Recent changes to popular MW3 melee weapon in Season 5

The Sledgehammer was a popular weapon in MW3, both in terms of its impact and its reputation, upon its release in Season 4 Reloaded. It soon became a top choice for a secondary weapon among many players. However, with the start of Season 5, it has been significantly weakened and may now lose its high ranking.

The Sledgehammer’s effective distance has been reduced from 5.3m to 3.2m, as stated in the patch notes for the latest update. In addition, players now experience a 22% decrease in movement speed while wielding the weapon, compounding the impact of the range decrease.

The effectiveness of using a melee weapon has been significantly reduced, resulting in a noticeable decrease in its ability to navigate the map and eliminate enemies. Players must now approach much closer to successfully execute a one-hit kill, a task made more challenging due to the slower movement.

The Sledgehammer arrived in MW3 Season 4 Reloaded.

MW3 multiplayer is full of players who prefer using melee weapons, as they eliminate the need to sacrifice a Perk slot for a secondary weapon. Additionally, many of these weapons provide increased mobility, allowing for swift navigation around the map, which can be advantageous in game modes such as Search and Destroy or Demolition.

Nevertheless, the Sledgehammer stands out as a remarkable anomaly due to its widespread appeal being primarily derived from its enjoyable usage.

In addition, the secondary was also highly regarded by the community for its strength, particularly on smaller maps with narrow corridors. This, coupled with its exceptional performance, explains why it was so beloved.

Despite the Sledgehammer’s animations, sound effects, and ability to take out opponents in one hit remaining unchanged, it is uncertain whether the weapon will maintain its popularity after being nerfed. It remains to be seen if players will opt for the more agile Karambit or Gutter Knife.

Despite the significant nerf given to the Sledgehammer, there are still numerous new weapons worth considering, such as the STG Assault Rifle and Static-HV SMG.