Call of Duty: Black Ops 6

Black Ops 6 Maelstrom

ShotgunsSeason 1Takes camo
ShotgunsMaelstrom — Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 weapon render

How do you unlock the Maelstrom?

The Maelstrom is an automatic shotgun whose spread and recoil favor close fights in Black Ops 6. It arrived in Season 1, originally through the Merry Mayhem event. Its Multiplayer, Zombies and Warzone camo challenges are separate; weapon levels are not a prerequisite for starting Military camos.

UnlockSeason 1
AvailabilityOriginal access: Merry Mayhem event. Check the current Armory or owned entitlement for access after its original season.
Takes camoYes

Reviewed September 18, 2026. Compiled from official Call of Duty progression and seasonal articles plus the public Call of Duty Wiki camouflage tables, reviewed September 18, 2026. This is a source review, not an in-game verification or confirmation that historical events and packs remain available.

Sources: Call of Duty — progression and Mastery · Call of Duty — launch weapons and ranks · Call of Duty — Season 2 Special equip change · Call of Duty Wiki — full camo table · Call of Duty — Pack-a-Punch cosmetics and upgrades

Weapon sources: Call of Duty — Season 1 weapons · Call of Duty Wiki — exact Special challenges

How does the Maelstrom play in Black Ops 6?

Rolean automatic shotgun whose spread and recoil favor close fights
Real-world basisBlack Ops 6 in-game weapon; this guide does not claim an unverified real-world equivalent.
Useful setupUse Gunsmith’s detailed statistics to check what a change does to this weapon, then test the result in the Firing Range; Keep any attachment, magnification or suppressor required by the selected Special challenge equipped until that challenge is complete
Challenge noteEach mode has nine Military camos, the two weapon-specific Specials listed below, and four Mastery stages. Complete requirements in their named mode.
Progression tipMultiplayer ends at Dark Matter, Zombies at Nebula and Warzone at Abyss. The final Mastery stages require the 33-weapon prerequisite and an individual weapon challenge. Prestige preserves weapon progression and camos.

Maelstrom — Warzone camo challenges

Amethyst GlowUnlock all nine Warzone Military camos on the Maelstrom. Get 10 Kills shortly after sprinting out in Warzone using the Maelstrom.
Lush RiftUnlock all nine Warzone Military camos on the Maelstrom. Get 10 Hipfire Kills in Warzone using the Maelstrom.

Maelstrom — Zombies camo challenges

Cinder SurgeUnlock all nine Zombies Military camos on the Maelstrom. Get 10 Kills witohut reloading 15 times in Zombies using the Maelstrom.
Lunar FlutterUnlock all nine Zombies Military camos on the Maelstrom. Get 300 Hipfire Kills in Zombies using the Maelstrom.

Maelstrom — Multiplayer camo challenges

Moonlit GraceUnlock all nine Multiplayer Military camos on the Maelstrom. Get 50 Eliminations while the Enforcer Combat Speciality is active in Multiplayer using the Maelstrom.
VoidpulseUnlock all nine Multiplayer Military camos on the Maelstrom. Get 30 Point Blank Kills in Multiplayer using the Maelstrom.

Mode mastery routes

MultiplayerGold Diamond Dark Spine Dark Matter
ZombiesMystic Gold Opal Afterlife Nebula
WarzoneGold Tiger King’s Ransom Catalyst Abyss

Every camo, exact unlocks — see the full Black Ops 6 camo directory.

Browse camos

Maelstrom — common questions

How do you unlock the Maelstrom in Black Ops 6?

The Maelstrom is an automatic shotgun whose spread and recoil favor close fights in Black Ops 6. It arrived in Season 1, originally through the Merry Mayhem event. Its Multiplayer, Zombies and Warzone camo challenges are separate; weapon levels are not a prerequisite for starting Military camos. Original access: Merry Mayhem event. Check the current Armory or owned entitlement for access after its original season.

How do you unlock camos on the Maelstrom?

Start with nine Military camos in your chosen mode, then complete the two Maelstrom Special challenges shown on this page. Multiplayer follows Gold, Diamond, Dark Spine and Dark Matter; Zombies follows Mystic Gold, Opal, Afterlife and Nebula; Warzone follows Gold Tiger, King’s Ransom, Catalyst and Abyss. Each Mastery finish has its own prerequisite and weapon challenge.

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