New Splatoon 3 patch 1.2.0 is improving online connection and bringing nerfs to some of the game’s most overpowered weapons.

Splatoon 3 has been out for almost 2 months already and for the most part it’s been left untouched. Before today, Nintendo hadn’t even tweaked the game’s balance, despite some weapons being stronger than the rest.

Now, we’re finally getting a minor balance patch, as well as some much-needed improvements to the title.

All Weapon Changes in Splatoon 3 Patch 1.2.0

Splatoon 3 is nerfing the Flingza Roller, Sloshing Machine, and REEF-LUX 450 by increasing their Special Weapon points requirement from 200 to 210.

It is also nerfing the Fizzy Bomb Sub Weapon by increasing the amount of time it takes for ink to start recovering after use by about 0.25 seconds.

That’s it for the first weapon balancing in Splatoon 3 history, and it’s not exactly a major change. However, with these weapons now charging their specials slower, it’s clear what Nintendo hopes to achieve:

“We’ve implemented several adjustments to curtail to a certain extent the style of play where the player stays far removed from the action and continually uses sub weapons or special weapons.”

With the nerfed weapons being some of the best weapons for painting in Splatoon 3, many players were using them to quickly charge long-range specials without engaging the enemy team. And while this will still be possible, it’ll now be slightly less effective of a strategy.

Nintendo confirms that the next balance patch is aimed for early December, as the game’s first season comes to an end.

Looking for a new favorite weapon after the nerfs? Here are the best weapons in Splatoon 3 right now!

Splatoon 3 Online Connection Improvements

For those worried about the game’s online connectivity, Splatoon 3 is making significant improvements to its multiplayer in patch 1.2.0. The new update will make data transfer around 0.05 seconds more quickly than before, leading to a reduction in the time it takes from a player being dealt damage to being defeated.

Players should also notice a difference when touching a Golden Egg, with the item being picked up faster in Salmon Run games. And this should make a significant impact, seeing as Splatoon 3’s first Big Run event is just around the corner.

However, Nintendo states that these improvements will not fully compensate for a slow or unreliable internet connection.

Splatfest Changes

Splatfests will see the following changes in Splatoon 3, following update 1.2.0:

• Player team affiliation will be shown during Open and Pro Splatfest Battles.
• Hand-drawn pictures in the Splatville sky are now reportable.
• Improved efficiency of matchmaking for Anarchy Battles (Open or Series), Splatfest Battles (Open), and Tricolor Attack leading to shorter wait times.

Considering that Splatoon 3’s new Pokemon-themed Splatfest is about to drop, we’re happy to see the event getting some work.

Splatoon 3 Patch 1.2.0 Release Date

Patch 1.2.0 will release for Splatoon 3 on October 25 2022.

You can see the full Splatoon 3 patch notes for 1.2.0 here, including a huge list of bug fixes.