Best Assault Rifles in Warzone: Meta loadouts for Season 2
ActivisionNo matter which map or mode you prefer, Assault Rifles remain a top-tier choice in Warzone thanks to their unparalleled versatility, with the best AR loadouts consistently dominating the meta.
Assault Rifles are the most adaptable weapons in Call of Duty, capable of holding their own at both close and long ranges. Whether you’re facing an enemy 10 meters away or 100 meters out, these weapons are built to deliver. Their ability to excel in nearly any situation is a unique strength that sets this class apart.
Black Ops 6 Season 2 brought with it various buffs and nerfs, alongside a solid new Assault Rifle. Naturally, this shook up the meta with some weapons climbing up the ladder while others were knocked off. Below, you’ll find the best Assault rifle builds for Warzone Season 2
Best Assault Rifle loadouts
1. XM4
Charlie Intel- Optic: Jason Armory 2x
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
- Stock: Buffer Weight Stock
The XM4 has reigned supreme since Black Ops 6’s integration into Warzone, but Season 2 did a great deal to open up the meta. Initially, it nerfed the AR by decreasing its damage range and made the Buffer Weight Stock attachment less effective. When these nerfs failed to dethrone the weapon, the devs doubled down and decreased its damage output again.
Even in its nerfed state, the XM4 remains a true jack-all-of-trades weapon that ticks almost every box. It offers solid mobility, decent damage range, and manageable recoil. But what carries this weapon to the front of the pile is the aforementioned Buffer Weight Stock attachment. The attachment is exclusive to the XM4 and it boosts both vertical and horizontal recoil. All these traits ensure that the XM4 continues to sit at the top of the pile.
2. GPR 91
Charlie Intel- Optic: Willis 3x
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Grip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
Although ranked as one of the worst ARs in Black Ops 6 due to its subpar TTK in multiplayer, the GPR 91 shines in Warzone and continues to be one of the best long-range weapons following Season 2’s launch.
The GPR 91 excels with outstanding mobility, handling, and accuracy, particularly at extended ranges. While its TTK is slightly slower than top-tier ARs like the AK-74, XM4, and Krig C, its 756 ms TTK within a 52-meter range remains among the best in the game. Paired with the right attachments, such as the Reinforced Barrel and Vertical Grip, the GPR 91 becomes a go-to option for players who value mobility without compromising performance.
3. Model L
Charlie Intel- Optic: Kepler Red Dot
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
The Model L is a dependable and versatile assault rifle that performs well across all areas without any significant drawbacks. With excellent accuracy, manageable recoil, and a large magazine, it’s a strong choice for both medium and long-range engagements.
Although not as dominant as the legendary Grau 5.56, the Model L shares its hallmark traits, including a user-friendly vertical recoil pattern. While the Krig C is another solid option in the meta, it falls short in TTK and range. Similar to the GPR 91, the Model L’s balanced attributes make it more adaptable than some of the higher-damage ARs in Season 2, giving it a competitive edge. As players continue to favor consistency and reliability, the Model L’s popularity is likely to rise even further.
4. AK-74
Charlie Intel- Optic: Jason Armory 2x
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
To turn the AK-74 into a formidable weapon, you’ll need to equip the best attachments to mitigate its recoil. As in any Call of Duty title, the AK-74 struggles with noticeable recoil but compensates with impressive damage output. In fact, the weapon delivers a best-in-class TTK of 736ms in gunfights up to 58 meters post the Season 2 update.
Its exceptionally high TTK at close to mid-range distances also surpasses every other Black Ops 6 Assault Rifle up to 36 meters, making it a powerful option based on this strength alone. While controlling its recoil may require some effort for longer-range engagements in standard matches, the AK-74 truly excels on smaller Resurgence maps, where close-quarters combat takes center stage.
5. Cypher 091
Activision- Optic: Willis 3x
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Gain-Twist Barrel
- Underbarrel: Precision Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
Introduced in Season 2, the Cypher 091 is similar to the Model L since it comes with an easy-to-use recoil pattern and excellent accuracy. Its slow fire rate also plays into strengths but this also means that the weapon is less forgiving. In the hands of an accurate player, the AR is a great choice for long-range engagements as the recoil is almost entirely vertical with the right attachments equipped.
That said, the Model L’s faster fire rate is almost impossible to turn down, which means that the Cypher 091 falls down the pecking order. Nevertheless, if you’re looking for a highly accessible AR and can make do with the slow fire rate, the Cypher 091 remains a solid option.
All Warzone Assault Rifles ranked
| Rank | Weapon | TTK (ms) |
| 1 | XM4 | 750 |
| 2 | GPR 91 | 756 |
| 3 | Model L | 800 |
| 4 | AK-74 | 736 |
| 5 | Cypher 091 | 749 |
| 6 | Goblin Mk2 | 649 |
| 7 | Krig C | 752 |
| 8 | AMES 85 | 800 |
| 9 | SVA 545 | 713 |
| 10 | MCW | 756 |
| 11 | BP50 | 630 |
| 12 | Chimera | 675 |
| 13 | STG44 | 800 |
| 14 | Holger 556 | 714 |
| 15 | M13B | 710 |
| 16 | AS VAL | 737 |
| 17 | BAL-27 | 694 |
| 18 | MTZ-556 | 740 |
| 19 | M16 (JAK Patriot) | 666 |
| 20 | Lachmann 556 | 747 |
| 21 | TR-76 Geist | 752 |
| 22 | Kastov 545 | 736 |
| 23 | Tempus Razorback | 720 |
| 24 | STB 556 | 729 |
| 25 | TAQ-56 | 768 |
| 26 | FR Avancer | 715 |
| 27 | M13C | 720 |
| 28 | M4 | 740 |
| 29 | ISO Hemlock | 800 |
| 30 | Kastov-74u | 800 |
| 31 | FR 5.56 | 754 |
| 32 | RAM-7 | 800 |
| 33 | Kastov 762 | 800 |
| 34 | DG-56 | 816 |
Meta analysis
The new ARs from Black Ops 6 have quickly reshaped the Warzone meta, outclassing older weapons with their superior TTK, accuracy-focused stats, and the impact of nerfs on legacy guns.
Every AR on this list is a top-tier choice following the launch of Season 2, providing a formidable arsenal for Battle Royale loadouts. Despite enduring some hefty nerfs, the XM4 holds on to the top spot but just barely, with the likes of AK-74 and Model L threatening its superiority. If you can manage the weapon’s recoil, this is the best time to opt for the AK-74 as your primary weapon.
The newly-released Cypher 091 has already made quite the impression as it breaks into the top 5 thanks to its balanced profile. That said, you might find its damage output to be lacking in long-range engagements.
Another weapon worth mentioning is the Goblin Mk2. It emerged as one of the biggest winners from the Season 2 update due to buffs to its damage range, ADS times, sprint-to-fire speeds, and more. While its semi-automatic fire rate might not be to everyone’s liking, the weapon can obliterate enemies at long ranges. Its TTK at around 40 meters sits at 650, which outperforms meta ARs like the XM4 and AK-74.
For players unwilling to level up BO6 guns, legacy weapons like the MCW and SVA 545 are still excellent choices. Using these ARs with the best possible attachments equipped will keep you competitive in Season 2.
On top of using the best weapons, make sure you also have the best settings, including controller, audio, and FOV to dominate the battle royale and level up easily.