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Black Ops 6 changes how melee works compared to past Call of Duty games. Instead of picking a melee weapon for your loadout, a knife is now always part of your gear. This means you can pull it out anytime, without needing to equip it beforehand. But the game uses two different melee actions, and knowing how each one works is the key to surviving close fights.
How Melee Works in Black Ops 6
There are two types of melee moves in the game:
- Quick Melee: If you just tap the melee button, your soldier swings with the gun you’re holding. It’s fast but weaker, so it won’t always finish the enemy unless they’re already low on health.
- Knife Swap: If you hold down the melee button, your character switches completely to the knife. Once it’s out, you can strike quickly and move faster, giving you a big advantage in close-range battles.
This simple timing difference is what separates Black Ops 6 melee from older games. Practicing both styles will make you more effective whether you want a quick hit or a full knife rush.
Melee Controls by Platform
The controls for swapping to your knife change slightly depending on where you play:
- PlayStation: Hold R3 (right stick). On Tactical layout, hold Circle.
- Xbox: Hold RS (right stick).
- PC: Default key is E, but it depends on your custom setup.
Remember: Tap = Quick Strike, Hold = Full Knife. Once you master that, melee feels natural and much stronger than before.
Why You Should Use the Knife
The knife is more than just a backup weapon. It offers real benefits in both multiplayer and Zombies:
- One-Hit Kill: At close range, the knife is deadly with a single strike.
- Silent Attacks: Perfect for stealth plays without giving away your position.
- Speed Boost: You run faster when holding the knife, which makes rushing objectives, chasing enemies, or escaping danger much easier.
- Ammo Saver in Zombies: Knifing zombies in early rounds saves bullets and gives extra points.
Tips to Master Melee Combat
If you want to make the most of melee in Black Ops 6, try these strategies:
- Don’t charge in a straight line. Use slides, jumps, or flanks to surprise your target.
- Combine the knife with perks like Dead Silence for sneaky attacks or movement perks to close distance faster.
- If you miss your swing, swap back to your gun immediately so you’re not left exposed.
- In Zombies, stick to knifing during the first few rounds. It saves resources and builds points quickly.
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