Top Weapons and Meta Loadouts in Black Ops 6: A Comprehensive Tier List

As the Black Ops 6 beta continues, a dominant meta has emerged, with certain weapons and loadouts proving to be the most effective and dominating in lobbies.

As is tradition, a new Call of Duty game is set to be released this year. Treyarch will be leading the charge once again with Black Ops 6. Despite its full release being some time away, we have already invested countless hours into the game thanks to the early access beta.

Despite being in beta, a meta has already emerged in which players heavily favor certain weapons. The criteria for a gun to be considered part of the meta can vary, but the top choices are typically those that deal significant damage and are user-friendly, often surpassing weaker alternatives.

While off-meta weapons can provide an enjoyable experience and have their own strengths, they may not be the most effective choice if your goal is to achieve a high score and win the maximum number of games. In order to achieve success, relying on the strongest weapons is necessary. As such, we have compiled a tier list ranking all the guns in Black Ops 6 from best to worst.

Best Black Ops 6 Guns Ranked: Tier List

Tier	Weapon
S-Tier	Jackal PDW, AMES 85
A-Tier	C9, AK-74, LR 7.62, XMG
B-Tier	XM4, SVD
C-Tier	Marine SP, SWAT 5.56

Explaining our rankings

S Tier: These top-performing guns dominate the current meta and are considered the best in the game.
Tier A: These guns are highly effective on most maps and modes, but they fall just short of being the absolute best.
B Tier: These are good weapons that are viable, but they lack the ability to make a significant impact.
C Tier: Weapons that are not recommended unless your goal is to grind for camos.

S-Tier Weapons and Best Loadouts

Jackal PDW

Muzzle: Compensator
Barrel: Long Barrel
Magazine: Extended Mag I
Rear Grip: CQB Grip
Optic: Merlin Reflex

The beta has seen the Jackal PDW emerge as the undisputed top gun, dominating lobbies regardless of skill levels, modes, and maps. Its unparalleled versatility is the key factor, allowing it to excel in close combat as well as maintain pinpoint accuracy at long distances.

There is no denying that this meta weapon surpasses sniper rifles in long-range combat, particularly when enhanced with attachments such as the compensator to reduce recoil. Its versatile nature as an SMG with exceptional maneuverability and handling makes it stand out as one of the most well-rounded guns in Call of Duty’s history.

AMES 85

Optic: Accu-Spot Reflex
Muzzle: Ported Compensator
Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip

The AMES 85, which can only be obtained and leveled up at level 20, is considered one of the most challenging guns to acquire in the beta. Despite this, the wait is well worth it, as this assault rifle boasts unparalleled precision. It serves a comparable purpose to the MCW from Modern Warfare 3, which was the most frequently utilized weapon in Ranked Play and one of the top choices in multiplayer overall.

Similar to the previous model, the AMES 85 may not have the quickest time to eliminate, but its minimal recoil is ideal for accurately targeting and eliminating adversaries. The current game is highly rapid, and failing to hit your shots can have severe consequences, thus utilizing a highly precise weapon like this is highly advantageous. Our customized AMES 85 loadout further enhances its performance, therefore it is recommended to update your loadout accordingly.

A-Tier Weapons and Best Loadouts

C9

Optic: Accu-Spot Reflex
Muzzle: Ported Compensator
Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip

While the Jackal PDW continues to dominate, many other excellent weapons have been overlooked. This is particularly evident with the C9, the Black Ops 6 version of the renowned MP5. Despite being underrated, this SMG boasts the fastest time to kill in the beta and can even outgun the Jackal at close range.

For those seeking a genuine submachine gun, the C9 is the perfect choice with its exceptional mobility, handling, and damage. It is ideal for players who prefer a run-and-gun style, making it a great fit for this year’s fast-paced gameplay. While it may not reach S-Tier status due to the Jackal PDW’s superior range, the C9 loadout remains the top choice for close-range combat in the game.

AK-74

Optic: Volzhskiy Reflex
Muzzle: Compensator
Barrel: Long Barrel
Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip

The AMES 85 is the complete opposite of the AK-74, as it is a high-powered rifle with significant recoil. This makes it more suitable for skilled players who are able to manage its strong kick, with the added benefit of being the quickest-killing assault rifle in Black Ops 6. History has shown that assault rifles with high killing capabilities are always in demand in Call of Duty games, and the AMES 85 is no exception.

The AK-74 is a top-rated weapon in the game, but it requires a high level of mechanical proficiency to handle its heavy firepower. Compared to the S-Tier weapons, it can be more challenging to use, especially with this year’s faster movement that increases the chance of missed shots. Nevertheless, it remains a fantastic choice and becomes even more effective when equipped with our recommended AK-74 loadout.

LR 7.62

Barrel: Gain-Twist Barrel
Underbarrel: Ranger Handguard
Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
Stock: Balanced Stock
Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

Despite Black Ops 6’s quick movement, snipers are able to keep up without difficulty. The LR 7.62 stands out as a top-performing weapon with a high success rate for one-shot kills and a rarity of hit markers.

