MW3 and Warzone May 9 update nerfs Lockwood MK2 JAK Wardens

Season 3 Reloaded brought back the iconic Akimbo Model 1887s from Modern Warfare 2 (2009). In multiplayer, Sledgehammer Games was forced to take action after the shotgun took over MW3 matches. Meanwhile, the conversion kit failed to make the exciting splash many anticipated in Warzone, leading to a re-evaluation from Raven Software as well.

Completing the Week 5 challenges unlocks the JAK Wardens Conversion Kit, transforming the Lockwood MK2 marksman rifle into Akimbo shotguns. In MW3, players fell in love with the weapon as it was capable of one-shot killing an enemy from up to 29 meters away, and had better mobility stats than other options in the class. As a result, you would be hard pressed to see any other shotguns in multiplayer beside the JAK Wardens.

The same can’t be said about Warzone. The MCW, WSP-9, and Striker 9 all stood head and shoulders above as better short-range meta options than the JAK Wardens. According to WZ Ranked, the Lockwood MK2 only has a 1.17 percent pick rate in the battle royale mode, ranking 12th. The devs took into account both discrepancies and responded accordingly.

Here are the buffs for the Lockwood MK2 in Warzone.

• JAK Wardens Conversion Kit
  • Near-Mid damage increased to 26, up from 25.
  • Near-Mid damage increased range to 8.1 meters, up from 6.4.
  • Mid damage range increased to 20.3 meters, up from 16.3.
  • Increased standing hipfire spread minimum to 3.3deg/s, up from 2.3deg/s.
  • Increased standing hipfire spread maximum to 5.8deg/s, up from 5.5deg/s.
• .410 Gauge Slug Shells Ammunition (JAK Wardens)
  • Added 21% standing hipfire spread minimum benefit.
  • Added 21% standing hipfire spread maximum penalty.
  • Resolved an issue where damage values were not applying as intended.
    • Max: 90 damage up to 7.6 meters
    • Near-Mid: 80 damage up to 15.7 meters
    • Mid: 70 damage up to 31.8 meters
    • Min: 50 damage up to elimination
• .410 Gauge Ball Ammunition (JAK Wardens)
  • Decreased standing hipfire spread minimum benefit to 21%, down from 100%.
  • Decreased standing hipfire spread maximum benefit to 21%, down from 80%

And here is a full list of changes to the weapon in MW3.

• Lockwood Mk2
  • JAK Wardens Conversion Kit
    • Increased standing hipfire spread minimum from 2.3deg/s to 3.3deg/s (+43%).
    • Increased standing hipfire spread maximum from 5.5deg/s to 5.8deg/s (+5%).
  • .410 Gauge Slug Shells Ammunition (JAK Wardens)
    • Added 21% standing hipfire spread minimum benefit.
    • Added 21% standing hipfire spread maximum penalty.
    • Increased bullet velocity from 168m/s to 420m/s (+150%).
    • Decreased near-medium damage from 95 to 90 (-5%).
    • Decreased near-medium damage range from 38.1m to 15.2m.
    • Added medium damage range, 74 damage to 29.2m.
    • Decreased minimum damage from 75 to 70 (-7%).
    • Increased neck and upper torso damage multipliers from 0.6x to 1.1x.
    • Increased lower torso damage multiplier from 0.6x to 1x.
    • Increased arm and hand damage multipliers from 0.6x to 0.8x.
    • Increased leg and foot damage multipliers from 0.5x to 0.8x.