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 if you use this 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 BO6 beta, and even though there’s more competition in the meta, it’s remained a deadly choice in the live game too.
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. Here’s the best Tanto .22 loadout to use to dominate your lobbies.
Best 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 hard-hitting SMG kill even faster. This also helps it perform better up close, where its naturally low rate of fire can otherwise make it tricky to use.
However, that attachment 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 further away. This is especially important on the Tanto .22, as you can’t afford to miss shots.
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
- Combat Specialty: Enforcer
- Perk 1: Gung-Ho
- Perk 2: Assassin
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Wildcard: Perk Greed (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, use Gung-Ho, which ensures you can stay on the move 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, which synergizes with the Tanto’s high mobility.
With the Perk Greed wildcard, 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.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
For equipment, a Semtex deals 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 | Mediocre TTK |
| Great damage range | Very slow fire rate |
| Fast handling & mobility | Harder to control than other SMGs |
| Tight hipfire spread | Tricky to use at close range |
Where is the Tanto .22 in the BO6 meta?
The Tanto .22 has proven to be 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, with it only requiring three shots to kill another player.
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 learn to control it, you’ll be melting the competition before they can react. It’s especially strong after the SMG buffs on Nov 4, which extended its maximum damage range out to beyond 16 meters.
This gives it a level of versatility that other SMGs simply don’t have. Assuming you can control the recoil and get used to its low rate of fire, this unusual gun is among the strongest in the game. It won’t be for everyone, but those who enjoy using the Tanto .22 won’t feel the need to use another SMG ever again.
How to unlock the Tanto .22
You can unlock the Tanto .22 reaching Level 16, at which point it will be available to use on custom loadouts and to build as you wish.
Best Tanto .22 alternative
The KSV is a solid choice in Black Ops 6 if you haven’t unlocked the Tanto yet, or want to try something else. If you prefer a gun with more range, it’s impossible to go wrong with the XM4, which is a classic assault rifle with a fast fire rate, offering something a little different.
For more ideas on what to use, check out our breakdown of the best SMGs and these loadouts for the C9, Jackal PDW, and PP-919, which are certain to dominate your multiplayer lobbies.