Despite its undeniable strength, the LR 7.62 falls short of being classified as S-tier due to certain limitations. Its slow handling, in particular, makes it a less favorable option on smaller maps where the Jackal and C9 outperform it. However, our optimized LR 7.62 loadout addresses this drawback by maximizing key stats such as aim-down sight speed and movement speed, enhancing the gun’s versatility.

XMG

Optic: Kepler Microflex
Muzzle: Ported Compensator
Magazine: Fast Mag II
Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

Despite the TAQ Eradicator being the strongest option in Modern Warfare 3, the LMGs in the game were generally considered to be weaker compared to assault rifles. However, with the release of Black Ops 6, this issue seems to have been addressed as the XMG has emerged as a powerful and underrated gun.

The XMG is highly favored for its ability to deliver high damage and minimal recoil, making it a top choice for long-range engagements. While it shares similarities with the AMES 85, the XMG boasts a faster time to kill, placing it as a potential S-tier weapon. However, its slower handling makes it less effective in close-quarters combat, although this can be remedied by utilizing our optimized XMG loadout.

B-Tier Weapons and Best Loadouts

XM4

Barrel: Long Barrel
Magazine: Extended Mag I
Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
Fire Mods: Rapid Fire
Optic: Otero Micro Dot

The XM4 is a versatile assault rifle that may not excel in any particular area, but also doesn’t have any major weaknesses. It is a common choice for many players as a reliable starter option until they unlock a more powerful weapon, and there is nothing inherently wrong with that. Its accessibility and user-friendly design make it a viable option, with a decent time to kill.

Despite its shortcomings, the XM4’s range falls short in comparison to the AK-74 and it lacks the precision of the AMES 85 or XMG. Furthermore, when compared to the Jackal PDW, it noticeably lacks power and is inferior in all aspects. While it may not be considered a top tier weapon, utilizing a well-constructed XM4 loadout, such as ours, can still prove to be an effective choice – just not the best one.

SVD

Optic: Blandwell 7x Scope
Magazine: Fast Mag I
Comb: Quickdraw Riser
Stock: Heavy Stock
Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

Despite being somewhat underrated by the community, the SVD is a reliable sniper rifle with fast handling and strong damage. It stands out as one of the best versions of the iconic Dragunov in Call of Duty, which is a noteworthy achievement considering the past iterations of this gun have been mostly disappointing. For fans of this weapon and its rich history within the franchise, this is definitely a major plus.

Regrettably, its forgiveness falls short compared to the LR 7.62. Achieving one shot kills requires precise shots to the upper body, a challenging task in a fast-paced game like Black Ops 6. With players constantly sliding and jumping, exceptional accuracy is necessary to fully utilize this weapon. Despite being a strong choice with the right SVD loadout, the majority of players may find it more manageable to opt for the beta’s alternative sniper.

C-Tier Weapons and Best Loadouts

Marine Species

Muzzle: Modified Choke
Barrel: Long Barrel
Stock: Combat Stock
Laser: Rangefinder Laser
Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

Upon initial use, it seems that shotguns may not perform well this year according to the Marine SP’s performance. This particular pump-action shotgun has a high level of inconsistency, often resulting in hitmarkers at close range. Additionally, its slow fire rate results in a less than ideal two-shot TTK, making it necessary to secure one-shot kills in order to remain competitive.

Despite its obvious range limitations, the one saving grace of this weapon is its compatibility with the fast movement in Black Ops 6. This allows for easier closing of the gap on enemies, somewhat mitigating its shortcomings. However, its unpredictable damage still puts it at a disadvantage compared to meta SMGs like the Jackal PDW. If you are determined to use this shotgun, we recommend utilizing our Marine SP loadout to maximize its few strengths.

SWAT 5.56

Muzzle: Compensator or Suppressor
Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
Fire Mods: Rapid Fire
Optic: Redwell Reflex

The SWAT 5.56 is the only burst gun available in the Black Ops 6 beta. While this may not be an issue, as burst guns have proven to be powerful in previous Call of Duty games with slower TTKs, the SWAT 5.56 falls short and is considered the weakest gun in the beta.

Although it is possible for this gun to kill in one burst, it is not a common occurrence. It can be challenging to hit all three shots to the body against fast-moving enemies. Even if its two burst time to kill was comparable to other weapons, the long burst delay of this gun makes it difficult to survive long enough to fire a second burst. While it may not be considered a top-performing gun, our suggested SWAT 5.56 loadout does make it a viable option for players who enjoy using burst guns.

In conclusion, while our tier list ranks all the weapons in Black Ops 6, it’s important to remember that relying solely on meta guns isn’t the only way to improve your gameplay. Utilizing the most effective controller and PC/console settings is also crucial. Additionally, mastering the mechanics unique to this year’s game, such as Tac Stance, body shields, and unlimited Tactical Sprint, is essential for becoming a top player. Don’t forget to check out our guides for more tips on dominating the game.