Splatoon Raiders Early Game Build Guide

Early Game Progression

The early game takes you through the first islands and unlocks the core systems. Follow this order:

1. Complete the tutorial on Lehlo Island and Erpp Island (4 dungeons). This unlocks your first tank and basic weapons.
2. Progress through Puos Island to unlock Gadget Development at the Hideout Ship. This is when builds start mattering.
3. Clear Chowda Buried Ruins — a multi-stage dungeon that tests your first real build.
4. Farm XP and Shards in Carbanyara Wetlands before pushing further. Don't rush past your level.
5. Challenge Pleyn Den to earn the Spirhalite Gem and unlock Weapon Development at the Mechanic's Shack.
6. Continue through Spata and Zaipz islands toward Izakaya Island (mid-game transition).

Recommended Builds by Tank

Each tank type plays differently. Here's the best starting setup for each:

Power Tank (Recommended Start)

Weapon

Steam Blaster — AoE splash damage, available early, clears hordes efficiently.

Gadgets

Splatchet (default) + Spinwheel (unlock: Steelhead's Tire x3 + 1,000 Shards)

Parts

Splatchet → Slash Damage Up + Slash Area Up. Spinwheel → Direct-Hit Damage Up or Explosion Damage Up.

Relics

Wind-Up Key (Gadget cooldown reduction) + Ballroom Mask (damage boost)

Buddy

Frye — her Showstopper rains moray eels in a wide AoE. Best for horde clear.

Playstyle

Tank-and-spank. Use gadgets on cooldown, clear waves with Steam Blaster AoE, save Frye's Showstopper for dense spawns.

Speed Tank

Weapon

Steam Blaster — same AoE value, but your mobility makes repositioning easy.

Gadgets

Blast Boot (default) + Dash Bomb (unlock: Stinger's Colander x3 + 1,000 Shards)

Parts

Blast Boot → Movement Speed Up. Dash Bomb → Explosion Damage Up.

Relics

Miniature Scoop (faster Gadget cooldown while moving) + Sea Bead (faster HP/ink recovery while submerged)

Buddy

Frye or Shiver — Frye for AoE, Shiver for long-range piercing if you prefer kiting.

Playstyle

Hit-and-run. Dash in, blast, Blast Boot out. Never stay in one place.

Tactical Tank

Weapon

Steam Blaster or Plastic Splatana — Splatana if you're comfortable in melee range.

Gadgets

Shot Pot (default) + Bombloons (unlock: Big Shot's Spring x3 + 1,000 Shards) — 3-second cooldown!

Parts

Shot Pot → Range Up. Bombloons → Explosion Damage Up.

Relics

Wind-Up Key + Ballroom Mask (same as Power — cooldown and damage are universal priorities)

Buddy

Big Man — his Showstopper grants invincibility + passive damage, good for surviving tough encounters.

Playstyle

Support-leaning. Place Shot Pots for area denial, spam Bombloons (short cooldown), stay alive.

All Gadgets by Tank

Each tank has 5 gadgets, unlocked through Gadget Development. You can equip 2 at a time.

Bot Buddy (Deep Cut)

Deep Cut members pilot your Exploration Bot. Each has a unique Showstopper ability:

Frye

Best overall pick for early game.

Moray eel rain — wide AoE damage around you. Best for clearing groups.

Shiver

Best for ranged/kiting playstyles.

Killer Whale + Reef Slider combo — long-range piercing damage with explosive finish.

Big Man

Best for surviving tough bosses.

Invincibility shield + passive AoE damage. Lower damage but you can't die.

Each Bot Buddy has 3 bond levels. Leveling up bonds gives Briny Scrolls (lore) and a permanent Showstopper upgrade at bond level 3.

Common Early-Game Mistakes

• Don't upgrade low-star weapons early — better weapons drop fast. Save Shards for Gadget Development.
• Don't skip Gadget Development. Unlocking your second gadget slot is the biggest power spike in the early game.
• Don't rush past your level. Farm Carbanyara Wetlands if dungeons feel too hard.
• Don't ignore your Bot Buddy. Setting it on bosses and using Bot Hop for aerial attacks makes fights much easier.
• Don't hoard Spirhalite Shards for "later." Spend them on facility upgrades — they unlock story progression.