Best Jackal PDW loadout in Warzone

Among all the potential short-range meta weapons in Warzone Season 1, the Jackal PDW stands out for its rapid time to kill.

During the BO6 beta, the Jackal PDW quickly became the most popular weapon, excelling in close-range fights and even outperforming some assault rifles at medium range. In response, Treyarch introduced significant nerfs before launch.

While its damage range was reduced, preventing it from competing with ARs, the SMG retained its dominance in close-range engagements, with its damage in these scenarios untouched.

As a result, the Jackal PDW remains the top choice for close-quarters combat in Warzone Season 1.

Best Warzone Jackal PDW loadout

Charlie Intel

• Muzzle: Suppressor
• Barrel: Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
• Magazine: Extended Mag I
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip

No matter if you’re playing on Urzikstan or Area 99, staying off the mini-map is essential. Equipping a Suppressor is a must for any loadout, as it ensures you remain hidden while firing. To keep the SMG steady during combat, the Ranger Foregrip minimizes horizontal recoil while also boosting sprint speed as an added benefit.

Extended Mag I is perfect for taking on multiple enemies, increasing the magazine capacity to 50 rounds. While the Jackal PDW excels in engagements within 11 meters, the Long Barrel attachment extends its maximum damage range, making it even more versatile.

Finally, the Ergonomic Grip is the most crucial attachment for SMGs. With omnimovement playing a significant role in Warzone, mobility is vital in close-quarters combat. This attachment enhances slide-to-fire, dive-to-fire, and aim-down-sight speeds, giving you the edge in fast-paced gunfights.

Best Jackal PDW perks and equipment

• Wildcard: Overkill
• Secondary Weapon: GPR 91
• Tactical: Smoke Grenade
• Lethal: Frag
• Perk 1: Dexterity
• Perk 2: Quick Fix
• Perk 3: Tempered

Warzone uses a slightly different Perk system to BO6, and since Perk Greed is absent, using four Perks is not an option. As previously mentioned with the Ergonomic Grip, Dexterity stands out as the best choice for Perk 1. It minimizes weapon motion while sliding, diving, and jumping, in addition to reducing fall damage.

Other Perk 1 options tend to be too situational or niche to justify over Dexterity. Picking Quick Fix for Perk 2 is also an easy decision, as it initiates health regeneration after plating or eliminating an enemy. Additionally, it allows you to hip-fire your weapon while equipping a plate, a feature that can be a lifesaver in critical moments.

While Ghost, Gung-Ho, Birdseye, and Alertness all have their merits, Tempered stands out in the Perk 3 slot. It allows you to achieve full armor with just two plates instead of three, providing a significant advantage in fast-paced engagements.

As for equipment, Frag Grenades remain a reliable lethal choice, capable of finishing injured enemies or flushing foes out of cover. Finally, Smoke Grenades are invaluable for creating cover when rotating through open areas or retreating from a fight, ensuring you maintain mobility and survivability in high-stakes scenarios.

Jackal PDW pros and cons

Where is the Jackal PDW in the Warzone meta?

According to TrueGameData, the Jackal PDW outguns all other SMGs with an impressive time-to-kill of 616 milliseconds within 11.4 meters. Its closest competitor, the C9, trails behind at 656 milliseconds, giving the Jackal a clear advantage if you can land your shots. However, its slower fire rate is a double-edged sword.

While requiring fewer bullets per kill allows you to make the most of your magazine, it also makes it more challenging to maintain accuracy under pressure. This SMG rewards precision but demands a skilled touch to unlock its full potential.

Its exceptional performance suggests that a nerf could be on the horizon. For now, players should take full advantage of this powerful SMG while it remains at the top of its game.

How to unlock Jackal PDW in Warzone

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The Jackal PDW becomes available at Level 43 in Black Ops 6, making it one of the final weapons unlocked before reaching max level.

Warzone Jackal PDW alternatives

If the Jackal PDW doesn’t quite meet all your needs, the Kompakt 92 and C9 are excellent alternatives worth considering. The Kompakt 92 boasts the highest fire rate among all SMGs and delivers a rapid time-to-kill, while the C9 offers exceptional mobility, clean iron sights, and a competitive elimination speed comparable to other top-tier options.

For an added edge in Warzone Season 1, be sure to check out our detailed guides on optimizing your controller and PC settings to stay ahead of the competition. On top of that, if you’re searching for the best guns to dominate the current meta, we’ve got you covered with comprehensive guides.