Skip to main content

Treyarch nerfs Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War's MP5 less than a week after launch

Thank goodness

Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War has only been out for *checks notes* less than a week and Treyarch have already nerfed the MP5. In a tweet they announced that they've reduced its damage range by 33% and adjusted its initial recoil. That last tweak isn’t super clear, but presumably it now has a bit more vertical punch when you first pull the trigger.

Cover image for YouTube video
Watch on YouTube

Out of the two changes, it’s the damage range nerf which is the most important. At launch the MP5 was basically a pocket assault rifle, totally outperforming its beefier siblings at practically all ranges. I’d become one of those “if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” drones zipping about spraying folks down at close range, then nonchalantly dropping snipers across the map while throwing up a little in my mouth. I took no pleasure in my XP gains. Well, maybe a little.

Here’s a look at the sheer power of the MP5 pre-nerf. I mean, there was literally no need for any other gun to exist in the game at this point.

This Is Why The MP5 Is OP from r/blackopscoldwar

And that was the issue. I’d play game after game and encounter swathes of players using the MP5. I’d run over discarded weapons and mutter “MP5” under my breath. It basically had no down sides and players quickly cottoned on. So I’m glad it’s been toned down and props to Treyarch for getting on it so quickly.

When it comes to further tuning, Treyarch game designer Tony Flame said on Twitter that they’re “working on the larger pass for Season 1” which is due to kick off on 10th December.

I suppose it’s time to try another gun now?

Read this next

Ed Thorn avatar
Ed Thorn: When Ed's not cracking thugs with bicycles in Yakuza, he's likely swinging a badminton racket in real life. Any genre goes, but he's very into shooters and likes a weighty gun, particularly if they have a chainsaw attached to them. Adores orange and mango squash, unsure about olives.
View comments (1)
In this article

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War

PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Related topics

Rock Paper Shotgun is better when you sign in

Sign in and join us on our journey to discover strange and compelling PC games.