Best guns in Black Ops 6: Meta weapons and tier list
ActivisionWith Black Ops 6 Season 1 underway, a new meta has already begun to form. Some weapons have already emerged as meta standouts, the absolute best guns you can choose.
The Season 1 update introduced a host of weapon buffs and nerfs that have shaken up the meta in Black Ops 6, as well as some new guns looking to make a name for themselves.
After some time with it, we’ve now got a good idea of what the absolute best weapons are and which ones you should avoid at all costs. Two ARs are so good that pros have already mutually agreed to ban them from scrims, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them in your multiplayer matches.
Here’s a full tier list ranking every gun in the game from best to worst.
Best Black Ops 6 guns ranked: Tier list
Explaining our rankings
- S Tier: Leading the meta, these are the very best guns in the game today.
- A Tier: While very strong picks on most maps and modes, these guns are just a cut below the very best.
- B Tier: Good weapons that are viable but fail to stand out in a meaningful way.
- C Tier: Weapons you should generally avoid unless grinding for camos.
S-Tier weapons & best loadouts
SVD
The Dragunov and pretty much any version of the weapon has been tragically bad in almost any Call of Duty entry it has been in. For players trying to get Diamond snipers, semi-auto two-shot rifles like this have always been incredibly irritating. Except that the SVD isn’t a two-shot sniper in BO6.
This thing scopes in almost instantly, one shots, doesn’t require bolt time like the other two sniper rifles in the game, and has more ammo than both of them. When using the best SVD loadout blows the other two options out of the water and is a clear standout as a weapon that should be hotfix nerfed. Use it while you can.
Jackal PDW
The Jackal PDW has easily been one of the most dominant guns in Black Ops 6 so far, with it taking over lobbies across all skill levels, modes, and maps. This is largely thanks to its incredible versatility, with the Jackal capable of slaying up close yet also being laser accurate at long range, even after its nerf.
It’s no exaggeration to say that this meta weapon even outguns sniper rifles across entire maps, especially if you improve its recoil using attachments like the compensator. When you consider that it is an SMG that also has great mobility and handling, it begins to look like one of the most complete guns in Call of Duty history.
XM4
The XM4 is a jack-of-all-trades assault rifle that doesn’t excel at much but isn’t particularly bad at anything. It’s the typical, reliable starter option that most players will use until they unlock something better, and there’s really nothing wrong with that. It’s accessible and easy to use, while also offering a good enough time to kill to remain viable with the right loadout.
And, while it’s slightly less accurate than other rifles, it won’t matter on most maps considering how small they are. If you’re looking for a gun to stick with for the long term, it’s really, really hard to go wrong with the XM4.
Model L
Slow firing, but with high damage per shot and incredibly low recoil, the Model L chugs along as one of the easiest to use and most accessible ARs in Black Ops 6. Having a consistent 4-shot kill without the considerable kick of the AK-74, it’s a strong contender for being one of the best guns in the game.
It maintains that four-shot kill range beyond the 25-meter mark, making it a really good weapon at mid-range. You’ll still get outtraded by SMGs up close, but the margin is narrow, and you’ll be effective against a much wider range of weapons with the Model L. If you’re looking for a gun that won’t let you down, this is the one. However, you’ll need the meta loadout to really get the most out of this weapon. Pros favor this gun for a reason.
Grekhova
The Grekhova is the only sidearm anywhere near the top ranks of our Black Ops 6 tier list, but it’s earned its spot. If it was a primary weapon, it’d be low A/high B, but it gives you the kind of power an SMG provides in a secondary slot. There’s no reason to take Overkill if you’ve got this gun with the right attachments.
It’s got a high fire rate as an automatic pistol, making it even easier to use than the 93R that dominated MW3. Additionally, it’s got low enough recoil to do alright at mid-range and some solid irons, giving you enough flexibility to put attachments on it that mitigate its weaknesses. If you’re looking for a reliable sidearm, the Grekhova is head and shoulders above the competition.
