Fan-favourite MW3 melee weapon slammed with huge nerfs in Season 5

The Sledgehammer was a massive hit in MW3, both literally and figuratively, when it arrived in Season 4 Reloaded. It quickly became the go-to secondary for many. However, with the arrival of Season 5, it’s been handed a huge nerf that could see it slip down the pecking order.

As mentioned in the patch notes for the latest update, the Sledgehammer received a range decrease of 40%, taking its effective distance from 5.3m down to 3.2m. While this would have been devastating on its own, players also move 22% slower while wielding it.

The result is a drastic reduction in how effective the melee weapon is, both at getting around the map and taking out enemies. Players will now need to get much closer before unleashing the devastating one-hit kill, which is harder than ever thanks to the slower movement.

Melee weapons are popular picks in MW3 multiplayer, mostly because using them removes the need to waste a Perk to get a second primary weapon. Most of them also come with mobility benefits as well, allowing you to get around the map quickly which can be useful on modes like Search and Destroy or Demolition.

However, the Sledgehammer is a unique exception because its popularity came from just how fun it was to use. The satisfying ‘thud’ that came with every hit and the way that enemies flew away made it one of the silliest but most enjoyable weapons in the game.

Pair this with the fact it was a genuinely strong secondary, especially on smaller maps with tighter corridors, and it’s easy to see why it was so well-loved by the community.

While its animations, sound effects, and one-hit capabilities remain intact, only time will tell if the Sledgehammer keeps its popularity following this nerf, or if players will switch to the more mobile Karambit or Gutter Knife.

While the Sledgehammer has been given a major nerf, there are still plenty of new weapons to turn your attention to, like the STG Assault Rifle and Static-HV SMG.