Splatoon 3 is getting several improvements and changes to weapons in X-Battle in the new March update

Nintendo's continued dedication to the game even after the so-called “Final Splatfest” Splatoon 3 released another update on March 18, 2026. Nintendo's online third-person shooter has (mostly) worked well on both the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 since its release on September 9, 2022. Splatoon 3 Still getting updates over the years, it's nice to see Nintendo's determination to keep it going even after the initial post-release hype died down.

Although this is not unusual for a primarily online game Splatoon 3 In order to keep getting patches for bug fixes and balance adjustments, the game has also received some neat quality of life updates and even brand new mechanics like “Flow Aura” long after its grand online “finale” at the Grand Festival in September 2024. While the new version 11.1.0 mostly consists of balance improvements and bug fixes, it's good to keep an eye on the developers.

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Splatoon 3's 11.1.0 update brings some much needed matchmaking changes

Along with some weapon updates to make the game fairer, the biggest surprise Splatoon 3 Version 11.1.0 are updates to the ranked X Battle mode for high level play. To ensure that X Battle players are not subjected to unfair matches, the game will now base matchmaking on the following criteria:

Splatoon 3 Version 11.1.0 X Battle Updates

Matchmaking will no longer be based on current X Power, but will match players whose X Power is “likely to become similar after accumulating matches”
If matches are taking too long to create, the system will start releasing what it deems to be a “similar skill level”, but the criteria have also been adjusted to ensure that both teams have a “symmetrical” skill level – even in time zones or areas with low activity.
Players in the Tentatek division (North America, South America or Europe) with less than 2000.0 X power may be matched against Tentatek players with 2000.0 X power or more
Matchmaking will now take weapon range into account, not just weapon category

It's great to see a few tweaks to matchmaking as the skill gap has been an issue ever since Splatoon 3 launched. Many fans were resigned to having matches fixed so late in the game's life, assuming they would have to wait until a hypothetical Splatoon 4. Getting anywhere in X Battles still won't be easy, but at least it'll be a little fairer.

Splatoon 3 Version 11.1.0 has improved many main weapons

A number of weapons have also been improved in version 11.1.0. Fortunately, all but one were buffs. From less ink consumption to faster movement to increased damage, plenty of players will be happy with their updated weapons.

The dreaded Ultra Stamp special weapon has been nerfed: its damage radius has been reduced by about 10%. The 16 main weapons have also had their point requirement to activate their special weapons changed. Only 3 of them, Splattershot, Hero Shot Replica, and Order Shot Replica, have had their requirement reduced. While they went from 210 to 200 points, the requirements for the other 13 main weapons increased by 10 points.

Splatoon 3 it definitely has its share of balance issues, from the “corridors” of so many stages favoring long-range weapons, and poor multiplayer matchmaking that sometimes makes ranking more of a coin toss. But for those who got into X Battles, or even players who put the game down a long time ago, these new changes are a great incentive to get back into the game. And given the lack of news Splatoon Raiders since his announcement, return to Splatoon 3 will be a welcome distraction while you wait.

Splatoon 3 Version 11.1.0 Patch Notes

Changes to the multiplayer game

The specifications of some of the main weapons have changed.

Weapon	Change details
Splattershot Nova Annaki Splattershot Nova	Increased projectile speed by approximately 25% without changing flight distance.
Flingza cylinder Flingza foil roller	Adjusted the distance-based damage-fall rate for vertical swings, allowing them to deal 50.0 damage/100 damage further than before.
Octobrush Octobrush Nouveau Cometz Octobrush Orderbrush replica	Reduced the amount of ink used when swinging the brush by about 10%.
Bamboozler 14 Mk I Bamboozler 14 Mk II	Increased movement speed while charging or firing by approximately 13%.
Blobber Blobber Deco	Damage increased from 30.0 to 32.0.
Douser Dualies FF Custom Douser Dualies FF	The time between performing a Dodge Roll and being able to perform the next action has been reduced by approximately 1/30 of a second.
Brella tent Tenta Sorella Brell Brella CRE-M tent	It reduced the amount of ink used by lowering the canopy by about 23%.
Dynamo cylinder Golden Dynamo Cylinder Starz Dynamo Roller	Reduced the ink consumption reduction effect when equipping the Ink Saver ability (Main).

The specifications of some special weapons have changed.

Special weapon	Change details
Ultra stamp	Reduced the radius of the 220.0 area of blast damage at the point of impact when throwing a token by approximately 10%.

The points required for some special weapons have been changed.

Weapon	Before	After
Splatter shot Replica Hero Shot Order a replica bullet	210	200
Sploosh-o-nut	180	190
Splash-o-matrix	200	210
Luna Blaster Neo	180	190
Blaster	180	190
Custom Blaster	180	190
Rapid Blaster Pro Deco	190	200
Dynamo cylinder	190	200
Nouveau ink brush	180	190
Heavy Splatling Order a Splatling replica	200	210
Dapple Dualies	170	180
Dualies repayment Order Dualie Replicas	190	200

Changes in X Battles

Changed the matchmaking system so that instead of players with similar X Power fighting each other at the time, players whose final X Power is likely to be similar after the matches are accumulated will now be paired up for battles.
Changed the matchmaking and team split systems to make it less likely to result in skill differences between teams, even in time zones or regions where there aren't many players.
In the Tentatek division, players with X Power less than 2000.0 and players with X Power 2000.0 or higher can be.
Changed the matchmaking system to allow battles against more different weapons than before.