In recent weeks, criticism of the Longbow sniper rifle in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 has escalated among fans, sparking intense discussions within the gaming community. Ever since its debut in November, the Longbow has been a topic of contention due to its unique attributes and exceptional performance on the battlefield.
Within Modern Warfare 3’s arsenal of sniper rifles, the Longbow stands out for its distinct characteristics. Unlike traditional heavy, bolt-action rifles or lighter semi-automatic options, the Longbow offers a remarkable blend of precision, handling, and fire rate. Its versatility allows for precision shots akin to a long-range shotgun, making it particularly potent in close-to-mid-range engagements. However, its one-hit kill range is notably shorter compared to other sniper rifles, although this drawback is often overshadowed by its exceptional performance in various combat scenarios.
Reddit user RedTree40 recently voiced concerns about the Longbow on the Modern Warfare 3 subreddit, drawing attention to its standard aim assist capabilities. Unlike other sniper rifles, the Longbow benefits from standard aim assist, providing users with hipfire and rotational aim assist in addition to the usual aim down sights (ADS) assistance. RedTree40 and other players argue that this attribute, combined with the Longbow’s inherent strengths, creates an imbalance, particularly in the hands of skilled controller players. Suggestions for adjustments range from rolling back the Longbow’s enhanced aim assist to more significant nerfs to restore balance.
Furthermore, some fans have raised concerns about the Longbow’s JAK Tyrant 762 aftermarket part, introduced in Modern Warfare 3’s Season 2 update. The JAK Tyrant enhances the Longbow’s damage, range, and ADS speed while introducing trade-offs such as reduced bullet velocity, fire rate, and rechamber time.
Despite a recent update that nerfed the JAK Tyrant, the Longbow kit remains a formidable choice, diverging from the typical characteristics of Call of Duty sniper rifles. While developer Sledgehammer has not confirmed plans for adjustments, the growing criticism suggests that changes may be warranted in the future.
In the latest Call of Duty update, adjustments were made to several weapons in Warzone, but no changes were applied to Modern Warfare 3 guns aside from the Soulrender melee weapon. Additionally, improvements were implemented for the new Juggermosh mode and the Aegis Imperialis Riot Shield blueprint, showcasing ongoing efforts to enhance the gaming experience for players.