Skorpion - Black Ops Multiplayer Weapon Guide

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In this episode, we're covering the second SMG - the Skorpion.

It's a fully automatic weapon, and is unlocked at level 7.

It's a Czechoslovak weapon, manufactured by Česká Zbrojovka (cheska zbroy-of-ka) in what is now the Czech Republic.

It was first prototyped in 1959, and was formally adopted into service in 1961.

The 'Samo-pal vzorr(a) šedesát jedna (shedestat yidna)', or 'submachine gun model 61' is a compact weapon designed for tank crews and special forces, normally known by its less-formal name, the 'Skorpion'.

It can be fired either from the shoulder with the folding wire stock, or like a pistol with just one hand. Chambered for a smaller calibre, it's controllable even with fully automatic fire and can be easily suppressed for covert use.

Magazine capacity is a little short, as might be expected for a compact weapon - 20 rounds by default, although extended mags takes this to a more healthy 30.

The Skorpion fires the anemic .32 ACP round - not exactly the most powerful cartridge but certainly gets the job done at close range.

In-game damage reflects the typical effective distance of this calibre, with the Skorpion having the shortest range of all the SMGs.

However, within this effective radius the Skorpion is very effective - capable of two hit kills to the body up close, something no other SMG can do.

The damage drops very quickly, though - almost immediately dropping to a five-hit kill outside of close range engagements.

The fire rate is on the slower side for its class - 750 rounds per minute, although this at least makes the short magazine last a little longer.

Aside from the massive damage at point-blank range, the Skorpion has another key benefit - it boasts the lowest recoil in the SMG category.

This means that if you start on target, you'll stay on target - allowing you to tackle enemies at surprising distances, even if you do need quite a few shots to kill.

Aim time is fast, as you'd expect for an SMG - 200 milliseconds puts it on par with the rest of its class.

The reloads are frequent but aren't too painful - it's not the fastest but it's manageable, at just a little over two seconds.

The Skorpion makes for a great 'Marksman SMG' class, with the ability to deal death at all ranges.

The massive damage up-close means you don't need to worry about moving near the enemy, and as such can work very well in tandem with your tactical grenades to clear out defending enemies.

There's not much else that will kill as quickly up close.

The low recoil means you aren't limited to close range, either - if you dislodge an enemy from a good vantage point you can use it to your advantage to strike the defender's teammates from where they least expect.

The element of surprise is useful at middle range, as otherwise you'll find the low damage of the Skorpion will be your downfall in the face of more powerful weapons.

In such cases, all you can do is use the SMG's superior maneouverabililty and strafe while staying on target - quite often you'll evade your enemies bullets and live to secure the kill.

The Skorpion's unique damage profile make it unusual in that it's probably the best SMG both at close range, and at long distance.

The only place it loses out is in the middle - outside your very short effective range you'll need to hit your opponent 5 times where with another SMG you'd only need three or four hits to kill.

The limited capacity is also a major weakness - running out of ammunition part way through a firefight can be detrimental to your health.

Still, for accurate players the Skorpion is a force to be reckoned with, and there are few SMGs as versatile. With unparalleled damage and accuracy, you'll find the Skorpion - has quite the sting.