Big Bad Brella

The below may look like a camping tent/umbrella hybrid, but it’s actually a rad new weapon coming to Splatoon 2 that was announced in last week’s Nintendo Direct.

Part tent, part umbrella, and all awesome.

In case you haven’t been battling in Turf War* or Ranked matches recently, the Brella class of weapons officially joined the multiplayer-weapon arsenal last month with the introduction of the Splat Brella (a.k.a. my current main – not since the bucket has an everyday item made for such a surprisingly fun weapon to play with). While the Splat Brella is the only available Brella right now, that will change soon with the massive Tenta Brella.

If all this Brella talk is new to you, below is a recap on some characteristics unique to the class:

Spread like a shotgun: Pressing ZR scatters ink like a shotgun, creating solid turf coverage. A couple strong hits can also KO opponents.

Shield yourself: Holding ZR allows you to use the weapon as a shield, soaking up attacks from enemies or creating a diversion.

Launch it: The most surprising feature—holding ZR even longer will launch the umbrella shield, blocking attacks as it zooms ahead and creates an ink path.



A good defense can open up for a strong offense.

The first night the Splat Brella became available, battlefields were filled with umbrellas, as previously the weapon had only been available in single-player mode. Many players were anxious to put their skills to the test, resulting in numerous all-Brella squads temporarily. I’m not sure what was more hilarious, the results screen or having non-stop rain ink the battlefields due to its Ink Storm special.

Boy band, fashion show, or fierce competitors?

Comedy aside, this weapon class’s strength lies in its versatility. In some situations, it allows you to get up close as an aggressor. Other times, it’s best to utilize the shield to soak up damage so a nearby teammate can take out the enemy. And launching the shield can serve multiple purposes – swim behind it while protected, or send it out to confuse your enemy to your tactics. Mixing up your strategy can really annoy your foes, making it difficult for them to splat you (and making them easy targets for your teammates).

Side-by-side comparison of Tenta Brella & Splat Brella.

The Splat Brella is a perfect weapon to get accustomed to the class, with its mid-range and relatively fast fire-rate. The Sprinkler sub and Ink Storm offer great support options that can create diversions.

Meanwhile, a breakdown of the Tenta Brella:

Stronger shot power; can splat opponents with just one shot at point-blank range



Shield is wider and has more resistance (hello, Tower Control!)



Shield launch moves slower, but is wider; effective for moving with teammates or blocking narrow paths



Tradeoff of slower firing rate, more ink consumption, and overall heavier behaviors



Equipped with the Squid Beakon sub, great for supporting teammate mobility, and the Bubble Blower special, letting you cause some mayhem yourself



Concept art of Tenta Brella.

Certainly, each Brella has its advantages in different situations. If you’re a team-minded player and open to learning a non-conventional weapon, I highly recommend giving the Brella class a try!

—Corey O.

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