Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Black Ops 3 Combat Knife

Melee WeaponsUnlocked at Level 40Takes camo
Melee WeaponsCombat Knife — Call of Duty: Black Ops III weapon render

How do you unlock the Combat Knife?

The Combat Knife unlocks at Multiplayer Level 40 in Call of Duty: Black Ops III. It is a standard one-hit melee weapon: It replaces ranged reach with immediate close-contact lethality. Use it around that behavior rather than relying on unsupported damage or magazine claims. Some launch-pool weapons require a standard Create-a-Class Unlock Token; the guide avoids inventing a rank where the original menu exposed a token choice instead. 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. Earn Gold on every camo-eligible launch weapon required in its category for Diamond. Complete the required base-game class mastery route to earn Dark Matter.

UnlockLevel 40 · 1 Unlock Token
AvailabilityBase-game multiplayer progression on the supported version.
Takes camoYes
Gold camoComplete every camo challenge on this weapon
Diamond camoEarn Gold on every camo-eligible launch weapon required in its category
Dark Matter camoEarn the required class mastery camos across the base-game weapon classes

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 Launch unlocks and the final weapon/camo catalogs were reconciled against dedicated historical references.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 Combat Knife play in Black Ops 3?

Rolestandard one-hit melee weapon
Real-world basisFictional Black Ops III weapon; no one-to-one real-world model is asserted.
StrengthsThe Combat Knife gives the class a clear standard one-hit melee weapon identity; It replaces ranged reach with immediate close-contact lethality
TradeoffsA visible approach through an occupied lane has no ranged correction; 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 one of the 31 launch weapons required for the original Diamond and Dark Matter route.
Camo tipUse wall routes, corners and timing to arrive from outside the opponent's current sightline.
Compared withEvery post-launch melee weapon changes the model or animation; the Combat Knife is the launch mastery requirement.

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

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Combat Knife — common questions

How do you unlock the Combat Knife in Black Ops 3?

The Combat Knife unlocks at Level 40 in Call of Duty: Black Ops III multiplayer. Some launch-pool weapons require a standard Create-a-Class Unlock Token; the guide avoids inventing a rank where the original menu exposed a token choice instead. The level cap is 55, and prestige is 10 standard Prestige levels followed by Prestige Master progression in the supported current-generation/PC version.

How do you unlock camos on the Combat Knife?

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 Combat Knife 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, and Diamond needs Gold on every camo-eligible launch weapon required in its category, and Dark Matter requires mastery across the base-game weapon classes.

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

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