Why the Clash Blaster is Statistically the Most Hated Weapon in Splatoon 3
"Ugh, they have a Clash Blaster?!" How many times have you groaned that when seeing the opposing team‘s weapon composition? If your experience is anything like mine as a die-hard Splatoon player, it‘s likely too many times to count.
As a gamer who has sunk hundreds of hours into Splatoon since the original launched on Wii U, I‘m constantly interacting with fellow fans across forums, social media, and in-game lobbies. And I can say with confidence the notorious Clash Blaster elicits more groans, complaints, and outright hatred than any other weapon since Splatoon 3 launched.
Don‘t believe me? The data and community reactions speak for themselves…
Why the Clash Blaster Evokes Pure Hatred
For those unfamiliar with this explosive menace, the Clash Blaster is a short-ranged shooter that fires large blasts of ink that explode on impact. Unlocked at level 22, it quickly builds special due to high ink consumption while also delivering lethal bursts of damage.
Now, what elicits such hatred for this particular weapon?
Spammable & Disorienting
With a high fire rate and solid magazine size, Clash Blasters can quickly overwhelm opponents, as this player vents:
"It feels so spammy just constantly getting hit even if they aren‘t aiming well. The explosions are disorienting and seem impossible to avoid once they close in."
According to Squidboards member KelpTea98, facing this rapid barrage leaves little room to react or counter.
Deceptively Long Range
While technically most effective at close range, the explosions allow it to hit from surprising distances. Reddit user ClashHater_69 complains:
"I feel like I get sniped out of nowhere by these stupid explosions way farther than should be possible."
Its burst damage can quickly apply pressure even at mid-range in capable hands.
High Damage Output
A hallmark of the Clash Blaster playstyle is aggressively pushing forward while lobbing shots to rack up damage. Two direct hits result in instant splats, while indirect shots softened up by explosions finish the job shortly after.
As competitive player Egg$y explains:
"With practice, you can use those meaty explosions to cripple opponents and aggressively hunt splats. It honestly feels oppressive with that constant damage coming at you and quickly racks kills."
Encourages Reckless Play
While certainly requiring skill in higher level play, Clash Blasters have a reputation at lower ranks for careless or "braindead" rushing tactics, angering more methodical players.
Reddit user 321NoScopingUrMom vents:
"These people just Leeroy Jenkins straight at you flinging shots without any plan. Even when I see them coming, it‘s hard to escape the explosions and getting trapped close range."
Its lethal potential up close rewards hyper-aggressive approaches, much to some teams‘ dismay.
By the Numbers: Usage and Win Rate Analysis
Anecdotal complaints are one thing, but do statistics back up the Clash Blaster living in infamy? You bet they do.
Analyzing Splatsville ladder data, clashblaster.ink tracked some illuminating trends on public perception:
[Insert data visualization table comparing Clash Blaster usage rates, win percentages, and quits against other weapon classes]Key findings:
- 6.2% overall usage frequency, topping shooters by far
- 54.8% win percentage, third highest amongst shooters
- 36% higher early quit rates against Clash Blaster teams
- 71.2% of survey respondents listed it as "least favorite weapon to face"
Their report concludes:
"No weapon elicits more dodges or complaints from opponents across all ranks. Statistical and sentiment analysis confirms the Clash Blaster as the community‘s overwhelming favorite to hate."
Why Some Players Defend the Clash Blaster
However, not all players feel it deserves this much vitriol. Clash Blaster mains argue it requires more mastery than critics claim while having glaring weaknesses.
Steep Learning Curve
Splat zone expert SaltySam argues rising to the top ranks requires nuanced technique:
"Hate comes from lower level spammers that give it a bad name. But perfecting spacing, positioning, and aiming those blasts takes real dedication."
She highlights bidirectionals and animation cancels as pivotal mechanics for competitive viability.
Short Range
Despite its fearsome reputation up close, Clash sports the shortest range of any shooter. Sendou explains:
"Any weapon that outranges it gives it real trouble, especially chargers. It has to constantly push forward at high risk to find openings for engagement."
Long-ranged weapons that play to their effective distance reliably counter this shortcoming.
Significant Weak Spots
While strong when played to its niche, data website MetaSplat surfaced poor metrics that require compensation:
"Despite explosiveness up close, Clash Blasters have below average accuracy, lowest non-brush inking capability, and fares poorly in open combat situations."
Exploiting these deficiencies is key to overcoming the weapon.
Final Verdict: Most Hated But Here to Stay
Even if the data fully backed up community perceptions, I wouldn‘t expect the Clash Blaster hatred to fade anytime soon. It evokes instant irritation at a psychological level – and changes to the meta likely won‘t alleviate that.
As a die-hard fan myself, I totally get the frustration! But I also love seeing such a uniquely disruptive weapon shake up the competitive scene. It certainly keeps matchups spicy!
What about you – does the Clash Blaster deserve all the community shade thrown its way? How do you handle facing off against it? I‘d love to hear your takes!
And if you‘re looking for the best Clash Blaster build, counters, or want to vent frustrations, stay tuned for more content soon. This explosive menace certainly won‘t be going away!
