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Frank Woods and friend running in BO6 multiplayer
Image via Activision

Black Ops 6 weapon tier list and best loadouts – All guns ranked

You have to know what your best options are when going into combat. Here are the best of the best.

To stay on top of the Call of Duty meta, it means keeping up to speed on what gun is most dominant at any given time.

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CoD metas shift throughout the live-service season with each passing update, and Black Ops 6 continues the trend with its 33 launch weapons, and a swath of additional guns coming as part of seasonal content drops.

With our weapon tier list for BO6, stay ahead of the game by always knowing what’s the best and what kind of attachments, loadout, and build to use it with.

Note: This article is a work in progress as we play through BO6 and unlock all of the guns and attachments to work out the best loadouts so far, but our tiers should give a good idea of what weapons people are using and performing well with in general.

Best guns in Black Ops 6 – Tier list

TierWeapons
SXM4
Jackal PDW
Model L
PP-919
KSV
AAMES 85
AK-74
AS VAL
C9
Tanto .22
XMG
BGPR-91
Kompakt 92
Marine SP
ASG-89
AEK-973
SVD
CGrekhova
Goblin Mk2
PU-21
GPMG-7
SWAT 5.56
Tsarkov 7.62
DM-10
LR 7.62
LW3A1 Frostline
DGS45
9mm PM
Stryder .22
Cigma 2B
HE-1
Knife
Baseball Bat

Best assault rifles in BO6

XM4

XM4 assault rifle in Black Ops 6
You can’t go wrong. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
OpticAccu-Spot Reflex
MuzzleCompensator
(Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
Rear GripCommando Grip
(Aim Down Sight Speed, Sprint to Fire Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

Old faithful. The XM4 will likely remain at or near the top for assault rifles in BO6, regardless of attachments, but our loadout above will keep you gunning foes down in multiplayer for months.

Model L

Model L assault rifle in Black Ops 6
Precision pain. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
OpticAccu-Spot Reflex
MuzzlePorted Compensator
(First Shot Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Bullet Velocity, Damage Range)
UnderbarrelRanger Foregrip
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Sprinting Movement Speed)
Rear GripErgonomic Grip
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to Fire Speed, Aim Down Sight Speed)

An early favorite of CoD pros, the Model L is likely going to be banned from scrimmages and tournaments soon. That’s how you know you should use it in your loadout.

AMES 85

Ames 85 assault rifle in Black Ops 6
Aim in. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
OpticKepler Microflex
MuzzlePorted Compensator
(First Shot Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
Rear GripCQB Grip
(Dive to Fire Speed, Slide to Fire Speed, Sprint to Fire Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

The assault rifle debate rages thanks to the strength of several guns, including the ones listed in our tiers.

AS VAL

The AS VAL assault rifle in Black Ops 6
Quick and quiet. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
OpticKepler Microflex
BarrelSuppressed Reinforced Barrel
(No Mini-Map Firing Ping, Bullet Velocity, Damage Range)
UnderbarrelVertical Foregrip
(Horizontal Recoil Control)
MagazineExtended Mag II
(Magazine Ammo Capacity)
Rear GripErgonomic Grip
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to fire Speed, Aim Down Sight Speed)
StockCombat Stock
(Flinch Resistance, Aim Walking Movement Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

This AR that has the fire-rate of an SMG comes with a built-in suppressor and shreds through enemy HP, making it a top pick in the early days of the game.

AK-74

Black Ops 6 AK-74 assault rifle
Can’t beat the classics. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
OpticAccu-Spot Reflex
MuzzlePorted Compensator
(First Shit Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
UnderbarrelRanger Foregrip
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Sprinting Movement Speed)
MagazineExtended Mag I
(Magazine Ammo Capacity)
Rear GripErgonomic Grip
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to Fire Speed, Aim Down Sight Speed)
StockBalanced Stock
(Aim Walking Movement Speed, Movement Speed, Hipfire Movement Speed, Strafing Movement Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

Any CoD game that has an AK-47 or variant of it, like the AK-74, is blessed with a powerful AR that’s in just about every action movie you can imagine. This loadout above helps rein in its considerable recoil, so make sure to unlock the Gunfighter Wildcard to use all of the attachments listed.

