Call of Duty: Black Ops III

Black Ops 3 Malice

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

How do you unlock the Malice?

The Malice 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 ornate dagger melee weapon: The ornate dagger presentation is the defining feature. 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 Launch unlocks and the final weapon/camo catalogs were reconciled against dedicated historical references.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 Malice play in Black Ops 3?

Roleornate dagger melee weapon
Real-world basisFictional Black Ops III weapon; no one-to-one real-world model is asserted.
StrengthsThe Malice gives the class a clear ornate dagger melee weapon identity; The ornate dagger presentation is the defining feature
TradeoffsIt remains fully dependent on contact range; 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 tipLet the opponent pass the corner before committing the stab.
Compared withIts reward is visual distinction inside the standard melee rules.

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

Browse camos

Malice — common questions

How do you unlock the Malice in Black Ops 3?

The Malice 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 Malice?

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 Malice 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 Malice 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.

More Melee Weapons

All Call of Duty: Black Ops III weapons →
Combat Knife — Call of Duty: Black Ops IIICombat KnifeLevel 40 · Melee WeaponsBrass Knuckles — Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIBrass Knucklespost-launch Black Market update · Melee WeaponsButterfly Knife — Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIButterfly Knifepost-launch Black Market update · Melee WeaponsWrench — Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIWrenchpost-launch Black Market update · Melee WeaponsIron Jim — Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIIron Jimpost-launch Black Market update · Melee WeaponsFury's Song — Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIFury's Songpost-launch Black Market update · Melee Weapons

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