In a move that has taken the gaming community by surprise, Nintendo has launched a significant update for Splatoon 3, more than three years after the game's initial release and following the conclusion of its regular content support in 2024.
A Surprise Revival for a Beloved Shooter
This unexpected development comes just a day after Nintendo released a major patch for Kirby Air Riders, signalling a potential new phase of post-support updates for its legacy titles. The Splatoon 3 v11.0.0 update, announced on Tuesday, January 27, and available from Thursday, January 29, promises to "freshen things up" for players who have been enjoying the unique ink-based shooter since its 2022 debut on the Nintendo Switch.
Introducing the Flow Aura Mechanic
The headline addition is a brand new mechanic called Flow Aura. This state is activated when Inklings and Octolings manage to "splat multiple opponents in quick succession." Upon entering Flow Aura, an ink bomb detonates around the player, accompanied by significant stat boosts.
For a duration of 30 seconds, players will benefit from enhanced Run Speed, Swim Speed, Ink Resistance, and Intensify Action. Crucially, the mechanic encourages aggressive play, as splatting additional opponents or scoring assists will extend the Flow Aura's duration even further.
Nintendo elaborated on the feature, stating: "Each successive splat in Flow Aura will also reactivate the ink overflow, painting the ground around your feet once again. So there's even more incentive to splat as many opponents as you can!"
Enhanced Visibility with Health Bars
Another major change addresses player feedback regarding combat clarity. Version 11.0.0 introduces health bars for opponents, providing a clear visual indicator of their remaining health after being hit. Previously, players had to rely on judging how much ink covered their foes.
Now, an opponent's approximate remaining health will hover above their head for roughly three seconds after taking damage, unless they are behind cover or submerged in their ink. Abilities like Point Sensor or Wave Breaker will negate this concealment. This system also applies to teammates, fostering better team coordination.
Nintendo explained: "Keeping an eye on these health bars is a great way to support your allies or chase down weakened foes – even if you've teamed up with Inklings and Octolings you're not familiar with."
Strategic Tweaks to Hit Boxes and Stealth Jump
The update brings nuanced adjustments to gameplay balance through hit box modifications. The collision detection size for players in swim form has been slightly decreased, making it harder for attacks to hit Inklings and Octolings hiding behind walls or around corners.
Conversely, to encourage closer engagements, the collision detection size for attacks has been expanded for all main weapons, with a greater increase for shorter-range weapons. Nintendo states this change gives players "an incentive to go and take the fight to players with weapons that would traditionally outrange them."
Finally, the Stealth Jump gear ability has been rebalanced. When used for long-distance Super Jumps, the flight time is now increased by up to one second depending on the distance, making strategic positioning and timing more critical.
Comprehensive Patch Notes and Bug Fixes
Beyond these four headline changes, the v11.0.0 update includes a full suite of adjustments and fixes:
- Specifications and required points for various main and special weapons have been altered.
- The Reefslider's explosion radius indicator has been adjusted for accuracy.
- SplatNet 3's X Rankings now display the most frequently used weapon instead of the last used one.
Several bug fixes address issues ranging from player control glitches, such as problems with the Undercover Brella canopy, to multiplayer inconsistencies in inking display and map exploits on stages like MakoMart, Bluefin Depot, and Urchin Underpass.
This substantial and unexpected update demonstrates Nintendo's continued, albeit sporadic, commitment to its player base, injecting new life and strategic depth into Splatoon 3's vibrant multiplayer arenas.