GPR 91

GPR 91 assault rifle in Black Ops 6
Almost great. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
OpticKepler Microflex
BarrelLong Barrel
(Damage Range)
UnderbarrelVertical Foregrip
(Horizontal Recoil Control)
MagazineExtended Mag I
(Magazine Ammo Capacity)
StockLight Stock
(Hipfire Movement Speed, Movement Speed, Strafing Movement Speed)

The GPR 91 feels strong to begin BO6, and is the last of the solid list of assault rifles thus far.

Best SMGs in BO6

Jackal PDW

Jackal PDW SMG in BO6 Black Ops 6
Still a force to be reckoned with. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
MuzzlePorted Compensator
(First Shot Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Bullet Velocity, Damage Range)
Rear GripErgonomic Grip
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to Fire Speed, ADS Speed)
StockBalanced Stock
(Aim Walking Movement Speed, Movement Speed, Hipfire Movement Speed, Strafing Movement Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

The most dominant gun in the BO6 beta was nerfed, but it’s still one of the best guns in the game, period.

PP-919

PP-919 SMG in Black Ops 6
Fast as heck, boy. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
MuzzlePorted Compensator
(First Shot Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Bullet Velocity, Damage Range)
MagazineFast Mag II
(Aim Down Sight Speed, Reload Quickness, Sprint to Fire Speed)
Rear GripErgonomic Grip
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to Fire Speed, ADS Speed)
StockBalanced Stock
(Aim Walking Movement Speed, Movement Speed, Hipfire Movement Speed, Strafing Movement Speed)

When it comes to SMG mobility, the PP-919 reigns right now, and it’s a weapon that’s been used by CoD pros in early tournaments with much success because of it.

KSV

KSV SMG in Black Ops 6
Super-fast TTK. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
MuzzleCompensator
(Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelLong Barrel
(Damage Range)
UnderbarrelVertical Foregrip
(Horizontal Recoil Control)
MagazineExtended Mag I
(Magazine Ammo Capacity)
Rear GripErgonomic Grip
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to Fire Speed, Aim Down Sight Speed)

With a lightning-fast time-to-kill and incredible mobility, this is one of the top SMGs and overall weapons in BO6 right now.

C9

The C9 SMG in Black Ops 6
MP5, C9, whatever it is, it’s good. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
MuzzlePorted Compensator
(First Shot Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
Rear GripErgonomic Grip
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to Fire Speed, Aim Down Sight Speed)
StockBalanced Stock
(Strafing Movement Speed, Movement Speed, Hipfire Movement Speed, Aim Walking Movement Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

The C9, also known as the MP5 or Lachmann Sub, has become a mainstay in the CoD franchise no matter what it’s called, and for good reason. This gun offers incredible mobility and time-to-kill with our loadout above.

Best shotguns in BO6

Marine SP

Marine SP Black Ops 6 shotgun in BO6
Pump the chumps. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachments
MuzzleModified Choke
(ADS Pellet Spread)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Vertical Recoil Control, Magazine Ammo Capacity, Damage Range)
UnderbarrelPrecision Foregrip
(Aiming Idle Sway, Horizontal Recoil Control)
StockErgonomic Stock
(Slide to Fire Speed, Dive to Fire Speed, Aim Walking Movement Speed)
Fire ModsRapid Fire
(Rechamber Speed, Fire Rate)

The pump-action shotgun is an early favorite among the two on offer so far thanks to its big-time firepower, but only if you can hit your shots.

