Splatoon 3’s Splatfests are colorful interactive Turf Wars that go on for longer than a three-minute match. Spanning several days, Splatfests not only pits you against others to decide who or what is the best of the best, but also completely transforms Splatsville into a vibrant party scene. The third official Splatoon 3 Splatfest is a crossover with Nintendo’s other popular franchise, Pokemon. This event features inklings and octolings battling it out to decide which Pokemon partner type is the best: Water, Fire, or Grass.
As cool as this event theme is, wouldn’t it be even cooler if actual Pokemon were allowed into the Splatfest? But that begs the question, which Pokemon should join? Which Pokemon will find themselves right at home in this chaotic three-way battle?
10 Blast Away The Opposition With Blastoise
Blastoise is the final evolution of the starter Pokemon Squirtle from Kanto. What you might notice first about this Pokemon are the huge cannons poking out of their back. Coupled with their high special defense, Blastoise can be the Water Team’s Blaster user.
The Blaster weapon type focuses more on heavier hitting ink shots so, rather than inking turf, Blastoise’s role will be that of taking out enemy players before they can ink your base. The only drawback would be Blastoise’s lower speed, which would mean that speedy squids, octolings, and Pokemon could take them by surprise.
9 Charge Up With Inteleon
In every good Splatfest team, you need a member who can take out the opposition from a high vantage point. This is where weapons like Chargers come into play. And what better Pokemon is there for the role of the sniper than the Pokemon Inteleon? According to their Pokedex entry, this speedy Water type can take aim and literally shoot liquid from their fingertips.
Plus, they possess a Gigantamax move called G-Max Hydrosnipe, which has them creating a raised platform for themselves out of their tail and taking aim! As a Charger, Inteleon can out speed others and protect their teammates from surprise attacks. All while staying at a safe distance.
8 Roll Over With Mantine
One of the main newscasters for the Anarchy Splatcast is Big Man, a manta ray. And what is the Pokemon Mantine but just another manta ray? Mantine is a Water and Flying type with a high special defense and a wide wingspan. Like Big Man’s boss fight in Splatoon 3’s storyline, Mantine can fulfill a similar role in the Splatfest and focus on covering the turf in blue ink.
Mantine’s role in combat will be the team’s Roller user, a weapon which focuses more on ground coverage rather than offens — though it does have an impressive record of splatting others hiding in ink. With the Roller, Mantine can paint the town a nice watery blue while their team members focus on taking out other opponents.
7 Slash And Dash With Delphox
Delphox is the third and final evolution of Fennekin, the Fire-type starter from Kalos. Delphox is a dual Fire and Psychic type whose battle stats favor that of special attack, special defense, and speed. Characteristics like these make Delphox’s best weapon match the Inkbrush. Being the Fire Team’s main Inkbrush wielder means that Delphox can easily run through the different turfs and quickly ink opponents at a close range.
The Inkbrush might not be the most powerful weapon, but it makes up for it by having complementary Sub Weapons. Delphox could also help their teammates out by quickly and efficiently inking any enemy that gets close to them. How’s that for teamwork?
6 More Fire Power To Magmortar
Magmortar is a Fire type literally known as the Blast Pokemon, making them the perfect candidate for the Fire side’s Blaster user. Especially since one of the Blasters already has fire painted on it.
Like Blastoise, Magmortar role will be taking out enemy splatters and sending them crying back to their Spawner Drones. Magmortar also has a high special attack, so rather than focusing on their main Blaster techniques, Magmortar will focus more on sub weapons and Specials. So be prepared for Bombs, Ink Mines, Toxic Mists, and a charged Special that will surely paint the town red!
5 Dual It Out With Victini
Who wouldn’t say no to having a legendary Pokemon on their team? Victini is a legendary Fire and Psychic Pokemon whose appearance is said to bring certain victory to the Trainer who uses them. In this case, that would mean certain Splatfest victory.
With an arsenal of unique signature moves and a signature ability that gives all team members a boost in accuracy, the best weapon that Victini can main as are the Dualies. The Dualies allows for its user to perform a dodge roll and get out of harms way. Just like the Victory Pokemon, the Dualies aren’t the strongest weapon, but when used correctly, they certainly aren’t the weakest either.
4 Rolling With Serperior
Serperior is a Grass type hailing from the Unova region. As the starter Pokemon Snivy’s third and final evolution, Serperior boats a high-speed stat followed by a strong special defense stat. These two factors together means that Serperior can get in and get out and be able to tank whatever attacks the other teams throw at them.
Thus, they would make the perfect Roller for Team Grass. As a Roller, Serperior will be able to handle a few hits and speedily roll over the opposition. Their focus will be less on eliminating other enemies and more on inking the turf as fast as possible. As long as they stay away from the other team’s Chargers and Dualies, they’ll be fine. Probably.
3 Time For A Splatling With Celebi
Celebi is mythical Pokemon that should join in on the Splatfest fight. In the world of Pokemon, this Grass and Psychic type is said to be able to travel through time. Being able to time travel is sure to give Team Grass an edge over their opponents! Not only will you be able to better predict your enemy's moves, but you can also go back to the past and change the outcome of the battle in case you lose.
Celebi would be the team's Splatling user. Though the Splatling is heavy and takes a few seconds to charge, the end result is the quick take down of opponents. Hopefully, while everyone is chasing down Team Grass’ other members, they won’t notice this tiny Celebi holding a huge Ballpoint Splating.
2 Take Aim With Decidueye
Decidueye is the final Grass type evolution of Rowlet from the Alola and Hisui region. Depending on which game they are in, Decidueye is either a Grass and Ghost type or a Grass and Fighting type. But what doesn’t change is Decidueye’s skill with the arrow. In this Splatfest, they will be the Stringer of the team and use their main weapon to take aim and fire.
Decidueye’s role in Team Grass will be split between inking the turf green and taking out opponents who might be after the squishier Celebi and the speedy Serperior. Though Decidueye might get cornered, that’s nothing a quick rollover or some time travel from Celebi can’t fix.
1 The OG Painter: Smeargle!
Though this final Pokemon is a Normal type and doesn’t adhere to any team, it would be negligent of us not to include them. Smeargle is a Pokemon originally from the Johto region whose unique move, Sketch, allows for them to copy any other Pokemon’s last used moves. And in the inky and colorful world of Splatoon, one could say that every battle is just a chance for everyone to show off the painting skills.
Smeargle’s Sketch move also means that they can easily join Team Water, Fire, or Grass. Thanks to their versatility and their paintbrush-like tail, it is best that they take on the Inkbrush weapon for their team of choice. Sure, they might not be as strong as Delphox when using this main weapon, but they can definitely bring an artistic flair to the Turf Wars!