Latest Splatoon Patch Adds New Guns, Team Ranks

Speaking of free DLC, turns out CD Projekt Red isn't the only people capable of surprising generosity. Nintendo has proven to be rather kind to Splatoon players, doling out free DLC periodically to give players new maps, new weapons, and even new game modes to keep the best third-person shooter released this year feeling fresh and new.

The next update, set for release on the sixth of August, however is going to include more than just new weapons--it's going to have some features Splatoon fans have been demanding for ages now.

Namely, private servers--so you and up to eight friends can goof off without having to deal with randoms--and Squid Battle, a sort of teamed rank mode, so you and up to three other friends can improve your standing in the game without having to deal with randoms. I think we can all agree randoms are just the worst. The coolest thing about the Squid Battle, however, is that it lets you pick the size of your team: 2v2, 3v3, and 4v4 are all supported, and the game pits you against a team of equal size. Think of the strategic possibilities!

The new DLC will also increase the level cap to 50, and add new ranks for the ranked mode: S and S+.

Of course, if it was just that, it wouldn't be that exciting. But two new weapon types will also be added to the game following the patch: a bucket and a mini-gun. Think of the last time you used a bucket in a shooting game.

"The bucket-like Slosher weapons hurl ink straight ahead at an impressive range. By adjusting the angle, these new weapons can be used to splat opponents who are up high or even on the other side of a wall. With the Gatling-style Splatling, players can charge all-powerful ink. A maximum charge unleashes the full potential of this particular weapon type."

So yeah! A pretty exciting edition to the game, I must say. The sixth can't come soon enough!