Splatoon 3’s currency, Scales, has been confusing players for a while, but we now finally have an explanation as to how they work.

From a whole Catalog of rare emotes and outfits to food and drink tokens, Splatoon 3 has a lot of rewards to unlock. However, depending on the reward, you’ll have to use a different currency.

There has been a lot of confusion surrounding one of Splatoon 3’s many currencies, Scales. Fortunately, we now know exactly how they work.

Table of contents

What Are Scales in Splatoon 3?

Scales, or Fish Scales, are a unique currency type in Splatoon 3 that players can earn during the Xtrawave in Salmon Run matches.

Like all currencies in Splatoon 3, Scales can be used to purchase a number of different rewards. If you’re looking to expand your ever-growing collection of clothes, then you may want to pick up a few Scales.

Bronze, Silver and Gold Scale in Splatoon 3

You can also exchange Scales for banners, Boss Salmonid statues, and stickers. These can then be used to pimp out your Locker, so make sure to expand it as much as possible to fit in all of your new collectibles!

How Do You Earn Scales in Salmon Run?

You will earn Scales by taking part in an Xtrawave and fighting a King Salmonid during a match of Salmon Run.

The amount of Scales you earn during a Salmon Run match is determined by two key factors: the amount of time left in a match and the boss’s remaining health.

From then on it gets a little complicated, but the probability of getting Scales is broken down like this:

  • You get 2 Scales just for reaching an Xtrawave in Salmon Run
  • For every 12.5% of the King Salmonid’s health you deplete, you get another Scale (maximum of 8 Scales which would be 100% of the boss’s health)
  • If you defeat the King Salmonid, you will get a Scale for every 10 seconds remaining in the match (maximum of 3 Scales, so 30 seconds)
Inklings in Salmon Run mode in Splatoon 3 looking down at Smallfry

This means there is a maximum of 13 Scales up for grabs during a Salmon Run match. It also means, however, that you don’t even need to defeat the King Salmonid in order to earn Scales.

How to Get Gold Scales in Salmon Run

You earn Gold Scales in Salmon Run simply by reaching an Xtrawave in Salmon Run, however, your chances of earning one are 3% at best.

Scale rarity is calculated based on your Hazard Level, which is what determines the difficulty of each match. It takes every player’s Job ranking and alters the match difficulty based on your collective ranking.

However, Twitter user LeanYoshi has figured out the exact percentage chance of earning Bronze, Silver, and Gold Scales in Salmon Run.

Here is how Scale rarity is determined:

  • Before factoring in Hazard Levels, there’s a 0% chance of receiving a Gold Scale and a 5% chance of receiving a Silver Scale
  • You receive Bronze Scales by default
  • For each Hazard Level, the chances of gaining a Gold Scale goes up by 0.009%, and for Silver, it goes up by 0.045%
  • So, if you had a Hazard Level of 150% (Apprentice) then you would have a 1.35% chance of getting a Gold Scale and an 11.75% of getting a Silver Scale
  • If you have the highest Hazard Level of 333%, then you’re looking at a 3% chance of getting a Gold Scale and a 20% chance of getting a Silver Scale
the King Salmonid from Splatoon 3

Therefore, if you were hoping to build up your collection of Gold Scales, you’re going to have a tough time. However, you’ll stand a much better chance at defeating the King Salmonid with these weapons.

How to Reach the Xtrawave in Splatoon 3

To reach the Xtrawave in Splatoon 3, you must play multiple matches of Salmon Run and fill up your Salmometer.

You are not guaranteed to encounter an Xtrawave during a typical game of Salmon Run. However, if you and your team have full Salmometers, your chances of reaching the Xtrawave are greatly increased.

To fill your Salmometer, all you’ll need to do is play multiple Salmon Run shifts in a row. It doesn’t matter if you win or lose these shifts, your Salmometer will fill up anyway.

