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Claude-skill-registry-data mechinterp-ability-semantics

Reference for ability family semantic groupings and gameplay meanings

install
source · Clone the upstream repo
git clone https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry-data
Claude Code · Install into ~/.claude/skills/
T=$(mktemp -d) && git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/majiayu000/claude-skill-registry-data "$T" && mkdir -p ~/.claude/skills && cp -r "$T/data/mechinterp-ability-semantics" ~/.claude/skills/majiayu000-claude-skill-registry-data-mechinterp-ability-semantics && rm -rf "$T"
manifest: data/mechinterp-ability-semantics/SKILL.md
source content

MechInterp Ability Semantics Reference

This skill provides domain knowledge about ability semantic groupings in Splatoon 3. Use this reference AFTER forming hypotheses to validate interpretations against gameplay semantics.

When to Use This Skill

  1. After observing patterns in enhancers/suppressors
  2. When interpreting what a feature "means" strategically
  3. To check if observed groupings match known semantic categories
  4. To avoid missing obvious semantic interpretations

IMPORTANT: Form hypotheses from data FIRST, then check this reference. Don't use this to guide initial exploration.

Semantic Groupings

Death-Mitigation (Death-Accepting) Abilities

These abilities provide value when the player dies. Players using these implicitly accept that dying is part of their strategy.

AbilityEffectStrategic Implication
quick_respawn
Faster respawn after deathAggressive trading, accepts deaths
special_saver
Keep more special charge on deathDeath is acceptable, special matters
comeback
Stat boost for 20s after respawnDeliberately plays for respawn buff
respawn_punisher
Punish enemy deaths, accept ownVery aggressive, kill-or-be-killed

Interpretation: If these are suppressed, the feature likely encodes "death-averse" or "survival-focused" builds.

Mobility Abilities

Enhance movement speed and repositioning.

AbilityEffectStrategic Implication
swim_speed_up
Faster movement in inkRotation, flanking, escaping
run_speed_up
Faster movement while shootingStrafe fights, aggressive positioning
quick_super_jump
Faster super jumpRotation, escaping danger
stealth_jump
Hidden super jumpFlanking, aggressive repositioning

Special-Focused Abilities

Center gameplay around special weapons.

AbilityEffectStrategic Implication
special_charge_up
Build special fasterSpecial-centric playstyle
special_power_up
Stronger special effectsSpecial investment, timing-based
special_saver
Keep charge on deathSpecial preservation

Ink Efficiency Abilities

Sustain ink output over time.

AbilityEffectStrategic Implication
ink_saver_main
Less main weapon ink usageSustained fire, painting
ink_saver_sub
Less sub weapon ink usageSub-focused builds
ink_recovery_up
Faster ink tank refillSustained pressure

Defensive Abilities

Protect against enemy effects.

AbilityEffectStrategic Implication
ink_resistance_up
Reduced enemy ink damageFrontline fighting
sub_resistance_up
Reduced sub weapon damageCounter-sub, defensive
intensify_action
Squid surge, squid roll buffsEvasive maneuvers

Aggressive/Slayer Abilities

Abilities that enhance kill potential.

AbilityEffectStrategic Implication
ninja_squid
No ripples while swimmingFlanking, ambush
stealth_jump
Hidden landing markerAggressive rotation
thermal_ink
Track damaged enemiesHunting, finishing kills
respawn_punisher
Punish enemy deathsCommit to kills

Situational/Utility Abilities

Niche or situational effects.

AbilityEffectStrategic Implication
opening_gambit
Strong start-of-game buffOpening rushes, early aggression
last_ditch_effort
End-of-game buffClutch plays, overtime
comeback
Post-death buffDeath-accepting aggression
tenacity
Special charge when team disadvantagedTeam support
object_shredder
Damage to non-player objectsObjective control
drop_roller
Roll on super jump landingSafe aggression, repositioning
haunt
Track killer after deathInformation after death

Semantic Oppositions

Some ability groupings are conceptually opposed:

Concept AvsConcept B
Death-accepting (QR, SS, CB)Death-averse (survival builds)
Special-focused (SCU)Paint/efficiency-focused (ISM, ISS)
Aggressive (ninja_squid, SJ)Defensive (IR, SR)
Frontline (RSU, ninja_squid)Backline (SSU, QSJ)

Interpretation Patterns

Pattern: Death-Mitigation Suppression

If observed: 

quick_respawn
, 
special_saver
, 
comeback
appear as suppressors (low high_rate_ratio)

Interpretation: Feature encodes builds that avoid dying. Players with high activation prioritize survival over respawn efficiency.

Example label: "Death-Averse Special Build" or "Clean SCU Stacker (no death perks)"

Pattern: SCU + Opening Gambit Enhancement

If observed: 

special_charge_up
+ 
opening_gambit
both enhanced

Interpretation: Feature encodes aggressive opening special rushes. Get special fast, use it early.

Example label: "Opening Special Rush" or "First Special Aggression"

Pattern: Mobility + Slayer Enhancement

If observed: 

ninja_squid
, 
stealth_jump
, 
swim_speed_up
enhanced

Interpretation: Feature encodes flanking/slayer playstyle.

Example label: "Aggressive Flanker Kit"

Pattern: Defensive Suppression

If observed: 

ink_resistance_up
, 
sub_resistance_up
suppressed

Interpretation: Feature prefers builds that don't need defensive abilities (perhaps ranged or support).

Example label: "Backline Support (no frontline abilities)"

Common Misinterpretations

What You SeeNaive InterpretationBetter Interpretation
SCU dominant"SCU detector"Check for suppressed abilities to understand WHAT KIND of SCU
Death perks suppressed"Anti-death feature""Death-AVERSE build" - players who don't plan to die
Mobility enhanced"Mobility detector"Check if specific mobility type (flanking vs rotation)
Single weapon class"Weapon-specific"Check ability patterns - might be playstyle, not weapon

Checklist for Semantic Validation

After forming a hypothesis, verify:

  1. Does the enhancer pattern match a known semantic group?
  2. Does the suppressor pattern match an opposing semantic group?
  3. Is the interpretation consistent with gameplay strategy?
  4. Could there be a simpler explanation (pure token detection)?
  5. Does the weapon distribution support the semantic interpretation?

See Also

  • mechinterp-investigator: Overall investigation workflow
  • mechinterp-overview: Now includes bottom tokens (suppressors)
  • token_influence_sweep: Experiment type for detailed influence analysis