Assault rifles have always had a place in Call of duty meta, and Black Ops 6 is no exception, where they are among the most versatile and powerful weapons in the game.

However, not all ARs are built the same, with some dominating multiplayer and others being second-rate options you’ll want to avoid. Knowing which is which can be difficult, especially with the constant buffs and nerfs. Not to mention, it’s still early days and the meta hasn’t been set yet, so not everyone will have figured out which weapon is best for them yet.

To make sure you’re using the right builds and weapons, we’ve broken down the best assault rifle gear in Black Ops 6, including attachments and a breakdown of where each one ranks.

Best Black Ops 6 Assault Rifle Gear

1. XM4

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The best XM4 gear

• Optical: Kepler Microflex
• Bot: Compensator
• Barrel: Long barrel
• Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
• Rear handle: Ergonomic handle

The XM4 it is the best assault rifle that anyone can use and dominate. It has low knockback, high accuracy, and a large range of damage, making it one of the top options at both mid and long range. However, it can also hold up close thanks to its fast 800 RPM rate of fire, which is the best of any AR in Black Ops 6.

This load leverages the aforementioned accuracy by maximizing recoil control. With this particular build, the XM4 is incredibly easy to use, so you’ll be able to pass enemies across the map with little to no effort. Compensator is key to this, with the meta bot reducing knockback by 31%.

2. AK-74

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The best AK-74 gear

• Optical: The Merlin Reflex
• Barrel: Reinforced barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical vertical handle
• Magazine: Mag I extended
• Rear handle: Quickdraw Grip

If you’re a big fan of powerful ARs with slower fire rates, Black Ops 6 has the right weapon for you. The AK-74 is Call of Duty’s latest interpretation of the eternally iconic Kalashnikov, and it’s very powerful. It offers extremely fast TTK at the cost of increased recoil, but if you can control this shot, very few can beat this weapon.

Of course, you want to use an AK-74 build that improves recoil control, and our recommended gear does just that. In particular, the Vertical Foregrip helps a lot as it reduces horizontal recoil by 40%, allowing you to simply pull down on the stick or mouse to control the gun. Vertical recoil has always been easier to predict than horizontal, and this gun is no exception.

3. AS VAL

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The best AS VAL equipment

• Barrel: Suppressed reinforced barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical vertical handle
• Magazine: Extended mag II
• Rear handle: Ergonomic handle
• Fire modes: Recoil springs

In many ways the AS VAL is similar to the AK-74 as both hit extremely hard but have more recoil than their counterparts. However, the AS VAL is a more extreme example of this, the recoiling assault rifle having the fastest TTK of any weapon in the category, but also by far the highest recoil. However, those who can control this will dominate lobbies and even outperform SMGs at times.

AS VAL will always be good at mid-range, but you’ll need to control its recoil if you want to compete from further out. Since it doesn’t have a muzzle attachment slot, this can be difficult, but our rig solves this by using vertical springs and recoil springs. When combined, these make the AS VAL accurate enough to compete at any range.

4. Goblin Mk2

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Best Goblin Mk2 gear

• Optical: Kepler Microflex
• Bot: Ported compensator
• Underbarrel: Vertical vertical handle
• Rear handle: Commando Grip
• Fire modes: Rapid fire

While MW3 didn’t exactly have a semi-auto meta AR, they are normally a Call of Duty staple, with the FAL, G3, and SKS all being serious meta contenders in years past. In Black Ops 6, the Goblin Mk2 is the best semi-auto weapon in the game, offering a devastating TTK of just 233ms if you use the Rapid Fire attachment.

It outperforms not only every other assault rifle, and by a wide margin, but most SMGs as well. Of course, this comes at the price of being a semi-automatic pistol, so it won’t be for everyone. It also has a decent amount of recoil, which this loadout improves but can’t completely mitigate. This is a highly skilled and rewarding option for those who are confident in their purpose.

5. Model L

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The best L model equipment

• Optical: Kepler Microflex
• Bot: Suppressor
• Underbarrel: Vertical vertical handle
• Rear handle: Quickdraw Grip
• Fire modes: Recoil springs

If accuracy is what you prioritize over everything else, then Model L it could be the weapon for you. It’s hard to justify against the XM4, but there’s a certain appeal to a gun that’s so easy to use. In many ways, it is reminiscent of the MCW from last year’s game, and this was one of the most popular weapons. The L isn’t quite as good, but it feels similar, and some people will really enjoy using it.

Our loading makes the Model L recoil almost entirely vertical, making it very controllable. Even at long range, you shouldn’t miss shots, with the vertical foregrip and recoil springs making it laser-accurate. Another advantage of using this assault rifle is that it is so accurate that you don’t need the muzzle to further reduce the recoil, so you are free to use a Suppressor and flank the other team.

All Black Ops 6 Assault Rifles Ranked

There are currently 7 assault rifles in Black Ops 6 at launch, each offering something unique. Some are more accurate while others deal a lot of damage, but a few definitely stand out and are definitely the best options.

Here’s how the game’s ARs rank from best to worst, as well as their individual TTKs and max damage range to help you figure out what to use:

Meta-analysis

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Since launch, the early meta favors the XM4, which is the best all-around assault rifle in Black Ops 6. It offers a nice balance of accuracy, damage, range, and ease of use, meaning anyone can use it and can dominate. lobbies.

However, those who want a punchier gun should consider using the AK-74 or AS VAL, both of which hit hard but are harder to control. It’s a similar story with the Goblin Mk2, which has a fantastic kill time of 260ms, but won’t be for everyone due to its limitations as a semi-auto weapon. Right now, these four guns are a level above the competition and define the AR meta.

To be fair, the L model and AMES 85 are still competitive options that compensate for lower damage with high accuracy. They’re not top picks per se, but they’re still in the upper half of the meta game, as Black Ops 6 assault rifles are generally strong across the board.

The only exception to this is the GPR 91, which is the worst AR in the game. You want to avoid this low damage weapon where possible and recommend using it only for weapon leveling and camo mastery grind.

For more options to use for your uploads, see the best SMGs which are dominant at the moment, just like ours full list of weapon tiers to find out where all the weapons are. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using best audio settings, best settings for pcand best controller settings to streamline your experience.