Peacekeeper - Black Ops 2 Weapon Guide

Facebook:   / xboxahoy  
Twitter:   / xboxahoy  

This time, we're covering the Peacekeeper.

The first DLC weapon ever seen in Call of Duty, the Peacekeeper is a fully automatic post-launch addition to the SMG category.

An entirely fictional weapon, the Peacekeeper takes on the appearance of a carbine-length assault rifle, with some visual traits similar to that of the real-life AAC Honey Badger.

Both the Peacekeeper appellation and the blue-and-white camo scheme would seem to indicate that this weapon is associated with United Nations forces, presumably for use on peacekeeping missions.

The manufacturer logo on the side reads 'Arbiter', and the side decals also give an insight into this future weapon's supposed calibre - namely FN's PDW cartridge, as used by the P90 and Five-seven: the 5.7 by 28 millimetre round.

In-game, the Peacekeeper is a low damage SMG: you'll need 4 body shots to kill up close, or 3 shots where one is a headshot.

At a distance, you may need up to six shots to kill: however, thanks to the unusually long range of this SMG you can almost always expect to kill in four or five shots.

This means damage output is remarkably consistent out to a middle range, and it's towards the end of its four hit kill zone where the Peacekeeper's ability shines best.

Penetration capability is elevated above the other SMGs - its performance through walls somewhere between the SMG default and that of a typical assault rifle.

Rate of fire is relatively slow - at 750 rounds per minute. This is the same output as the PDW and MSMC, but the Peacekeeper requires an additional shot to kill at a close range.

Rapid fire elevates this output, up to a potential 1136 rounds per minute.

Hipfire spread is the same as any other SMG, but the slower rate of fire and lower per-shot damage means you will generally fare much better while aiming.

Recoil is low - not absent by any means, but the Peacekeeper is stable enough to tackle enemies comfortably at middle ranges.

At an extreme range, you will need to burst fire to remain effective.

Aim time is slower than average for the SMGs, and is instead on par with the assault rifle class, at 250 milliseconds.

It's also worth noting that the innate zoom level of the Peacekeeper is the assault rifle default, at 1.35x - slightly higher than a typical SMG.

Movement speed is as the SMG class default, however - meaning you'll move at 100% of the maximum base speed.

Magazine capacity is fairly average - at 30 rounds, typical for an assault rifle but a little short by comparison to the other SMGs.

Reloads are pretty quick, however - at around 1.9 seconds for a tactical reload.

The Peacekeeper's blend of SMG and Assault Rifle traits make for an interesting approach to gunfights: you should seek to remain on the move to keep enemies within your grasp - but avoid uncomfortably close quarters as to preserve your mid-range advantage.

Flitting from cover to cover is generally a good idea, taking advantage of the full run speed and dexterous traits we've selected.

Anticipation of your enemy's movement is vital - instead of rushing headlong into the fray, you want to hang back just a little - and instead suppress the enemy from an advantageous position.

The Peacekeeper is a versatile SMG that can reach out to longer ranges like no other weapon in its class.

Designed as an assault rifle and SMG hybrid, the weapon takes the rapid handling and manoeuvrability of the former, with the lower recoil and consistent ranged damage of the latter.

The net result is a adaptable weapon that rewards accurate players with reliable performance.

However, the Peacekeeper does suffer from poor close-quarter performance: a slower rate of fire and low-close range damage will leave you at a significant disadvantage when facing conventional SMGs.

Likewise, a typical assault rifle will generally have the upper hand at a longer distances, with such weapons boasting lower recoil or better ranged damage.

Still, the Peacekeeper is very able in mid-ranged engagements, and the weapon's favourable handling characteristics means it is a flexible choice when compared to the more specialised weapons.

If you bear these limitations in mind, and try to force anticipated engagements at a middle range, the multifaceted Peacekeeper will shine.

As the old saying goes, if you wish for peace...

...prepare for war.