A new rumor is stirring discussion in the Call of Duty community, suggesting that Tactical Sprint — a feature first introduced in 2019’s Modern Warfare reboot — might be absent in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. The game, first revealed as the closer during Xbox’s June showcase, will serve as a future-set follow-up to Black Ops 2 with David Mason taking the lead role. It is also set to follow directly after 2024’s Black Ops 6, marking back-to-back annual Black Ops releases.
Tactical Sprint’s History in Call of Duty
Tactical Sprint (often shortened to Tac-Sprint) allows players to gain a brief burst of speed by double-clicking the sprint button. While it offers faster movement and more aggressive corner-peeking, it has also faced criticism for making normal sprint speeds feel sluggish in comparison. The mechanic has been present in most recent Call of Duty titles, including Modern Warfare 2, Modern Warfare 3, and Vanguard, but was notably absent from Black Ops Cold War.
Treyarch Testing a Tac-Sprint-Free Build
According to well-known Call of Duty leaker TheGhostOfHope, Treyarch is currently testing a build of Black Ops 7 without Tactical Sprint. While this could point toward its removal, the absence may simply be part of broader multiplayer testing rather than a final design choice. Still, the news has reignited debate among players who either see Tac-Sprint as an unnecessary movement crutch or as a skill-based advantage for mastering high-speed combat.
Battlefield 6 Comparisons and Possible Influence
The rumor surfaces just as Battlefield 6’s open beta has been receiving high praise, especially for its movement system, which lacks a Tac-Sprint equivalent. Some speculate that Treyarch may be experimenting with gameplay changes to align more closely with the positive reception of BF6’s pacing and mechanics. If Tactical Sprint is removed, many console players will likely welcome the change, as double-clicking the left thumbstick over extended play sessions often leads to wear and tear on controllers.
Awaiting Official Confirmation at Gamescom
Black Ops 7 is expected to receive a deeper showcase during Gamescom Opening Night Live next week, where its rumored November release date could be confirmed alongside details about the next Call of Duty Next event in September. Whether Tactical Sprint will survive into the final release remains to be seen, but the discussion around its potential removal is already shaping expectations for 2025’s Call of Duty experience.