ASG-89

SlotAttachment
MuzzleFull Choke
(Hipfire Spread)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
UnderbarrelPrecision Foregrip
(Aiming Idle Sway, Horizontal Recoil Control)
MagazineExtended Mag I
(Magazine Ammo Capacity – 15)
Rear GripCQB Grip
(Dive to fire Speed, Slide to Fire Speed, Sprint to Fire Speed)
StockBalanced Stock
(Strafing Movement Speed, Hipfire Movement Speed, Movement Speed, Aim Walking Movement Speed)
Fire ModsRapid Fire
(Fire Rate)

The other shotgun, the ASG-89, is excellent with this loadout. It’s a semi-auto shottie, so make sure to be ready to fast-fire the trigger to take down enemies.

Best LMGs in BO6

XMG

XMG LMG in Black Ops 6
Like slapping a giant magazine on an M4. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachments
OpticPrismatech Reflex
MuzzleCompensator
(Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
UnderbarrelVertical Foregrip
(Horizontal Recoil Control)
MagazineFast Mag I
(Reload Quickness, Aim Down Sight Speed, Sprint to Fire Speed)
Rear GripQuickdraw Grip
(Aim Down Sight Speed)
StockLight Stock
(Hipfire Movement Speed, Movement Speed, Strafing Movement Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

The XMG is the best LMG thus far as it’s a balanced and all-around LMG experience that the other two in the game so far cannot recreate.

GPMG-7

The GPMG is fun to use, but its intensely fast fire rate drains through even the most massive magazines.

Best marksman rifles in BO6

DM-10

The DM-10 evokes the best memories of DMRs of the past thanks to its high firepower and stability. This gun may find a home in Warzone loadouts soon.

SWAT 5.56

A burst-fire beast at long range, the SWAT 5.56 loses out in most situations thanks to its weaker firepower.

Best sniper rifles in BO6

LR 7.62

LR 7.62 sniper rifle in BO6
Bolt-action beauty. Screenshot by Dot Esports
SlotAttachment
BarrelGain-Twist Barrel
(Bullet Velocity)
MagazineExtended Mag I
(Magazine Ammo Capacity)
Rear GripRear Grip
(Aim Down Sight Speed)
StockLight Stock
(Hipfire Movement Speed, Strafing Movement Speed)
LaserStrelok Laser
(Hipfire to ADS Accuracy)

SVD

The SVD has the potential to one-shot to the chest or above at a long distance, and as a semi-automatic sniper, you can gun down an entire squad without having to pull a bolt or reload.

Best pistols in BO6

GS45

SlotAttachment
MuzzleMuzzle Brake
(First Shot Recoil Control, Kick Reset Speed)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
MagazineExtended Mag I
(Magazine Ammo Capacity)
Rear GripQuickdraw Grip
(Aim Down Sight Speed)
Fire Mods.45 ACP Overpressured
(Bullet Velocity)

The GS45’s firepower makes it the best pistol in the game, easily picking off enemies in just a couple of shots, and perfect for

Grekhova

SlotAttachment
MuzzleCompensator
(Vertical Recoil Control)
BarrelReinforced Barrel
(Damage Range, Bullet Velocity)
MagazineExtended Mag I
(Magazine Ammo Capacity)
Rear GripQuickdraw Grip
(Aim Down Sight Speed)
Fire ModsRecoil Springs
(Horizontal Recoil Control, Vertical Recoil Control)

The only full-auto pistol in the game, the Grekhova is great to swap to when you need to spray down a group of enemies as opposed to reloading your primary.

Best launchers in BO6

HE-1

For getting kills, the HE-1 is best as it’s a free-launch rocket that doesn’t require locking on like the Cigma 2B, which is best for taking down Scorestreaks.

Best melee weapons in BO6

Knife, Baseball Bat

The only two melee options function the same as one-hit kills so long as you’re close enough. It just depends on whether you like to slice or slam.


This article will be updated with new weapons and updated information over time.


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Author
Image of Scott Duwe
Scott Duwe
Senior Staff Writer & Call of Duty lead. Professional writer for over 10 years. Lover of all things Marvel, Destiny 2, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and more. Previous bylines include PC Gamer, Red Bull Esports, Fanbyte, and Esports Nation. DogDad to corgis Yogi and Mickey, sports fan (NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Rangers, NY Knicks), Paramore fanatic, cardio enthusiast.