Best SMGs in Black Ops 6

The three best SMGs we recommend using Black Ops 6 multiplayer are Jackal PDW, C9, and Tanto .22.

As mentioned earlier, keep in mind that we selected these weapons based on their base stats and potential when customized in the armory. These are subjective choices though, and you may find that a different SMG works best with your playstyle.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top three SMGs in Black Ops 6.

Jackal PDW

How to unlock: Reach level 43

Base Rate of Fire: 682 rpm

ADS base speed: 195 ms

Base Damage: 32 head shot, 27 upper torso, 27 lower torso

Basic Range: 14.6 m for effective damage radius and 26.0 m for minimum damage radius with bullet speed of 530 m/s

We’d recommend the Jackal PDW as the best SMG in Black Ops 6. While the weapon was an absolute beast in the beta, it’s still one of the most powerful weapons in the game right now. Due to its strong rate of fire and decent damage, it is really effective at close and medium range.

However, we advise you to bring some attachments that help with recoil, otherwise you will miss a lot of shots. Here are our recommended attachments for Jackal PDW in Black Ops 6:

• Optical: Dobrych MF Reflex
• Bot: Compensator
• Underbarrel: Vertical vertical handle
• Rear handle: Quickdraw Grip
• Fire modes: Recoil springs

If you prefer to be a sliding threat, be sure to swap out the Quickdraw Grip for the CQB Grip to help aim while sliding and diving.

For more details on how to use the Jackal PDW to its full potential, check out our dedicated program Charging the jackal page.

C9

How to unlock: Reach level 4

Base Rate of Fire: 732 rpm

ADS base speed: 210 ms

Base Damage: 31 shots to the head, 29 upper torso, 29 lower torso

Basic Range: 12.7 m for effective damage range and 27.3 m for minimum damage range with bullet speed of 550 m/s

C9 is useful for those who are still in the early stages of multiplayer gaming. With a fast rate of fire and a tight spread between damage breakpoints, you should definitely run this in any SMG loadout until you unlock more powerful weapons.

The best way to build it for longer ranges is to use attachments that increase the weapon’s accuracy and mobility. Below are the attachments we recommend using for the C9 in Black Ops 6:

• Optical: Identify the Holoscout
• Bot: Ported compensator
• Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
• Rear handle: Commando Grip
• Stock: Balanced stock

Alternatively, if you prefer more accuracy than mobility, you can swap the balanced stock for a recoil spring fire mod, which will give it more of an advantage at longer ranges. Also consider packing the Long Barrel attachment, which increases the damage range to 16.5m for effective damage and 35.5m for minimal damage.

For more information on how to use the C9, see our dedicated website charging C9 page.

Tanto 22

How to unlock: Reach level 16

Base Rate of Fire: 441 rpm

ADS base speed: 200 ms

Base Damage: 45 headshot, 38 upper torso, 38 lower torso

Basic Range: 6.3m for effective damage range and 25.4m for minimum damage range with bullet speed of 560m/s

Tanto is a somewhat unfair choice among his peers. Its slow rate of fire can take some getting used to, but it makes up for it with high damage and decent accuracy. While we don’t recommend running this in mobility builds, it does have uses in clearing rooms and dealing with close range threats.

If you want to use this weapon in one of your rigs, here are the recommended attachments for the Tanto 22 in Black Ops 6:

• Bot: Compensator
• Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
• Rear handle: Quickdraw Grip
• Stock: Balanced stock
• Fire modes: Recoil springs

If you’re not into iron sights for your Tanto, swap the Balanced Stock for an optic of your choice. While this weapon’s rate of fire leaves a lot to be desired, it’s not worth grabbing the Rapid Fire Mod with all the disadvantages it brings to accuracy and damage.

If you want details on running this weapon in a build, check out our dedicated document Tanto 22 equipment page for more.

Good luck racking up those SMG kills in Black Ops 6!