Hello, this is XboxAhoy and this is the sixth episode of my Black Ops 2 Attachment Guide.
In this episode we're covering the Suppressor.
A long-standing attachment in Call of Duty, the silencer was introduced in COD4 and has
made an appearance in every game since.
A sound suppressor is a device that affixes to the muzzle of a firearm in an effort to
contain and otherwise reduce the noise made while firing the weapon.
Commonly referred to as a 'silencer' in films and television, such a device won't make a
gun completely silent - but will greatly reduce the overall sound level.
They work in a manner similar to an exhaust muffler on a car - a series of expansion chambers
absorb energy from the expanding gases created upon firing.
When used with subsonic ammunition, they can be very effective indeed - in some cases the
loudest thing you'll hear is the hammer striking the primer.
The suppressor is available for the Assault Rifles, SMGs, LMGs, Sniper Rifles, Shotguns
and the Pistols.
It is unavailable for the Launchers and Special Weapons.
The suppressor is compatible with most other attachments, with the exception of Long Barrel.
Its effects are manifold, and not universally beneficial.
Its primary use is to prevent you from appearing on radar when you fire your weapon.
Note that you'll still appear on radar when your enemy has a UAV, unless you have Ghost
equipped too.
In addition, the physical nature of your shots will be altered - the sound will be muffled,
and of reduced volume: and the bright muzzle flash you see when firing will be removed
- which can make it easier to aim.
Unfortunately, these benefits come at the cost of a few negative traits: first and foremost,
your weapon's ranged damage will be reduced.
Assault Rifles, SMGS and LMGs will see a 30% reduction in range; Pistols and Shotguns will
see a lesser reduction of 10%.
Sniper Rifles will see altered damage multipliers - the SVU loses its one-hit headshot, the
DSR will no longer kill to the lower torso, and the Ballista and XPR-50 will no longer
kill with hits to the mid-torso.
Beyond this, you'll also see an increase in recoil, although for most weapons this is
only very slight: a 2% reduction of your weapon's centerspeed.
The suppressed SVU is hit harder in the recoil department, with a 10% reduction in centerspeed,
slightly harming the potential of your follow-up shots.
In general, the Suppressor is best used for those weapons with either a generous range,
or a less significant differential between the maximum and minimum damage.
It is generally a bad choice for weapons with a slower rate of fire, as such a low output
means it's generally important to kill with as few shots as possible.
The Assault Rifles are generally a good fit, with a blend of good range, moderate damage
even at extreme ranges, and they are usually automatic weapons, or at least have a large
number of rounds available rapidly on tap.
SMGs are similar, although their minimum damage is very low so the damage drop can sometimes
be very noticeable.
Still, the combination of stealth and high mobility can be put to good use, so with the
right playstyle a suppressed SMG can be devastating.
Surprisingly effective are the LMGs - although the high firepower seems at odds with the
stealthier options available, in Black Ops 2 the combination is surprisingly workable.
With a huge amount of lead at your disposal, and higher-than-average range and damage:
a suppressed gunner can make mincemeat of a radar-reliant foe.
Perhaps less suited are the sniper rifles - with a critical loss of damage, one shot
kills become some degree harder.
This erodes the sniper rifle's key strength, as if you're looking for a silent two-shot
kill weapon, the high damage assault rifles (namely the FAL OSW and SMR) may fit the bill
more closely.
Still, the SVU-AS can be an effective stealth marksman rifle, as it is usually a two-shot
kill anyway.
The Shotguns are another tier of weapons reliant on a one-shot kill, although they can be surprisingly
effective with the element of surprise, given their high mobility and reduced suppressor
penalty.
Again, the shotguns with a higher fire rate - the S12 and M1216 - can be effective, and
the superior range of the KSG means it too can be put to good use.
Finally, the handguns also work well with the suppressor, for the most part - although
it is seldom worth spending an extra point on a sidearm's attachment, unless you are
building a class centred on your secondary..
Nevertheless, the Five-seven and KAP-40 are probably the most suited to the attachment,
with minimal range loss for significant stealth benefit.
Overall, the Suppressor is an essential part of any stealth build, and a potent choice
when employed correctly.
The ability to fire with impunity and remain off-radar is a heady bonus, and this trait
plays very well with flanking techniques, or whenever you can engage an enemy from an
unexpected position.
However, this attachment does carry a few significant downsides, with a loss of ranged
damage and increased recoil combining to hurt your long-ranged effectiveness.
Because of this, I'd avoid the suppressor on longer-ranged builds, else you might find
yourself at a disadvantage when facing opponents at an arm's reach.
Nevertheless, if remaining undetected is a core strategy of yours, then the suppressor
is no doubt an essential part of your loadout.
When used correctly, your enemy won't know what hit them: this attachment will certainly
prove...
...silent, but deadly.
Thanks for watching, this has been XboxAhoy.
Join me for the next attachment guide, when I'll be covering the recently added DLC reticles.
Until then, farewell.