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. Season 1 has arrived bringing the brand-new Krig 6 alongside buffs and nerfs to shake up the meta once again.

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 excellent damage range, moderate recoil, and superb accuracy, it’s 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 reduces recoil kick by an astounding 31%.

2. 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.

3. 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 as it provides a shockingly rapid TTK at the cost of having more recoil.

However, if you want 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.

4. Krig C

• Optic: Kepler Microflex
• Muzzle: Suppressor
• Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
• Rear Grip: Commando Grip

Charlie Intel

Introduced in Season 1, the Krig C is a dependable assault rifle that strikes a fine balance between accuracy and range. It boasts impressive hipfire accuracy and a straightforward vertical recoil pattern, making it an accessible choice for players seeking a versatile weapon. However, its slower rate of fire makes it less forgiving than the XM4, and its time-to-kill (TTK) of 297 ms is fairly average, just barely surpassing the more precise Model L.

Much like the Model L, the Krig C’s vertical recoil is easy to manage with a bit of practice. This makes it viable to run with a suppressor, unlike many other ARs that require a compensator for accuracy. This flexibility gives it a niche role as a close-to-medium-range weapon, particularly for players who prefer an AR over an SMG for flanking.

5. Goblin Mk2

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

CharlieIntel

Semi-automatic assault rifles have often been staples in Call of Duty, with iconic weapons like the FAL, G3, and SKS serving as meta-defining guns in previous titles. In Black Ops 6, the Goblin Mk2 takes the spotlight as a solid semi-auto option, delivering an impressive time-to-kill (TTK) of just 233 ms when paired with the Rapid Fire attachment.

This TTK surpasses not only every other assault rifle in the game but also outshines most SMGs by a significant margin. However, this impressive performance comes with the inherent challenge of being a semi-automatic weapon, which means it won’t suit every playstyle. Additionally, while this loadout reduces the Goblin Mk2’s recoil, it doesn’t eliminate it. The weapon is a high-skill, high-reward choice, perfect for players with precise aim who can make the most of its potential.

All Black Ops 6 Assault Rifles ranked

RANK	WEAPON	TTK (MS)	MAX DAMAGE RANGE
1	XM4	300	41 meters
2	Model L	300	44 meters
3	AK-74	276	38 meters
4	Krig C	297	42 meters
5	Goblin Mk2	260	39 meters
6	AMES 85	320	51 meters
7	AS VAL	268	21 meters
8	GPR 91	336	46 meters

Meta analysis

The best all-around Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6 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 Model L and AK-74 are two options for those seeking a more powerful weapon, and the Goblin suits those who like semi-automatic rifles.

The Krig C 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.