Equipping a knife in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (BO6) is not just a matter of style it can significantly affect your gameplay, especially in close-quarters combat and stealth-focused loadouts. The knife is a versatile melee weapon used for quick kills, fast movement, and silent takedowns. Whether you’re new to the franchise or a returning veteran, understanding how to equip the knife in BO6 involves navigating the loadout menu, choosing the right class setup, and maximizing its effectiveness with perks and attachments. This guide covers all the necessary steps to equip and optimize your knife loadout for different playstyles.
Accessing the Loadout Menu in BO6
Where to Find Your Knife
To equip the knife in Black Ops 6, you must start by accessing your custom class loadouts. This can be done from the main multiplayer menu or during a match if you’re editing a class for future use. The loadout menu is where you can customize your primary weapon, secondary weapon, perks, field upgrades, and more.
- From the main menu, go to the Weapons tab.
- Select Create a Class or Loadouts.
- Choose a class slot to edit.
The knife is considered a secondary weapon in BO6, meaning you cannot equip it as your primary weapon unless you’re using a specific loadout that forgoes guns entirely.
Equipping the Knife as a Secondary Weapon
Selecting the Combat Knife
Once inside the class editor, navigate to the Secondary Weapon slot. Here, you’ll typically find categories like pistols, launchers, and melee weapons. The knife will be listed under the melee category, usually referred to as Combat Knife or similar depending on the in-game terminology.
- Click on the Secondary Weapon slot.
- Navigate to the Melee category.
- Select the Combat Knife.
If the knife is locked, you may need to reach a certain level to unlock it, or complete a challenge related to melee kills or stealth gameplay. Once unlocked, the knife becomes available across all loadouts.
Using the Knife as Your Main Weapon
Maximizing Knife Builds
Though the knife is technically a secondary weapon, you can build a loadout where it’s your primary tool for combat. This is especially effective for players who prefer speed and stealth over brute force gunplay. To do this, equip the knife and avoid selecting a primary weapon, or replace it with a useless placeholder if the game requires one.
Pair your knife with perks that enhance movement, silence, and survivability:
- Ninja: Reduces footstep noise, perfect for sneaking up on enemies.
- Ghost: Keeps you off enemy UAVs while moving.
- Lightweight: Increases sprint speed, helping you close the distance faster.
Additionally, using a Field Upgrade like Dead Silence or Battle Rage can greatly enhance your effectiveness in melee-focused gameplay.
Knife Playstyles and Situational Advantages
Close-Quarters Combat
The knife excels in tight spaces where gunplay is limited or chaotic. Maps with narrow corridors, indoor zones, or verticality allow knife users to move quickly and eliminate enemies before they react. Because knife attacks are instant kills at melee range, a skilled player can dominate these spaces with good map awareness and speed.
Stealth-Based Approach
Stealth classes in BO6 benefit greatly from using a knife. When combined with perks like Ninja and suppressed gear, you can eliminate players silently and without revealing your position. This makes the knife ideal for flanking strategies and disrupting enemy spawns.
Objective Mode Strategies
In objective modes like Domination or Hardpoint, knife users can capture points swiftly and eliminate distracted opponents. You may not win every head-to-head fight, but your speed and element of surprise can shift momentum in your team’s favor. Be smart with your movement and avoid open lines of sight.
Customizing Your Knife Loadout
Best Equipment to Pair With a Knife
Since you won’t be relying on firearms, it’s crucial to balance your loadout with tactical and lethal equipment that complement your melee playstyle.
- Smoke Grenade: Provides cover for rushing across open ground.
- Stun Grenade: Disorients enemies to secure a clean kill.
- Thermite or C4: Useful for softening up groups or blocking entryways.
Perks and Field Upgrades
Use your perk slots to compensate for the knife’s range limitations. The goal is to stay undetected while reaching your target.
- Engineer: Spot enemy equipment and avoid traps.
- Tracker: See enemy footprints for better pursuit.
- Scavenger: Optional if combining knife with throwable weapons.
For Field Upgrades, the most effective options are:
- Dead Silence: Temporarily silences your movement and boosts speed.
- Field Mic: Detects nearby enemies for better ambush setups.
Unlocking Knife Skins and Challenges
Camo Progression
BO6 features a progression system that rewards players for achieving kills, performing specific actions, and using different weapons. To unlock knife skins and camos, you’ll need to complete melee-based challenges, such as:
- Get a set number of knife kills.
- Perform backstab executions.
- Kill enemies while using Dead Silence.
Completing these challenges not only personalizes your weapon but also helps you earn experience toward leveling up your account and unlocking additional gear.
Finishing Moves
Equipping the knife also allows you to perform finishing moves. These are cinematic melee executions triggered from behind an unaware enemy. Mastering these gives you both tactical and aesthetic advantages in combat.
Tips for Knife Combat in BO6
- Keep moving: Staying still makes you an easy target. Use constant movement and sliding to get close to enemies.
- Know the maps: Familiarity with flanking routes, hiding spots, and spawn points can give you a huge edge.
- Be patient: Wait for enemies to separate or become distracted before striking.
- Use audio cues: Listen for footsteps or reloading sounds to plan surprise attacks.
- Don’t charge directly: Zig-zag or strafe when closing the gap to make yourself harder to hit.
Why Use the Knife in BO6?
Speed and Silence
The knife makes you faster than any other weapon in the game. It allows rapid sprints, fast climbs, and instant kill animations, which is ideal for aggressive or stealthy playstyles. Combined with perks and gadgets, the knife becomes a deadly tool for players who master mobility.
Challenge and Style
Using only a knife adds a layer of difficulty and style to your gameplay. It forces you to rely on reflexes, map knowledge, and strategy rather than raw firepower. It also makes highlight-worthy clips and gives a sense of accomplishment when you outperform enemies using full loadouts.
Learning how to equip the knife in BO6 is simple, but mastering it takes time and practice. From accessing the loadout menu to building a class that emphasizes speed, stealth, and efficiency, every decision matters. Whether you’re looking to dominate close-range fights or just want a fun alternative to standard gunplay, the knife offers a unique path in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. With the right setup and mindset, it can become your deadliest weapon on the battlefield.