I get a lot questions about b07 bot lobbies. Most people want to know if this perk is worth it. Does it improve reload times? It's because it makes it seem like it does nothing. You're not the only person who felt nothing when you put this perk in place.

 To determine whether this was just a game mechanic or a placebo, I did extensive testing. I've timed frames so you can see the exact numbers. The results may surprise you. It's great in some areas but it could be devastating to others.

 What Unlocking bo7 accounts

 Before we get to the details, let's go over the basics.

 Unlocking Requirement You need to be at Level 14.

 Strategist specialization.

 Reload, swap weapons, and extend fuse when throwing grenades.

 On paper, these three features look great. However, their real impact is quite different. Let's reorder them.

 Infinite Fuse Reset - A Feature That's Often Overlooked

 The grenade fuse extension is a feature most people don't know about.

 It's more than just throwing a fragment back. Tests have shown that the fuse resets each time you pick up a grenade from an enemy. What does it mean? This means that if you've got the time (and nerve), you could technically play catch for as long as you want.

 Let's be honest: This is a very narrow edge case. You're not going to equip an item just to be able to react if someone throws you a frag.

 Weapon Swap speed: The Real MVP

 Weapon Swapping is where I see the real value in this perk. Fast Hands really shines here.

 We measured the time from the input of the swap until the first shot was fired.

 Base Time: 633 milliseconds

 With Fast Hands : 383 Milliseconds

 It's a 40% improvement. That is the only way to win a close quarters gunfight.

 Even if you use an Overkill Build (carrying a heavy LMG and a SMG, like the Mark 78), the results will still be impressive.

 Mark 78 to Ryden : reduced from 817ms - 583ms approx. 30% improvement).

 If you plan on switching between two primaries often, or if your job requires a quick draw of a pistol, then this perk will be a great asset.

 Reloading speed: The harsh truth

 Let's now address the elephant: Reload Speed. Why does it seem like nothing changed at all?

 For accuracy, I tested Reload Add Time - the exact moment when the ammo counts update in the bottom left of your HUD. At this point, you are able to cancel the rest animation. This represents the actual speed of the gun.

 Here are the numbers:

 M15 AR improved by 9% (1.83s down to 1.66s).

 Jagger Pistol : improved by 11-12%

 Mark 78: LMG improved by 10%

 M10 shotgun: improved by 8.5%

 You are correct: the improvement is only between 8.5% and 12%.

 Recall the old Call of Duty. Sleight of Hand and other perks used to give us 40% to 50 % boosts. In comparison, the 10% boost in BO7 appears to be minimal. You may feel that it isn't working. In a situation of high stress, saving 0.2 second is barely perceptible.

 Why Did Treyarch Nerf the Game?

 This isn't an error; it's part of the design.

 Treyarch's recent games have heavily tied reloading speeds to magazine attachments.

 Want to reload quickly? Equip your gun with a "Fast Mag."

 Want more ammo? Equip a "Extended mag" and accept the penalties.

 This is to provide balance. The downsides of the extended magazines would be negated if a perk provided a flat 50% increase. Although I miss the days of lightning fast reloads this is a sensible approach for balance. Fast Hands in this game is not meant to be an unbalanced mechanic, but a minor bonus.

 Is it worth using?

 What you play depends largely on your style of play.

 If you run Overkill or Sniping classes: Yes. The swapping speed improvement is noticeable and highly useful.

 If you are only interested in faster reloads then No.

 Be practical. The perk slots can be very useful. The value of Vigilance is much higher than the 10% reload increase. It counters Counter-UAVs as well as Scramblers. To me, the ability to see the enemy in the minimap offers more value than a fractional seconds off of your reload.

 Frequently Asked Question

 Q: Can Fast Hands and Fast Mags be combined?

 A: Yes, you can. This is currently your only option to achieve the "classic" feel of a fast reload. When you combine the fast mag attachment and the perk you get the full effect, but at the cost of magazine capacity.

 Fast Hands - Does it help with Launcher Reloading?

 A: It is around 10%. The rockets will help, but you shouldn't expect to spam them like machine guns.

 Q: Am I still required to "Reload Cancel?"

 A: Yes. Fast Hands does not speed up the process of adding ammo. After this, the animation continues. If you want to get that 10% boost as quickly as possible, then you need to sprint or switch weapons as soon you see your ammunition count updated.

 Summary

 After looking at the numbers, I think that we can settle the argument. Black Ops 7 Fast Hands are not "Sleight-of-Hand" as you may remember.

 If you're expecting a massive boost in reload speed, you will be disappointed. Its primary use has been shifted to almost exclusively weapon swapping. If you are a player who is running a standard Assault Rifle Build, it's likely that you would be better off using a different Strategist Perk such as Vigilance.