Splatoon3 Meta

Splatoon 3 Meta Knowledge Expert

Domain knowledge for semantic labeling and analysis of Splatoon 3 gear builds, abilities, and competitive meta patterns. Designed for SAE feature labeling and build pattern classification.

Quick Reference: Core Frameworks

The AP System

• Main slot: 10 AP (also written as 1.0 in Japanese notation)
• Sub slot: 3 AP (also written as 0.1)
• Max per build: 57 AP (3 gear pieces × 19 AP)
• Diminishing returns: First sub = ~10% max effect (HIGHEST efficiency), First main = ~30%

Japanese Meta Terminology

The Four Omamori (Universal 0.1 Investments)

Always valuable at single-sub investment:

1. Quick Super Jump — Escape vector, gauge preservation
2. Sub Resistance Up — Combo breaking (30→28.4 dmg)
3. Ink Resistance Up — Mobility floor, DoT buffer
4. Special Saver — 50%→41% gauge loss on death

Labeling Workflow

Step 1: Identify Build Archetype

Determine primary playstyle from ability composition:

Step 2: Classify Ability Relationships

For each ability in the build, identify its functional role:

Primary Categories:

• omamori — Safety/insurance investment (typically 0.1-0.2)
• zombie — Death mitigation / aggression enabler
• mobility — Movement and positioning
• efficiency — Ink/special resource management
• information — Vision control (stealth or tracking)
• punishment — Making kills hurt more
• team-utility — Benefits teammates

Secondary Tags:

• breakpoint-dependent — Value hinges on specific AP threshold
• weapon-specific — Only valuable on certain weapon classes
• mode-dependent — Value changes by game mode
• slot-exclusive — Competes with other main-only abilities

Step 3: Identify Synergies/Conflicts

Check for known relationships:

Critical Synergies:

• Ninja Squid → REQUIRES SSU ≥1.0 (offset 10% penalty)
• Comeback + QR + Stealth Jump → Complete Zombie package
• Respawn Punisher + Object Shredder → Anchor control package

Critical Conflicts:

• Respawn Punisher + Quick Respawn → RP reduces QR by 85%
• Respawn Punisher + frontline weapon → Self-penalty exceeds benefit
• Stealth Jump + Drop Roller → Same slot exclusion

Reference Files

For detailed information, consult:

• references/abilities.md — Complete per-ability domain knowledge including:

  • Japanese terminology and shorthand
  • Standard AP adjustments and breakpoints
  • Weapon-specific context
  • Synergies and anti-synergies
  • Semantic tags for labeling

• references/archetypes.md — Weapon archetype mappings:

  • Core abilities per weapon class
  • Playstyle associations
  • Template builds

• references/synergies.md — Relationship matrices:

  • Synergy chains with explanations
  • Anti-synergy conflicts with severity ratings
  • Slot competition mappings

• references/weapons.md — Complete weapon reference:

  • Weapon ID to name mappings (for mechinterp output)
  • Sub and special weapon for each kit
  • Weapon class groupings
  • Special-dependent weapon list (benefit heavily from SCU)

• references/weapon-vibes.md — Per-weapon "vibe" profiles ⚠️ Community consensus:

  • Ink/movement/aim feel per weapon
  • Typical ability investments (ISM, RSU, IA)
  • Range, approach style, Ninja Squid affinity
  • Role (lane/job) and death tolerance
  • Quick lookup tables by trait

Death-Related Ability Nuances

Critical distinction for labeling death-mitigation features:

Feature Label Examples

When labeling SAE features, use patterns like:

Feature: High QR + Comeback + Stealth Jump activation
Label: zombie_slayer_package, death_mitigation_hard, aggressive_reentry

Feature: Ninja Squid without SSU compensation
Label: incomplete_build, missing_synergy, suboptimal_mobility

Feature: Respawn Punisher + QR co-occurrence
Label: critical_conflict, anti_synergy, build_error

Feature: Exactly 0.1 of QSJ + SubRes + InkRes + SpecialSaver
Label: omamori_package, optimal_utility, japanese_meta_standard

Feature: RSU ≥2.0 without Splatling weapon
Label: potential_mismatch, weapon_context_required, investigate

AP Threshold Flags

Flag these specific investment levels:

MechInterp Integration

Use this skill when mechinterp analysis shows weapon-specific patterns.

After weapon_sweep Analysis

If weapon_sweep shows a specific weapon dominates activation:

1. Look up the weapon's kit in references/weapons.md:

   • Find the weapon by name or ID
   • Note its sub weapon and special weapon

2. Check if other high-activation weapons share kit components:

   • Same sub weapon → Feature may encode sub weapon playstyle
   • Same special weapon → Feature may encode special farming/spam builds

3. Cross-reference with weapon characteristics:

   • Is this a "special-dependent" weapon? (See references/weapons.md special list)
   • What archetype does this weapon belong to? (See references/archetypes.md)

Kit-Linked Feature Detection

When multiple weapons share a sub or special but feature activates for all of them:

Example: Feature 18712 Kit Analysis

weapon_sweep findings:
- Octobrush Nouveau: +0.22 delta (DOMINANT)
- Range Blaster: +0.09 delta
- Rapid Blaster: +0.08 delta

Kit lookup from weapons.md:
- Octobrush Nouveau: Squid Beakon + Ink Storm
- Range Blaster: Suction Bomb + Wave Breaker
- Rapid Blaster: Torpedo + Triple Inkstrike

Pattern check:
- No shared sub weapon
- But ALL are "special-dependent" weapons per meta

Conclusion: Feature encodes "Special Charge Up on special-dependent weapons"
           not just "Octobrush Nouveau builds"

Quick Kit Lookup

For common weapon IDs in mechinterp output, see references/weapons.md.

Example high-frequency weapon IDs: