Splatoon Raiders Co-op Guide
Online, local wireless, drop-in co-op, and the Help Bonus system: everything you need to play with friends.
By the SplatAtlas editorial team · Last updated: 2026-07-23
Co-op Modes
Splatoon Raiders supports up to 4-player co-op. You can play the entire story with friends or call for help mid-raid. There is no split-screen or couch co-op; each player needs their own Switch 2 and a copy of the game.
Online Co-op (2–4 players)
Play with friends or matchmake worldwide. Requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Create or join a room with a password, or open it for anyone.
Local Wireless (2–4 players)
Connect over the same local network. Each player needs their own Switch 2 console and game copy. No NSO membership required. No GameShare support.
Drop-in / Drop-out (Monster Hunter Style)
Co-op works like Monster Hunter: you can drop into another player's raid mid-session or invite friends to yours. There's no need to start together; jump in when someone needs help and leave when you're done.
Difficulty scales automatically when players join or leave, so there's no penalty for someone disconnecting mid-raid.
Help Bonus
Joining another player's raid earns you a Help Bonus, extra rewards on top of whatever loot drops during the raid:
- Weapons
- Gadget parts
- Crafting materials
- Spirhalite Shards (the main currency)
SOS / Rescue Requests
Even in solo play, you can send an SOS to call online players for help. This is useful for tough Boss Salmonids or Seasoned Salmonid encounters you can't handle alone.
How to Start Co-op
- From the Hideout Ship, open the multiplayer menu.
- Choose "Create Room" to host, or "Join Room" to enter a friend's password.
- The host selects the dungeon or exploration area.
- Other players drop in: difficulty adjusts automatically.
Nintendo Switch Online
Online co-op requires a Nintendo Switch Online membership. Local wireless does not.
NSO pricing: Individual $3.99/month or $19.99/year; Family $34.99/year for up to 8 accounts.
Difficulty Scaling
Enemy health and attack damage scale based on how many players are present. The game adjusts dynamically when players join or leave, so a 4-player raid is harder than solo but gives better loot.
Co-op Tips
- The Tactical Tank's gadgets include team-support options, so consider having one in your group.
- Help Bonus rewards stack, so assisting multiple players in a session is efficient for farming.
- Use the SOS system early on tough Boss Salmonids rather than wiping and restarting.
- Communication isn't required; the game's signal system (pings, stamps) covers basic coordination.
FAQ
Does Splatoon Raiders have split-screen?
No. There is no split-screen or couch co-op. Each player needs their own Nintendo Switch 2 and a copy of the game.
Can I play the whole story in co-op?
Yes. The full story can be played solo or in co-op. Difficulty scales with player count.
Do I need NSO for local wireless?
No. Nintendo Switch Online is only required for online co-op. Local wireless is free.
Does GameShare work?
No. Splatoon Raiders does not support Nintendo's GameShare feature. Each player needs their own copy.
Related guides
Sources
- Splatoon Raiders: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo (official store)
- How to Play Co-op Multiplayer in Splatoon Raiders, Shacknews
- Splatoon Raiders Walkthrough & Guides Wiki, Game8
Co-op modes and player counts: Official (Nintendo Direct). Drop-in system, Help Bonus, SOS: confirmed by hands-on reviews.