Ready to dominate close-quarters combat in Black Ops 6? The Jackal PDW is the ultimate SMG for lightning-fast, aggressive playstyles, combining exceptional mobility with deadly firepower. Unlock it at level 43 and equip our expertly crafted loadout and class build to turn this weapon into a swift monster that tears through enemies with ease. Whether you’re on PC, PlayStation, or Xbox, this guide reveals the best attachments, perks, and gear to maximize your Jackal PDW’s potential and rule every map.
While all of the SMGs in Black Ops 6 are fairly mobile, the Jackal PDW is the best of the bunch and as a result, also sits atop our list of the best Black Ops 6 guns.
With the right attachments, it can deal with any situation, however, you’re best served kitting it out to ensure close-range domination, as there are better alternatives such as the XM4 to deal with mid-long range fights.
Here’s the best Jackal PDW loadout in Black Ops 6, along with details on how to unlock it and the best class to use alongside it.
How to unlock the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6
To unlock the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6, players need to reach player level 43. This weapon is a progression reward and does not require completing specific challenges, but reaching level 43 demands patience and dedication through regular gameplay. Once unlocked, the Jackal PDW offers excellent mobility and handling, making it a top choice for close-quarters combat in the game.
To unlock the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6 multiplayer, you must reach level 43. This means that you’ll need to use some of the other guns in the game up until this point, but we’d recommend switching to the Jackal PDW as soon as you unlock it thanks to how strong it is.
However, there’s a catch: if you bought the Vault Edition of Black Ops 6, you’ll receive five mastercraft weapons, one of which is the Scourge variant of the Jackal PDW.
This comes with two mastercraft attachments – the CHF Barrel and Infiltrator Stock – and it means you won’t be able to use the build suggested in this guide until you’ve leveled it up to unlock more attachments. That said, you can still start using the gun itself immediately if you want to give it a spin.
Best Jackal PDW loadout in Black Ops 6
The best Jackal PDW loadout in Black Ops 6 focuses on maximizing the weapon’s mobility, firepower, and recoil control to dominate close-quarters combat. Key attachments include the Compensator muzzle for vertical recoil reduction, a Short or Long Barrel to boost damage range and firing speed, and the Ranger Foregrip to improve recoil stability and sprint-to-fire speed. The CQB or Ergonomic Grip enhances handling and ADS speed, while Rapid Fire increases the fire rate for aggressive engagements. Complement this setup with tactical Stim Shot for quick healing, Frag grenades, and perks like Bruiser, Dexterity, and Double Time to enhance survivability and movement. This loadout turns the Jackal PDW into a swift, lethal weapon ideal for fast-paced, close-range fights in Black Ops 6.
Here is the best Jackal PDW loadout in Black Ops 6:
- Barrel: Short Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: Balanced Stock
- Laser: Strelok Laser
The Jackal PDW is all about getting up close and personal, and staying on the move. As a result, you want to mostly be engaging in hipfire combat, only aiming down the sights when absolutely necessary. The Short Barrel is essential for the mobility buffs, while the Ranger Foregrip improves your sprint speed and horizontal recoil control.
The Ergonomic Grip is perhaps the most important attachment in this build, because it buffs all manner of speeds: slide to fire, dive to fire, and aim down sight. The Balanced Stock is similar with its movement speed buffs, ensuring you can keep sprinting everywhere.
Finally, the Strelok Laser is a big help when you do need to aim down sights, but if you don’t mind the laser being visible to enemies when at the hip, go for the Steady Aim or Fast Motion Laser instead.
Best Jackal PDW class in Black Ops 6
The best Jackal PDW class in Black Ops 6 optimizes the weapon’s exceptional mobility and close-quarters lethality with a carefully selected combination of attachments, perks, and equipment. Key attachments include the Compensator muzzle for vertical recoil control, a barrel like the Long or Reinforced Barrel to boost damage range, and the Ranger Foregrip for improved recoil and movement speed. The class build pairs the Jackal PDW with the GS45 pistol and a knife for quick weapon swapping, while tactical gear such as the Stim Shot and lethal options like Semtex enhance survivability and offensive capability. Essential perks include Assassin, Dexterity, and Double Time, unlocking the Enforcer specialty that boosts movement speed and health regeneration after kills, making this setup ideal for aggressive, fast-paced gameplay in Black Ops 6.
Here is the best class to use alongside the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6:
- Secondary: XM4
- Melee: Knife
- Tactical: Stim Shot
- Lethal: Semtex
- Field Upgrade: Neurogas
- Perk 1: Gung-Ho
- Perk 2: Bruiser
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Wildcard: Overkill
Thanks to the Overkill wildcard, you can equip another primary weapon as your secondary, so we’d recommend the XM4for those times when you need to fight at mid-long range.
The Knife is your only melee option for now, and because you’re running around constantly, the Stim Shot will keep you alive for longer. Semtex is a preferable lethal to the frag grenade because it doesn’t require cooking, while Neurogas is great to chuck down if you’re running around a group of enemies and need to keep ducking and weaving.
To take advantage of the combat specialty system, we’ve opted for the red perks. Bruiser makes it so any melee kills replenish your health and earn you extra score (though, if you don’t find yourself using melee attacks much, Assassin is also a solid option), while Gung-Ho allows you to reload while using tactical sprint and you have reduced movement penalties when reloading or using equipment. Dexterity is equally as good though, as it means your weapon moves less when jumping, sliding, and diving, and you take less fall damage.
Finally, Double Time allows you to use tactical sprint for considerably longer. All of this combines to grant you the benefits of Enforcer, which means your movement speed and health regen rate is buffed whenever you kill enemies – a no-brainer when it comes to a class with this playstyle.
How can I maximize stealth with the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6
To maximize stealth with the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6, focus on a loadout and perks that reduce noise and visibility while maintaining mobility and lethality:
Attachments for Stealth:
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Equip a Suppressor to keep your shots off the radar and reduce muzzle flash.
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Use the Long Barrel to extend damage range for effective kills at a distance.
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Add Ranger Foregrip and Recoil Springs to control recoil, improving accuracy while staying mobile and quiet.
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Consider the Quickdraw Grip for faster aim-down-sight speed and Infiltrator Stock to boost aim-walking movement speed, helping you move stealthily while aiming.
Perks for Stealth:
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Ninja perk reduces footstep noise, allowing you to flank and move silently.
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Ghost keeps you hidden from enemy radar pings and UAVs while moving or interacting.
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Double Time increases sprint speed and slide distance, enabling quick repositioning without exposing yourself for long.
Equipment and Tactical Choices:
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Use Stim Shot to quickly recover health and maintain aggressive stealth play.
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Consider Acoustic AMP to hear enemy footsteps clearly, enhancing situational awareness.
This combination lets you silently close the gap, engage enemies effectively, and remain undetected on the battlefield, maximizing the Jackal PDW’s potential as a stealthy, high-mobility weapon.
What is the most effective way to reduce footstep noise with the Jackal PDW
The most effective way to reduce footstep noise with the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6 is to equip the Ninja perk, which significantly muffles your footsteps, allowing you to move more quietly and stealthily on the battlefield. Pairing this with a Suppressor attachment keeps your gunfire off the radar, complementing your stealth approach. Additionally, using the Infiltrator Stock attachment can increase your aim-walking movement speed, helping you stay agile and harder to detect while moving silently. This combination maximizes your ability to sneak up on enemies without giving away your position.
