The Tanto .22 is a powerful SMG in Black Ops 6 that deals high damage but has a slow fire rate, and it only gets better with the best loadout.
SMGs are usually fast-firing and highly mobile, but the Tanto .22 goes against the grain by prioritizing damage-per-shot over fire rate. It was one of the best guns in the beta and even though there’s more competition in the meta, it’s remained a deadly choice.
Its damage alone makes it one of the strongest guns you can use, especially once you equip the right attachments to increase that fire rate.
Best Black Ops 6 Tanto .22 loadout
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag 1
- Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
- Fire Mods: Rapid Fire
The best Tanto .22 loadout increases its fire rate with the Rapid Fire mod, making the already fast-killing SMG kill even faster.
However, it comes with a few negatives, so the rest of the attachments are to counteract that. The Vertical Foregrip removes much of the horizontal recoil, making it easier to hit enemies who are slightly further away.
A faster fire rate means you’ll burn through bullets faster, so the Extended Mag 1 ensures you can stay in the fight longer. The Ergonomic Grip helps with mobility, making sure it can keep up with the other speedy SMGs. Finally, the Suppressor is always a great choice as it keeps you off the minimap when firing.
Best Tanto .22 class: Perks, equipment & Combat Specialty
- Wildcard: Perk Greed
- Perk 1: Gung-Ho
- Perk 2: Assassin
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Perk 4: Ninja
- Lethal: Semtex
- Tactical: Stim
- Field Upgrade: Assault Pack
The Enforcer Combat Specialty is perfect for an SMG like the Tanto .22, as it gives you a temporary buff to movement speed and health regen after every kill.
To get Enforcer, I opted for Gung-Ho as it ensures you can stay mobile while reloading. Perk 2’s Enforcer options aren’t great, but Assassin highlights enemies on killstreaks and you’ll get more score for killing them. Finally, Double Time gives you more Tactical Sprint to get around the map faster.
With Perk Greed, you can select a fourth perk to make this class even better for flanking. This extra slot is best used on Ninja, which silences your footsteps, letting you sneak up on the other team without being noticed. Combined with the Suppressor, this creates a stealthy loadout to keep the enemies guessing.
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For equipment, the Semtex can deal some quick splash damage to enemies and a Concussion leaves opponents stunned, letting you swoop in for an easy win. Finally, the Assault Pack Field Upgrade lets you replenish ammo and equipment on the fly.
Tanto .22 pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| High damage-per-shot | Slow fire rate |
| Longer range than other SMGs | Slightly harder to control than other SMGs |
Where is the Tanto .22 in the Black Ops 6 meta?
The Tanto .22 has already proved extremely powerful in Black Ops 6. It’s extremely dominant in the hands of a skilled player, and its high damage makes it feel like you’re dying to it extremely fast.
Its slow fire rate makes it more difficult to use than something like the C9 up close, but if you equip the Rapid Fire mod and control it, you’ll be melting the competition before they can even react.
How it stacks up in the meta remains to be seen. You’ll find the traditional fast-firing SMGs more forgiving but if you hit your shots, it’s hard to go wrong with the Tanto.
How to unlock Tanto .22
The Tanto .22 is unlocked at Level 16 in Black Ops 6. It’ll take a couple of hours to get there but once unlocked, you can start building out the best loadout.
Best Tanto .22 alternative in Black Ops 6
The KSV SMG is a solid choice in Black Ops 6 if you haven’t unlocked the Tanto yet, or want something else to use. If you prefer something with more range, it’s impossible to go wrong with the classic XM4 Assault Rifle.
For more, check out the best controller settings and PC settings you need to use to perfect your aim and make the game run as smoothly as possible.