Splatoon Raids, Gadgets & Sampler Dungeons Guide

This article explains how Splatoon raids, gadgets, and sampler dungeons work in the context of fan-made mods and custom Splatoon experiences, not the base game. You enter a raid or sampler dungeon with a loadout of gadgets, fight through waves of enemies and bosses, and earn rewards that let you upgrade your gear for harder challenges.

Background: Where Do Raids and Gadgets Come From?

Base Splatoon 3 has no raids, gadgets, or sampler dungeons in the traditional sense. These terms come from the modding community, particularly around custom servers and fan-made modes. Mods like Inkbound or community-run events on private servers add PvE (player-versus-environment) content that borrows mechanics from other games. A “raid” is a long, multi-stage battle with tough enemies and a final boss. A “gadget” is a special item you can equip before a match, like a grappling hook or a shield. A “sampler dungeon” is a short, instanced level that lets you test a set of gadgets or weapons before using them in a full raid. These are not official Nintendo features; they exist only in modded clients and custom servers.

How Raids Work in Splatoon Mods

In a typical modded raid, you and up to three other players enter a large map with a series of objectives. The flow is usually:

• Start at a spawn point with a loadout of weapons and gadgets.
• Clear waves of enemy AI (octarians, salmonids, or custom enemies) that get stronger each round.
• Complete objectives like “ink 50% of the zone” or “defend the beacon” between waves.
• Defeat a boss at the end, which has multiple phases and telegraphed attacks.
• Earn currency (often called “ink coins” or “raid tokens”) based on performance and difficulty.

Raids are usually timed, with a 10-15 minute limit. If the timer runs out, you fail and get partial rewards. Checkpoint systems are common: if you wipe, you restart from the last checkpoint, not the beginning.

Gadgets: What They Are and How to Use Them

Gadgets are equippable items that give you an active ability with a cooldown. They are separate from your main weapon and sub weapon. Common examples in modded Splatoon include:

• Grappling Hook – lets you pull yourself to a surface or enemy, useful for vertical mobility.
• Deployable Shield – creates a temporary barrier that blocks enemy ink and projectiles.
• Healing Drone – slowly restores your health over time when activated.
• Ink Mine – places a proximity mine that explodes when an enemy steps on it.
• Speed Boost – temporarily increases swim speed and run speed.

You can usually equip 2-3 gadgets at once, chosen before the raid starts. Each gadget has a cooldown (e.g., 30 seconds for a shield, 60 seconds for a heal). Gadgets are not available in standard Turf War or Anarchy Battles; they only work in modded PvE modes.

Sampler Dungeons: What They Are and How to Enter

A sampler dungeon is a short, instanced level designed to let you practice with a specific loadout. It is like a training ground with a boss at the end. You enter through a modded lobby or a custom server menu. The dungeon has a fixed layout, a few enemy spawns, and a mini-boss. The goal is to complete it within a time limit (usually 5-10 minutes) to earn a small amount of currency. Sampler dungeons are often used to test a new gadget or weapon before committing to a full raid. They are also a good way to learn boss attack patterns without the pressure of a full raid.

How to Choose the Right Gadgets and Loadout

Choosing a loadout depends on your role in the team. In a raid, roles are usually:

• Attacker – focuses on dealing damage. Choose gadgets like Ink Mine or Speed Boost to increase DPS.
• Support – heals teammates and provides utility. Choose Healing Drone or Deployable Shield.
• Tank – draws enemy fire and holds objectives. Choose Deployable Shield and a high-ink weapon.

Before entering a raid, check the map and enemy types. If the raid has a lot of verticality, a Grappling Hook is almost mandatory. If there are many enemies that rush you, a Deployable Shield can save your team. Always bring at least one healing option, either a gadget or a weapon with a healing sub.

Common Problems and How to Avoid Them

Players often run into these issues in modded raids:

• Running out of ink – gadgets consume ink, so manage your ink tank. Use ink refill stations between waves.
• Not using gadgets – many players forget to activate gadgets. Set a mental timer or bind them to an easy button.
• Ignoring the timer – raids are timed, so don’t camp. Keep moving and focus on objectives.
• Wrong gadget for the boss – some bosses have shields that require a specific gadget to break. Read the boss description before the raid.

If you fail a raid, it’s usually because the team didn’t communicate or didn’t use gadgets effectively. Use voice chat or the in-game quick chat to coordinate.

Comparison: Raids vs. Sampler Dungeons

Raids and sampler dungeons share similarities but serve different purposes. A raid is a long, multi-stage event with a team, while a sampler dungeon is a short solo or duo instance for practice. Here’s a quick comparison:

• Length – Raids last 15-30 minutes; sampler dungeons last 5-10 minutes.
• Team size – Raids require 2-4 players; sampler dungeons can be done solo.
• Rewards – Raids give rare gear and currency; sampler dungeons give small amounts of currency.
• Difficulty – Raids have scaling difficulty (Normal, Hard, Expert); sampler dungeons have a fixed medium difficulty.
• Purpose – Raids are for progression; sampler dungeons are for practice and testing.

If you’re new to modded Splatoon PvE, start with a sampler dungeon to learn the mechanics, then move to a Normal raid.

Safety and Fair Play Considerations

Modded Splatoon content is not official and may violate Nintendo’s terms of service. Using mods on your console can lead to a ban from online services. Always use a separate, offline console for mods if you want to keep your main account safe. Never share your Nintendo account credentials with modded server operators. Also, be aware that modded servers may have unstable connections and could expose your IP address to other players. Use a VPN if you’re concerned about privacy. Finally, respect the server rules: don’t use hacks that give you unlimited health or damage, as that ruins the experience for others.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are raids and gadgets available in Splatoon 3 without mods?

No. Raids, gadgets, and sampler dungeons are not in the base game. They are only available in fan-made mods and custom servers. The official game has Salmon Run, which is a PvE mode, but it doesn’t have gadgets or raids in the same sense.

Can I play raids solo?

Some modded raids allow solo play, but they are balanced for a team of 2-4. Solo play is much harder, and you may need to use specific gadgets to survive. Sampler dungeons are designed for solo play and are a better option for solo players.

What happens if I die in a raid?

In most modded raids, you get a respawn timer (e.g., 10 seconds) and then you respawn at the last checkpoint. If the whole team dies at the same time, it’s a wipe and you restart from the last checkpoint. Some raids have limited revives, so use them wisely.

How do I get more gadgets?

Gadgets are unlocked by earning currency from raids and sampler dungeons. You spend that currency in a modded shop or loadout menu. Some gadgets are only available from specific raid bosses, so you may need to farm certain raids to unlock them all.

Do gadgets work in regular multiplayer?

No. Gadgets are disabled in standard Turf War, Anarchy Battles, and Salmon Run. They only work in modded PvE modes like raids and sampler dungeons. If you try to use a gadget in a standard match, it will be ignored.

Is it safe to install mods for Splatoon?

Modding your console carries a risk of a ban from online services. If you use a hacked Switch, you should use a separate console for mods and keep your main console clean. Always follow the modding community’s safety guidelines, and never download mods from untrusted sources.

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