Sub weapons are the secondairy weapon each weapon in the game can use. In order to use a sub, press R once. Each sub takes a lot of ink to use, so it requires strategy to work sub weapons into your gameplay safely. Each and every sub functions differently, but they all have a purpose.
Splat Bomb is a basic bomb. It explodes a few seconds after touching the ground and is great for clearing an area or protecting yourself. Using splat bomb as a combo tool can be useful sometimes. Overall, a great bomb.
-Max
Suction bomb is similar to Splat bomb, but it can stick to surfaces and takes longer to explode. Its one-shot range is incredibly unpredictable, and can catch people off guard. This sub is also really good at closing off key areas for a few seconds, and can be a great last resort.
-Max
Burst Bomb is a really good bomb, and it does what you would expect. If you throw it, the instant it hits something it will explode. It does 60 damage on direct impact, so is great at comboing into something else. Some weapons that can't one-shot benefit off of this sub.
-Max
Curling bomb is strange, and functions unlike any other bomb. Pressing R once causes it to go gliding across the ground, and explodes after sliding. But, the longer you hold R, the less distance it goes and the bigger the explosion at the end. This sub is the only one in the entire game that can explode mid-air. Use this sub to escort your team, and maybe even try to go for kills, but its risky.
-Max
Autobomb is like a splat bomb, but it follows the closest person and then explodes. This bomb is kinda hard to use, but it's great at stressing out the opponent and getting them moving. It's also really cheap to use and is great at making people move.
-Max
Ink mine is like a land mine, but ink. Placing it somewhere hides it in the ground, and if an enemy steps on it, it explodes and also tracks them so you can see where they went. This bomb isn't really good, but can still get usage. Comboing off of it while camping the mine is a decent plan if you have a specific target in mind.
-Max
Toxic Mist is a really fun sub. It is impossible for it to do damage, but that's not what it's for. Once Toxic Mist has been thrown, it releases a ball of Mist that when walked into, causes the enemy to slow down, and also takes away their ink, leading to a free kill.
-Max
Point Sensor is great with weapons that you have to aim with, like a charger or blaster. Taking advantage of hard targets is key. Using this bomb causes a ball of tracking lines to appear. If somebody walks into it, their location will be displayed and allows for more kills.
-Max
Splash wall is a temporary wall that you can shoot through but they can't. This is great with backlines weapons or slow weapons with common disadvantages. use it to escape bad situations, and there you go.
-Max
Sprinkler is heavily a support sub and only covers turf. When thrown, the sprinkler will spin, flinging ink everywhere. After a bit, it will slow down. Over time, it will be barely moving at all.
-Max
Squid beakon is a really weird sub. All it does is allow you to super jump to it and that's it. If somebody on your team has squid beakon in their kit (including you) then super jumping will instantly break it. If they don't have it, then it can be used twice.
-Max
Fizzy bomb is the best bomb in Splatoon, and for good reason. By holding R and iether shaking your controler, looking in one and another direction, walking, and jumping will cause it to shake up. It has 3 levels of shake charge. One where it's not charged at all and does one weak explosion, two, where it explodes twice, and 3 explodes 3 times. This bomb is great at support and chip damage.
-Max
Torpedo is similar to autobomb, in the way of targeting. Throwing it into the air causes it to dive towards the nearest person. On impact, multiple small bombs pop out, and do damage to that person. This sub is great for combos and killing.
-Max
This sub is by far the worst, it barely goes well with any weapon. Throwing it out causes a small line to go flying across the map, and stays there for a few seconds. if somebody walks into the line, it will track them and allow you to see them from anywhere. A direct hit will do some damage and can be used as a combo.
-Max, Ryan