Best Assault Rifles in Black Ops 6 – Meta AR loadouts

Even in Black Ops 6, Assault Rifles remain a staple of the Call of Duty meta, ranking high among the game’s most versatile and powerful weapons.

But not all ARs are created equal; some are second-rate choices that you should stay away from in multiplayer. The meta is still forming so not everyone will have chosen their ideal weapon yet.

Here are the top Assault Rifle loadouts in Black Ops 6 to help you choose the best builds and weapons.

Best Black Ops 6 Assault Rifle loadouts

1. XM4

• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Compensator
• Barrel: Long Barrel
• Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip

CharlieIntel

When it comes to Assault Rifles, the XM4 is the gold standard since it can do it all and more than any other rifle. With its excellent damage range, moderate recoil, and superb accuracy, it is a top choice for medium and long-range shooting. That’s not all though, its top-of-the-line 800 RPM firing rate makes it a lethal close-quarters weapon in Black Ops 6.

This loadout makes the most of the precision you’ll need by ensuring maximum recoil control. Beaming enemies from across the map will be a breeze with this build because the XM4 is so user-friendly. Most importantly, the Compensator’s composite muzzle reduces recoil kick by an astounding 31%.

2. AK-74

• Optic: Merlin Reflex
• Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Magazine: Extended Mag I
• Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip

CharlieIntel

The AK-74 is the perfect gun for you if you enjoy hard-hitting ARs with slower firing rates. If you can control its kick, almost nothing will outgun this weapon; it provides a shockingly rapid TTK at the expense of more recoil.

However if you wish to equip an AK-74 build that enhances recoil control, our recommended loadout does exactly that. In particular, the Vertical Foregrip helps a lot as it lets you just pull down on the stick or with your mouse to operate the gun by lowering horizontal recoil by 40%. As always, vertical recoil is more predictable than horizontal and, this weapon is no exception.

3. AS VAL

• Barrel: Suppressed Reinforced Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Magazine: Extended Mag II
• Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
• Fire Mods: Recoil Springs

CharlieIntel

Comparable to the AK-74 in numerous ways, the AS VAL delivers devastating blows with higher recoil than its competitors. A more deadly example of this is the AS VAL, a returning Assault Rifle with the category’s quickest TTK but also the highest recoil. Lobbies will be controlled by those who can master this, and they can even outmaneuver SMGs.

The AS VAL excels at mid-range no matter what, but controlling its recoil is essential for long-range combat. Using the Vertical Foregrip and Recoil Springs, our loadout bypasses the difficulty caused by the lack of a muzzle attachment slot. All of these factors work together to make the AS VAL efficient at any range.

4. Model L

• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Suppressor
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
• Fire Mods: Recoil Springs

CharlieIntel

You might want to consider the Model L if pinpoint accuracy is your top priority. It’s virtually identical to the XM4 and with our loadout, is slightly easier to use. It’s not quite as versatile as the XM4 but you’ll have no problem landing your shots.

Thanks to our loadout, the Model L experiences nearly none of the vertical recoil, making it a joy to operate. You won’t have to worry about missing shots, even at long range, thanks to the Vertical Foregrip and Recoil Springs. Due to its pinpoint accuracy, a muzzle is unnecessary to further dampen recoil; this frees you to flank the other squad while you use a suppressor.

5. Goblin Mk2

• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Ported Compensator
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Commando Grip
• Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

CharlieIntel

In terms of TTK, the Goblin Mk2 is head and shoulders above the competition in Black Ops 6 – especially when equipped with the Rapid Fire attachment.

Not only does it outperform many SMGs, but it also beats every other Assault Rifle. Not everyone will like it because it’s semi-automatic, so is quite hard to use. Also, it has a fair amount of recoil, which this loadout helps with but can’t eliminate. This choice requires a high level of ability and offers great rewards for those confident about their aiming skill.

All Black Ops 6 Assault Rifles ranked

Meta analysis

The best all-around Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6 so far is the XM4. Because of its ease of use, accuracy, damage, and range, it is a great choice for any player looking to dominate their lobbies.

On the other hand, the AK-74 and AS VAL are two options for those seeking a more powerful weapon, however, they are more challenging to handle. A similar scenario unfolds with the Goblin Mk2, a semi-auto weapon that boasts an impressive time to kill of 260 ms but isn’t going to appeal to everyone. Currently, the AR meta is being defined by these four weapons, which are a cut above the rest.

The Model L and the AMES 85 are still potential choices; they compensate for less damage with superior precision. Considering how effective ARs are in Black Ops 6, these aren’t necessarily top-tier choices, but they do rank among the best in the game.

Only the GPR 91, the game’s worst AR, falls outside of this rule. We advise against using this weapon for anything other than weapon levels and the camo mastery grind since it does very little damage.

For more on Black Ops 6, you can check out the best controller and PC settings to get the edge over the competition.