KSV
The KSV is what you’d expect from an SMG. High fire rate, good hipfire accuracy, decent range for its weapon class, and it unlocks pretty early on at player level 7. It’s a great SMG for carrying you through the early levels as you learn the ropes in Black Ops 6.
It certainly earns a spot in S tier, as its rapid TTK absolutely melts players on BO6’s smaller maps if you use the meta attachments to keep its recoil in check. While the Jackal is easier to use, the KSV is virtually unstoppable in the right hands.
Krig C
Dexerto / ActivisionThe Krig C is the first new Assault Rifle released in Black Ops 6 as part of the Season 1 update and it’s already cemented a place as one of the best guns in the game. It checks all the right boxes for a multiplayer AR; great range, low recoil, and a constant damage profile.
What places it slightly above the other weapons in its class is its mobility, which gives you the edge on smaller to mid-sized maps. The sheer damage that the Model L can deal means that the Krig is towards the bottom of S-tier, but with the right loadout it’s still a force to be reckoned with.
A-Tier weapons & best loadouts
Saug
Dexerto / ActivisionThe new Saug is the closest thing to an Uzi present in Black Ops 6, boasting a rapid fire rate but a ton of recoil. With this in mind, if you play to its strengths, its TTK can melt enemies but its limited range narrowly keeps it out of S-tier.
On maps like Babylon and Nuketown, the Saug kills quicker than virtually any other gun in its class, so long as you’re hitting your shots. Running the best loadout can go a long way toward keeping it under control, but this a weapon that shines specific situations rather than an all-rounder.
Tanto .22
The Tanto .22 is one of the best guns in Black Ops 6. This versatile SMG has great damage, range, and recoil control, making it one of the most well-rounded guns in the game. It was an absolute demon in the beta, and it still is Season 1.
Despite its strengths, it isn’t perfect, as this unusual gun has a slow fire rate. This makes it harder to use up close, leaving the Jackal PDW or KSV as the slightly better options. Even so, it’s a close call, and this is still a fantastic gun when used properly.
C9
A side effect of the Jackal PDW’s dominance is that a lot of other great guns have gone overlooked. That is especially true for the C9, Black Ops 6’s rendition of the iconic MP5.
Those wanting a true submachine gun should look no further, as the C9 offers fantastic mobility, handling, and damage. It is the ideal weapon for run-and-gun playstyles, which complements this year’s fast-paced gameplay. However, it misses out on S-Tier solely because the other guns in its class excel in different areas, while the C9 is more of an all-rounder.
AMES 85
The AMES 85 is your quintessential laser beam in Black Ops 6. Whether you want to compare it to MW3’s MCW or MW2 2009’s ACR, just know that this is your near-recoilless AR in BO6. Considering how many headglitch spots there are on the maps in this game, having that pinpoint accuracy can be a huge boon.
This year’s CoD game is extremely fast-paced, and missing shots can cost you dearly, so using a hyper-accurate gun like this makes a lot of sense. However, the fact that so many of BO6’s maps are small means that you’ll often get outgunned by someone with an SMG. It’s impossible to put this gun in S for that reason, but it solidly belongs in A-tier and is a real problem for enemies with the right build.
AK-74
The AK-74 offers the exact opposite of the AMES 85, as it’s a hard-hitting weapon with high recoil. Naturally, this lends itself to higher-skill players who are capable of controlling its substantial kick, with their reward being the fastest-killing assault rifle in Black Ops 6. If past Call of Duty games have taught us anything, it’s that fast-killing ARs are always competitive, and this is no exception.
For those with the mechanical skill to handle this heavy hitter, our best AK-74 loadout transforms it into one of the best guns in the game. However, it’s considerably trickier to use than other ARs, especially given this year’s rapid movement that makes missing shots easier than ever.
AS VAL
The AS VAL has the potential to be a meta-defining weapon in Black Ops 6 almost purely based on its high damage output. It’s easily the strongest weapon in the assault rifle category in terms of DPS, but that comes with some major caveats.
