Hey squids! Have you ever thought to yourself; Wow, how do other people use chargers so well? How do they pick off entire teams and stay hidden? Well, today, these questions will be answered!
Charger Types
There are many different types of chargers, and learning to use each one effectively and finding one in particular that fits your playstyle is key. You may prefer the accuracy of a scope weapon, or you may find that it leaves you open to attack and lowers your line of sight. I'll be going over the strengths and weaknesses of all the chargers here, as well as where and how to use them effectively.
Vanilla Charger/Kelp Charger
The vanilla charger (meaning the static charger, the first one you recieve) is the simplest charger to understand. Average charge time, average range, average ink consumption. Average doesn't mean bad, though. It's reliable, being able to splat enemy Inklings at an average range, as well as at an average rate. Splat Bomb rush is also very reliable, as it can help you out of a sticky situation. Your main enemy is going to be other Chargers, as well as rapid-fire weapons, such as the Splattershot Jr. and the Aerosprays. You should worry about these because they can sneak up on you very quickly, and you won't have much time to react. Sloshers can also be your worst nightmare, spreading ink on your perch and just generally being an annoyance. The best way to take out these foes is patience and your sub weapon. Splat Bombs can take out nearby enemies or cause them to run away, and throwing a bomb at an unsuspecting Charger that's off guard usually does the trick. The Kelp Charger is also very useful, giving a more balanced set of specials and subs rather than just bombs. The sprinkler is a great way to cover turf while you snipe, and the Killer Wail greatly increases your range. Walleye Warehouse and Port Mackerel are great maps to use this weapon on. With perches for you to stand on that aren't too far from the action, this weapon is very effective.
Classic Squiffer/New Squiffer
Squiffers are very deadly in the right hands. Or...Tentacles, I suppose. Squiffers are a more in-your-face weapon rather than a stealthy weapon. They charge very quickly, and one-shot any Inkling that dares approach them. Your worst enemies when using the Squiffers are long-range weapons; for instance, the Splattershot Pro. Weapons with range will have you back to respawn in no time. How to get around this, you ask? Creative, out-of-the-box thinking. You need to be on your toes with this weapon, but you will be greatly rewarded for doing so. Once again, your sub weapon will be your saving grace; throwing Splat Bombs ahead to someone who's trying to splat you from afar can prove quite effective. The Bubbler is also a great support special if you're in Ranked Battles. Inkzooka GREATLY increases your range, and mines can be deadly if you set traps with them. Sneaking up on unsuspecting Inklings is also a great way to use this weapon. Arowana Mall and Camp Triggerfish are great maps to use this weapon on, as they both have a ton of routes to traverse on and places you can snipe from (at close range.)
E-liter 3K/Custom E-liter 3K
The E-liter 3K is my personal favorite of all the Chargers, because of its utility overall. It has AMAZING range, and a very useful special and sub for both custom and vanilla sets. Taking the high ground is a good idea for this weapon, as you'll be able to splat enemies from afar and support your team from the sidelines. There are some things you need to worry about, though; the thing takes AGES to charge, and it consumes ink very quickly. This can be worked around, however, with Ink Saver upgrades and careful play. In close-range situations, when you're cornered, Splat Bombs can get you out of a pinch. The Echolocator greatly improves your accuracy, and it helps your teammates, too. The custom comes with the Kraken and Squid Beakons, which provide places for your team as well as yourself to jump to. The Kraken is great for sneaking up on unsuspecting teams, but be careful; Kraken is close ranged, but the main weapon is long-ranged. Don't just march in with your head held high only to be splatted immediately. Moray Towers and Flounder Heights are great for this weapon, since you can stealthily splat the opposition.
Scopes
Scoped weapons are the same as the regular weapons, but with a scope. The usefulness of the scope is completely left to personal preference; it increases accuracy, but makes you more susceptible to attacks, as you can't see them coming.
Conclusion
Chargers are very powerful weapons in many situations. I hope my guide helped you, and I hope you learned something!
