Using Black Ops 6’s best Assault Rifles is a surefire way to rack up a high Elimination count, boost your KD, and finish as MVP. Thanks to statistics and hours of gameplay, we’ve put together a handy list showing you how each AR stacks up, as well as the best Assault Rifle loadout in BLOPS 6.
I like to use a rapid SMG at close quarters, or if I fancy the layout of the next map, I’ll switch to the best quickscoping loadout for quickfire, snappy sniping, and killfeeds. One constant for me is that no matter what happens, I’ll eventually end up with an Assault Rifle back in my war-torn mitts.
Black Ops 6 has a plethora of Assault Rifles at its disposal, and it’s time to weed out the best from the rest and put a bonafide carnage causer in your loadout.
Every Assault Rifle Ranked in Black Ops 6 from best to worst
For a lot of these entries, I’m using the most recent stats from meta-specialist wzranked, and the personal experiences of the team to determine the best Assault Rifles in Black Ops 6.
1. XM4—Best Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6
Taking the top spot is the very reliable and remarkably faultless XM4. The Assault Rifle is a staple of first-person shooter gaming, has been seen the world over, and is currently dominating the Black Ops 6 landscape. It performs excellently across all AR criteria, it comfortably has the highest usage of any AR—its immediate availability being a big reason—and it continues to be a reliable killer while you unlock the rest of Black Ops 6’s weapons. Until something changes, this is the best gun in BLOPS 6.
2. AK-74
Honestly, I think the AK-74 is closer to the top spot than it seems. I love the brute-force nature of the AK-74, and it’s only the haphazard nature of its recoil holding it back from being the king of the jungle. If you reduce its vertical and horizontal recoil as best as you can, the AK-74 is a straight-shooting monster—and its firepower alone is enough to take second place. It’s unlikely Treyarch ever reduces its recoil for this reason, but you never know!
3. AS Val
Hot take incoming: I think the AS Val should be classified as an SMG, not an Assault Rifle. As it stands, the AS Val is an Assault Rifle, and this makes it one of the best Assault Rifles in the game. Its default magazine leaves a lot to be desired, but there’s no doubting its DPS potential if you’re accurate with your shots. A better mag and a harness on its recoil easily make the AS Val one of the most diverse weapons in all of Black Ops 6.
4. GPR 91
I can’t put my finger on what it is, but when I used the GPR 91 in the Campaign, it slapped. Now, it’s not an AR I’m going to choose over anything I’ve ranked higher, but if you’re struggling for some inspiration, or feel your playstyle has become a bit uninspired and mundane, I’d recommend taking the GPR 91 out for a spin. It needs a firepower boost to stand a chance of cracking the top three, but it’s also not a bad choice either.
5. AMES 85
I feel the Ames 85 earns its place in our Assault Rifle ranking list. It’s snappy, I find it terrific at longer-range firefights, and it’s a solid AR all around. It’s one of those; I don’t think it’s remarkable in any category, and I feel I see it being used more in online multiplayer than it warrants. That being said, if you do prefer engaging at a distance, try out the Ames 85. Plus, if it does get buffed, you already have a headstart on its attachments.
6. Model L
I find the Model L performs similarly to the Ames 85 but doesn’t deliver quite as consistently, although it’s another AR better suited to long-range assaults. Again, it’s rare you find unusable weapons, and with the right attachments, anything is a deadly weapon. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as they say, and the Model L feels like it might click with a certain audience—just maybe not myself.
7. Goblin Mk2
Eh, I don’t have much to say about the Goblin Mk2 really—nothing positive at least. It’s a semi-auto AR—putting it more in line with a Marksman Rifle than an AR—and even then there are better Marksman Rifles. The Goblin reeks of a gun stuck near the bottom of the meta for the longest time, until it receives a hefty buff, and suddenly becomes god-tier—à la the KSP 45 from Black Ops Cold War.
Here’s our official ranking of every Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6:
- XM4
- AK-74
- AS Val
- GPR 91
- Ames 85
- Model L
- Goblin Mk2
What is the best Assault Rifle loadout in Black Ops 6?
The XM4 is our number one pick for the best Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6—for now—but if you’re after the perfect loadout to use for it, we’ve got a great setup detailed below:
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Barrel: Long Barrel
- Magazine: Extended Mag I
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
- Fire Mods: 5.56 Nato SMJ
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Gung-Ho
- Perk 3: Bankroll
- Perk 4: Dexterity
- Wildcard: Perk Greed
- Lethal: Semtex
- Tactical: Stim Shot
- Field Upgrade: Trophy System
Which is the fastest Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6?
The AS Val has the best fire rate of any AR in Black Ops 6. Combined with its shorter mag by default, the AS Val rips through enemies, and I’d label it as more of an SMG than I would an Assault Rifle. Nevertheless, the AS Val shreds through ammo clips in seconds and is worth considering if you can get its furious fire rate under control.
Which is the most powerful Assault Rifle in Black Ops 6?
No surprise here as the AK-74 is the most naturally hard-hitting Assault Rifle in all of Black Ops 6. The AK series is notorious for being outrageously powerful and dropping opponents in fewer shots than most. The only downside is that it kicks like a mule with another mule strapped to it. Slapping the Gunfighter Wildcard on this bad boy might not even be enough to control it—nor would a leash. If your recoil control is better than most, the AK-74 has to be worth consideration.
For more Black Ops 6 news and guides, take advantage of our free Insider Gaming weekly newsletter. If you want more loadouts and tips, we have even more advice here: KSV, LW3A1, and Kompakt 92.
