The C9 has all the makings of an incredible meta SMG in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, but you’ll want to make sure you build it right. Here’s the best C9 class loadout including attachments, perks, equipment, and more.
Treyarch listened to community feedback and nerfed the Jackal PDW’s damage range after the powerful SMG outclassed ARs during the first beta weekend, and while it’s still strong at launch, the C9 remains a great pick in multiplayer. Here’s how we would build it.
Best Black Ops 6 C9 loadout
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Stock: No Stock
With this loadout, we focused on improving firepower and mobility without losing the signature balance that makes this weapon so popular in the first place.
To start with, we recommend using the Ported Compensator because it improves recoil, making it easier to hit your shots. We also recommend using a Reinforced Barrel because it improves damage range and bullet velocity, making medium-range engagements more manageable.
Next up, the Ranger Foregrip tackles two glaring weaknesses at once by improving sprinting and movement speed and horizontal recoil.
This loadout would be nothing without the Ergonomic Grip, which provides a massive boost to Slide to Fire, Dive to Fire, and ADS speeds, especially proficient if you’re abusing the omnimovement mechanics.
And to round out our build, going No Stock vastly improves movement speed across the board, with strafing speed especially meaning you can weave around opponents gunfire and simply strafe back and forth to get the better of them.
Some players might opt to get rid of the Ported Compensator muzzle and instead choose a Magazine attachment, such as Extended Mag or Flip Mag, though we find with this build you shouldn’t need the extra ammunition that often.
Perks, Equipment & Combat Specialty
We recommend the following perks and equipment on your C9 loadout:
- Wildcard: Perk Greed
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Perk 4: Ninja
- Lethal: Semtex
- Tactical: Stim Shot
- Field Upgrade: Trophy System
Building out the rest of your C9 class, it’s important to focus on both speed and stealth. After all, as an SMG, you’re going to want to be in and out of gunfights both quickly and efficiently.
For that reason, we’ve picked a selection of perks that won’t provide a Combat Specialty, but should definitely get you flying around the map and a pesky player for enemies to hunt down.
For attachments, a concerted effort was made to address every C9 weakness. But for our Perks and equipment, we strictly focused on improving mobility and staying off the mini-map while you go on long flanks around the map.
For Perk 1, Ghost keeps you off of enemy minimaps so you can be stealthy around the map in multiplayer. In the Perk 2 slot, Fast Hands allows you to swap to your secondary faster, which can be crucial in life-or-death moments.
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Perk 3 Double Time is a given for any SMG loadout, greatly increasing Tactical Sprint duration, while Perk 4 – afforded to us by the Perk Greed Wildcard – allows us to use Ninja, keeping our footsteps quiet as we flank the enemy spawn.
Our perk selection doesn’t provide a Combat Specialty because the payoff of trying to squeeze in perks from the same category doesn’t provide best results for this specific loadout.
The Enforcer Combat Speciality grants a temporary buff to movement speed and health regeneration rate, which would certainly be handy for a build like this, but none of the Enforcer perks in Perk 1 or 2 slots felt worth replacing our current picks for.
For equipment, the Stim Shot heals wounds and refreshes tactical sprint, which is perfect for aggressive players and Semtex Grenades are the ideal tool for flushing an enemy out from behind cover.
Finally, the Acoustic Amp Field Upgrade won’t be a super popular one, but making enemy footsteps louder could be crucial in clutch moments.
C9 SMG pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Impressive accuracy | Slower mobility and handling than other SMGs |
| Well-rounded but not dominant in any category | Well rounded but not dominant in any category |
| Fast close-range time-to-kill speed | High horizontal recoil |
| Easy to use iron sight |
Where is the C9 in the Black Ops 6 meta?
The C9 finds itself in a precarious position as a jack of all trades but a master of none. Some SMGs have better handling and mobility, while other options deal more damage. However, as it’s the earliest SMG you unlock in BO6, it is one of the most popular too.
If you’re looking for some real firepower, there are better options, and while the C9 is solid, it isn’t one of the best SMGs you could pick.
The Jackal PDW is strong, but the KSV is the go-to SMG shortly after launch.
How to unlock the C9 SMG
The C9 is unlocked as soon as you get access to custom loadouts at level 4, making it one of the easiest guns to unlock in the game. Simply play a few games to reach the required level, and you’ll be able to use the SMG in your classes.
Black Ops 6 C9 alternatives
If you don’t like the C9, the Jackal PDW and Tanto .22 will be the best alternative options. The Jackal shreds through enemies up close and personal and boasts class-leading mobility and handling.
Meanwhile, the Tanto .22 offers a refreshing change of pace, as the SMG fires much slower than other class options but packs a devastating punch in medium-range gunfights.
And for a better idea of which other weapons stand out so far, check out our Black Ops 6 weapon tier list.