Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Black Ops 3 Bushwhacker

Melee Weaponspost-launch Black Market updateTakes camo
Melee WeaponsBushwhacker — Call of Duty: Black Ops III weapon render

How do you unlock the Bushwhacker?

The Bushwhacker was added after launch as a permanent Black Market-pool weapon on PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. It is a machete melee weapon: The machete profile gives the weapon a broad cutting presentation. Use it around that behavior rather than relying on unsupported damage or magazine claims. Historically a permanent Black Market addition. Current acquisition, online services and account entitlements can vary by platform and region. Its camo track finishes at Chameleon (5 Bloodthirsty medals with all five kills from this weapon). Complete every camo challenge on it and Gold unlocks. Its Gold does not count toward the original Diamond requirement; both this weapon's Gold and the launch-weapon class requirement must be complete before Diamond can be equipped on it. This post-launch weapon does not increase the original Dark Matter requirement; its own camo challenges and the account-wide base-game mastery route must both be complete to equip Dark Matter.

Unlockpost-launch Black Market update
AvailabilityHistorically a permanent Black Market addition. Current acquisition, online services and account entitlements can vary by platform and region.
Takes camoYes
Gold camoComplete every camo challenge on this weapon
Diamond camoComplete this weapon's Gold plus the original launch-weapon requirement for its class
Dark Matter camoComplete this weapon's camo challenges and the account-wide base-game mastery route; order does not matter

Reviewed July 29, 2026. Release identity, platforms, Gunsmith and mode scope were checked against Activision material. Launch unlocks and the final weapon/camo catalogs were reconciled against dedicated historical references. Black Market and promotional records describe original access and include current-availability caveats. Editorial setup advice avoids unsupported numeric weapon statistics.

Sources: Activision — Black Ops III worldwide release · Activision — Black Ops III is available · Activision — Gunsmith and current-generation/PC features · Activision — Black Market weapons and camos · Activision — M16 and PPSh additions · Steam — Black Ops III current listing · Call of Duty Wiki — Black Ops III camouflage catalog · Call of Duty Wiki — Black Ops III weapons · GameRevolution — launch weapons and camo progression

How does the Bushwhacker play in Black Ops 3?

Rolemachete melee weapon
Real-world basisFictional Black Ops III weapon; no one-to-one real-world model is asserted.
StrengthsThe Bushwhacker gives the class a clear machete melee weapon identity; The machete profile gives the weapon a broad cutting presentation
TradeoffsIts blade does not change the one-contact route requirement; Its melee weapon role still depends on choosing the correct route and first engagement
Setup notesUse movement, concealment and route timing to reach a true melee engagement; Avoid a straight approach through an occupied lane; the class has no ranged correction when the entry is read
Challenge noteComplete its Multiplayer camo challenges on this weapon; post-launch weapons do not expand the original launch-roster Dark Matter requirement.
Progression tipIt is not required for the original Dark Matter unlock; complete this weapon's own Multiplayer camo challenges to equip Gold and unlocked mastery finishes on it.
Camo tipWait for the target to enter vegetation or visual clutter before closing.
Compared withIt is a machete-styled reward with its own Gold completion.

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full Black Ops 3 camo directory.

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Bushwhacker — common questions

How do you unlock the Bushwhacker in Black Ops 3?

The Bushwhacker was added post-launch to Call of Duty: Black Ops III through a post-launch Black Market update. Platform availability is listed on this page. The level cap is 55, and prestige is 10 standard Prestige levels followed by Prestige Master progression in the supported current-generation/PC version. Historically a permanent Black Market addition. Current acquisition, online services and account entitlements can vary by platform and region.

How do you unlock camos on the Bushwhacker?

Camo progress is per-weapon. The Multiplayer route starts with nine class-adjusted kill or medal challenges, continues through Ardent, Burnt, Bliss, Battle and Chameleon, then awards Gold per weapon. Diamond covers the original launch weapons in a class, and Dark Matter covers all 31 launch weapons. Campaign, Zombies, permanent Black Market and Extra/CWL camos do not replace the per-weapon Multiplayer ladder and are not prerequisites for Gold, Diamond or Dark Matter. On the Bushwhacker the final tier is Chameleon — 5 Bloodthirsty medals with all five kills from this weapon. After that, Gold needs every camo challenge on the weapon done. This post-launch weapon does not count toward the original Diamond total, but its own Gold and the launch-weapon class requirement must both be complete before Diamond can be equipped on it. It does not increase the original Dark Matter requirement; this weapon's camo challenges and the account-wide route must both be complete to equip it.

Can you unlock the Bushwhacker for me?

Yes — our Black Ops 3 Multiplayer Unlock All service covers the supported Multiplayer unlock options and platform limits stated on the service page. See the service.

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Skip the grind

Our Black Ops 3 Multiplayer Unlock All service includes the supported Multiplayer unlock options and platform limits stated on the service page.

See Black Ops 3 servicesSee exact inclusions on the service page