Looking to gain an advantage in Call of Duty? Here are the best weapons to use in Black Ops 6 for any skill level.

Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 pushes the franchise into a new era of fast-paced gameplay with intense gunfights, intricate maps, and the innovative omnimovement system. While players are acclimating to enhanced mobility, the gaming community is hard at work identifying the best weapons in Call of Duty. Adaptability is key to staying on top of your game given the ever-changing meta and frequent balance updates.

Mastering the best weapons and optimizing loadouts is essential for excelling in upcoming ranked play and Call of Duty tournaments. Try out these top-tier weapons to find one that fits your playstyle.

XMG

For players who want something different from the usual weapon classes, the XMG Light Machine gun is a standout choice. The XMG provides sustained firepower over medium range, making it an excellent choice for holding sight lines in modes like Hardpoint. Its high rate of fire, large magazine size, and manageable recoil make it a perfect solution to wallbang camping enemies. The XMG is incredibly satisfying to fire, not to mention its high damage per shot.

Despite all its strengths, it’s still an LMG, which means you’ll have to contend with its agonizingly slow reload speed and ADS time. However, with careful gameplay and positioning, you’ll be farming killstreaks off of enemies who try to rush without thinking.

XM4

The XM4 is available as soon as you begin playing Black Ops 6, and it’s a reliable gun that quickly becomes a staple in many players’ loadouts. Known for its ease of use and versatility, the XM4 dominates mid-range engagements and holds its ground against SMGs in close quarters. Even without attachments, the XM4 is strong right out of the gate, making it perfect for casual players who want to dive into matches without feeling underpowered. And if you need further convincing, consider this: the XM4 is so effective, it’s one of the banned weapons in competitive leagues for Black Ops 6.

Tanto .22

The Tanto .22 SMG proves that submachine guns can rack up high elimination counts despite their range limitations. It brings the mobility expected of its class while boasting an explosive 3-4 shot kill. While the Tanto .22 may not initially impress with its base stats, it becomes a top-tier weapon with the right attachments, especially the Rapid Fire mod, which addresses its relatively slow rate of fire.

This gun demands player skill to be effective, but the payoff is more than worth it. The Tanto .22 is the only SMG banned in competitive leagues, as pro players recognize how dominant it can be in skilled hands. With the right setup and strategy, the Tanto .22 can be a game-changing addition to your loadout.

AEK-973

The AEK-973 is a marksman rifle featuring a three-round burst system. This gun is downright unfair to play against in the right hands since precise players can eliminate with just one burst. A good scope and a few attachments to control its recoil will allow you to surprise enemies in mid-range fights. However, the Rapid Fire mod brings the gun to its full potential and you’ll immediately feel the difference when using it. Accurate players should watch out for this one when it comes to Warzone.

Model L

Even with the AS VAL remaining a strong choice despite its nerfs, the Model L has now emerged as the top-tier weapon in Black Ops 6. The Model L is a reliable workhorse you can take on any map and still come out on top. With the right attachments, it has almost no recoil and sticks to its target like glue. Its consistency more than makes up for the slower TTK compared to other assault rifles. If you want a gun that performs well without any fuss, try the Model L. After all, the pros wouldn’t have banned this weapon from competitive leagues if it wasn’t a problem.