Splatoon Raiders Guide: How to Play Multiplayer With Friends and Strangers

Quick Answer: Multiplayer in Splatoon Raiders is accessed via the radio on your ship base. You can host private four-player lobbies after clearing Erpp Island, use an SOS feature to summon backup if you fail a dungeon, or drop into random games to rescue struggling players for bonus loot. Remember that local wireless requires multiple consoles, as there is no split-screen.

Locating the Multiplayer Radio

The game completely fails to point this out, leaving many players confused about how to actually squad up. After wrapping up the opening missions, you gain full access to your team’s ship. Look across from the treasure bot’s platform to find a radio sitting quietly in the corner.

This little radio is your hub for all things cooperative. The first time you boot it up, the game prompts you to create an online nickname. It defaults to your Switch 2 profile name, but you can change it to whatever you want. Knock this out early so you aren’t fumbling with menus when your friends are waiting in the lobby.

Online vs. Local Play

Before you start inviting people over, let’s clear up a massive misconception. Local wireless does not mean couch co-op. Splatoon Raiders does not feature split-screen support. If you want to play in the same room, every single person needs their own Switch 2 and their own copy of the game.

Choosing the online route opens up three different ways to connect:

• Join a public room that someone else has already created.
• Pull friends directly from your console’s friend list.
• Create a private, password-protected room for a specific group.

Be prepared for a difficulty spike. The moment you bring other players into a raid, the game ramps up the chaos. Enemy density increases, the pacing gets frantic, and dungeons that felt entirely manageable solo will suddenly demand serious crowd control.

If your squad isn’t online yet, you can always rely on your AI Bot Buddies to watch your back. Check out our complete breakdown on how to maximize Bond Levels fast to ensure your AI partners are hitting as hard as possible.

Hosting a Dedicated Raid Lobby

If you want to build a proper, structured team of four, you need to put in a little bit of legwork first.

Full lobby creation is locked behind the game’s tutorial phase. You must complete the three main levels on Erpp Island before the lobby device spawns on your boat. Once it appears, press Y to interact with it. From here, you can directly invite people off your friend list or generate a unique keyword to hand out to your squad.

The SOS System: Giving and Receiving Help

Splatoon Raiders features a brilliant drop-in rescue system for players who hit a brick wall, but the rules change depending on whether you are asking for help or providing it.

Calling for Backup

If a specific dungeon is kicking your teeth in, the game will eventually offer you a lifeline. Once you fail a stage at least once, the “Call for Help” prompt appears on the right side of your screen.

Simply press the Minus button to send out a distress signal. Up to two random players can drop into your session to help you clear the area.

Rescuing Other Players

If you want to be the hero, you have to earn your stripes first. The “Go Help” button only unlocks after you defeat the first major raid boss located in the Bowtlode Temple.

Selecting this option instantly drops you into the session of a player who used their SOS button. You do not get to pick the stage, so you must be prepared for anything. If you successfully carry them to the finish line, you walk away with a lucrative Help Bonus. If the team wipes, you get nothing, making every rescue mission a gamble for extra loot.

For more tips, walkthroughs, and everything else covering the game, check out our full collection of guides.