​In Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, the reintroduction of the Lockwood 300 shotgun has sparked significant discussion among players. Once a fan-favorite, the weapon's current performance has left many feeling disappointed.​

Recent balance changes have notably reduced the Lockwood 300's effectiveness. Its maximum damage has been decreased from 50 to 28, and the Maelstrom Dual Trigger attachment's maximum damage has been halved from 100 to 50. While the damage range for the Maelstrom Dual Trigger has been extended from 2 meters to 7.62 meters, the minimum damage has also been reduced from 32 to 25 .​

These adjustments have led to widespread criticism from the community. Players argue that the shotgun, once a powerful close-quarters option, now feels underwhelming and ineffective. The nerfs to slug rounds have particularly impacted its performance, making it less viable in both multiplayer and Warzone modes .​

The dissatisfaction isn't limited to the Lockwood 300. Other weapons, such as the Goblin MK2, have also faced scrutiny. Despite receiving buffs, players report issues like inconsistent hit registration and server lag, which hinder the weapon's reliability. Some suggest that these problems are exacerbated by the game's netcode, making semi-automatic weapons like the Goblin MK2 less appealing compared to fully automatic alternatives .​

In response to the community's feedback, Treyarch has acknowledged the concerns and indicated that weapon tuning is underway. Associate Design Director Matt Scronce mentioned that while he doesn't fully agree with all criticisms, adjustments are incoming to address balance issues .​

As Season 3 approaches, players remain hopeful that upcoming updates will restore the effectiveness of shotguns and address broader weapon balance concerns. The community eagerly awaits changes that will enhance gameplay and bring back the excitement associated with fan-favorite weapons.​