Early Signs Point to a Massive Aim Assist Nerf in the Black Ops 6 Beta

If you have played any Call of Duty title since Modern Warfare (2019) on a console, chances are you have utilized the powerful aim assist feature or the game’s ability to automatically target enemies in your line of sight. This mechanic has sparked much debate, and with the Black Ops 6 beta, it appears that Treyarch is implementing a significant reduction in aim assist to promote a fairer gameplay experience.

Is There an Aim Assist Nerf in Black Ops 6?

A multiplayer match in Call of Duty Black Ops 6 — Image via Activision

The multiplayer beta for Black Ops 6 is currently underway, and gamers from all over are trying out every aspect of the game. During a conversation with my friend, who we’ll refer to as Tim the Enchanter, he shared a response from Matt Scronce, Associate Director of Design at Treyarch, on X (formerly known as Twitter). User JGODYT was testing aim assist in the training mode, substituting stationary targets for enemy players. JGOD observed that there was significantly less “rotational aim assist”, meaning the game did not automatically lock onto a target without any additional input from the player.

JGOD posted about a possible nerf to Aim Assist in Black Ops 6, to which Scronce responded, “Tweaks have been made. Aim Assist Type removed so we can get everyone on a level playing field. We’ll announce more details soon.”

Tweaks have been made. Aim Assist Type removed so we can get everyone on a level playing field. We’ll share details soon.

— Matt Scronce (@MaTtKs) August 30, 2024

According to ModernWarzone, another widely recognized Call of Duty X account, the reported changes to aim assist have been confirmed in an actual match. In a video posted by the account, a player can be seen sneaking up on an enemy on the Skyline map and strafing back and forth without any noticeable “tug”from auto-aim. This is a significant difference from previous titles, where there would have been a noticeable movement.

Aim assist appears to completely cut off at close ranges in Black Ops 6 ‼️ pic.twitter.com/6mi5KCBRnv

— ModernWarzone (@ModernWarzone) August 30, 2024

To put it simply, after conducting early in-game tests during the Black Ops 6 beta, it seems that there has been a significant decrease in aim assist for this year’s edition of Call of Duty.

Why Is Aim Assist a Big Deal in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6?

Operators fighting in Call of Duty Black Ops 6 — Image via Activision

Despite being a prevalent feature in console FPS games, aim assist is not a major problem on its own. The inherent limitations of using two control sticks for aiming make it significantly less precise than using a mouse. The subtle movements that a mouse allows for are nearly impossible to replicate on a controller. Even in older games like Treyarch’s renowned Black Ops 2 or the original Call of Duty 4, aim assist was present but not overpowering.

Despite changes in the series since Modern Warfare (2019), the aim assist strength in Call of Duty has steadily increased with each new entry. This means that the game now primarily assists with aiming as long as an enemy is within the center of your screen and you aim down your sights. While it may not be considered a traditional aimbot as it does not instantly snap to enemy heads, it is still a functional one as the computer takes on a significant portion of the aiming work.

The lack of control would not be as problematic if modern Call of Duty games were not cross-platform. However, we currently exist in a reality where individuals using a mouse and keyboard, without any aim assist, frequently compete against console players who are deemed by many PC users to have a significant and vital advantage.

Treyarch has once again taken its signature approach of reevaluating the gameplay in its latest game. In past installments like Black Ops 1, they introduced the Stopping Power perk and revamped Sniper Rifles. Black Ops 2 brought us the Pick 10 system, and now, in Black Ops 6, they are shaking things up by adjusting the familiar mechanic of overly powerful aim assist, which many players have grown accustomed to.

The main problem lies in the rotational aim assist. In Warzone, there have been instances of players standing on a roof and observing another player crossing a field. In these situations, the camera focuses on their hands and the aiming reticle tracks the enemy without any thumb input whatsoever. This has been observed through anecdotal testing.

Furthermore, aim assist has functioned as a form of a UAV for quite some time, enabling skillful gamers to anticipate an opponent’s approach by observing an auto-aim pull through a wall or over a lengthy line of sight. I have personally utilized this tactic, and have witnessed others do the same. Although I believe this aspect will persist, the aim assist modifications featured in the Black Ops 6 beta could potentially be incorporated into the final release, reducing the disparity in assistance between console and PC players.

I believe that aim assist should not completely disappear from consoles because it would be extremely challenging for console players to compete without it. This feature is meant to enhance their gaming experience, but it has become overwhelming with the rise of crossplay. As a result, some of my friends have stopped playing Call of Duty because they feel like they are not battling against other players, but rather against computer-controlled enemies.

It is uncertain whether the significant decrease in aim assist during the Black Ops 6 beta will remain after receiving feedback and undergoing further development before its release. If it does, I believe that many players will return to the PC version of the game, as they will finally have a level playing field with players on other platforms.