Your loadout in Splatoon Raiders is built around one choice: your ink tank. The tank decides which gadgets you can equip, and gadgets — not sub-weapons — are where the RPG depth lives. There are three tanks, you start with two gadget slots, and you unlock a third by using a tank more. You can swap tanks between missions, so nothing here is a life sentence. The only irreversible decision is spending rare materials, so the golden rule is: play all three tanks before you commit rare mats to any of them.
The three tanks, honestly compared
| Tank | Playstyle | Signature gadgets | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Mobility, evasion, hit-and-run | Blast Boot, Dash Bomb, Booyarang, Flywire | Confident players who dodge instead of tank hits. Highest ceiling, least forgiving. |
| Power | Aggressive close-range damage | Splatchet, Splatellites, Spinwheel | Melting bosses and Seasoned Salmonids fast — if you can survive in their face. |
| Tactical | Area denial via deployables | Shot Pot (turret), Bombloons, Tether Wail | The most forgiving for hard content and the best starting choice for anyone struggling. Let the map do the work. |
Build 1: Tactical — "let the turret cook" (beginner-friendly)
Gadgets: Shot Pot + Bombloons. The Shot Pot is a deployable turret that auto-attacks — drop it, and suddenly you have a second gun holding an angle while you reposition. Bombloons are ink explosives you can link together; the more you place, the bigger the chain blast when you shoot them. Against a horde, you drop a turret, string Bombloons across the choke, and detonate. Add the Tether Wail for a laser tether when you unlock the third slot.
Why it works: area denial turns Raiders' "get swarmed and panic" moments into "stand behind my wall of damage." It's the lowest-stress way to clear tough dens.
Build 2: Speed — "feet never touch the ground" (high skill)
Gadgets: Blast Boot + Flywire. Blast Boot leaps you forward to attack or backward to bail; Flywire yanks you to a target in an instant. Chain them and you're a blur — grapple in, Blast Boot out, reposition, repeat. Swap in Dash Bomb or the Booyarang (a returning throw that lingers airborne before boomeranging back) depending on the island.
Why it works: you take zero hits if you play it right, which trivializes attacks that would delete a stationary player. The cost is that mistakes are punishing — this build has no safety net.
Build 3: Power — "delete the boss" (burst)
Gadgets: Splatchet + Spinwheel. The Splatchet is an ink axe with a wide sweeping slash that breaks tough shields and can one-shot certain Salmonids. The Spinwheel sprays ink as you push forward, shoving Salmonids back and locking onto Boss Salmonids. Together they're a wrecking ball for single big targets. Pair this tank with the Plastic Splatana from the weapons page and bosses evaporate.
Where to spend upgrades (this trips people up)
There are three separate upgrade tracks. Keep them straight or you'll waste currency:
- Tanks → Mechanic's Shack, paid with raid spoils. Boost attack power, HP, and unlock that crucial third gadget slot. Early game, HP and attack first; grab the extra slot as soon as it's reasonable.
- Gadgets → gadget parts (found in almost every level), added in the Gadget Workshop. Duplicates still advance the upgrade, so nothing is wasted. Pump parts into your two main gadgets, not into everything.
- Weapons → Frye's Weapon Stash, paid with Spirhalite Shards. Costs climb per level — commit to one main.
Skill Points come mainly from Sampler Dungeons (unlocked with Compasses found in navy-blue crates). They're precious for late-game power spikes, so don't ignore those blue crates.
Bot Buddy rapport is a real (small) build lever
Sticking with one Deep Cut member as your Bot Buddy builds rapport and eventually boosts that member's Showstopper (their special attack). Likewise, racking up Power Eggs with one tank unlocks upgrades for it. So loyalty to a setup has a payoff — but early on, breadth (trying everything) beats depth (maxing one thing).
Frequently asked questions
Which tank is best?
No single best. Tactical is most forgiving, Power melts bosses, Speed is highest skill/reward. Try all three before spending rare mats.
What's the best gadget combo?
Tactical: Shot Pot + Bombloons. Speed: Blast Boot + Flywire. Power: Splatchet + Spinwheel.
Where do I spend upgrades first?
Tank HP/attack + third gadget slot at the Mechanic's Shack, gadget parts into your two mains, and one weapon leveled at Frye's Weapon Stash.
Do gadgets have to match my tank?
Yes. Your equippable gadgets depend on your tank. You start with two slots and unlock a third with use.
Can I switch tanks later?
Yes, between missions. Only spending rare materials is irreversible.
Does sticking with one Bot Buddy matter?
Yes — rapport boosts that member's Showstopper, and Power Eggs banked with one tank unlock tank upgrades.
Next: take your build into the boss guide, or learn the fastest Power Egg & loot farming routes to fund all these upgrades.