My family is about to get a wii u and splatoon. Over the years playing different genres of games I've realized that i HATE close combat.
Since Chargers can snipe and i have the option to stay away with Splatlings I'm choosing on or the other. Seeing as I've only played at Best Buy I figured why not ask some experienced players. Thank you.:)
Splatlings and Chargers are mainly support weapons. They don't usually deal well with aggressive play, though the Mini Splat is pretty much the Splattershot's slower, fatter sister. If you think you'll enjoy a more defensive play style, both are good choices, though the Splatling will get better coverage and help you charge your special faster. They do well with keeping enemies away from certain areas, and decent killing power, and have excellent coverage.
Chargers come in two forms: conventional snipers (Splat Chargers and E-Liters) and Gotcha! chargers (Squiffer & Bamboozler). The first require a steady hand, patience, good situational awareness, and decent accuracy. The second are more ambush weapons and rely on quick reflexes, the ability to "shoot from the hip," and surprise. They are two very different styles of play, and you should try both to see which you like better. The learning curve on E-Liters is pretty steep though, so prepare to spend a long time learning to use the weapon effectively.
Both weapons are not the best in terms of mobility (save for Bambi and Squiff), so don't expect to juke and dance around enemies while your weapon is drawn. If you want a fair compramize between range, power, and mobility, the Squelchers are a good choice as Tim said. The Gals (.52 & .96) are pretty effective in any mode, work well for both aggressive and defensive play, and are pretty forgiving. Of the two, I find the chargers more satisfying and intense, but the Splatlings are easier to pick up & use and a lot more forgiving to new players.
You'll unlock the first Charger long before the first decent Splatling (Heavy). Perhaps you can use that time to take chargers out for a test drive? The Squelch and Gals are also good choices and offer a little more flexibility in play style.
