Hello, this is XboxAhoy and this is the thirty-fifth episode of my Black Ops 2 Weapon Guide.
This time, we're covering the Skorpion EVO.
We first saw this weapon's predecessor, the Skorpion, in COD4 - and it returned in both
Black Ops and Modern Warfare 3.
Black Ops 2 marks the modern evolution's first entry, however - where this fully automatic
SMG is unlocked at level 46.
The CZ Skorpion Evo 3 A1 is a weapon that originates from the Czech Republic, where
it is manufactured by Česká zbrojovka.
It is a compact submachine gun designed to fill a similar role to its predecessor, with
an adjustable folding stock for easier handling in confined spaces, and a full complement
of Picatinny rails for the addition of optics or accessories.
The design originates from around 2002 as a Slovakian prototype, the Laugo SMG.
This design was purchased by CZ, and developed into the EVO 3 design in 2009.
The weapon fires the NATO standard pistol calibre, the 9-by-19 millimetre Parabellum
round.
In-game, damage is low: as the Skorpion has no headshot multiplier, you'll always need
at least four shots to kill an uninjured opponent.
At a distance, this quickly drops to a minimum of six shots to kill - damage is not the Skorpion's
strongest suit, as it deals the lowest per-shot damage in its class.
As with its peers, penetration ability is low.
It is in rate of fire where the Skorpion makes up lost ground: it is the fastest firing automatic
weapon, spewing lead at a continuous rate of 1250 rounds per minute.
This is as fast as the Chicom CQB's 3-round burst: and paired with Rapid Fire you'll see
a monstrous 1893 rounds per minute dispensed - although this might be overkill, coming
at a considerable cost to your ranged effectiveness.
Paired with its SMG-default superior hipfire performance, this weapon is deadly from the
hip: the faster rate of fire providing more consistent performance courtesy of sheer volume
of fire.
Unaimed shots will prove almost as effective as aiming down your sights, and gives you
a reactive edge while taking an aggressive tack - hipfire is definitely the Skorpion's
strongest trait.
Recoil is moderate - and, paired with the low ranged damage you will find the Skorpion
is not an effective option for use over longer sightlines.
Aiming will allow you to more accurately direct your stream of lead, which can prove useful
at the extent of the weapon's reach - and you'll transition to ADS in 200 milliseconds,
the SMG default.
Other handling traits are as expected for its class, too - the Skorpion handles well,
like any other SMG - and you'll move at 100 percent of the base speed.
Magazine capacity is fairly average, at 32 rounds - although given the rapid consumption
you shouldn't be surprised to find yourself reloading very often.
Extended Clip will take your magazine capacity to 42 rounds - and should be a very strong
consideration for such a gluttonous weapon.
Thankfully, such frequent reloads shouldn't impair you too much - as reloads are very
quick indeed, at just 2 seconds flat.
Our build with the Skorpion plays to its strongest trait: the ability to quickly spew lead in
the general direction of a close-range foe.
A close-range 'shredder' class, then - designed to turn the Skorpion into a bullet hose, and
to support the aggressive playstyle that suits the weapon best.
First up, we elect the Primary Gunfighter wildcard to permit the selection of three
attachments for our gun-focussed build.
The first of our attachment choices is a fairly logical one for any build centered around
hipfire: the Laser Sight.
Equipping this illuminating option will reduce hipfire spread by 27.5 percent - concentrating
your cone of fire and allowing you to spray with wild abandon at quite a considerable
range.
Even mid-ranged targets may succumb to your hail, with the Skorpion dispensing a surprising
amount of lead within a fairly small area.
Next, we take an attachment which will prolong your fun, and slightly extend your ammunition
supply.
Extended Clip grants an extra 10 rounds per mag, which can prove decisive when you divulge
your magazine's contents recklessly.
These extra rounds might allow you to successfully tackle more enemies at once, and can save
the need for a reload between successive engagements.
Your reloads will be slowed by 10 percent - but they remain quite sprightly, and the
extra rounds in your total supply offer benefit beyond Fast Mag's more rapid reload.
Next, our third attachment opens up some possibilities, depending on your preference.
