It seems that with the last update for CoD: Modern Warfare and Call of Duty: Warzone there was a hidden change for the combat knife. This now provides you with a decisive advantage when speed is important.
Speed is important: Movement speed can often be crucial in online shooters like Modern Warfare. Those who move faster can secure a key position or loot earlier. Or just manage to duck behind cover before being hit by enemy fire.
In short: Those who are faster often gain a decisive advantage. This can determine life and death or even the outcome of the match.
That’s why many have relied on pistols during sprinting: If you equip a pistol or a knife, you move faster than if you hold an assault rifle or LMG in your hands.
Light pistols like the X16 provided a slightly higher speed until recently, and you could also fire with them. That’s why many prefer them over the knife. But that might be changing now.
That’s why the knife is worth it: With the update from April 14th, some changes were introduced to the game, but some were secret and not mentioned in the patch notes.
This likely includes an adjustment of the knife. Because up until then, you moved a bit faster with pistols while sprinting, but that has apparently changed now.
If you want to move faster, you should definitely try the knife. With it, you can use the tactical sprint not only twice as long as with pistols – you are also apparently a bit quicker.
The sprint speed comparison: The YouTuber Handler conducted some tests after the last update and came to the following conclusion:
- In normal sprint (press the sprint button once), there is no noticeable difference in movement speed between pistols and knives.
- With a knife, you can use the tactical sprint for 4 seconds. With a pistol, only for 2 seconds. The tactical sprint allows you to run faster (press the sprint button twice) than normal, but is time-limited.
- If you use the tactical sprint (which basically everyone uses), you are definitely faster with a knife.
Here you can check out the exact details of Handler’s test in the video:
This is how you get the most out of knives and tactical sprint: You can refresh the tactical sprint while running by using the stim (up to 2 times). Use the item about 3 seconds after initiating the tactical sprint.
This makes the speed difference between pistols and knives even clearer. Here, too, you are faster with the knife – and this is even more noticeable than without the extra boost from this equipment item. Because here you can benefit multiple times from the longer tactical sprint of the knife, totaling 12 seconds with the knife instead of 6 with pistols.
The stim is an equipment item that you unlock at level 47 and can then equip as part of your loadouts. Stims take up the same slot as flashbangs or heart rate sensors. This resets the limited-use tactical sprint, and you can use it again right away.
There are other methods in Battle Royale that allow you to move quickly and skillfully across the map. You can find 3 tips to move better in Warzone and dodge bullets here.
Conclusion: If speed is crucial for you, then you are faster with the knife when using the tactical sprint. With the use of the stim, you are even faster.
So if you prefer a run&gun playstyle, play objective-based modes like Search&Destroy or just want to move a bit faster, you should definitely try the knife instead of the pistol. Especially on the numerous tight maps of the traditional multiplayer with their many cover options, you can potentially secure a decisive advantage more than once.
By the way, a new update came today and brought alongside the currently probably most popular trios mode also a surprise for Warzone. Are there secret changes in this update as well?
