The M8A1 (called XM8 in early footage and game files) is a four-round burst assault rifle featured in Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Strike Team, and Call of Duty: Heroes.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II[]
Campaign[]
- "Fully automatic assault rifle. High rate of fire with moderate recoil."
- — Campaign Description
Unlike its multiplayer and zombies counterpart, the M8A1 is fully-automatic by default in the campaign, though the Select Fire attachment makes it 4-round burst. It is part of the recommended loadout for "Odysseus", where it is equipped with a hybrid optic. It is also commonly used by friendly factions and by the Mercs in this mission.
Multiplayer[]
- "4 round burst assault rifle. Bursts can be fired in quick succession."
- — Description
The M8A1 is unlocked at level 49.
At any range short of 1.3 meters (essentially knifing distance), the M8A1 will deal 35 damage per pellet, scoring a three shot kill. At any range between 1.3 meters and 31 meters, the M8A1 will deal 33 damage, taking four shots to kill. The M8A1 deals 24 damage at any range beyond 31 meters, necessitating five shots to kill, or two shots to kill in Hardcore. There is no increased headshot multiplier to the head, meaning the shots to kill cannot be reduced with a headshot. The M8A1 has medium penetration power.
The M8A1 fires in a burst-fire configuration, firing four bullets per burst. The M8A1 fires at 1250 RPM within the burst. When accounting for burst delay, the M8A1 has a maximum potential rate of fire of 789 RPM.
The M8A1 has recoil values of 25 to the left, 25 to the right, 55 upwards, and 45 downwards. The M8A1 has a centerspeed value of 2500.
The M8A1 allows users to move at 95% of the base speed, or strafe at a 40% of the base speed. The M8A1 allows users to aim down the sight in 250 milliseconds, and the M8A1 has an average sized hip-fire spread. The M8A1's reload animation is 2.3 seconds long, or 2.9 seconds long on an empty magazine. In either case, the user can Reload Cancel the M8A1 after 1.65 seconds.
The M8A1 has an above average magazine capacity of 32 rounds per magazine. This equates to eight bursts per magazine. The M8A1 comes with a starting ammo loadout of 128 rounds.
The M8A1 has the standard assortment of attachments on offer. Most attachments function as expected on the M8A1. However, Select Fire will allow the M8A1 to fire in a fully-automatic configuration. When firing the M8A1 fully automatically. Multiple statistical changes are applied to the weapon, which do not apply if using the M8A1 in its original burst-fire configuration. The following changes occur when firing the M8A1 fully automatically:
- The M8A1 has a maximum rate of fire of 937 RPM.
- The M8A1's centerspeed is reduced from 2500 to 1600.
- The M8A1's horizontal recoil values are increased from 25 to the sides to 40 to the sides.
Attachments[]
- Reflex Sight (unlocked weapon level 2)
- Quickdraw (unlocked weapon level 3)
- Fast Mag (unlocked weapon level 4)
- ACOG Scope (unlocked weapon level 5)
- Foregrip (unlocked weapon level 6)
- Adjustable Stock (unlocked weapon level 7)
- Target Finder (unlocked weapon level 8)
- Laser Sight (unlocked weapon level 9)
- Select Fire (unlocked weapon level 10)
- EOTech Sight (unlocked weapon level 11)
- Suppressor (unlocked weapon level 12)
- FMJ (unlocked weapon level 13)
- Hybrid Optic (unlocked weapon level 14)
- Extended Clip (unlocked weapon level 15)
- Grenade Launcher (unlocked weapon level 16)
- MMS (unlocked weapon level 17)
Zombies[]
- "The M8A1 automatic rifle with a 5.56mm 32-round magazine could be...ugh, I could just say, 'It's fine.' I guess..."
- — Marlton Johnson in Green Run, when obtaining the M8A1 from the Mystery Box.
The M8A1 is available in Green Run, Nuketown Zombies, and Die Rise for 950 points from the Mystery Box. It retains its four-round burst fire mode from multiplayer. Double Tap Root Beer can be very useful with this gun, as its four-round bursts start off somewhat weak, making it difficult to kill zombies quickly. It can be very good for accumulating points in the right hands, and is suitable for shooting zombie hordes. Although the recoil is moderate, the recoil can actually be used to the players' advantage, as if the player aims at the chest, the final 2 bullets will usually hit the head, scoring headshot points, if not a headshot.
When Pack-a-Punched via the Pack-a-Punch Machine, it becomes the Micro Aerator. The Micro Aerator can perform exceptional headshot damage, as its four-round bursts can eliminate zombies with ease until as late as round 24, with Double Tap Root Beer. It also holds a large ammo capacity, making it one of the more worthwhile weapons to Pack-a-Punch. Also of note, its hip fire accuracy is increased dramatically, increasing its close quarters effectiveness. It is one of the weapons that is able to be Pack-a-Punched multiple times to cycle through attachments for 2000 points. Attachments include the Reflex Sight, EOTech sight, Target Finder, Millimeter Scanner and the Grenade Launcher.
M8A1 vs Micro Aerator[]
| M8A1 | Micro Aerator | |
|---|---|---|
|
| |
| Damage | 100-80 | 150-110
(M320: 135 Direct Impact, 125-50 explosion) |
| Fire mode | 4 Round Burst | 4 Round Burst |
| Rate of fire | 1250 RPM per burst (789 RPM overall) | 1250 RPM per burst (789 RPM overall) |
| Magazine size | 32 | 42 |
| Max ammo | 192+32 | 336+42 (M320: 8+1) |
| Mobility | Medium | Medium |
| Extras | More ammo, larger magazine, higher damage | |
| Possible Attachments | Reflex Sight, Millimeter Scanner, Target Finder, EOTech Sight, Grenade Launcher |
Gallery[]
- For camouflage images, see M8A1/Camouflage.
- For attachment images, see M8A1/Attachments.
Call of Duty: Black Ops II[]
Call of Duty: Strike Team[]
Call of Duty: Heroes[]
The M8A1 is seen being held by Mike Harper in the loading screen.
Trivia[]
- When Kryptek: Typhon Camouflage is applied, the M8A1 will act as an overlay, retaining the original colors but adding the scaly pattern over them, whereas with other weapons, the original colors are changed to black. It will also reflect with a red hue when light is shined on it.
- 'KHK M8A1 MK II' is written on the left side of the M8A1, as is 'KHK US GERMANY'. This is easily seen when moving forward while in the prone stance.
- "5.56x45 MM NATO" can be seen on the magazine and on the left side of the gun.
- If Extended Clip is equipped, the magazine size will increase to 42. 42 is not divisible by 4, meaning that the player will only have a two round burst before the magazine is empty. This is also the case for the Micro Aerator in Zombies.
- The Overkill wildcard image shows a soldier with an M8A1 and an MSMC.
- One of the soldiers in muitlplayer menu image is using an M8A1.
- The icon of Extended Clip is the M8A1's magazine.
- The icon of Long Barrel is the M8A1's barrel; however in Black Ops II, Long Barrel isn't available for assault rifles.
- The icon of Select Fire is the M8A1's fire selector.
- Marlton comments on the M8A1 being fully-automatic, despite being only available as burst-fire in Zombies.
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