Its high recoil and small mag size are real problems when using this weapon, and the process of leveling it is a bit tedious as a result. You absolutely need an extended mag to make this thing effective. But, if you’ve got the right attachments, it’s a demon of a weapon.
This weapon isn’t perfect, but it’s one of Black Ops 6’s best guns in the right hands. However, that learning curve and need for attachments lands it in A-tier for now.
XMG
Modern Warfare 3 had some of the weakest LMGs we’ve seen in a long time, with the TAQ Eradicator being the best option, but it was still outclassed by most assault rifles. Thankfully, Black Ops 6 looks to have fixed this, as the XMG is a tremendous gun that has gone overlooked despite its clear strengths.
The two main reasons to use the XMG are its high damage and low recoil, which make it excellent at long range. Or, if you don’t care about long-range, take a crossbar and eliminate the need to aim entirely. This is about as close as an LMG can get to S-tier, but it’s not quite there.
Kompakt 92
The Kompakt 92 is Black Ops 6’s spitfire SMG. It’s an absolute bullet hose, all about getting as many shots down range as possible in a short time. This thing shoots fast, acting as both the weapon’s greatest strength and its greatest weakness.
This weapon has a ton of recoil, burns through ammo faster than pretty much any gun in the game, and severely lacks range. It’s got a lot of downsides. But, what it does do well is kill enemies at close range really, really fast. If that’s what you want out of this weapon, then it’s the perfect choice. The Kompakt has too many downsides to be S-tier, but it’s an effective gun for what it is, especially with the best loadout.
DM-10
The DM-10 is a semi-auto marksman rifle, and it’s a pretty solid one at that. It’s got higher two-shot kill potential than any other weapon in the category due to its high damage per shot, making it a remarkably consistent weapon with a low TTK at most ranges.
While it’s a bit harder to use this weapon than, say, spraying and praying with an SMG, you can easily shred lobbies with this weapon considering its high default mag size and only needing two bullets to kill. If the DM-10 could one-shot with headshots there’d be a case for putting this weapon in S-tier, but precision doesn’t decrease this weapon’s TTK unless you’re fighting at 50+ meters.
AEK-973
The AEK-973 is a surprisingly strong burst weapon with consistent three-shot potential. While it’s got a significant delay between shots, those three shots come out lightning fast. Landing those three hits will give you an incredibly low TTK, and, considering this gun has low recoil and kills in three shots even at 25+ meters, it’s a beast of a weapon at most ranges.
It’d be busted if it wasn’t a burst rifle. Unfortunately, you have to contend with that three-round burst pattern in a game where everyone is jumping, diving, and crouch sliding around, and that’s easier said than done. If you’re skilled enough to get a consistent grouping of three shots on target, this weapon is fantastic. If not, you’re going to struggle.
B-Tier weapons & best loadouts
LR 7.62
With Black Ops 6’s fast movement, you might expect snipers to struggle to keep up, but that’s not the case. The LR 7.62 is an excellent gun that has an extremely forgiving one-shot kill, with hit markers being a rarity. This high damage makes it terrifying in the hands of a skilled marksman, especially on larger maps like Scud where it’s easy to pick off targets at long range.
While this sniper is undeniably strong, its shortcomings prevent it from being S-tier. Most notably, the LR 7.62 has fairly slow handling, which makes it a poor choice on smaller maps where the Jackal and C9 walk all over it. That, and the SVD is so overwhelmingly broken that it blows every other sniper and marksman rifle out of the water.
However, our optimized LR 7.62 loadout is still worth running if you want a bolt-action sniper that’s likely to move on up to A-tier once the game gets rebalanced a bit.
PU-21
- Optic: Volzhskiy Reflex
- Optic is very up to personal preference here, as taking a 3x scope can be very useful with this weapon as well if you like more zoom
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Stock: Infiltrator Stock
The PU-21 is a great LMG and, in any CoD game that wasn’t so movement-reliant, it’d be a fantastic weapon. It’s got relatively low recoil, great damage at longer ranges, solid irons, and a ton of ammo. However, its poor handling and slow ADS time really kill it in comparison to other guns.
