This is you. You are a customizable cephalopod lifeform. You can be an Inkling (Squid person) or an Octoling (octopus person). You possess the ability to "super jump" long distances using the ink of your allies and transform into a smaller, swim form to submerge quickly in colored ink. Your appearance is entirely up to you: choose your hairstyle, skin tone, and eye color. You can equip a wide variety of headgear, clothing, and shoes, which not only define your style but may provide passive abilities (like faster ink swim speed). Your personality and role in the world are defined by your choices—will you be a chaotic front-line fighter, a strategic support sniper, or a stealthy operative?

Veterans of the Great Turf Wars. The most prominent is Craig Cuttlefish, an aged and eccentric Inkling who leads the New Squidbeak Splatoon. He is often accompanied by a younger, silent Captain (the protagonist of Splatoon 3). They serve as quest givers for those interested in the story campaigns involving the Octarians and Alterna. They are quirky, wise, but often forgetful.

The cultural icons of the Splatoon world who host news broadcasts and announce Splatfests. * **The Squid Sisters (Callie and Marie):** A pop duo from Inkopolis, granddaughters of Craig Cuttlefish. Their relationship is complex, having weathered a separation during the Octarian invasion. * **Off the Hook (Pearl and Marina):** An unlikely duo from Inkopolis Square. Pearl is a hype-prone Inkling, while Marina is a genius Octoling defector. * **Deep Cut (Shiver, Frye, and Big Man):** A three-person group from Splatsville. Shiver is an Octoling with a cool demeanor, Frye is a fiery Inkling, and Big Man is a manta ray. They serve as the news anchors for the chaotic Splatlands. These characters generally appear on screens and billboards unless the user specifically interacts with them.

The enigmatic owner of Grizzco Industries. He communicates only via radio and a bucket on the player's head, offering Salmon Run jobs in exchange for golden eggs. His voice is gruff and strictly business-oriented, though his true motives and species (a grizzly bear) are a closely guarded secret. He provides the equipment for Salmonid shifts.

The heart of the city. A sun-drenched plaza surrounded by towering skyscrapers and train lines. It is always buzzing with young Inklings and Octolings checking out the latest gear at Ammo Knights or talking to the crusty old shoe clerk, Crusty Sean. The atmosphere is electric, with music blasting from every corner.

Known as the "City of Chaos," located in the Splatlands desert. It is a densely packed, industrial city built from scrap metal and neon lights. The architecture is vertical and rough, with a distinct lack of the polished polish found in Inkopolis. It is the destination for those seeking intense battles and a rougher crowd.

A sterile, subway system located deep underground, serving as the testing ground for the Octo Expansion. It is filled with "C.Q. Cumber" employees and dangerous sanitized Octarians. The aesthetic is clean, white, and unsettling, contrasting sharply with the colorful world above.

Various remote and dangerous locations ranging from a spaceship launch site to a rickety house on a polka-dotted cliff. These are the staging grounds for Salmon Run, where teams collect Golden Eggs while fending off Boss Salmonids. The environment is dynamic, with rising tides and fog.

A frozen landscape scattered with the crystallized remains of human civilization inside massive glass domes. It is a place of history and tragedy, where the liquid crystals that give Inklings and Octolings their sentience were discovered. The atmosphere is cold, quiet, and eerie.

Secondary equipment carried alongside a main weapon. Includes Splat Bombs (timed explosions), Curling Bombs (sliding bombs), Burst Bombs (instant impact), and Splash Walls (barriers). Consumes ink to use.

Powerful abilities charged by covering turf. Includes the Inkjet (jetpack flight), the Ultra Stamp (giant hammer), the Tenta Missiles (homing rockets), and the Trizooka (massive explosion beam). These can turn the tide of battle.

Clothing items (Headgear, Clothes, Shoes) that provide ability perks. Brands like Zekko, Forge, Tentatek, and Rockenberg favor specific abilities (e.g., Ink Saver Main, Quick Super Jump, Stealth Jump). Fashion is status; looking "fresh" is just as important as winning.

Currency collected during Salmon Runs. Power Eggs are small, pink, and numerous, used to buy upgrades and gear. Golden Eggs are large, gold, and retrieved from defeating Boss Salmonids; these are turned in to Mr. Grizz to complete the shift quota.

**Shooters** The bread and butter of any arsenal. These are automatic or semi-automatic firearms designed for mid-range combat. They are versatile, offering a balanced mix of fire rate, mobility, and ink coverage. They are ideal for pushing the front line and engaging enemies directly. Some variants focus on rapid-fire suppression, while others offer greater precision or range. **Rollers** Melee-type weapons that excel at covering turf quickly. They lay down a wide path of ink by rolling over the ground. In combat, they can instantly splat opponents by running them over or fling ink horizontally for ranged attacks. They are devastating in close quarters but require careful positioning to avoid being picked off from a distance. **Chargers** Long-range sniper weapons that require patience and precision. The user must hold the trigger to charge the weapon before firing; a fully charged shot can splat an opponent instantly from across the map. While charging, the user cannot move, making them vulnerable to flanking. They are crucial for holding key choke points and eliminating high-value targets. **Sloshers** Buckets and ladles that hurl ink in an arc. Unlike shooters, they ignore some physical obstacles like ledges or low walls because the ink travels upward before falling. They are excellent for surprise attacks from behind cover and for checking corners. They generally have a high damage output but a slower fire rate. **Splatlings** Mini-guns that require a "wind-up" period before firing. Once spinning, they unleash a massive, continuous stream of ink with incredible range and coverage. They are perfect for suppressing enemy movement and locking down zones, but the wind-up time leaves the user exposed if caught off guard. **Dualies** Dual-wielded guns that prioritize mobility. Their unique feature is the "dodge roll," which allows the user to quickly shift sideways to evade incoming fire and briefly increase their accuracy. They are designed for aggressive, close-to-mid-range combatants who want to outmaneuver their opponents. **Brellas** Spear-like weapons that feature a built-in shield. When fired, the canopy launches forward, providing a mobile barrier that blocks enemy ink for a short time before bursting. They allow players to push forward aggressively while protecting themselves and their teammates from incoming fire. **Blasters** Weapons that fire explosive ink blobs. Instead of a direct hit, they deal damage in a radius (splash) upon impact. This allows them to damage enemies hiding behind corners or slightly around cover. They have a slower fire rate but are devastating in tight corridors and for disrupting enemy formations. **Bows** Stringed weapons that store ink to fire multiple arrows at once. By holding the trigger, the user can charge up to release a spread of arrows, allowing for wide-area coverage or the ability to hit multiple targets. They offer a unique blend of range and horizontal coverage without the need for precise aiming like a Charger. **Stringers** Weapons that fire a tethered stream of ink that can be "charged" to release a massive horizontal wave. They are highly effective at sweeping wide areas and denying enemy movement, functioning similarly to a shotgun with a charged alt-fire mode that sends a shockwave across the map. **Brushes** Lighter and faster counterparts to Rollers. They allow for extremely fast movement while "painting" the ground, letting users dash across the map at high speeds. Their attacks are quick, close-range flicks that are less lethal than a Roller swing but can be spammed rapidly to overwhelm opponents. **Splatanas** Sword-like melee weapons that utilize ink. They feature a horizontal slash attack for close combat and a charged vertical slash that sends a wave of ink flying forward. They are designed for hybrid play, allowing users to fight up close while still having a ranged option for approaching enemies.