This Splatling is based off of a multicolor ballpoint pen (hence the name), and features two fire modes: short-range, and long-range. The short range mode has a higher fire rate and shot spread (making it good for inking turf), but lower damage, and you have to constantly press and hold the trigger to keep it from going into long range mode. If you want to go for damage and range, then you can easily switch to long-range mode after firing for a while. In long-range mode, your fire rate decreases slightly, but you damage increases as well. The biggest change is the range, with it almost doubling once it enters long-range. The design of the Ballpoint Splatling has 4 large notches in the sides, looking as if they could slide in like a multicolor pen. The back of it and the things inside the tip change to match your ink color, and the handle is based off of the clip on the side of a pen. When in short-range mode, the Ballpoint Splatling looks as it does in the picture. When it is in long-range mode, one of the things inside the tip stick out.