The battle royale mode Blackout of Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 gives you a range of perks that provide special bonuses. However, these items are only usable for a limited time and take up space. So which perks are worth it and which can be left behind?
What are perks in Blackout? Perks in the battle royale mode Blackout are not permanent advantages but consumables.
A perk can be collected and later consumed like an item. Then it triggers an effect for a specific duration that gives you an advantage. You can have up to 6 different perks active at the same time.
However, certain perks are more sensible and useful than others. In the following paragraphs, we will explain which of the 15 known perks you should definitely take along and which are rather useless.
These perks are always useful
The following six perks are truly always sensible and useful. Taking them along is therefore an absolute no-brainer.
Dead Silence
Duration: 4 minutes
Usability: 1 time
What does the perk do? When you activate this perk, your footsteps and the opening of containers are barely audible. Ideal for sneaking up on opponents or looting boxes like a ninja.
Awareness
Duration: 2 minutes
Usability: 2 times
What does the perk do? Here, the exact opposite of Dead Silence occurs. You now hear all footsteps and other sounds twice as loud. This allows you to counteract Dead Silence and generally hear your opponents better. However, it can also make you quite crazy due to all the noise.
Skulker
Duration: 3 minutes
Usability: 2 times
What does the perk do? This allows you to move much faster while crouching or lying on the ground. As a result, you become a smaller target and can aim better at opponents. And you’re also quieter. A win-win-win for you! The perk gets even better if you combine it with Mobility (see below) and can run while crouching.
Mobility
Duration: 5 minutes
Usability: 2 times
What does the perk do? Here, everything related to movement becomes faster. Really everything, from walking, running, and crawling to switching weapons, using items, and taking less fall damage. Ideally, you combine this with Skulker, then you dart around like a Cossack dancer on speed while crouching through the flora. Together with Dead Silence, you become a darting ninja.
Stimulant
Duration: 3 minutes
Usability: 2 times
What does the perk do? This extremely rare perk grants you 100 additional health points. Use it ideally before a wild fight, but make sure it’s really heated. Otherwise, the perk evaporates uselessly after 3 minutes.
Reinforced
Duration: 4 minutes
Usability: 3 times
What does the perk do? Here, you become much more resistant to explosions, fire, barbed wire, and all other grenade effects. This is particularly useful if you like to hold up somewhere and would otherwise be easily taken out by a thrown explosive.
These perks are sometimes useful and better than nothing
Here are five perks that you can take with you if you don’t get any of the top perks mentioned above. In some situations, these perks are even quite useful, while in others, they are hardly needed.
Paranoia
Duration: 4 minutes
Usability: 2 times
What does the perk do? As soon as someone aims at you, you hear an alarm. This is especially interesting for offensive players who can quickly alert to snipers. Whether you can still dodge in time is another matter.
Iron Lungs
Duration: 5 minutes
Usability: 2 times
What does the perk do? Here you can hold your breath longer underwater – as well as when using sniper rifles. The latter is usually pointless. But the underwater functionality can possibly decide the game. However, only if you last until the last zone and the safe space is in the water.
Medic
Duration: 4 minutes
Usability: 2 times
What does the perk do? You can revive your teammates faster, and they get up with more hit points. Moreover, healing items are applied faster and better. The perk is particularly worthwhile in team modes such as Duos and Quads. If you are alone, at least it is still advantageous to use your healing more effectively.
Looter
Duration: 2 minutes
Usability: 3 times
What does the perk do? Here you can see items and boxes through walls. This is especially important at the start of the game and after the first major loot, as you can quickly see where a detour is worthwhile.
Consumer
Duration: 5 minutes
Usability: 1 time
What does the perk do? This allows you to use items and healing packs twice as fast. This is particularly advantageous in hectic battles.
What about the rest?
There are still four perks left that are little to not useful. Only take them if you really can’t find anything better and exchange them quickly for better perks as soon as you have the opportunity.
- Outlander: This gives you less damage from the collapse. However, this is rarely worth it. It is better to use medkits and appropriate perks to heal yourself in the zone.
- Engineer: This allows you to see vehicles and traps better. However, nobody really needs that who is playing with a keen eye.
- Squad Link: This almost useless perk also shows where your squad mates are through walls. Nobody actually needs this.
- Brawler: This perk lets you deal more damage in close combat. And you rob your opponent of 50 health every time. There is almost no situation in which this perk would make sense.
Overall, there are said to be 21 perks in Blackout, but only these 15 are currently known. We will add the others as we learn more about them.
