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If you need a recommendation for which one of the Splatoon 3 Rollers to try first, look no further than a good Splatoon 3 weapon tier list. Whether you’re a veteran of the Splatlands or are just getting your feet wet (with ink), there’s always a friend to find in the Roller class of Splatoon 3 weapon. Where other weapons require aim and a bit of a learning curve, the Roller requires one thing: bonks. If you can sneak up, swim up, or in any way approach your opponent and get them within bonking distance, you’ve won. A simple preface for a simple weapon. For this upcoming Splatfest, you’ll need all the splats you can get.
The Roller makes for a great set of standards for the new player. Just try not to get too addicted to the simplicity of it, though. Splatoon 3 has many kinds of weapons will all sorts of playstyles. However, if you’re more into simple tactics that get the job done in short order, choose a Roller as your main. Below we’ve created a Splatoon 3 weapon tier list summarizing all the Rollers from least versatile to most, stating the strengths and weaknesses of each. Study our list below, and you just might find a new main.
7. Big Swing Roller
The Big Swing Roller is a new Roller introduced in Splatoon 3 during the Chill Season of 2022. It features a longer attachment than the main Roller, designed for splatting more territory with each swing. However, don’t get this big boy confused: it is NOT a Dynamo Roller. It doesn’t hit nearly as hard or as far as any Dynamo, prioritizing more inking than anything else. It inks consistently and widely, making it a rare kind of turfing Roller. That being said, the damage on the Big Swing Roller isn’t all that great. It requires two hits, similar to the Carbon Roller, to get in a splat.
However, just because the Big Swing Roller is differently spread doesn’t make it any less of a Roller. There are plenty of ways to utilize the Big Swing for what it is. If you want to be a support player but still use a Roller, the Big Swing is definitely your pick. Concerning the Sub and Special for this Roller, it has the Splash Wall and Ink Vac. The Splash Wall defines this Roller quickly as more of a support class rather than a Roller that can exist more in the front lines. The Ink Vac Special is perfect for defense or support, sucking up ink for a direct enemy or enemy of a friend.
6. Carbon Roller
The Carbon Roller was once a top-tier Roller back in the days of Splatoon 2. However, since then, the cooldown between swings has increased since then, making the Carbon Roller just a tad slower than the superior version in 2. That being said, just because the Carbon Roller is a little slower these days doesn’t make it any less of an efficient weapon. A good bonk directly on an enemy can still splat within one hit, but you better hit them directly. Anything less, and you’ll receive that half measure of damage and a gun right in your face. However, because it needs two hits to get a splat in, it and the Deco version take lower spots on our Splatoon weapon tier list.
Don’t let the fact that the Carbon Roller takes two hits to splat fool you into thinking it isn’t a powerful weapon. Wielded with the right hands, players can splat opponents easily with this quick and flexible Roller. With the Autobomb as a Sub weapon, players can out-wait any long-distance fighter, luring them in or distracting them with a cute Autobomb. If waiting and sneaking isn’t your thing, that’s fine. The Carbon Roller can also work with an aggressive strategy, making the Zipcaster a valuable addition as a Special. Get up in the enemies’ faces quickly by swinging from stage pillar to stage pillar on the charge of the Zipcaster.
5. Carbon Roller Deco
The Carbon Roller Deco is similar to the Carbon Roller. It sports a slightly different look than the standard Carbon, taking more of a cautionary look from the emblem Deco. Aside from advertisements, the Carbon Deco Roller isn’t all that different in playstyle from the previous version. Two hits are still needed to splat someone. These Splatoon 3 Rollers are still just as fast as their predecessors, making them an excellent weapon for concentrated splatting as well as sneaking.
The only difference between the Carbon Roller Deco and the Carbon Roller Standard is the Sub and Special weapons. So, if you enjoy using the Carbon Roller but aren’t a fan of the kit, the Deco may be just what you need. It has a Burst Bomb, which is excellent for scoring chip hits, or using them as an additive for a sneak attack. If you like blowing people away with unexpected offensive power, the Tri-zooka is the Special for the Deco. Although, be warned, Roller users, that requires aim.
4. Dynamo Roller
The Dynamo Roller is the heaviest hitter of them all. Slow but dealing a mighty blow, if you want to feel like you’re wielding the hammer that falls, pick up this Roller. Just be warned, with great power comes great slowness in this case. This weapon takes an astonishing amount of time to deliver a swing, sometimes three full seconds if you want to try for a vertical swing. However, just doing a plain horizontal swing doesn’t take nearly as long.
This weapon covers a lot of turf, but don’t mistake it for a turfing weapon. While it can cover much ground, it does so slowly and sporadically. The vertical swing is a big straight line, not exactly ideal for turning, despite packing a huge punch. And the horizontal swing, while it does cover ground, doesn’t completely cover the area in front of the player. Consider this weapon to be a slow, tank-ish type with a deadly punch. The Dynamo Roller kit consists mostly of support-facing tactics. The Sprinkler Sub can help make the Dynamo more of a turfing weapon than usual, while the Tacticooler is a support Special that can help boosts your friends’ stats.
3. Splat Roller
The Splat Roller is the standard Roller, one of the first Splatoon 3 Rollers you get in the game. There are no tricks here. This Roller is the standard set—no drawbacks like the Carbon Roller or overextensions like with the Dynamo Roller. Splat Rollers splat in one hit, making it a reliable weapon for the new and inexperienced. If you have never held a Roller before, consider starting with this one first. This can give you the most standard experience. The Curling Bomb Sub weapon allows Splat Roller mains to sneak up on unexpecting shooters, while the Big Bubbler can provide some tactical protection throughout key points in a match.
2. Krak-On Splat Roller
The Krak-On Splat Roller is one of the newest editions to the Roller group and one of the strongest in our Splatoon 3 weapon tier list. It comes with the Kraken Royale, a special that allows players to turn into a giant squid or octo for their special. Given this entirely offensive special, the Krak-On Splat Roller is popular for a Roller main that wants to rack up splats. However, the Krak-On Splat Roller’s Sub weapon, the Squid Beakon, isn’t very power heavy at all. With this mixture of total offense and strategy, the Krak-On Splat Roller has become a popular weapon in the meta as of late, despite being the Splat Roller with a new kit.
1. Flingza Roller
The Flingza Roller takes the top spot on our list for being a versatile weapon and having a flexible kit. In terms of damage output, the Flingza is no different than the average Splat Roller. However, the difference is in the execution. If you want a Roller that reaches just as far as a Dynamo but still has the speed of a regular Splat Roller, consider the Flingza. There’s only one drawback to how the Flingza works: that wind-up for the vertical swing takes a while. Just like the Dynamo, the Flingza has one weakness in speed. If you can manage to prepare and have a good reaction time, you can make good use of the Flingza and the way it fires shots.
Concerning the technical side of things, the Flingza has two very flexible tools. The Sub weapon for the Flingza, the Ink Mine, can be used defensively or offensively. For Splat Zones, this can be especially useful. Another use that the Flingza has is in the Special it contains, Tenta-Missiles. While not everyone may be a huge fan of them, Tenta Missles are good for chasing down players, interrupting critical points of a game, and attacking towers in Tower Control.
