Splatoon 3 Tableturf Battle Guide

Learn everything you need to play Tableturf Battles in Splatoon with our ultimate guide, which covers how to play, where to find more cards, and more.

The Splatoon series is primarily known for its hectic and chaotic online battles, that bring 8 players together with buckets of paint to shoot.

While Splatoon 3 follows much of this tradition, it also adds in a new game mode that feels entirely unique in Splatoon: Tableturf Battles.

Here’s everything you need to know about the new minigame that puts the iconic Turf War into a board game format!

Table of contents

What is Tableturf Battle in Splatoon 3?
Where to Play Tableturf Battles in Splatoon 3
How to Play Tableturf Battles and All Rules in Splatoon 3
Tips, Tricks, & Strategies to Win in Tableturf Battles
How to Find More Tableturf Card Packs in Splatoon 3
How to Create a Card Deck for Tableturf Battles

What is Tableturf Battle in Splatoon 3?

Tableturf Battle is a card minigame in Splatoon 3, where two opposing players must place cards on a board and have the most blocks covered in their color to win.

Each card has a Tetris-style block value, with different patterns and amount of area covered. Interestingly, each card is based on an item or character in Splatoon 3, for example, Splat Rollers or Curling Bombs.

Instead of playing matches against four other players, you’ll only play against one other player. However, you can only play against AI opponents for the time being.

Where to Play Tableturf Battles in Splatoon 3

Players can enjoy Tableturf Battles at the Tableturf Dojo in the main hub once this location unlocks by ranking up to level 4.

From the main Square, head up the stairs towards the lobby
At the top of the stairs, turn around and head around the corner to the right of Grizzco’s building
Follow the alley all the way down until you see a small stall with a table
Speak to the fish next to the table

Box around an Alleyway near Grizzco in Splatoon 3

If you’re finding it difficult to reach, check out our small video tutorial below, so you know exactly where to go!

How to Play Tableturf Battles and All Rules in Splatoon 3

Here are all of the rules and instructions on how to play Tableturf Battles in Splatoon 3:

Each game consists of 12 moves. You CAN pass a turn if you wish.
Each card consists of a pattern of blocks (or ink). With every pattern is a Special Block.
Special Blocks, when surrounded by other blocks, whether your own or your opponents, will award one Special Point
You cannot place cards over another player’s blocks unless using Special Points
Both players play their card at the same time, with the result being shown at the end of the turn
Cards must be placed next to existing blocks of yours
If both players place a card in the same area, one of two things will happen:
- If the card has two different numbers, the one with the larger block pattern will play first. The smaller blocks will cover up the larger blocks.
- If the cards share the same number of blocks, any overlapping blocks will become walls. These cannot be inked over.
Each card also has a Special Point cost, found at the bottom of the card. If the player has enough Special Points, they can use these cards to cover enemy blocks

Tips, Tricks, & Strategies to Win in Tableturf Battles

Play as many cards towards the center of the board as you can.
- You can always play cards behind your starting point later in the match.
Avoid placing Special Blocks against the edge of the board
- These won’t be able to have surrounding ink, meaning you won’t get any Special Points for these.
Save up Special Points for larger block patterns
Build a card deck mixed with low and high numbers
- While they may not seem it, low-numbered cards are more important than higher ones, especially in the latter parts of any match.
Rotate cards to have as many blocks covering areas as possible
- You can press X/Y to rotate blocks before placing them.

End of a match in Splatoon 3's Tableturf Match

How to Find More Tableturf Card Packs in Splatoon 3

Here are all of the ways you can get more Card Packs for Tableturf in Splatoon 3:

Finding them in Alterna / Story Mode
Ranking Up in Tableturf Battles
Card Packs from the Catalog
Card Packs from the Shell-Out Machine
Exchanging Card-Bits

Every Card Pack has five cards. The only option above that doesn’t offer five cards is exchanging Card-Bits, which is basically purchasing a single card.

We’re going to explain each of these methods in detail below.

Finding Them in Alterna / Story Mode

By looking around every site in Alterna, also known as Splatoon 3’s Story Mode, players can find hidden Card Packs underneath fuzz.

Once found, these Card Packs can be opened up by accessing the Lobby Terminal in the Lobby, by selecting the ‘Get Stuff’ option.

You can also get some Tableturf Card Packs by unlocking and using the Sheldon Drone in Splatoon 3.

Card Pack found in the second site of Splatoon 3's Story Mode

Ranking Up in Tableturf Battles

Playing through matches of Tableturf Battles will increase your rank, and at some ranks, you’ll get Card Packs.

It’s better to win Tableturf Battles, as they reward you 100 XP towards ranking up. However, a loss still gives you 40 XP.

Ranking Up screen in Splatoon 3 Tableturf

Card Packs from the Catalog

Leveling up your Catalog will also earn you some Tableturf Cards in Splatoon 3.

Not only do Catalogs have these much-needed Card Packs, but they have plenty of great items. Find out unlock all of the rewards in the Catalog in Splatoon 3.

You’ll need to pick these up at the General Store to open the pack and see what you’ve unlocked. If you’re desperate for more cards, find out how to level up faster in Splatoon 3.

Catalog page in Splatoon 3 with some rewards

Card Packs From the Shell-Out Machine

If you’re feeling lucky, you can also try the Shell-Out Machine in Splatoon 3’s Lobby and hopefully, get a new Card Pack!

This is not the best option if you’re hoping for new Tableturf Cards, as it can be a gamble. We also only recommend buying the first Shell-Out of the day at 5000 Cash instead of the further 30,000 per Shell-Out.

If you’re low on money, here’s how to get more Cash quickly in Splatoon 3!

Exchanging Card-Bits

For all duplicate cards you get, you’ll receive Card-Bits, a currency that can be used to purchase single Tableturf Cards.

Here’s how to purchase Tableturf Cards in Splatoon 3:

Press “X” to bring up the menu
Press the “R” button until you reach the Status tab
Scroll down to the Tableturf Battle option and press A
Select the Card List button
Press “X” to open the Card-Bit Exchange menu
Pick any of the blacked-out options you want, press “A” and you can exchange Card-Bits for the card

Card-Bits can be hard to come by unless you’ve opened plenty of duplicate packs, so you’ll want to take advantage of the above methods for collecting cards first.