You’re presented with two options using this gun: Either you take a fast mag and turn it into a worse version of an AR, or you play into its strengths and hold down choke points. Either build is viable and the latter can be found in our PU-21 loadout guide. Both options work and it’s up largely to personal preference.
GPR-91
The GPR-91 is almost laser accurate without needing attachments, has a solid fire rate, standard 30 mag size, and is unlocked fairly early on. On paper, it should be a staple assault rifle. In practice, it’s got two big issues.
First, it only comes with 2 spare mags, giving it 90 bullets total base. You’ll have to take either scavenger or an extended mag to give yourself enough ammo to make this gun useable for more than a minute or two.
Second, it’s got the worst damage in the class. A gun that’s good at everything but getting kills probably isn’t a very good gun, which is why the GPR lands in B-tier. It’s decent at mid-range because of its accuracy, but it’s one of the worst ARs you can get.
You can still get the most out of it by checking out our GPR-91 loadout, but there are plenty of better options further up the list.
PP-919
The PP-919 is pretty mediocre in a game filled with exceptionally strong SMGs. It’s carried by its mag size but is worse in pretty much every way than other weapons in the class. It’s at the point where we prefer taking Fast Mag 1 and taking a few fewer rounds in exchange for faster reloads and better handling.
There’s pretty much no reason to take the PP-919 over other SMGs, but it’s not an unusable gun by any means. It scrapes into B-tier because of general effectiveness even if it’s, on paper, a weak SMG.
Tsarkov 7.62
The Tsarkov 7.62 is a pretty hard weapon to place on a tier list. On one hand, it’s outright worse than every other Marksman rifle in terms of TTK. The DM-10 shoots much faster and still kills in two shots, and the three-round burst rifles get their group out faster than firing two shots with the Tsarkov. On the other hand, this weapon has one-shot headshots at most ranges you’ll be fighting at.
If it weren’t for that one-shot headshot potential, the Tsarkov would be an easy shoo-in for the C-tier. However, the fact that it rewards precision so heavily makes it useful in the hands of a skilled player. But, when the SVD and all the other marksman rifles exist, there’s no reason to take this weapon over them.
SWAT 5.56
The SWAT 5.56 is one of BO6’s few burst rifles, with both it and the AEK killing in one burst. Considering how fast-paced Black Ops 6 is as a game with omnimovement, three-round burst weapons are a really hard sell even if they’d have been busted in other CoD games.
Good luck hitting all three necessary shots to the body against enemies flying around, especially with how much recoil the SWAT has. It’s much harder to use than the AEK-973 and has a lower fire rate when it comes to its burst grouping, earning it a spot in B-tier. Missing a single shot in the burst will get you killed, so check our best SWAT 5.56 class to make sure that doesn’t happen.
GPMG-7
The GPMG-7 is a bit of an oddball weapon. It shoots fast, which would make you think it’d have the high capacity to back up that fire rate, but it only holds 50 rounds base despite having a box magazine. That six-shot kill is a lot faster than it sounds, but you’re still going to burn through ammo at record pace with this thing.
It’s not like it has the handling and speed of an SMG, either, giving you a weapon that can kill pretty consistently but lacks a lot of the strengths LMGs would typically have like near-limitless ammo and high accuracy. It only lands in B-tier because the weapon gets substantially improved by having the ideal attachments, though this gun will likely never be a meta weapon.
Stryder .22
One of Black Ops 6’s most bizarre weapons, the Stryder .22 is meant only for those who have a really good trigger finger. It’s a four-shot kill, but that TTK is pretty fast if you’re able to take full advantage of its extremely fast fire rate in semi-auto. This combined with low recoil and pretty decent range makes it a decent pistol if you know what you’re doing.
However, you really, really have to be able to shoot fast to be competitive on this thing. It’s almost easier to use on controller than it is on keyboard and mouse due to just how fast you have to click to max out its possible fire rate on PC. This is, if nothing else, a fun weapon to use, and it can be effective in the right hands.
9mm PM
On its surface, the 9mm PM looks like the sort of default pea shooter pistol that’s almost not worth using. In reality, the 9mm PM is surprisingly competent and boasts a solid three-shot kill range, decent irons, and better damage at range than you’d expect from a typical pistol. It’s what you want and expect from a bog-standard sidearm.
Attachments do help here, but nothing is going to turn this weapon into a busted phenom of a gun. You know what you’re getting with this gun, but there’s pretty much no reason to take it over the Grekhov.
C-Tier weapons & best loadouts
Marine SP
This pump-action shotgun is extremely inconsistent, to the point where getting hitmarkers at point-blank range isn’t uncommon. It also has a very slow fire rate, so its two-shot TTK isn’t good, making those one-shot kills necessary to be even somewhat competitive. The Marine SP is a bit of a letdown for those who enjoy using shotguns.
If this weapon has one saving grace, it’s that the fast movement in Black Ops 6 makes it easy enough to close the gap on enemies. This somewhat mitigates the gun’s obvious range limitations, but its unpredictable damage means it is still far worse than meta SMGs like the Jackal PDW. If you still want to try this shotgun, at least use our Marine SP loadout that makes the most of its few strengths.
ASG-89
Hanging out in C-tier right alongside Black Ops 6’s other shotgun is the ASG-89, although it’s arguably worse than the Marine SP. Both aren’t great, but the ASG’s almost complete lack of one-shot kill potential is a huge knock against it.
You’re better off just running an SMG in most cases rather than using this weapon. Sure, it’s a bit more consistent than the Marine, but at least that thing can one-shot. Ultimately, both shotguns are just not great picks for multiplayer unless you’re on a small map, even with our best loadout.
LW3A1 Frostline
The LW3A1 Frostline is BO6’s speediest one-shot sniper. Or, at least, it will be once the SVD gets nerfed. For now, it’s a sniper rifle that feels good to use but isn’t all that effective in comparison to other options and is a bit of a hitmarker machine.
With the SVD being game-breakingly good and the Tsarkov 7.62 having the ability to one-shot headshot as a marksman rifle, it’s really difficult to justify using this weapon. Not to mention the LR 7.62 having more consistent one-shot kills.
However, if you’re running the LW3A1, you’re not here to use the most effective weapon you can. You’re here to quickscope in style, and I respect that. That said, this sniper is drastically improved with the right attachments, especially if you’re the quickscoping type.
GS45
The GS45 is, for all intents and purposes, the worst gun in Black Ops 6. Slow fire rate, three shot kill that isn’t improved much by getting headshots, and high recoil make it an unworthy sidearm when compared to every other option. It’s just not a good gun.
Heavy pistols can be a joy when it comes to Call of Duty games, especially in the case of something like the classic Deagle that grants you the ability to one-shot headshot in exchange for an extremely low fire rate. The GS45 is not that gun. Just take any other option, even a knife.
Goblin Mk. 2
While the Goblin isn’t the worst gun in Black Ops 6, it’s certainly the worst primary. It’s a semi-automatic assault rifle with a very similar damage profile to pistols up close. The three-shot kill TTK is about on par with the 9mm PM, though it performs much better at range than a pistol.
That said, it’s still a three-shot-kill semi-auto weapon. You can get a decent fire rate out of it with a good trigger finger, but you’re much better off running an AR. Or a marksman rifle. Or SMG. Or pretty much any primary other than a shotgun. But hey, if using what’s essentially an oversized pistol with a stock sounds good to you, then maybe you’ll want to give the Goblin Mk. 2 a shot. Just make sure you’re running the best possible loadout to get the most out of it.
That’s all for our tier list of all the weapons in Black Ops 6, but using meta guns is not the only way to optimize your gameplay. You will also want to use the best controller settings and PC & console settings available. Mastering this year’s mechanics is a must too, so be sure to read our guides on Tac Stance, body shields, and unlimited Tactical Sprint to become the best player possible.