Assault rifles have always had a place in the 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, they aren’t all built equally, with some dominating multiplayer and others being second-rate options you’ll want to avoid. Figuring out which is which can be tricky, especially with the buffs and nerfs in Season 1 shaking up the meta yet again. This update saw a new assault rifle added and several others adjusted, leaving you with the task of figuring out what to use.
To make sure you use the right builds and guns, we’ve broken down the best assault rifle loadouts in Black Ops 6, including attachments and a breakdown of where each of them ranks.
Best Assault Rifle loadouts
1. XM4
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
The XM4 is the ultimate jack-of-all-trades assault rifle that anyone can use and dominate with. It has low recoil, high accuracy, and great damage range, making it one of the top options at both medium and long range. However, it can hold its own up close too thanks to its impressive fast fire rate of 800 RPM, which is the best of any AR in Black Ops 6.
This loadout capitalizes on that aforementioned accuracy by maximizing recoil control. With this particular build, the XM4 is incredibly easy to use, so you’ll be able to beam enemies from across the map with little to no effort. The Compensator is key for this, with the meta muzzle reducing recoil gun kick by a whopping 31%.
2. AK-74
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
- Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
If you are a big fan of hard-hitting ARs with slower fire rates, Black Ops 6 has just the gun for you. The AK-74 is Call of Duty’s latest interpretation of the ever-iconic Kalashnikov, and it’s very powerful. It offers a blisteringly quick TTK at the cost of increased recoil, but if you can control this kick, very little can outgun this weapon.
Naturally, you want to use an AK-74 build that improves recoil control, and our recommended loadout does just that. In particular, the Vertical Foregrip helps a lot, as it reduces horizontal recoil by 30%, letting you simply pull down on the stick or with your mouse to control the gun. Vertical recoil has always been easier to predict than horizontal, so using this attachment should be a priority.
3. Model L
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
- Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
If accuracy is what you prioritize over everything else, the Model L is the gun for you. It’s tough to justify over the XM4, but there is a certain appeal to a gun that is this easy to use. In many ways, it’s remiscent of the MCW from last year’s game, and that was one of the most popular weapons. The Model L isn’t quite that good, but it feels similar, and a lot of people will enjoy using it for that reason.
Our loadout makes the Model L have almost entirely vertical recoil, so it becomes very easy to control. Even at long range, you shouldn’t miss shots, with the Vertical Foregrip and Recoil Springs making it laser accurate. Another bonus of using this assault rifle is that it’s so accurate that you don’t need a muzzle to further reduce recoil, so you’re free to use a Suppressor.
4. Goblin Mk2
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
- Fire Mods: Rapid Fire
While MW3 didn’t exactly have a meta semi-auto AR, they are normally a staple of Call of Duty, with the FAL, G3, and SKS all being serious meta contenders in years gone by. In Black Ops 6, it’s the Goblin Mk2 that stands out as the game’s best semi-auto weapon, delivering a devastating TTK of just 233 ms if you use the Rapid Fire attachment.
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That beats out not just every other assault rifle, and by a large margin at that, but also most of the SMGs. Of course, this comes at the cost of it being a semi-auto gun, so it won’t be for everyone. It also has a decent amount of recoil, which this loadout does improve but can’t mitigate entirely. This is very much a high-skill, high-reward option for those who are confident in their aim.
5. Krig C
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
Added in Season 1, the Krig C is a solid assault rifle that offers a nice balance of accuracy and range. Equally, it has great hipfire accuracy and a recoil pattern that’s easy to control, making it a good all-around option. However, its slower rate of fire makes it less forgiving than the XM4, and its TTK of 297 ms is average at best, barely beating out the more accurate Model L.
Much like the Model L, the Krig C’s recoil is almost entirely vertical, so it is very easy to control once you master it. This makes it easier to get away with using a suppressor, while several other ARs require a compensator to be accurate. This helps it carve a niche as a close to medium-range option for flankers who don’t want to use an SMG, especially after the AS VAL was heavily nerfed in the pre-season.
All BO6 Assault Rifles ranked
There are currently 8 assault rifles in Black Ops 6, with the Krig-C being the latest addition in Season 1. Here’s how all of these assault rifles rank from best to worst:
| RANK | GUN | TTK (MS) | MAX DAMAGE RANGE |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | XM4 | 300 | 41 meters |
| 2 | AK-74 | 276 | 38 meters |
| 3 | Model L | 300 | 44 meters |
| 4 | Goblin Mk2 | 260 | 39 meters |
| 5 | Krig C | 297 | 42 meters |
| 6 | AMES 85 | 320 | 51 meters |
| 7 | AS VAL | 268 | 21 meters |
| 8 | GPR 91 | 336 | 46 meters |
Meta analysis
For the most part, the meta has not shifted much in Season 1, with the XM4 remaining the top option. Its high accuracy, competitive TTK, and fast fire rate make it the most versatile assault rifle in Black Ops 6, hence why it was banned by pros so quickly.
Similarly, the AK-74 and Model L are the best options in their respective roles. The AK-74 deals a ton of damage, making it a devastating option up close, and the Model L is remarkably accurate, with it being the easiest AR to use in the current meta.
Although not quite as good as the top 3, the Goblin Mk2 is another competitive option that rewards high-skill players with a fast TTK. Equally, the Krig C and AMES 85 are good weapons that are unfortunately, outperformed by others that do their job better. However, they are still viable, as is the case with most assault rifles in BO6.
The two exceptions to this are the GPR 91 and AS VAL. The GPR 91 has been weak since launch, with its low damage being problematic. As for the AS VAL, the hefty range nerfs in the pre-season mean it is now an AR-SMG hybrid that isn’t versatile enough to be a rifle or mobile enough to be an SMG. Sadly, there’s just not much point using it anymore.
For more options, check out the best SMGs that are dominant right now, as well as our complete weapon tier list to find out where all of the guns rank. You’ll also want to make sure that you are using the best audio settings, best PC settings, and best controller settings to streamline your experience.