Ranked Play is officially live in Black Ops 6. We expect the weapon pool to be much different when the Call of Duty League season starts on December 6, but for now, players have plenty of powerful loadout options.
To access Black Ops 6 Ranked Play you first have to win 50 matches in standard multiplayer playlists. After that, the grind is similar to other titles. You earn Skill Rating by winning and performing well, which helps you progress through all eight Skill Divisions.
Without an official Call of Duty League weapon pool firmly established, Treyarch added a wider variety of ARs and SMGs at launch for Ranked Play. The restrictions will be updated over the next few weeks.
Make sure you lock in the best controller, audio, and PC settings for Black Ops 6, then check out all the meta Ranked Play loadouts below.
Best BO6 Ranked Play loadouts
ARs
Pro players only have the GPR 91 and AMES 85 unrestricted in the AR category. However, the Model L, XM4, and Krig C are better weapons and are available at the launch of Ranked Play so we recommend using them while you still can.
Model L
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
The Model L, XM4, and Krig C perform similarly, and there isn’t much that separates one from another. The XM4 leads with an 800 rounds per minute fire rate, but all of the other stats are around the same range.
Each AR has a reliable four-shot-kill range, so at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference which one you prefer, and that’s also why all of these loadouts use the same attachments.
Without access to Rapid Fire under the Fire Mods slot, it doesn’t make sense to use Gunfighter for three extra attachments. Five is more than enough to improve each of these weapons.
Some community members prefer the Accu-Spot Reflex, but we believe that the Kepler Microflex provides a cleaner line of sight. You should also equip the Vertical Foregrip to help with horizontal recoil, giving you an advantage over SMGs at medium range.
Meanwhile, pro players might ban the Reinforced Barrel because of the buff to damage and bullet velocity, but for now, it’s available. The Gain Twist Barrel is the next best option if the barrel is removed, as it significantly boosts the fire rate.
Finally, Commando Grip helps with both aim down sight and sprint to fire speed, which is essential in being the first to shoot.
XM4
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
Krig C
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
SMGs
Jackal PDW
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: Balanced Stock
After dominating the beta, Treyarch nerfed the Jackal PDW into the ground on September 6 by decreasing its damage ranges and accuracy. As a result, other SMGs stepped in and took its throne, but after a buff on November 4, the Jackal PDW is back and better than ever.
Some arguments can be made for the Saug or PP-919 being the best SMG, but the Jackal PDW outclasses both in short-range engagements.
For this loadout, the Ranger Foregrip and Compensator are essential for improving accuracy, as the former addresses horizontal recoil while boosting movement speed, and the latter helps improve vertical recoil. The Reinforced Barrel keeps it competitive at range by boosting damage range and bullet velocity, and the Ergonomic Grip and Balanced Stock offer some much-needed mobility buffs.
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PP-919
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Magazine: Fast Mag II
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: No Stock
Like the Saug, the PP-919 fails to match the damage output potential of the Jackal PDW, but this SMG does have a few advantages swinging in its favor. Since extended magazine attachments are banned, the PP-919 has a distinct edge over other options with the Fast Mag II offering 40 rounds in the magazine without compromising mobility.
Although it might not have the raw stopping power of the Jackal, it’s a user-friendly gun that you’ll probably have success with.
Saug
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: Balanced Stock
Statistically, the Saug fails to match the same firepower of other SMGs, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find success with this weapon. The impressive mobility, strafing speed, and fire rate make the Saug a strong choice for getting in enemy faces.
Sniper Rifles
CDL pros have agreed to remove every Sniper Rifle from the weapon pool. Despite that, the class is available in Ranked Play and you can equip the LW3A1 Frostline and LR 7.62 in Search and Destroy, but can’t equip any attachments.
Pistols
Stryder .22
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Magazine: Fast Mag II
- Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
The Stryder .22 is the only handgun available in Black Ops 6 Ranked Play and since you can only equip three attachments, you should put them all on. While using Fast Mag II will give you fewer bullets in the mag, you’ll be much more mobile and the 20 it allows for is still an incredible amount.
The pistol only truly shines with someone with a good trigger finger but it’ll help you out in a pinch.
Best Perks and equipment in BO6 Ranked Play
- Perk 1: Ninja / Flak Jacket
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Wildcard: Perk Greed
- Perk Greed: Dexterity
- Melee: Knife
- Lethal: Frag
- Tactical: Flashbang
- Field Upgrade: Trophy System
Treyarch revealed that Ninja will receive a buff in a future update after pro players complained about the Perk not concealing their location well enough. Even without the upcoming buff, Ninja is a good choice for Search and Destroy. For Hardpoint and Control, however, Flak Jacket is a great choice to take less damage from explosives.
The only Perk 2 option available is Fast Hands. Despite the lack of options, this Perk is still helpful as it increases weapon swap speed.
Like Perk 2, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t use Double Time in their Perk 3 slot. The ability increases the tactical sprint duration and the recharge rate, making it easier to escape gunfights, rotate, or get to a bomb site.
Perk Greed is the best Wildcard. We used that extra Perk slot on Dexterity to reduce weapon motion while diving, sliding, and jumping.
For the lethal equipment, Frag Grenades or Semtex Grenades are both viable choices. Flashbangs were surprisingly not restricted, so those are your best bet for the tactical slot.
Last up, Trophy Systems are the only available Field Upgrade. If you don’t equip Flak Jacket, this Perk is a good way to deflect grenade spam.
If you want to try a different game mode, check out the multiplayer or Warzone loadouts, or when Ranked Play returns to battle royale.