As Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 gears up for its Open Beta, Treyarch has announced some big changes, including a major weapon balance update. Among the most notable is a nerf to the Jackal PDW, the standout SMG from the Closed Beta that had been wreaking havoc in nearly every match.

During the Closed Beta, players quickly gravitated towards specific weapons, with the AMES 85 leading the Assault Rifle class. However, the Jackal PDW emerged as the clear fan favourite, thanks to its deadly fast time-to-kill (TTK) and perfect synergy with the game’s new Omnimovement system, making it the most popular choice in lobbies.

Recognizing the gun’s overwhelming dominance, Treyarch announced adjustments just before the Open Beta, which begins on 6 September at 10:00 AM (PT), which is 7 September at 1:00 AM (GMT+8). While the exact details of the nerf remain under wraps, players can expect tweaks that may affect attachments or the weapon’s TTK to bring it in line with the rest of the arsenal. Treyarch even cheekily suggested players “take a break from the Jackal” in a post on 5 September.

Call in the Chopper Gunner and start ?raining the fire? at Level 29: pic.twitter.com/jJJylibbv2

— Treyarch Studios (@Treyarch) September 5, 2024

In addition to this change, new weapons will be introduced as the level cap increases to 30, including the Tanto .22 SMG. With these new additions, the Jackal might finally meet its match.

Interestingly, while Jackal dominates in popularity, it’s not the fastest SMG in the game. Players noted that the C9, the first unlockable SMG, actually holds the title for the quickest TTK. As the Open Beta unfolds, it may rise as a new contender for the top spot.