As previously announced during the March Nintendo Direct, Splatoon 2 has received a major update. The Version 3.0 patch adds more than 100 pieces of gear, new songs, a new top-tier X Rank for Ranked Battles, and the return of Callie of the Squid Sisters. The free update is available now.
“As promised when the game was first announced, we are determined to provide players with new experiences and content in Splatoon 2,” said Doug Bowser, Nintendo of America’s Senior VP of Sales and Marketing. “Through these regular updates, we are ensuring that both players old and new will log on to fun new experiences.”
The major new addition is X Rank. X Rank is an ‘extremely challenging’ tier of Ranked Battle mode that features only the best Splatoon players. Only players who are S+10 in the current Splatoon 2 rankings will be moved to X Rank. Players within X Rank will battle with each other for X Power levels. The top 500 players with the highest X Power level for the four different Ranked modes will be announced once a month on SplatNet 2.
X Rank requires constant battling, as rankings reset every month. Players who fail to meet the X Rank threshold will fall to S+9. The first X Power reset will take place May 31. Future resets will occur on the final day of each month. These Ranked resets will also rotate the pool of selected stages.
The new 3.0 update also adds more than 100 items, some of which are returning from the original Splatoon. Fans of Splatoon’s uniquely snappy soundtrack can enjoy more music tracks from in-game band Chirpy Chips.
Finally Callie of the Squad Sisters will maker her long-awaited return. Callie will appear in Tentakeel Outpost in Octo Canyon. She will provide multiplayer stats to visiting players.
View the full Version 3.0 patch notes, including any bug fixes and weapon balancing.
Splatoon 2 released last summer as a Nintendo Switch exclusive sequel to Wii U’s Splatoon. It’s a competitive team-vs-team 3rd person shooter involving paint guns and unique squid-changing kids. It’s rated E for Everyone.
