Best weapons in Black Ops 6 ranked and best guns tier list – updated for Season 1 Reloaded

With the latest Call of Duty season update out for a while, it only makes sense to revisit the guns the game has to offer. Black Ops 6 Season 1 had shaken up the meta a bit, though the strongest contenders from before remain on top. The multiplayer meta shifts practically daily, so finding the best gun is as much a matter of preference as anything else. We’ve tested the weapons against others in multiplayer, including the new arrivals, to come away with the list of best weapons in Black Ops 6.

Black Ops 6 best weapons tier list

Tier	Weapons
S-tier	Jackal PDW XM4 Tanto .22 AS VAL LR 7.62
A-tier	Krig C KSV AK-74 SVD Model L AEK-973 LW3A1 Frostline XMG Marine SP Saug Maelstrom
B-tier	AMES 85 SWAT 5.56 C9 Tsarkov 7.62 DM-10 PP-919 Kompakt 92 AMR Mod 4
C-tier	GPMG-7 PU-21 GPR 91
D-tier	Goblin Mk2 ASG-89

Top 5 best weapons in Black Ops 6 Season 1

The five best weapons in Black Ops 6 have all slotted neatly into our S-tier ranking. These are the best guns you can use to dominate the multiplayer game mode. Though it’s early days, we wouldn’t be surprised if the new Krig C assault rifle makes the cut into the S-tier soon.

Jackal PDW

• Category: Submachine gun
• Unlock level: Level 43

Pros

• Unprecedented mobility
• Feroucious fire rate

Cons

• Needs to be up close for maximum effect

Jackal PDW has been consistently strong ever since the beta, and that has carried over to the live version of Black Ops 6 and well into Season 1. With great handling and damage, it dominates close-quarters combat. It can perform well enough at mid-range too, but when fired from up close, it will shred anyone. Add to that some of the best mobility in the game, and you have a true monster of an SMG in your hands.

XM4

• Category: Assault Rifle
• Unlock level: Unlocked by default

Pros

• Extremely balanced all-around gun
• Can perform most battlefield roles

Cons

• May struggle at longer ranges

The fact that XM4 is unlocked by default undermines that this is simply an amazing gun. Easy to use in a variety of situations, as well as easy to upgrade, thanks to its early unlock. Through attachments, you can tailor the gun to suit nearly any battlefield role. It boasts good damage, excellent handling, and very good mobility – this gun lets you have your cake and eat it too. Given its stats, it’s no wonder that it has quickly risen to the top of the BO6 multiplayer meta.

Tanto .22

• Category: Submachine gun
• Unlock level: Level 16

Pros

• High damage for an SMG
• Can compete at mid-range

Cons

• Lower rate of fire compared to other SMGs

Unlike some other SMGs, Tanto .22 may come across as an AR-lite. With a slower fire rate than its cousins, it balances it out with a better performance at range and punchier hits. That makes the Tanto a deceptively powerful gun – able to fight at both close and mid-range while dealing great damage. For players who want to play with an SMG, but don’t want to run and slide around like others, this gun is the perfect trade and the best of both worlds, especially with the right attachments.

AS VAL

• Category: Assault Rifle
• Unlock level: Level 55

Pros

• Stgrong stats even before attachments
• Starts with a silencer

Cons

• Last weapon to be unlocked

While AS VAL is your final unlock when you reach the maximum player level (before prestige kicks in), this gun boasts some of the best out-of-the-box stats in the game. That means that you won’t have to level it much to see it perform well. Armed with a suppressor as baseline can save you an attachment slot if you’re so inclined. However, the main selling points are the stellar stats and the ability to upgrade it even further to fit nearly any task.

LR 7.62

• Category: Sniper Rifle
• Unlock level: Level 49

Pros

• Easy to score one-shot kills
• Low recoil for a bolt-action sniper

Cons

• Low rate of fire can put you in a bad spot if you miss

The stopping power behind LR 7.62 is nothing to sneeze at, being in fact the strongest in the game. This sniper can one-shot anyone by hitting not only a headshot but also torso and even arms. With relatively low recoil for a bolt-action gun, it lends itself well to quickscoping, which is crucial in the currently very fast meta. On maps with decent sightlines, you can lock down a lane with ease and snipe to your heart’s content.

This completes our list of best weapons in Black Ops 6. Check out our other guides, like the mission list for the campaign and how to play Zombies mode solo.