Splatoon Raiders gives you eleven distinct weapon categories to work with, each built around a different style of play. Shooters reward aggression and speed. Chargers punish enemies from range. Splatanas let you slice through crowds or charge a heavy hit for targets further out. The variety is real, and picking the wrong type for your playstyle will make hard levels feel harder than they need to be. Here's every weapon type in the game, what each one does, and how the upgrade system actually works.
What weapon types are in Splatoon Raiders?
There are 11 weapon categories total. Some have appeared across every Splatoon game, while others like Stringers and Splatanas arrived in Splatoon 2 and 3 respectively. All 11 return here. The designs lean into the shipwreck setting, so instead of store-bought gear you're slinging ink with repurposed junk found on the islands.
Shooters
Shooters are the most accessible category in the game. High rate of fire, solid coverage, and enough stopping power to handle most enemy types without much thought. There are 18 total, making this the largest single category. Models include Splattershot, Splattershot Jr, and Squelcher variants. Specific options include the Plastic-bottle Splattershot, Flamingo Splattershot Jr, and Jam Squelcher, among others.
Rollers
Rollers are built for coverage first, combat second. Roll them flat to coat the ground fast, or lift and fling a line of ink to hit enemies in a wider arc. There are 12 in total. Named options include the Shrimp Roller, Balloon Roller, Inner-tube Roller, and Engine Roller.
Weapon rarity tiers in inventory
Chargers
Think of Chargers as the sniper rifles of Splatoon Raiders. Charge up your shot, aim carefully, and deliver a single powerful hit. They're not forgiving if you miss, but the damage output justifies the patience. 12 total across 4K and Charger model lines, including the Diesel 4K, Unleaded 4K, and Detergent Charger.
Sloshers
Sloshers are bucket-style weapons that dump a large volume of ink in one shot. They hit hard and cover a lot of ground per throw, but burn through ink fast. There are 12 to find, split between standard Slosher models (Polyethylene, Sand, Camo) and the heavier Pow Slosher variants (Oil-Drum, Shichirin, Clay-Pot).
Splatlings
The Splatling plays like a minigun: charge it up, then hold the trigger for a sustained barrage. You're completely vulnerable during the charge phase, so positioning matters. There are 12 total, including the LPG Splatling, Buoy Splatling, Gas-Can Splatling, and Water-Jug Splatling.
Dualies
Dualies give you two guns at once and the ability to dodge roll between bursts. Your damage increases after a roll, so the rhythm of the weapon is: roll, then fire. There are 12 total across Dualie and Twincan model lines. Options include Diner Dualies, Sport-Bottle Dualies, and the Aluminum, Steel, and Titanium Twincans.
Brellas
Brellas are umbrella-shaped weapons that double as shields. Open the canopy to block incoming attacks, or launch the open section directly at enemies as a projectile. Some models support that launch mechanic and some don't, so check individual weapon descriptions. 12 total, including the Palm Brella, Flower Brella, Fruit Brella, and Thermal Brella.
Blasters
Blasters fire slowly but hit with serious impact. Each shot is a large burst of ink that deals heavy damage on contact. If you can land your shots, the damage-per-hit is among the highest in the game. There are 12 total, including the Oil Blaster, Butane Blaster, and the three Toy variants (Toy-Claw, Toy-Horn, Toy-Shark).
Dualies and Twincans lineup
Brushes
Brushes are the most unique melee-adjacent weapons in the game. Run them flat along the ground to paint a path, or press ZR to swing them at enemies in a wide swipe. There are only six Brushes total, the fewest of any category: Cycle Brush, Pulley Brush, and Touring Brush.
Stringers
Stringers are oversized bows that fire five ink shots simultaneously. Charging a shot extends the range and increases damage, making them effective at both close and mid range. Only six are available: Bamboo Stringer and Alpine Stringer are the confirmed options so far.
Splatanas
Splatanas return from Splatoon 3 and work like a hybrid of brush and charger. Quick swipes handle close crowds, while a charged shot sends a heavy hit at distant targets. Six total: Wooden Splatana, Plastic Splatana, and Rail Splatana are the current confirmed options.
Weapon comparison by category
How do you get more weapons in Splatoon Raiders?
Weapons drop randomly from defeated enemies and broken crates during levels. There's no guaranteed drop table tied to specific enemy types or zones, so you're farming runs until the right weapon shows up. Check your inventory after each level rather than mid-run, since the drop lands there automatically.
Weapons also come in five rarity tiers:
- One-star (grey): Common drops, basic stat ceiling
- Two-star (blue): Uncommon, slightly better base stats
- Three-star (purple): Rare, meaningful stat improvements
- Four-star (yellow/gold): Very rare, strong base performance
- Five-star Primo (prismatic/shiny): Late-game only, upgradeable 10 times instead of 5
Primo weapons are the five-star variants listed with the Primo prefix in the weapon names above. They're the endgame targets for any weapon type you want to main.
Frye's weapon upgrade station
Can you upgrade weapons in Splatoon Raiders?
Yes. Frye handles all weapon upgrades from her station on the ship. Early on she only offers upgrades, but as you progress through the story she unlocks scrapping and ability swapping as additional options.
Upgrading costs spirhalite plus specific enemy drops. Standard weapons upgrade up to five times. Primo weapons go up to ten upgrades, which is the main reason to chase those five-star drops.
Scrapping unwanted weapons returns a portion of spirhalite, so don't sit on a pile of grey-star duplicates. Break them down and funnel the resources into whichever weapon you're actually using.
What's the best weapon type for beginners?
Shooters are the safest starting point. The high rate of fire means missed shots are less punishing, and the coverage they provide keeps you useful even in chaotic multi-enemy situations. The Splattershot Jr variants are particularly forgiving thanks to their wide ink spread.
Once you're comfortable with the core loop, Dualies are worth picking up. The dodge roll mechanic adds a skill ceiling that pays off quickly, and the post-roll damage boost makes them competitive with heavier weapon types.
For a deeper look at how weapons pair with your Tank loadout, check out the Splatoon Raiders best gadgets guide to build around whichever weapon type you settle on.
For more coverage on every system in the game, the full Splatoon Raiders strategy guides collection has you covered across builds, collectibles, and progression. If you're new to the genre and want to see how Raiders fits into the broader picture, the shooter games hub is worth browsing for comparison.