Nintendo has decided that it will keep Splatoon 2 fresh throughout 2020 thanks to several updates. Unlike previous updates to the game, it seems that the Splatoon 2 5.1.0 update (as well as any future patches) won’t be adding anything new into the game. Super jump your way to the end of this guide to read through the complete list of Splatoon 2 5.1.0 update patch notes. Stick with us a little while longer, however, to read through a selection of the 5.1.0 update highlights to learn a little more.
Splatoon 2 5.1.0 Update Highlights
The latest Splatoon 2 update will release on Wednesday, January 8, 2020. As stated above, it doesn’t bring with it anything new. Instead, the 5.1.0 update brings a load of balance changes to weapons and special weapons. According to the Nintendo website, it appears as though this will be the case “for many other weapons going forward.” Nintendo was keen to point out, too, that these are minor adjustments, as to not dissuade people from using their favorite weapons anymore.
ALSO: Refurbished SNES and NES Classics now available from Nintendo
As these are weapon balance adjustments, however, anyone who updates to version 5.1.0 will no longer be able to play online against users with older update data versions of Splatoon 2. You should update to 5.1.0 (it should happen automatically on the Switch) if you want to play with everyone. Furthermore, Nintendo has also stated that the next planned Splatoon 2 update is scheduled for late April 2020.
Weapon and Special Weapon Adjustments
Various weapons and special weapons have been adjusted thanks to the 5.1.0 update. This includes the Splattershot and a number of its varieties having their ink consumption reduced by around 8%. You’ll find the Baller special weapon has had its active time reduced from around seven seconds to six seconds, however, so it’s not all improvements here. Read through the complete list of patch notes below to discover every change.
Splatoon 2 5.1.0 Update Patch Notes
Read on for the full list of Splatoon 2 5.1.0 update patch notes, courtesy of Nintendo:
Changes to Multiplayer
Specifications for some of the main weapons have been changed.
- Splattershot
Tentatek Splattershot
Kensa Splattershot
Hero Shot Replica
Octo Shot Replica- Decreased ink consumption by roughly 8%
- Luna Blaster
Luna Blaster Neo
Kensa Luna Blaster- Decreased amount of time after firing before being able to take further actions by roughly 4/60 of a second.
- Decreased ink consumption by roughly 17%.
- L-3 Nozzlenose
L-3 Nozzlenose D
Kensa L-3 Nozzlenose- Increased ink consumption by roughly 15%.
- Reduced the effect of the Main Power Up gear ability.
- Changed the amount of gear ability required to deal up to 33.3 damage from 1.8 times to 2.4 times the amount of the primary gear ability.
- Each secondary gear ability is worth 0.3 of the primary gear ability.
- Splat Charger
FIrefin Splat Charger
Kensa Charger
Hero Charger Replica- Slightly narrowed the area covered by ink droplets from fired shots.
- Bamboozler 14 Mk I
Bamboozler 14 Mk II
Bamboozler 14 Mk III- Reduced the effect of the Main Power Up gear ability.
- Changed the amount of gear ability required to deal up to 99.9 damage from 4.1 times to 4.4 times the amount of the primary gear ability.
- Each secondary gear ability is worth 0.3 of the primary gear ability.
Specifications for the following special weapons have been changed
- Splashdown
- Extended the area within which damage is dealt upward.
- This change makes it easier to deal damage to mid-air opponents from even a moderate distance.
- There is no change to the damage area for opponents standing near but lower than the epicenter of the blast.
- Increased damage dealt to opponent Ballers by roughly 21%.
- Baller
- Decreased duration of active time from roughly 7 to roughly 6 seconds.
Points required for using specials have been changed for certain main weapons
- Tentatek Splattershot
- Octo Shot Replica
- From 210 to 200
- Octobrush
- Herobrush Replica
- From 180 to 170
- Enperry Splat Dualies
- From 210 to 200
- L-3 Nozzlenose
- From 190 to 210
- L-3 Nozzlenose D
- From 180 to 200
- Bamboozler 14 Mk I
- From 180 to 200
- Soda Slosher
- From 200 to 210
- Tenta Camo Brella
- From 200 to 210
