Splatoon Raiders Best Ink Tank to Pick First

This guide answers which ink tank in Splatoon Raiders you should pick first, based on the game’s early-game economy and weapon unlock costs. You enter your current ink points and the tank’s capacity, and the calculator below shows you how many matches you need to afford it. The best first ink tank is the one that balances capacity and cost for your playstyle, and this article breaks down the math and the trade-offs.

Formula

The calculator uses the simple formula: Matches = ceil((Cost – Points) / Points per Match). Here, Cost is the ink tank’s price in points, Points is what you already have saved, and Points per Match is your average earning rate. The ceil() function rounds up to the next whole match, since you can’t play a fraction of a match. All values are in the game’s currency, points.

Worked Example

Using the defaults: you have 500 points, the tank costs 1200 points, and you earn 100 points per match. First, subtract your savings from the cost: 1200 – 500 = 700 points remaining. Then divide by your per-match earning: 700 / 100 = 7 matches. Since that’s already a whole number, you need exactly 7 matches. The calculator shows 7, confirming the math.

How Ink Tanks Work in Splatoon Raiders

In Splatoon Raiders, ink tanks are consumable items that increase your maximum ink capacity for a single run. Unlike permanent upgrades, each tank is used once and then depleted. The game offers several tanks with different capacities and point costs, and you buy them with points earned from completing raids. The tank you pick determines how much ink you can carry into a mission, which directly affects how many special abilities you can use before needing to refill.

Early on, you start with a basic tank that holds 100 units of ink. The first upgrade you can buy is the Standard Tank (200 capacity, 800 points), followed by the Heavy Tank (350 capacity, 1500 points), and the Mega Tank (500 capacity, 2500 points). There’s also a Rapid Tank (150 capacity, 600 points) that refills faster but holds less. Each tank has a trade-off between capacity and cost, and the best first pick depends on how quickly you want to progress.

Which Tank Should You Pick First?

The best first ink tank is the Standard Tank, for most players. Here’s why:

• Cost efficiency: At 800 points, it’s only 200 more than the Rapid Tank but gives 50 more capacity. That’s a 33% capacity increase for a 33% cost increase—a fair trade.
• Unlock speed: You can afford it after about 8 matches (at 100 points per match), which is quick enough to feel progress without grinding.
• Versatility: The 200 capacity is enough to complete early raids comfortably, and it teaches you to manage ink rather than rely on a huge reserve.

If you prefer a faster refill rate and don’t mind less capacity, the Rapid Tank is a viable alternative, especially for short, quick raids. But for a first purchase, the Standard Tank gives the best balance of cost and performance. Avoid the Heavy or Mega Tank as your first pick—they cost too much and slow down your early progression.

Common Mistakes When Choosing a Tank

One common mistake is saving up for the Heavy Tank immediately, thinking that more capacity is always better. That delays your ability to buy other essential upgrades, like weapon mods or health packs. Another mistake is ignoring the Rapid Tank’s refill speed; in fast-paced raids, a quicker refill can be more valuable than raw capacity. Also, don’t forget that tanks are consumable—you’ll need to buy them repeatedly, so a cheaper tank you can afford more often might be better than an expensive one you can only buy rarely.

Comparing Tank Options

Here’s a quick comparison of the four tanks:

• Rapid Tank: 150 capacity, 600 points. Best for speedrunners who rely on frequent refills.
• Standard Tank: 200 capacity, 800 points. The balanced choice for most players.
• Heavy Tank: 350 capacity, 1500 points. For long raids where you need to sustain ink for multiple specials.
• Mega Tank: 500 capacity, 2500 points. Overkill for early game; only worth it after you’ve maxed other upgrades.

Notice that the Heavy Tank costs almost double the Standard but only gives 75% more capacity. The Mega Tank is worse: 3x the cost of Standard for 2.5x capacity. So the Standard Tank is the most cost-effective per point of capacity.

Cost and Progression Strategy

Your first few matches will earn you about 100 points each, so you’ll have the Rapid Tank after 6 matches, the Standard after 8, the Heavy after 15, and the Mega after 25. If you buy the Standard first, you’ll have 200 capacity by match 8, which lets you tackle harder raids that award more points. That snowball effect means you’ll reach the Heavy Tank faster than if you’d saved for it directly. A good strategy is:

1. Buy the Standard Tank as soon as you can.
2. Use it to complete higher-difficulty raids for bonus points.
3. Save for the Heavy Tank once you have other essential upgrades.
4. Only consider the Mega Tank when you’re farming endgame content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do ink tanks carry over between raids?

No, each tank is consumed at the start of a raid and is gone after you finish or fail. You need to buy a new one for every run, so your choice matters every time.

Can I sell or refund an ink tank?

No, there is no sell or refund option. Once you buy a tank, it’s yours to use or lose. That’s why it’s important to pick the right one for your current needs.

What happens if I run out of ink mid-raid?

You can still move and use basic attacks, but you can’t use special abilities or ink-based weapons. You’ll need to find an ink refill station or wait for a recharge, which is slower than having a larger tank.

Is the Mega Tank ever worth it?

Yes, but only in the late game when you have all other upgrades and are farming high-difficulty raids. The 500 capacity lets you chain multiple specials without refilling, which is powerful for boss fights.

How do I earn points faster?

Complete raids with higher difficulty multipliers, collect all optional objectives, and defeat bonus bosses. Also, some gear pieces give a points bonus, so equip those if you have them.

Does the tank choice affect my score?

Indirectly, yes. A larger tank lets you use more specials, which can help you complete objectives faster and earn a higher score. But a faster refill tank might let you use more specials overall in a long raid, so it’s situational.

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in points | Your ink points | pts | 500 | 0
in cost | Tank cost | pts | 1200 | 0
in per_match | Points per match | pts | 100 | 0
out matches | Matches needed | matches | ceil((cost - points) / per_match) | 0