Old Compasses are easy to collect in Splatoon Raiders, but the game does not explain their purpose very clearly. If you are wondering how to use Old Compasses in Splatoon Raiders, the answer is simple: they are used on the Treasure Map to reveal hidden Sampler Dungeons.
These dungeons are not marked automatically. You need to collect a compass, return to the Hideout and follow its signal across the map until the correct location appears.
Where to Find Old Compasses
Old Compasses are usually found inside blue treasure chests during Treasure Hunt and Huge Crystal missions.
These blue chests are different from the more common reward containers found throughout each area. Once opened, the compass is added to your collection and can be used after you return to the Hideout.
You do not use the compass while exploring an island. The entire search takes place on the Treasure Map.
How to Use an Old Compass
After collecting an Old Compass, finish the mission and return to the Hideout. Open the Treasure Map and look at the compass indicator near the top of the screen.
Move the map cursor around the available regions. The compass reacts differently depending on its colour, but the goal is always the same: narrow down the hidden location until the game allows you to press the A Button.
When you reach the correct spot, press A to reveal a new Sampler Dungeon on the map.
The basic process is:
- Find a blue chest during a mission.
- Collect the Old Compass inside.
- Return to the Hideout.
- Open the Treasure Map.
- Follow the compass signal with the cursor.
- Press A when the hidden location is found.
How the Yellow Compass Works
The yellow compass is the easiest type to understand. Its arrow points toward the hidden Sampler Dungeon.
Move the cursor in the direction shown by the arrow. The indicator may change as you cross the map, so adjust your movement when necessary.
Once the cursor reaches the correct location, the game displays the A Button prompt. Press it to reveal the dungeon.
How the Orange Compass Works
The orange compass works like a distance meter. Its gauge becomes stronger as the cursor gets closer to the target and weaker when you move away.
A good way to solve it is to move the cursor horizontally first. If the gauge increases, continue in that direction. If it decreases, turn around.
Once you have found the strongest horizontal position, move the cursor up and down to locate the exact point. Press A when the prompt appears.
Small movements are more useful than dragging the cursor quickly across the entire map. Moving too far at once makes it harder to tell whether the signal is improving.
How the Blue Compass Works
The blue compass is usually the most confusing because it does not point directly toward the target.
Move the cursor a short distance left, right, up or down. If the blue circle grows, continue in that direction. If it shrinks or disappears, return to the previous position and try another direction.
Repeat this process until the signal becomes strong enough to reveal the location.
The easiest method is to test one direction at a time. Avoid moving diagonally, as this makes it difficult to understand which movement caused the compass to react.
What Are Sampler Dungeons?
Sampler Dungeons are short hidden missions that focus on specific weapons, Tanks or gadgets.
They are designed to test equipment and mechanics that you may not use during normal missions. Some are combat challenges, while others require more careful movement or a particular ability.
Completing a Sampler Dungeon normally rewards one Skill Point. These points can be spent on Tank upgrades, making Old Compasses useful for more than simple map completion.
How Many Old Compasses Are There?
Splatoon Raiders contains 24 Old Compasses in total.
Most are found in blue chests during regular missions. Additional compasses are tied to harder challenges, including certain Buried Ruins missions completed on Super Spicy difficulty.
You do not need to collect every compass before using them. Each one can reveal its own Sampler Dungeon as soon as it has been found.
Players aiming for full completion will eventually need all 24, but the standard compass system can be used throughout the story.
Why Is the Compass Not Working?
The most common mistake is trying to use an Old Compass during a mission. Compasses only work after returning to the Hideout and opening the Treasure Map.
Another common problem is moving the cursor too quickly. Orange and blue compasses are easier to read when you make short movements and watch how the signal changes.
Check the following if no dungeon appears:
- Make sure the Old Compass was collected from the chest.
- Return to the Hideout before opening the map.
- Use the Treasure Map rather than the normal mission screen.
- Move the cursor slowly in one direction at a time.
- Wait for the A Button prompt before confirming the location.
The blue compass can take longer than the others because its signal depends on your movement. Test each direction carefully instead of searching randomly.
Are Old Compasses Worth Collecting?
Old Compasses are worth picking up whenever you see a blue chest.
Sampler Dungeons provide extra Skill Points, introduce useful equipment combinations and add optional challenges outside the main missions. They are also required for players who want to complete every map objective.
Once you understand how the three compass types behave, revealing hidden dungeons becomes much quicker. Yellow points toward the target, orange measures how close you are and blue helps identify the correct direction.
That is everything you need to know about how to use Old Compasses in Splatoon Raiders and unlock the Sampler Dungeons hidden across the Treasure Map.
