The Jackal PDW is one of the strongest SMGs in Black Ops 6, but it can become even more lethal with the right loadout. Enhancing its assets and negating its weaknesses will make the Jackal PDW a true meta contender.
The Jackal excels in mobility and handling, which is exceptional in a game like Black Ops 6 where there’s so much emphasis on movement.
So how do you get the most out of it so that it still handles brilliantly, but can hit as hard a punch as other SMGs like the C9 or Tanto 22? Here’s what we recommend
Best Black Ops 6 Jackal PDW loadout
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag I
- Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
Best Jackal PDW Perks, Equipment & Class Specialty
- Perk 1: Ninja
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Wildcard: Danger Close
- Lethal: Semtex
- Tactical: Concussion
- Field Upgrade: Trophy System
For our Perk selections, we focused on highlighting the Jackal PDW’s exceptional mobility and handling. This loadout shines brightest while moving and on long flank routes.
For Perk 1, we’ve gone with Ninja, as it will keep your footsteps quiet when you’re hitting the enemy spawn and sneaking up on opponents. Alternatively, you’ll have a lot of fun if you want to use Ghost and simply stay off the enemy minimap instead.
Perk 2 and 3, we’ve used to highlight the Jackal’s exceptional mobility, with Fast Hands letting you switch between weapons much quicker, and Double Time greatly increasing your Tactical Sprint duration.
To round out our loadout, Concussion and Semtex grenades are perfect for dealing with enemies that you are flanking. For objective game modes, a Trophy System blocks all incoming grenade spam while holding the point.
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Jackal PDW pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Class-leading mobility and handling | Poor recoil |
| Perfect weapon for aggressive players | C9 has better time-to-kill |
| Works well with omnimovement | No longer as effective at medium-range |
| Fast time-to-kill in first damage range |
Where is the Jackal PDW in the Black Ops 6 meta?
According to WZ Stats, the Jackal PDW has emerged as the second most popular weapon in Black Ops 6, boasting a 7.1% pick rate, firmly establishing itself in the game’s early meta.
It’s not far off the top spot either, with the KSV SMG leading the way at 7.20%. It’s SMGs all around at the top of the pile too, as the C9 takes third place at 6.84%.
It’s clear that while it’s not as totally dominant as it was in the beta, it’s still one of the game’s best guns, and well worth using if you fancy getting up close and personal with your enemies.
How to unlock Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6
The Jackal PDW can be unlocked by reaching Level 43 in Black Ops 6. This means that it’s one of the last guns you get your hands on before reaching max level, so you’ll need to grind to get your hands on it.
Black Ops 6 Jackal PDW alternatives
If the Jackal PDW doesn’t check every box for you, then you can’t really go wrong with the other SMGs that make up the meta’s top three right now: The C9 and the KSV. The C9 has good accuracy and a fast TTK, but is not as mobile as other guns in the class, while the KSV has a fast fire rate, but low damage.
If you fancy something with a bit more power at range, check out the AK-74 or the XM4, two Assault Rifles that pack a punch.