Inkling

Lore & Background

In the world of Splatoon, Inklings are cephalopod-like beings who dwell in the ocean and periodically surface to wage colorful turf wars. They can shift between a sleek, squid-like aquatic form and a bipedal humanoid shape, the latter allowing them to wield ink-wielding weapons and scuttle across land with surprising agility. Their society is defined by competition, self-expression, and a deep cultural love of dyeing every surface they can reach.

The Inkling that appears as an Assist Trophy in Smash Bros. captures that surface-warrior aspect: a compact, energetic figure ready to lob a burst of ink at whatever stands in its path. In the broader Splatoon narrative, these turf wars are less about destruction and more about claiming territory, painting the world in one's chosen hue, and doing so with style. The competitive spirit is genuine, but the tone remains playful and creative rather than grim.

Within the Smash Bros. multiverse, the Inkling's brief appearance as an Assist Trophy is a small window into that world—a reminder that not every franchise contributes a full roster fighter, but even a single ink shot can carry the spirit of an entire game's identity.

In Their Own Story

The alley in Inkopolis was slick with half-dried coral-pink and electric teal, the remnants of yesterday's turf war still glistening under the low sun. A young Inkling crouched behind a overturned market stall, tentacles twitching, watching the rival squad's boots crunch across the wet pavement. She didn't need a weapon to feel ready. She just needed a moment, a breath, and the satisfying *thwip* of her launcher charging. One burst. One clean line of ink arcing through the humid air, splattering across the leader's visor and turning their world into a blur of her chosen shade. The squad scattered. She grinned, shifted back to squid-form, and slid into the drain, already dreaming of tomorrow's colors.

Reader's Guide

Name: Inkling (Assist Trophy) Source Franchise: Splatoon

Unlock Method: Assist Trophies in Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS are generally acquired by playing matches, completing certain in-game challenges, or purchasing them in the shop using in-game currency. The Inkling follows the standard Assist Trophy unlock track rather than a character-specific trial.

Single Action: Upon being thrown, the Inkling briefly appears, aims at the nearest opponent, and fires a short stream of ink. The ink functions as a projectile hitbox that can deal damage and apply a small knockback. The action is quick, lasting only a moment before the trophy vanishes.

Active Duration: Very short—roughly a second or two from appearance to disappearance. The Inkling does not linger, perform follow-up attacks, or create persistent ink platforms the way it does in its native game. It is a one-shot assist.

Combo & Recovery Notes: The ink projectile can be used to interrupt an opponent's recovery or punish a slow aerial, but its range is limited and it does not generate a strong launch. It is best deployed as a zone-control nudge or a surprise interrupt rather than a primary damage source. Because the Inkling has no grab, no aerial, and no smash attack, it cannot chain into extended combos.

Alternate Costumes: As an Assist Trophy, the Inkling may appear in a small set of color variations reflecting the wide palette available in Splatoon (e.g., pink, blue, green, orange, purple). These are cosmetic and do not alter the ink shot's behavior.

Strategic Tips: Throw the Inkling assist when an opponent is recovering across the screen or when you need a quick, low-commitment poke to break a shield. It pairs well with characters who benefit from a brief interrupt before their own follow-up. Do not rely on it for edge-guarding, as the ink's range and knockback are modest.

Did You Know?

• The Inkling is one of the few Assist Trophies in the Smash series sourced from a franchise (Splatoon) that launched after the original Smash Bros. titles, making it a first-generation crossover for that world.
• In its native Splatoon games, Inklings can fully transform into squid form to swim rapidly underwater—a mobility option that has no parallel in the Smash Assist Trophy's brief ink shot.
• Splatoon's core gameplay revolves around covering the most territory with your team's ink color, a competitive but non-lethal objective that contrasts sharply with Smash Bros.'s knockout-based combat.
• Despite the popularity of the Splatoon series, the Inkling has not received a dedicated playable fighter entry in any mainline Super Smash Bros. title as of the most recent releases.