As part of the 'shredder' class concept, FMJ works well with the Skorpion: while damage
is low, our ability to send a lot of lead towards a target makes the weapon quite suitable
for tackling obscured enemies.
FMJ will bump up your weapon's ability to pierce cover, which can prove decisive should
an enemy decide to make effective use of scenery to conceal themselves.
The ability to cut through such cover with your furious spray will erode a defensive
enemy's advantage, and also gives you the ability to tackle entirely hidden enemies
known to be lurking inside buildings.
However, if you're content with lower penetration, then the Long Barrel attachment is another
worthwhile choice that can slightly extend your reach with the weapon: while only a subtle
difference, this 16% damage bonus can add a little extra reach with the Skorpion's hipfire.
Finally, if you can't stand being on radar - then the Suppressor isn't a bad option,
either - the lower damage differential making the weapon an ideal candidate for a stealth
role.
Next, we move on to the perks - with a fairly standard fast-moving loadout.
First up is the predictable Lightweight: granting a 7 percent movement buff, you'll be able
to get closer to your enemy more quickly, which will enhance the effectiveness of any
close-quarter weapon.
If you prefer the suppressor to the damage-enhancing options, Ghost works as a very viable alternative
here for a total stealth approach - but this does require an adjustment to your playstyle.
Our second perk choice is non-negotiable, however: Scavenger is a must with the Skorpion,
as few other weapons have the ability to chew though their entire supply as quickly.
As you'll spawn with just four magazines, even with Extended Clip you'll find yourself
dry after relatively few kills: the ability to resupply while on the move is essential
for sustained use of the weapon.
Next, Dexterity is a useful choice for any rapid-paced aggressive build, lessening the
time it takes to transition from a full sprint to a ready-to-fire stance.
This will allow you to start spraying down an unexpected foe as quickly as possible when
you encounter them - and landing the first shot in a gunfight is a bellwether for victory.
Also useful in skewing gunfights is the equipment on offer - and paired with scavenger your
choice here will be renewable.
A tactical option like a concussion or flashbang will prove useful for clearing rooms, stunning
enemies inside before entry - but you can equip a lethal choice here should you wish.
Finally, a secondary pistol will prove useful with the Skorpion - while reloading the weapon
is quick, switching to a pistol is quicker.
The KAP-40 best mirrors the Skorpion's lead-spewing ability, and suits a similar playstyle - but
you can elect whatever works best for you.
Switch to it when your mag is dry and there's still action to be had - or in the cases where
you've expended all available primary ammunition.
That's our build - designed to turn the weapon into a mayhem-fuelled bullet hose, as best
fits a weapon with such a rate of fire.
Embracing a close-range role is undoubtedly the best tactic - trying to wrangle the furious
bullet-flinging ability onto longer ranged targets is a futile affair.
The Skorpion is an effective close quarter weapon with the ability to dispense a dizzying
amount of fire within a short space of time.
No other automatic weapon fires as quickly by default, with only the burst weapons such
as the Chicom and M8A1 briefly touching the Skorpion's output.
This ability to rapidly spew fire, paired with the swift handling traits of an SMG,
make for a very consistent close quarters weapon - unlike the slower-firing alternatives,
you are less reliant on any one shot finding its mark.
Unfortunately, this rate of fire is balanced with the lowest damage of any weapon on offer
- on a per-shot basis, the Skorpion is outmatched by all.
The high output compensates for this, but throws the issue of sustainable supply into
the mix - frequent reloads can be problematic, despite their short duration.
It's easy to find yourself left dry mid-firefight, which will leave you exposed to a swift counterattack.
You'll find yourself similarly vulnerable at a long-range, too - moderate recoil and
low damage conspiring to make it very difficult to direct an accurate stream of shots at any
sort of distance.
Still, with care such sightlines can be avoided, and you'll reap the rewards of the Skorpion's
fast and furious performance up close.
This evolved arthropod spares no venom in its output: a fearsome barb poised to attack.
Any enemy foolish enough to provoke you...
...will surely feel this weapon's sting.
Thanks for watching, this has been XboxAhoy.
Join me next week, when I'll be covering the M8A1.
Until then, farewell.