Every Scale Reward in Splatoon 3

Here is every reward you can purchase with your Scales in Splatoon 3:

Work Suits

RewardCostPurchasable
Orange SlopsuitUnlocked AlreadyImmediately
Green Slopsuit10 Silver ScalesImmediately
Yellow Slopsuit10 Silver ScalesImmediately
Pink Slopsuit30 Silver ScalesAfter 1st Milestone
Blue Slopsuit30 Silver ScalesAfter 1st Milestone
Black Slopsuit100 Silver ScalesAfter 2nd Milestone
White Slopsuit100 Silver ScalesAfter 2nd Milestone

Decorations

the unlockable decorations from Splatoon 3 Salmon Run in a grid format
  • 1. Scrapper Statue
    • Costs: 80 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • 2. Steelhead Statue
    • Costs: 5 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • 3. Smallfry Statue
    • Costs: 1 Gold Scale
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • 4. Maws Statue
    • Costs: 160 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • 5. Stinger Statue
    • Costs: 20 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • 6. Chum Statue
    • Costs: 4 Gold Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • 7. Drizzler Statue
    • Costs: 320 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • 8. Flyfish Statue
    • Costs: 80 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • 9. Cohock Statue
    • Costs: 15 Gold Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • 10. Steel Eel Statue
    • Costs: 15 Gold Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • 11. Goldie Statue
    • Costs: 100 Gold Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone

Stickers

a series of unlockable Stickers from Splatoon 3
  • TS-SAL graffiti
    • Costs: 30 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • TS-SWD graffiti
    • Costs: 50 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • GCI-DNG poster
    • Costs: 50 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • GCI-FRI neon
    • Costs: 1 Silver Scale
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • TS-ORBRS graffiti
    • Costs: 3 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • Grizzco Industries logo
    • Costs: 1 Gold Scale
    • Purchasable: Immediately
  • TS-C0HK graffiti
    • Costs: 80 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • TS-RLPL graffiti
    • Costs: 80 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • GCI-FSH sticker
    • Costs: 80 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • GCI-NMLSMN neon
    • Costs: 10 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • SR-UDTRG sign
    • Costs: 10 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • GCI-WTD poster
    • Costs: 1 Gold Scale
    • Purchasable: After 1st Milestone
  • TS-WHPL graffiti
    • Costs: 160 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • TS-SMFR graffiti
    • Costs: 160 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • TS-LGF8Z graffiti
    • Costs: 160 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • GCI-N0SLMN poster
    • Costs: 160 Bronze Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • GCI-XLSMN neon
    • Costs: 50 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • TS-FLT graffiti
    • Costs: 50 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • SD0-STR graffiti
    • Costs: 50 Silver Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone
  • TS-C0HZ graffiti
    • Costs: 10 Gold Scales
    • Purchasable: After 2nd Milestone

Banners

RewardCostPurchasable
10 Bronze ScalesImmediately
100 Bronze ScalesImmediately
2 Gold ScalesImmediately
250 Bronze ScalesAfter 1st Milestone
250 Bronze ScalesAfter 1st Milestone
5 Gold ScalesAfter 1st Milestone
600 Bronze ScalesAfter 2nd Milestone
600 Bronze ScalesAfter 2nd Milestone
999 Silver ScalesAfter 2nd Milestone
20 Gold ScalesAfter 2nd Milestone

How to Reach the Scale Milestones In Splatoon 3

To reach the Scale milestones in Splatoon 3 you need to spend a certain amount of Bronze, Silver, and Gold Scales.

In order to obtain certain rewards in Splatoon 3, you’ll need to reach milestones. In the case of Scales, there are two milestones you’ll need to hit before you can purchase every reward.

As the saying goes, you’ve got to spend money to make money. In this case, you’ve got to give away all of your Scales so you can access more impressive rewards.

To reach the first milestone, you’ll need to spend the following Scales:

  • 100 Bronze Scales
  • 10 Silver Scales
Inklings in the Salmon Run mode in Splatoon 3 next to a tall basket

Once you’ve reached this, more Work Suits, Decorations, Stickers, and Banners will become available for you to purchase.

To reach the second milestone, you’ll need to spend the following Scales:

  • 350 Bronze Scales
  • 40 Silver Scales
  • 4 Gold Scales

Once you’ve reached this, every Work Suit, Decoration, Sticker, and Banner will become available for you to purchase.

Of course, it is very likely that the upcoming Salmon Run-focused Big Run event will be a great opportunity to unlock even more Scales!