Best Maelstrom Build in Black Ops 6 & Warzone

Black Ops 6 and Warzone are shaping up to be a solid integration, with both games receiving heaps of content for their first major update. There’s quite a lot to do in both games, whether it be fast-paced action in Multiplayer or scratching that competitive itch in Warzone Battle Royale. Along their way through each mode, players can also acquire a wide range of weapons, with one solid option being the Maelstrom Shotgun.

The Maelstrom is an additional weapon that players can acquire following the Season 1 Reloaded update for Black Ops 6 and Warzone. The Maelstrom itself is the very first fully automatic Shotgun in Black Ops 6, laying down impressive firepower for players up close. While the weapon’s range is fairly on the low side, with the best loadout it can be a rather powerful option.

How To Unlock The Maelstrom

The Maelstrom Shotgun is a mastery reward for the Merry Mayhem Event in Black Ops 6 and Warzone and can be unlocked by collecting 10 Merry Mayhem Event rewards. Unlike previous events that required completing specific challenges, this event simply tasks players with earning XP to unlock rewards. To claim all rewards, players must accumulate 618,000 XP during the event’s runtime. Once done, the Shotgun becomes available for players to equip to their loadouts.

Alternatively, if players want to acquire the Shotgun early without having to rack up lots of XP, they can unlock the Maelstrom Shotgun through the Bad Manners Store Bundle. The bundle costs 1,800 COD Points, and on top of including an Operator Skin and a Blueprint for the Goblin MK2, players will also receive the Party Etiquette Blueprint for the Maelstrom Shotgun.

The Merry Mayhem Event officially ends on December 19. Once it ends, players should receive the base version of the Maelstrom Shotgun.

Best Maelstrom Loadout In Black Ops 6 & Warzone

Best Maelstrom Build:

• Full Choke (Muzzle)
• Reinforced Barrel (Barrel)
• Extended Mag II (Magazine)
• CQB Grip (Rear Grip)
• Rapid Fire (Fire Mods)

The above build for the Maelstrom Shotgun is a great fit for both regular Multiplayer and Warzone Battle Royale. With the specified attachments, attributes such as hip-fire spread, bullet velocity, and damage range are boosted, making the Maelstrom more versatile at medium range.

Other enhanced attributes include improved CQB features like slide-to-fire, dive-to-fire, and sprint-to-fire speeds, increasing its effectiveness when firing from the hip. Finalizing this build is an extended magazine paired with an improved fire rate. While the Maelstrom may not be a top-tier meta option in Black Ops 6 and Warzone, this build significantly enhances its performance.

Best Black Ops 6 Perks & Wildcard

While selecting the right attachments is crucial for any loadout, Perks and Wildcards can provide powerful benefits. The Perk Package listed above uses the Perk Greed Wildcard, enabling players to equip four Perks instead of the standard three—an excellent way to gain additional advantages in combat.

For a Shotgun loadout, the recommended Perks offer significant benefits tailored to close-quarters play. These include increased sprint and tactical sprint speeds while reloading—compensating for the lack of faster reload attachments—and quicker weapon swaps to a secondary. Additional Perks extend tactical sprint duration and allow players to resupply ammunition from fallen enemies, ensuring they stay combat-ready.

Recommended Black Ops 6 Secondary

While the Maelstrom will often do the heavy lifting in Black Ops 6 Multiplayer, it is always important to bring along a solid secondary. Doing so grants players a weapon to swap to during situations where they cannot perform a quick reload during gunfights. Some great considerations for players to choose from include the Sirin 9mm and the Grekhova. Both weapons are fully automatic, providing solid damage at close range.

Best Warzone Perks & Wildcard

• Dexterity (Perk 1)
• Sprinter (Perk 2)
• Resolute (Perk 3)
• Overkill (Wildcard)

Next up is a Perk Package and Wildcard option specifically for the player’s Maelstrom Warzone loadout, one which aims to overhaul the player’s movement. Benefits of the Perks showcased include improved accuracy while moving, a reduction in fall damage, an indefinite tactical sprint duration, and the ability to move swiftly when taking fire. For those looking to close the distance on their enemies or break players’ cameras, this Perk Package is the best option.

As for the Wildcard, there are two solid choices. The first is Overkill, allowing players to get their hands on an additional primary weapon as soon as they acquire their loadouts. On the other hand, if players want to make use of an eight-attachment build for the Maelstrom, they can consider Gunfighter.

Recommended Warzone Secondary

While the Maelstrom can be deadly at close range, its potential for medium to long-range engagements is sorely lacking. Therefore, if players want a bit of versatility in their loadout, they should consider pairing the weapon with a decent Assault Rifle to keep themselves covered against players battling them from afar. As of Season 1, meta Assault Rifles include the GPR 91, the XM4, the Model L, and the Krig C.

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  Released

  October 25, 2024

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