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Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

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Inkling
Last updated :Dec 1, 2021
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Inkling Guides

Inklings are a species that took over the earth after the end of humanity due to rising sea levels. Capable of taking both male and female forms, Inklings are the main protagonists of the Splatoon games. Inkling can easily switch between squid and humanoid forms and is imbued with various abilities.Know more

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Inkling Guide

Inkling sits among the top characters in competitive Super Smash Bros Ultimate, thanks largely to their excellent mobility and powerful KO tools. Early on in the history of the title, top players favour the squid fighter for these features, and although over time, their relevance to the competitive scene has diminished, they still pose a clear threat in any pro bracket.

Unlocking Inkling

The first step is to unlock Inkling. The fastest way is to wait for the VS match against them, as they are 5th in the rotation. Alternatively, you can go through Samu's Classic Mode. Finally, if you are ok with some grinding, or were already in the process of completing the World of Light, then that single-player campaign can also yield Inkling.

Key Strengths & Weaknesses

One of the main concepts that you, as a player, will need to integrate into your gameplay if you want to play Inkling at a high level is to be comfortable with rapid twitchy movement that makes full use of inkling’s ability to change directions and quickly switch up their momentum, both in the air and ground. Secondary to getting familiar with the character movement is to internalise their core mechanic and resource, ink.

Much like the original game, Splatoon, ink is a central part of inkling’s abilities. Allowing them to deal more damage and perform more powerful attacks. But if it is not managed correctly, it will cause many issues. Chief among them is that covering opponents in ink will increase their damage taken by 1.5. Without that, much of the damage built-up inkling ability is suddenly neutralised.

A common mistake among new players is using your entire ink meter to recharge it again, and that is not true. You can shield and hold B to charge back up to whatever point you want, and you will exit the recharge animation and be back into the action by letting go of B.

Having low ink leads to many issues in the conventional Inkling playstyle. For one, Neutral jabs will not have a hitbox at all, forward throws will deal no damage and not cover opponents in ink, and all smash attacks have reduced damage and knockback. Splat roller will slow down the less ink in the tank, and if the ink is low enough to be below the line in Inkling’s character UI, you won’t be able to throw Splat Bombs at all.

The one weakness that makes Inkling stand out compared to other highly mobile characters is how unsafe most of the character’s KO moves are. Splat Roller often requires a solid read on what an opponent will do next and has a long animation that solid opponents can punish.

Inkling Moves

Input Short Description Damage  Knockback Frames
Neutral Jab If A is mashed inkling will followup with multiple ink splatters Low Low 3-15
Forward Tilt Up-down swing with good knockback and potential KO options Low Medium 8
Up Tilt Upward kick that can chain into itself a low percentage and set up great combos Low Medium 7
Down Tilt Low to the ground double kick that can hit ledge opponents Low Low 5
Dash Attack Dashing forward, Inkling elbows the opponent, unlikely to KO at anything but high percentages Low Low 8
Forward Smash One of the best KO options for Inkling has a sweet spot at the very tip of the brush High High 16
Up Smash Fires a massive Blast upwards, the hitbox is much smaller if inkling has very little ink Medium Medium 9-18
Down Smash Sweeping attack that inks opponents. Especially useful for edge guarding opponents Medium Medium 11-13
Neutral Air A headspin kick that can be followed up by other aerial attacks, grabs or a neutral jab sequence Medium Low 6
Forward Air One of Inkling's best aerial KO tools thanks to its damage, knockback and quick release High Medium 10-12
Back Air A disjointed attack with a low landing lag and a safe approach High Medium 7
Up Air Two quick kicks. The first has a set knockback while the second can launch opponents off stage at high percentages Medium High 12-17
Down Air A slow but very lethal meteor type attack. A quick snap will send opponents down quickly for good damage, but risky High Medium 16
Grab The dash version of Inkling's grab is particularly good - - 8-10
Pummel Stomping on opponents Low - 1
Forward Throw The second hit will Ink opponents, but the move itself will never KO enemies Low Medium 22-23
Back Throw A great KO tool for just above 120% characters Medium Medium 17
Up Throw Mostly used to combo into Neutral or Up Air attacks, at high percentages, it can allow for KOs Low Medium 21-22
Down Throw Slams the opponent into the ground, can be followed up by most tilt attacks and some neutral, but is not reliable Medium Low 14
Neutral Special A rapid-fire series of shots that will heavily ink opponents Low Low 12-24
Side Special Splat roller, Inkling moves forward at high speed High Low 16
Up Special A Jump that starts by throwing ink out the sides and throws some more after landing Medium Low 15
Down Special Launches a small bomb that explores dealing some damage, but much more ink Low Low 20-40
Swipe

Best Inkling Moves

Splat Roller

Perhaps the signature move of Inkling. A fantastic way to deal a lot of damage to already inked opponents and a great KO move for the later stages of a stock. Though a bit dangerous, it remains a tool that has many benefits. Here are some key elements to remember when using the Splat Roller:

You can cancel out of it by jumping out with Y, X, or just flicking the stick up. The other way is to press Forward B and pressing B, A, or C.

Depending on your opponent, you may want to Forward Smash or Up Smash them as a follow-up. Generally, though, Up Smash will work most of the time, and at a high percentage, it can KO.

Back Air

This quick seven frame aerial is one of the most versatile tools to open up opponents for Inkling. The disjointed attack also has excellent ending lag allowing it to be safe in most circumstances when approaching opponents.

This move also does double duty as a significant edge guarding tool off-stage. Giving inkling plenty of air and a big enough hitbox to keep some of the more predictable recoveries at bay, punish them, or at least threaten to do so.

Splat Bomb

A central aspect of Inkling’s playstyle is the Splat Bomb's use, a costly ink bomb that launches in an arc or dropped and almost wholly covers opponents in ink. Landing a solid bomb is crucial in the early stages of a fight, as piling up the extra damage from following attacks can be the difference between a grab KO or having to squish out just a bit more damage while also watching out for your opponent’s own KO tools.

Dashing

Not an offensive move by itself, but it is such a core component of the Inkling playstyle that it deserves to be mentioned. You will want to use your dash to escape dangerous situations and claim space that your opponent may wish to protect. Since Inkling goes low to the ground when dashing, the vast majority of attacks and projectiles will miss, allowing you to quickly close the distance to your foes or escape their reach if the situation calls for it.

Ways to Punish opponents as Inkling

The number one way you will extract the most out of any whiffs is to use your Splat Roller. Given how many of inkling’s moves knock opponents off their feet, leading to potential tech rolls, attempting to roll and an opponent who made a mistake or that you have a good idea will be caught in your attack is a great way to punish the following:

  • Repeated jab spam
  • Ledge parries into roller

Inkling Core Combos

  • Up Thrown, Full Hop, Up Air.
  • Down Special, Back Throw.
  • Side Special, cancel into Side Special, Down Special, Up Smash.
  • Down Throw, Short Hop Forward Air.
  • Down Throw, Jab String.
  • Up Tilt x2, Neutral Air.

Playing Agasint Inklings

The best way to increase your odds of winning versus an inkling is to remain calm and understand that Inkling will be trying to douse you in ink for a large chunk of the round. If you can extend that period and make sure to punish their attempts, then you can build up enough momentum to get a cheeky KO or force them into safer but less damaging moves.

In the end, it's all about getting inkling players off their rhythm when it comes to ink management and striking when they have to recuperate their resources. Baiting Splat Bombs at inopportune times or getting away with a Splat Roller chase will be for the best, and though that generally suits quicker and lighter characters more than heavies.

If you are thinking of picking up a secondary to deal with bad inkling matchups, then the following characters could help you out: