ActivisionWith Season 5 Reloaded underway, there have been slight changes in the Black Ops 6 meta, and some weapons have emerged as standouts – the absolute best guns you can choose.
This update introduced a host of weapon buffs and nerfs that have adjusted the meta ever so slightly in Black Ops 6, making some of the lesser-used options much more viable.
After spending some time, we’ve now got a good idea of what the best weapons are and which ones you should avoid. Some of these guns are so good that pros have agreed to ban them, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use them, so here’s a full tier list ranking every gun in multiplayer.
Best Black Ops 6 guns ranked: Tier list
| Tier | Weapon |
|---|---|
| S | CR-56 AMAX, PPSh-41, FFAR 1, XM4, Model L, Essex Model 07, KSV, C9, Krig C, AMES 85, AS VAL, SVD |
| A | TR2, ABR A1, SWAT 5.56, Kilo 141, Jackal PDW, PP-919, LW3A1 Frostline, LC10, Olympia, Grekhova, Saug, Tanto .22, AMR Mod 4, Cypher 091, Goblin Mk 2, HDR, Ladra, AK-74, |
| B | Feng 82, GPR 91, XMG, LR 7.62, PU-21, PML 5.56 |
| C | AEK-973, Marine SP, Stryder .22, ASG-89, Kompakt 92, DM-10, Tsarkov 7.62, 9mm PM, Sirin 9mm |
| D | GS45, GPMG-7, D1.3 Sector, Maelstrom |
Explaining our rankings
- S Tier: Leading the meta, these are the very best guns in Season 5 Reloaded.
- A Tier: While strong picks on most maps and modes, these guns are just a cut below the very best.
- B Tier: Good weapons that don’t bring any major advantage in gunfights.
- C Tier: Useable weapons that are viable but fail to stand out in a meaningful way.
- D Tier: Weapons you should generally avoid unless grinding for camos.
S-Tier weapons
CR-56 AMAX
Dexerto / ActivisionThe AMAX arrived in Season 3 and immediately took over the meta, killing extremely fast at almost every range while also being easy to use.
It’s not quite as easy to use as laserbeams like the Model L and Kilo 141, but that won’t matter on multiplayer’s small-medium-sized maps. You want something that kills fast, capable of winning fights at extreme close and extreme long-range, and the AMAX does just that.
Treyarch have recommended additional recoil-reducing attachments now that the Amax’s recoil has changed a touch. Keep that in mind for the meta loadout.
PPSh-41
DexertoThe PPSh-41’s blistering fire rate and fast handling already made it feel great to use, but the Helical Mag has made it an S-tier choice.
This Season 5 Reloaded attachment gives you a whopping 300 rounds in the magazine, and ammo you pick up will go straight into it, so you never need to reload. However, it will overheat if you hold the trigger too long.
On top of that, it gives the PPSh some big buffs such as improved range and better recoil control, making an already good gun great. It’s not the fastest-killing gun in the game, but if you want to use something low-recoil without ever having to reload, look no further.
Related
FFAR-1
ActivisionAfter being added in Season 4, the FFAR 1 is a very strong Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6, and it remains in S-Tier for Season 5 Reloaded.
It has a more than solid TTK, virtually no recoil, and a forgiving fire rate that’s easy to control, making it ideal on mid-range maps. However, you might find yourself getting outgunned by the absolute meta picks, but that is the current state of the meta. So, keep that in mind when putting together your loadout.
Check out our best build to get the absolute most out of it.
XM4
The XM4 is a jack-of-all-trades Assault Rifle that doesn’t excel at much but isn’t bad at anything either. It’s the typical, reliable starter option that will never let you down, regardless of your Prestige or skill level. It’s accessible and easy to use while also offering a good enough time to kill to remain competitive with the right loadout.
It was already a great weapon, regardless, but the XM4 got a boost in the meta with the release of the Buffer Weight Stock in Season 1. This is one of the very few attachments in Black Ops 6 that improves both horizontal and vertical recoil.
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 makes it a strong contender for being one of the best guns in the game.
It maintains that four-shot kill range beyond 44 meters, making it extremely viable at long range. You’ll still get outgunned by SMGs up close, but this is a worthwhile sacrifice as they won’t be able to touch you at long range. If you’re looking for a gun to dominate larger maps, this is the one. Just be sure to use our meta loadout to get the most out of this weapon.
Essex Model 07
The Essex is a lever-action rifle that was added to Black Ops 6 in Season 4, and has quickly become an annoying gun to come up against.
Since its arrival, it has firmly slotted into the meta with its insane damage to the head and upper torso. That continues in Season 5 Reloaded, too, as it hasn’t been touched by the devs. So, check out the best loadout, then keep running wild with it.
KSV
DexertoThe KSV offers exactly what you’d expect from an SMG. It has a high fire rate, good hipfire accuracy, solid range for its weapon class, and it is unlocked early on at level 7. It’s a very good option for carrying you through the early ranks as you learn the ropes in Black Ops 6 while also remaining relevant even in Master Prestige.
Although it lacks the ease of use that the C9 and Jackal PDW offer, the KSV makes up for it by just being so versatile. With the right loadout, you can use it out to the mid-range and still be competitive, which puts it ahead of many of the other SMGs.
C9
The C9, Black Ops 6’s version of the iconic MP5, is a well-rounded SMG capable of being a highly competitive weapon that can hold its own in any lobby – even still in Season 5 Reloaded.
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. It also arguably has the best iron sights in the entire game, so you don’t have to worry about wasting an attachment slot on an optic.
Krig C
Dexerto / ActivisionWhile there’s an argument to be had that the Krig C is the best weapon in Black Ops 6, it has just about lost that spot due to its increased recoil following a series of nerfs and the AMAX’s arrival. Even so, it still checks many of the right boxes for a multiplayer AR, offering great range and a highly competitive time to kill.
However, what really places it above most other weapons in its class is its superior mobility, which gives you the edge on those smaller to mid-sized maps, of which Black Ops 6 has a lot.
With the right loadout, the Krig C is the most well-rounded weapon in the game, easily cementing its place as an S-tier gun for the new season.
AS VAL
The AS VAL is almost a hybrid between an Assault Rifle and a Submachine Gun, offering AR range with SMG-level handling and damage.
It deals a lot of damage, has incredible iron sights, and comes with an integral suppressor. Likewise, it has better handling and mobility than any other AR, giving it a niche as a hybrid weapon for those wanting to play more aggressively, and it’s firmly in the S-tier in Season 5 Reloaded.
If you’re sniping, it can be a great Overkill choice, made even better with the best AS VAL loadout.
SVD
The Dragunov and pretty much any version of the weapon have been tragically bad in almost every Call of Duty entry it has been in. Thankfully, the latest version in Black Ops 6 is defining the meta. Why? Because the SVD in Black Ops 6 is a semi-auto sniper that can one-shot to the lower torso, which is unheard of in Call of Duty.
This gun scopes in quickly, consistently one-shots, has a faster fire rate than the other sniper rifles in the game, and carries more ammo for going on long streaks. When using the best SVD loadout, it blows the other two options out of the water and is a clear standout as a precision weapon that can take over lobbies in the right hands.
AMES 85
The AMES 85 is your quintessential laser beam. Whether you want to compare it to MW3’s MCW or the classic ACR, just know that this is the latest near-recoilless AR in Call of Duty.
This year’s game is fast-paced, and missing shots can cost you dearly, so using a hyper-accurate gun like this makes a lot of sense. The buffs back in Season 4 Reloaded helped propel it upwards in our rankings, especially with the increase to bullet velocity and sprint to fire times, and it remains there now.
It is certainly a meta choice once again and a real problem for enemies with the right build.
A-Tier weapons
TR2
DexertoThe TR2 is an okay Marksman Rifle, but becomes a different beast entirely with the TR2 CQB Auto Conversion.
This conversion kit turns the TR2 into a very strong close-range weapon with low recoil and a rapid TTK. It’s very similar to the KSV but with better range and bullet velocity, making it a fantastic close-range option for any Black Ops 6 map. Just don’t hold the trigger too long, as its fire rate gradually slows down.
ABR A1
ActivisionThe ABR A1, better known as the AUG, arrived in Black Ops 6 Season 5 Reloaded and has already emerged as a very strong option. It has next to no recoil, and its impressive damage stats mean it can drop an enemy with just one or two bursts at mid-range.
However, this burst fire rate is what keeps it out of the S-tier for now, as it does allow faster-firing ARs to get the best of it in some situations. Although you can switch to the full auto Fire Mod, having to spend an extra attachment means you have to choose between ease of use and better recoil control or mobility.
SWAT 5.56
The SWAT 5.56 was low on our list for most of BO6’s lifecycle, but thanks to the Grau 5.56 conversion kit, it’s one of the best guns in the game.
The base gun is a three-round-burst Marksman Rifle that hits hard, but landing all three bullets can be quite tough. With the Grau conversion, it becomes a low-recoil Assault Rifle with one of the cleanest iron sights available.
While it’s not as powerful as the AMAX, it combines extremely low recoil with solid damage and mobility, making it a fantastic all-rounder. However, it is just outside the S Tier rankings because of the Season 4 Reloaded change to the recoil pattern. That is always annoying.
Kilo 141
Dexerto / ActivisionThe Kilo 141 just misses out on the S-tier because of its damage and new recoil changes, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it.
With a forgiving fire rate, anyone can pick up the Kilo 141 and have a lot of success with it. Hitting headshots has never been easier, and its mobility isn’t too bad, either. The only thing holding it back is its damage, where enemies extremely close or extremely far away will feel a bit spongey, and the change to View Kick in the new season.
You can improve its damage range and mobility by using the best Kilo 141 loadout.
Jackal PDW
The Jackal PDW has easily been one of the most dominant guns in Black Ops 6, with it taking over lobbies across all skill levels, modes, and maps. This is largely thanks to its simple recoil pattern, which makes the Jackal capable of slaying up close yet also being laser accurate at long range with relative ease.
It had its range nerfed in the Season 3 update, so while it’s still extremely competitive, it’s no longer the be-all-and-end-all of SMGs, as its TTK isn’t quite as impressive anymore.
PP-919
The PP-919 seems mediocre at first, with its low damage leaving a lot to be desired. However, equipping the Rapid Fire attachment transforms this gun into a no-recoil beast that can compete against almost anything. This reduces the SMG’s time to kill to just 257 ms, and the recoil penalty is hardly noticeable because it’s so accurate, regardless.
When you optimize this build with the best PP-919 loadout, it becomes a strong option that can get some serious work done, and its huge magazine size makes it very forgiving in the chaos of small maps.
LW3A1 Frostline
DexertoThe LW3A1 Frostline is BO6’s fastest-handling sniper rifle, making it a great option for those who enjoy quickscoping and living out their dreams of creating the next big sniper montage.
There’s always going to be a spot for a powerful bolt-action sniper in Call of Duty’s meta, and the LW3A1 Frostline is easily good enough to fill this role, especially when used with the right attachments. You’ll need to grind it out first, but once you have it leveled up, you’ll be running around getting kills with ease.
LC10
ActivisionThe LC10 arrived in Season 4, and although it’s not the best SMG in the game, it’s a very strong choice. It has great mobility and surprisingly low recoil for an SMG, allowing it to compete in mid-range fights as well as close-range.
The only slight drawback is that it might struggle against the likes of the Ladra at the absolute closest of ranges, thanks to their superior fire rate. However, if you play to its strengths, it’s very strong around the 15-20 meter mark.
Be sure to check out our meta loadout to double down on its movement and accuracy.
Olympia
The Olympia should be familiar to anyone who has played older Black Ops titles, but it has been reclassified as a special weapon in Black Ops 6. It is still a double-barrelled shotgun that is capable of doing serious damage, though.
It sits in the A-Tier simply because of how slow it is to reload. Black Ops 6 is all about speed, and the Olympia doesn’t deliver that, despite delivering a deadly punch. You can use it, sure, but don’t focus on it.
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; there’s no reason to take Overkill if you’ve got this gun with the right attachments.
It has a high fire rate as an automatic pistol, making it just as deadly as it is easy to use. Additionally, it’s got low enough recoil to perform surprisingly well at mid-range, and it has some great iron sights, giving you the flexibility to use attachments elsewhere. If you’re looking for a reliable sidearm, the Grekhova is head and shoulders above the competition.
Saug
Dexerto / ActivisionThe Saug is the closest thing to an Uzi in Black Ops 6, boasting a fast fire rate but a ton of recoil to keep it in check. At least that’s what the in-game description would have you believe, but in reality, it’s quite easy to control if you use a Compensator and Vertical Foregrip. With its recoil reduced, you are left with a fast-firing, hypermobile SMG that is perfect for dominating smaller maps.
On the likes of Babylon and Nuketown, the Saug kills quicker than virtually any other gun in its class as long as you’re hitting your shots. Running the best loadout goes a long way toward keeping it under control, and you can even try Akimbo for some true chaos. You won’t have much range, but even shotguns will have a bad time against that build.
Tanto .22
The Tanto .22 is one of the best guns in Black Ops 6. This hard-hitting SMG has great damage, range, and recoil control, making it one of the most well-rounded options in the game. It was an absolute demon in the beta, and it still is now in Season 5 Reloaded, with multiple SMG range buffs making it more versatile than ever before.
Despite its strengths, it isn’t perfect, as this unusual gun has a very slow fire rate. This makes it harder to use up close, leaving the Jackal PDW or C9 as better options for most players. Even so, it’s a close call, and this is still a fantastic gun when used properly, especially if you equip the Rapid Fire mod to increase its fire rate.
AMR Mod 4
ActivisionAdded in Season 1, the AMR Mod 4 has made a name for itself as one of the best snipers. While it may be cumbersome, the raw power and fast-firing nature of this beast make it a powerful option when used right.
This is due to its fast fire rate and great one-shot potential at long range, allowing you to gun down multiple enemies with just a few squeezes of the trigger. If you can get the other team lined up on a chokepoint, then this is the only sniper that can wipe them all out in one fell swoop. However, its sluggish handling makes the SVD and Frostline the better options.
Cypher 091
DexertoWhile the Cypher 091 might not seem like anything special, this funny-looking AR feels very consistent. Low recoil, decent damage, and high mobility put it in the same jack-of-all-trades category as the XM4, it just isn’t quite as powerful.
That’s not to say you’ll ever feel at a major disadvantage while using it, and you can make it even better with the meta Cypher 091 loadout.
Goblin Mk.2
The Goblin Mk.2 is probably the most divisive gun in Black Ops 6. Some people will tell you it is awful, while others will swear they’ve found a hidden gem. The truth falls closer to the latter, with the Goblin Mk.2 having the fastest TTK of any AR. This is assuming you can reach its fire rate cap and still land shots, making this an undoubtedly high-skill, high-reward weapon.
It won’t be for everyone and is honestly better suited to MnK than it is a controller, but for those who enjoy using semi-auto guns, this is a genuine monster. Tap away for a consistent three-shot kill that beats out not just every other AR but even some SMGs. It can even two-shot after a series of buffs if you land headshots, making it especially rewarding in the hands of a skilled player.
HDR
Dexerto / ActivisionWhile the HDR might be dominating Warzone, it’s not quite as powerful in Black Ops 6. Sure, it hits hard, but it’s also very slow. While you won’t get very many hitmarks, you’ll also find that the heavy Sniper Rifle feels quite clunky – especially when you’re going up against SMGs and Assault Rifles.
It’s not a terrible choice by any means, and a buff in Season 5 Reloaded has made it a better option, but it’s definitely more suited towards battle royale’s long-range fights. If you’re hitting shots consistently, it just sneaks into the A-tier.
Still, you can improve its mobility by using the best loadout.
Ladra
ActivisionThe Ladra is a relatively new weapon, but it’s already established itself as one of the best SMGs in the game. What it lacks in range and damage, it makes up for with a ferocious fire rate that’s nearly impossible to beat at close range.
As long as you play to its strengths and hit your shots, very few guns can match its TTK, making it a force to be reckoned with on Black Ops 6’s smaller maps.
It doesn’t need much help, but make sure you’re running the meta loadout to get the most out of it.
AK-74
The AK-74 is 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 one of the fastest-killing ARs in Black Ops 6. If past Call of Duty games have taught us anything, it’s that fast-killing guns 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 most deadly guns. However, it’s considerably trickier to use than other ARs, especially given this year’s rapid movement that makes missing shots easier than ever.
B-tier
PML 5.56
ActivisionAlthough by no means a terrible choice, the PML 5.56 struggles from many of the same issues as Black Ops 6’s other LMGs. It has a lot of recoil to contend with, even with attachments equipped, and is extremely bulky to carry around.
While it does have an exceptional fire rate and large magazines that allow you to keep up the pressure on enemies, you’ll often find yourself getting outgunned by the meta ARs and SMGs.
Feng 82
DexertoWhen it was first released at the beginning of Season 2, the Feng 82 was essentially just a worse Tanto .22 – it had the same shots to kill, similar TTK, but much worse handling and mobility. To an extent, that’s all still true, but huge buffs in Season 2 Reloaded at least gave it a niche as a medium-range LMG with best-in-class handling.
Perhaps the biggest change was its pre-fire delay being reduced by 30 ms. This change improved its TTK, making it a competitive option that can compete with meta ARs. However, it’s still outclassed by so many other guns, so this is more something you use for variety’s sake than anything else. The Feng 82 is an okay option but certainly nothing special.
GPR-91
DexertoIn the early days of Black Ops 6, some players took to the GPR-91 thanks to its extremely low recoil. That remains true in Season 5 Reloaded, but there are so many better options.
Sure, the GPR-91 is accurate, but so is the Swat 5.56, Model L, and Kilo 141. It’s not a terrible choice, especially after its damage buffs in recent seasons. But you’ll probably end up frustrated that players using the meta guns are winning most one-on-one gunfights against you.
LR 7.62
If you want a hard-hitting bolt-action sniper that’s not too slow, the LR 7.62 is a solid choice. While its ADS speed isn’t quite as fast as the LW3A1 Frostline, it has a faster fire rate, which lets you take down enemies in quick succession.
Although not the best sniper in Black Ops 6, it’s still a powerful choice, and the best LR 7.62 loadout makes it even better.
XMG
Modern Warfare 3 had some of the weakest LMGs we’ve seen in a long time, with even the best options being outclassed by most ARs. Thankfully, Black Ops 6 fixed this, with the XMG being a great option for anyone wanting a more traditional, heavy-duty machine gun.
The two main reasons to use the XMG are its high damage and low recoil, which make it excellent at long range. If you don’t care about long-range, take a crossbar and eliminate the need to aim entirely.
PU-21
DexertoIf you used the PU-21 at launch, you might be surprised to see it this far up the list. After all, it was painfully average on day one, but a series of buffs has transformed it into one of the best LMGs in Black Ops 6. Most notably, its pre-fire delay was shortened, allowing it to take better advantage of its immense 240 ms TTK that beats every assault rifle.
It doesn’t just hit hard, as the PU-21 also has a predictable recoil pattern that is almost entirely vertical. With the Vertical Foregrip equipped, all you have to do is pull straight down, and it becomes easy enough to laser enemies from across the map. It’ll still lose to the top meta choices, but it’s worth giving this meta loadout a go – you might be pleasantly surprised.
C-tier
AEK-973
The AEK-973 is a good gun with one-burst kill potential. While there’s a significant delay between shots, those three shots come out lightning fast, and landing all of them gives you an incredibly fast TTK. Considering this gun has low recoil and maintains this impressive damage profile beyond 34 meters, it’s a beast of a weapon at most ranges.
Of course, stats alone don’t tell the full story. The truth is that you will often have to land two or even three bursts to get a kill, which leaves you with either a mediocre or, frankly, terrible time to kill. This didn’t used to be a problem, but the Rapid Fire attachment was heavily nerfed back in Season 1. Alternatively, you can make it full-auto, although the top-tier ARs are just better options at that point.
Marine SP
This pump-action shotgun is extremely inconsistent, to the point where getting hit markers at point-blank range isn’t uncommon. It also has a very slow fire rate, so its two-shot TTK isn’t good at all, making those one-shot kills necessary to be competitive. It works well in Face-off and on other small maps, but it’s pretty much useless elsewhere.
The good news is that the fast movement in Black Ops 6 makes it easy enough to close the gap on enemies. This helps mitigate the Marine SP’s obvious range limitations, but its unpredictable damage means meta SMGs like the Jackal PDW completely outclass it. Regardless, it’s a competent enough primary that works well up close if you use our recommended Marine SP loadout.
Stryder .22
The idea behind the Stryder .22 makes a lot of sense. It has a fast rate of fire, so those with a great trigger finger can down enemies quickly as a reward for their skill. There’s just one problem: it doesn’t kill quickly, regardless of how fast you fire it. Its theoretical TTK, if you land every shot with Rapid Fire equipped, is 324 ms, which is actually slower than the Grekhova, a full-auto pistol.
However, it is getting a bump up to the C Tier as pretty much all of it’s attachments have been buffed in Season 4 Reloaded – including the Rapid Fire and Recoil Springs. It may not be meta, but it is interesting.
ASG-89
The ASG-89 has around the same effectiveness as the Marine-SP, which is also by no means a meta gun.
You’re better off just running an SMG in most cases. Sure, the ASG-89 is easy to use, but that same ease of use can be found by running an optimized C9 or PP-919 build. Ultimately, Shotguns are just not great picks for multiplayer unless you’re on a small map, even with our best loadout.
Kompakt 92
DexertoThe 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, with this being both the weapon’s greatest strength and its biggest weakness.
This weapon has a ton of recoil, burns through ammo stupidly fast, and lacks any real range. So, it’s got a lot of downsides, but what it does do well is kill enemies at close range really fast. If that’s what you want out of this weapon, then it’s the perfect choice. The Kompakt is far too flawed to be A-tier or even B-tier, but it’s not bad for what it is, especially with the best loadout.
DM-10
The DM-10 is a semi-auto Marksman Rifle, and it’s a decent one at that. However, it is badly misunderstood. People see the scope and assume this is a long-range DMR, but in reality, the DM-10 is best used as a medium-range semi-auto rifle. This is because if you can land two shots within its maximum damage range, it has a TTK of 200 ms, which is absurdly fast.
While it’s a bit harder to use this weapon than spraying and praying with an SMG, you can easily shred lobbies with this, considering its large magazine and two-shot potential. However, its semi-automatic nature makes it unforgiving compared to most other weapons on the list. If the DM-10 could one-shot with headshots, there’d even be a case for putting it higher, but precision doesn’t do much for this gun most of the time.
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 body shot TTK, with the DM-10 firing much faster and the three-round burst rifles being more consistent. On the other hand, this weapon has the potential for one-shot headshots at long range, making it the only non-sniper to be able to do so.
The fact that it rewards precision so heavily makes it very good in the hands of a skilled player. With Omnimovement allowing everyone to fly around the map at light speed, this won’t be easy to use, but if you happen to come across someone using the Tsarkov 7.62 who knows what they’re doing, you could be in for a seriously bad time.
9mm PM
On the 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, good irons, and better range than you’d expect. In many ways, it’s exactly what you want from a bog-standard sidearm.
While it is by no means flashy, there’s nothing wrong with a serviceable pistol that fires quickly and kills reasonably fast. The only real downside to this is that the Grekhova exists, which is basically just a full-auto version of the same gun. In general, Black Ops 6 doesn’t do a good job of making semi-auto weapons worth using, and this gun is one of the many examples of that.
Sirin 9mm
DexertoBlack Ops 6’s first special weapon was added in Season 1, and it’s special alright – especially mid, that is.
Looking at the positives, the Sirin 9mm has good range for a secondary weapon, doesn’t require Overkill, and it’s nice and accurate thanks to its low rate of fire. However, its slow time to kill and slow handling mean you’re probably better off using Overkill or equipping the Grekhova.
D-Tier weapons
GS45
The GS45 is a bizarre secondary that has so much theoretical potential but is underwhelming in practice. Technically speaking, it can kill enemies in just 194 ms with the Rapid Fire mod equipped. This is incredible and beats out every single primary weapon in Black Ops 6. The problem is that it feels clumsy, with the slow rate of fire making it hard to use.
Effectively, this is BO6’s version of powerful handguns like the Desert Eagle and Magnum. The difference is that those iconic guns could kill with one headshot, while the GS45 doesn’t benefit from headshots at all. As such, you aren’t really rewarded for picking the slower-firing gun, so why not just use the Grekhova instead?
GPMG-7
The GPMG-7 is a bit of an oddball. 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 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. Furthermore, it has a painfully long pre-fire delay, making it impossible to use up close.
It’s not like it has the handling and speed of an SMG either, leaving you with a weapon that can kill fast but lacks a lot of the strengths LMGs typically have. It gets a little better with the right attachments, though this gun isn’t even close to being meta, and you are far better off using the PU-21, XMG, or almost anything else.
D1.3 Sector
Dexerto / ActivisionThe D1.3 Sector is more of a niche meme weapon than a serious meta contender. It fires a deadly disc that can pierce through multiple enemies, but it’s also slow and difficult to use.
You’ll be able to have some fun with it in the right lobbies, but good luck using it against enemies who know what they’re doing and instantly fire back.
Maelstrom
DexertoLike most full-auto shotguns in Call of Duty, the Maelstrom is good at one thing and one thing only. It blasts enemies at very close range, and that’s about it. Basically, if you aren’t playing Face-Off, there’s no reason to use this over an SMG, and even then, the Akimbo Saugs are usually more effective.
There’s no doubt that there’s some good fun to be had from running around with this shotgun and spraying to your heart’s content, but you really shouldn’t expect it to be particularly competitive. It just doesn’t have the accuracy or range to compete against meta SMGs. On the bright side, it is a lot of fun to use in Zombies, so it’s not entirely useless.
We haven’t included any melee weapons in this list as they’re all outclassed by primary and secondary weapons and would all fall into the bottom of D-tier.
That’s all for our weapon tier list, but using the best guns isn’t the only way to optimize your gameplay. You’ll also want to use the best controller settings and PC & console settings to make things as smooth as possible.