon from Splatoon that has been modified. Its main effects are exactly the same (they explode, and tag any opponents within a certain range. This allows you and your teammates to see tagged opponents through barriers/walls), but there’s one major difference now: the “tag effect” now lasts a few seconds after the explosion. Even if you do not directly tag an opponent with the Point Sensor when it explodes, you can still tag them if they come within range after it’s exploded.

Special weapon: Ame Furashi (English name TBC). When you use that special weapon, it creates a cloud that rains down ink on your opponents. Important detail: it doesn’t stand still, and actually moves around. It’s a great special weapon to use when you want to force your opponents away from a specific spot.

June 6th

Today, the Squid Research Lab introducing another weapon to be found in the E3 demo of Splatoon 2: the Octobrush (another returning weapon from Splatoon). Here’s the description from the Inkipedia:

The Octobrush is similar in appearance and use as the Inkbrush, but has a slightly wider ink trail and slower movement speed. It spreads more Ink with each swing than the Inkbrush, though at a slower rate. It also has increased range, flinging ink much further than the Inkbrush. Three swings will usually splat an enemy.

Its sub and special weapons are:

Sub weapon: Robot Bomb. If your opponent is hiding somewhere, then you can use those cut lil’ robots. They walk around, and if they detect someone, they get near them and explode.

Special Weapon: Inkjet.

June 5th

Today, the Squid Research Lab started introducing the weapons to be found in the E3 demo of Splatoon 2.

First, we have the Blaster, which is a returning weapon from Splatoon. Here’s the description from the Inkipedia:

The Blaster shoots special ink rounds that burst like fireworks after traveling a certain distance. These bursts can deal damage in a wide area, making it great for exposing hidden foes. It is a one-hit-kill (for a direct hit) but has a very slow firing rate.

It’s sub and special weapons are:

Sub weapon: Poison Mist. When used, it covers a given area in dubious mist of your team’s color. It will not do anything to your teammates, but when an opponent enters that mist, their movements are slowed, and they start losing ink gradually. The longer one stays in that mist, the more ink they lose. Pretty useful when you want to block the way to your opponents, and force them to find an alternate path (or take the risk of facing you in a weakened state)

Special Weapon: Super Chakchi (English name TBC).

June 2nd

Today, the latest report from the Squid Research Lab is once again about clothing brands, though this time around, they’re not introducing one in particular. They have a picture of various Inklings, that shows nobody really wears clothes from only one brand. Most people usually make a combination of clothes and accessories from various brands, usually to make a combination of gear powers.

By the way, here’s the latest reports from the English branch of the Squid Research Lab:

On Agent 4…

Unknown to all but a select few, the “New Squidbeak Splatoon” has formed to stand against the Octarian menace. A young Inkling, new to the streets of Inkopolis Square, has been hand-picked by Marie herself and given the handle “Agent 4”. Agent 4’s perilous mission begins in Octo Canyon, the mysterious location of the Octarian headquarters. Good luck, Agent 4.

On Marie…

By day, she’s one half of the hit pop sensation “Squid Sisters.” By later that same day, Marie is Agent 2 from the secretive New Squidbeak Splatoon! Stepping in for the out-of-office Cap’n Cuttlefish, she’s been keeping a watchful eye on the shady Octarians. As a side note, the newly recruited Agent 4 has apparently never heard of the Squid Sisters?! Agent 4 must be one of those newfangled cord cutters. Or a hermit crab. Or both…

On Sheldon…

Agent 4 will be supplied with multiple types of weapons during the battle with the Octarians thanks to Sheldon, the horseshoe crab who owns the “Ammo Knights” weapon shop. He will lend Agent 4 weapons exclusively for fighting the Octarian threat. This also allows him to collect data on his weapons so he can mass produce them for use in official Turf War battles, so it’s a win-win.

On the Octarians…

The Octarian army is a legion of tentactled tormentors that threaten the very foundation of Inkling society. In the intevening time since their last assault, they’ve been quietly adding to their ranks deep in their subterranean lair, waiting for a chance to exact their revenge. With new and terrible weaponry such as the Octozeppelin and the Octoballer, they’ll stop at nothing to destroy the Inkling way of life.

On the Octo Samurai…

This tough customer is Octo Samurai. He brandishes a gigantic roller, using it to dash the hopes of all those who dare approach. He’s got no time or patience for anyone who fakes the funk, and word has it that he is worshipped as a big bad boss by the Octarian rank-and-file troops. He enjoys working on his motorcycle in his spare time. On closer examination, it should be noted that he actually looks more like a sumo wrestler than a samurai, which is a little weird.

June 1st

Today, the report from the Squid Research Lab is about a returning clothing brand found in Splatoon 2: Forge (Faurima). Their product range is… quite varied (to say the least): it goes from military-style clothes to high-tech headphones.

According to the researchers from the Squid Research Lab, the products that end up greenlit by the company are all products that the president really wanted to see made. It looks like operating that way has earned Forge quite a lot of fans.

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Splatoon 2 (Switch) comes out on July 21st worldwide.

Source: Squid Research Lab (Japan / North America)