Best Jackal PDW loadout and class build for Black Ops 6
Embrace the meta head on with this new, popular pick.
The Jackal PDW is a new submachine gun in Black Ops 6, and one that had become a popular pick in a short time when players first got their hands on the weapon.
There are often meta-defining weapons at the launch of every Call of Duty, whether in pre-release or full game, and this SMG is no doubt the king of the bunch for Black Ops 6.
In this guide, we'll be running through this weapon in-depth, sharing our picks for what makes the best Jackal PDW loadout, the best class build to pair alongside it, and how to unlock the Jackal PDW.
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Black Ops 6 Jackal PDW best loadout and attachments
The Jackal PDW on its own is a solid gun, but Vault Edition owners also have access to a blueprint variant in the form of 'Scourge'. This other version of the weapon provides a set of attachments that enhance and turn the weapon into an absolute machine, especially when paired with the right perks.
With that in mind, we're using this blueprint as a basis for our attachment recommendation, dropping in one or two other suggestions for what you could swap to instead.
Below are those recommended attachments which you can unlock through weapon levels, or pre-equipped on the Scourge variant:
- Barrel: CHF Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip or Marksman Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag I
- Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
- Stock: Infiltrator Stock
Up front, the CHF Barrel provides an increase to the Jackal's headshot multiplier, with some reduction to vertical recoil control.
The Marksman Foregrip unlocks the ability to 'focus' when aiming down sights, allowing you to zoom in and more accurately hit targets. It can be helpful, but we think the Ranger Foregrip might be a better pick here with boosts to movement speed and recoil control.
Offsetting its higher rate of fire, this variant comes with the Extended Mag I attachment, upping the ammo capacity per mag to 40 rounds instead of 30.
The gun receives a bit of snappiness thanks to the Quickdraw Grip's increase to aim-down-sight speed, whilst the Infiltrator Stock boosts aim-walking movement speed - both of which are perfect enhancements to this close-quarters weapon.
Overall, the Jackal PDW performs very well with this setup, but we think if any attachments aren't working, you could probably swap one or two out for something like an optic sight, the Recoil Springs fire mod for some recoil reduction, or even a Suppressor to keep you hidden off the radar.
Though we'd advise against swapping much out besides perhaps the foregrip if our alternate recommendation of the Ranger Foregrip doesn't suit you.
Remember, if you're an owner of the Vault Edition, you'll be able to equip all these attachments on any version of the Jackal PDW, meaning you can jump into the action early on with a weapon that - by all accounts - is the best of them all right now.
Black Ops 6 Jackal PDW best class build, perks, gear, and equipment
Since the Jackal PDW is a weapon primarily focused on close quarters engagements, we're leaning heavily into that playstyle with the perks we're recommending.
Check out our recommendations for the best Black Ops 6 Jackal PDW loadout below:
Best Black Ops 6 Jackal PDW loadout
- Perk 1: Ghost or Flak Jacket
- Perk 2: Dexterity
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Combat Specialty: Enforcer
- Secondary: GS45
- Tactical: Stim Shot or Flashbang
- Lethal: Frag
- Field Upgrade: Assault Pack or Acoustic AMP
- Wildcard: Perk Greed with perk Gung-Ho
Mobility, with hints of stealth and survivability is the name of the game here, and it all begins with our recommended perks.
First up is Ghost, which will hide you from enemy radar pings, UAVs, Prox Alarms, and more - so long as you're moving, planting, defusing, or interacting with scorestreaks.
Ghost is a solid pairing with a Suppressor, since you'll stay hidden when attacking and whilst moving, but if you're in a much more hectic and close quarters mode or map, Flak Jacket's reduced explosive and fire damage might be more handy.
In terms of the other perks, we're recommending Dexterity in the second slot with it reducing weapon motion whilst jumping, sliding, and diving, letting you take full advantage of the new Omnimovement system without any trade offs. You'll also take less fall damage too, so you can get a bit more experimental with your dives and aerial attacks. Add on Double Time, and your Tactical Sprint lasts for much longer too!
Alongside this, thanks to the Perk Greed Wildcard, you're able to throw another perk on - for which we're going for Gung-Ho, which reduces movement penalties when reloading or using equipment, and lets you reload whilst Tactical Sprinting.
Since three of these perks are part of the Enforcer Combat Specialty, you'll gain an additional buff on top of these too - that being, a temporary buff to movement speed and health regeneration rate when eliminating enemies.
As for the other aspects, you're welcome to pick what suits your playstyle, but in terms of the rest of the loadout we're going with the GS45 pistol as our secondary, Stim Shot for Tactical - giving a way to replenish health and Tactical Sprint - as well as a Frag, and Assault Pack or Acoustic AMP, the latter of which will make enemy footsteps louder, useful for noticing enemies approaching from behind.
Just like with attachments, feel free to try a variety of different pieces of equipment and perks, as some of it will be a little mode-dependent.
How to unlock the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6
Unlike the XM4, to equip and customise your very own Jackal PDW, you'll have to play much more extensively, and reach Level 43.
Alongside the use of any Double XP Tokens you have available, to reach level 43 it'll essentially just be a process of playing Multiplayer - or Zombies, since your level applies to both modes - completing challenges, and more.
However, if you're an owner of the Black Ops 6 Vault Edition, you'll have access to both the gun and its 'Scourge' blueprint as soon as you hit Level 4 and unlock the ability to create loadouts, giving you a massive one-up over your opponents.
Furthermore, thanks to your ownership of this edition, you'll never be without the weapon, even through Prestiges which reset your rank to level 1.
The blueprint version comes pre-built with a selection of attachments too, and along with the standard Jackal PDW, had been making the rounds a lot in the first beta weekend - a trend that'll no doubt see some continuation now the game is out fully.
Best of luck using the Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6!