Getting Started with Splatoon Raiders

Welcome aboard the Hideout Ship

Splatoon Raiders is a single-player-focused Splatoon spin-off exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2, released July 23, 2026. You are the Mechanic who crash-landed with Deep Cut—Shiver, Frye, and Big Man—on the Spirhalite Islands. Your job is simple on paper and deep in practice: raid for treasure, fight Salmonids, and rebuild enough power to dig farther underground.

This getting-started guide walks the first productive hours: hub facilities, tank choice, Bot Buddy roles, what to keep from early loot, and when co-op appears. For a visual primer, the Nintendo Treehouse Live session embedded mid-page shows real raid pacing, Exploration Bot support, and Spirhalite shard pickups. When you want button-level detail, open Controls. When you want a story path, jump to the Walkthrough.

Nintendo Treehouse Live Splatoon Raiders gameplay overview

The core loop in one minute

1. Gear up on the Hideout Ship.
2. Pick a Power, Speed, or Tactical tank and two tank-tied gadgets.
3. Choose a Bot Buddy (Shiver, Frye, or Big Man) to pilot the Exploration Bot.
4. Raid an island zone: ink Salmonids, dig treasure, grab Spirhalite Shards, relics, and gadget parts.
5. Return—even after a wipe you keep weapons and salvage—and spend spoils on upgrades.
6. Repeat on denser dens, dungeons, and restricted facilities.

That loop never really changes; only the enemies, depth, and your kit do. Treat every early raid as both story progress and permanent investment.

Meet Deep Cut on every outing

One member of Deep Cut always joins you inside the Exploration Bot. The bot shoots ink, follows you, can launch you upward when you hop on, drills ore and treasure, and helps locate buried loot. When a fight spikes, your buddy can exit the bot for a Showstopper—clan signature attacks that clear space or create openings.

• Shiver — Strong straight-line pressure with Shark Bite; later Bond upgrades add freeze-style control.
• Frye — Wide-area Moray Storm pressure; her Hideout job is the Weapon Stash.
• Big Man — Manta Dance mobility and lure tools; he catalogs relics, Salmonids, and gear intel.

You will raise Bot Buddy Bond simply by finishing dungeons with a chosen buddy. Early on, rotate them so you understand each Showstopper before specializing. Full farming routes live in How to Increase Bot Buddy Bond.

Choose a tank before you obsess over weapons

Tanks define movement feel and which gadgets you may equip:

• Power Tank — Face swarms and shields with tools like Splatchet, Splatellites, and Spinwheel.
• Speed Tank — Reposition hard with Blast Boot, Dash Bomb, and Booyarang.
• Tactical Tank — Control space with Shot Pot turrets, Bombloons, and Tether Wail.

You start with limited gadgets and unlock more through parts and Shiver’s Gadget Workshop. Do not freeze your first clear waiting for a “perfect” kit—clear content, then refine. Deep gadget theory is in How to Use Gadgets, while finished loadouts belong on Builds and Tier List.

Weapons still matter. Salmonids can drop them, and rare variants add unique optimizations. Sort keepers at Frye’s Weapon Stash using How to Upgrade Weapons and browse families on Weapons.

What to collect first

Prioritize three resource types:

1. Spirhalite Shards — Primary upgrade fuel across the ship. Farming tips: How to Farm Spirhalite.
2. Gadget parts — Slot into gadgets for damage, duration, ink explosions, knockback gas, and more.
3. Relics / Salmonid Relics — Hidden powers that reshape a tank’s feel; track them under Items.

Boss Salmonids also drop Mega Power Eggs, which energize Bot actions. Lesser Salmonids teach swarm discipline; Seasoned Salmonids are the late warning that your kit is underleveled.

Difficulty without punishing curiosity

Pick Tourist, Raider, or Survivalist from the Hideout Ship at any time. Higher settings make Salmonids tougher; loot stays the same. New players should start on Tourist or Raider, then climb when Showstoppers and tank stats catch up. Details and myths are covered in the Difficulty Guide.

Unlock co-op without derailing the story

After the early dungeon around Tumetto Rocks / Puos Island, a radio appears on the Hideout Ship dock. That radio is your gateway to online or local wireless co-op for up to four Mechanics. There is no split-screen—each player needs a system and copy. Full invite, keyword, and Call for Help steps are in How to Play Co-op.

Until that unlock, focus on ship facilities: Mechanic’s Shack tank stats, Frye’s stash, Shiver’s workshop, and Big Man’s catalog. Outfits from challenges and amiibo are cosmetic bonuses; chase them after your first reliable raid route exists.

First-session checklist

• Finish the opening islands and learn Exploration Bot drill prompts.
• Upgrade one tank’s HP/attack before jumping difficulty.
• Keep at least one crowd-clear gadget and one escape or peel tool.
• Note which Bot Buddy feels natural; schedule Bond farms later on short dens.
• Bookmark Guides Hub, Raid Checklist, and Review for broader context.

If a dungeon stalls you, lower difficulty instead of abandoning loot goals, swap tanks before swapping the entire weapon collection, and remember that salvage from failed raids still advances the ship. The Spirhalite Islands reward Mechanics who return often with a plan—not only those who clear every room perfectly on the first try.