It doesn’t matter what map or mode you prefer, assault rifles are always a great option thanks to their unmatched versatility, with the best AR loadouts often dominating Warzone’s meta.
Assault rifles are the most adaptable weapons in Call of Duty. Whether you’re shooting an enemy from 10 meters or 100 meters, they can get the job done. Their ability to perform well in most situations is a massive strength that’s exclusive to this weapon class.
The Black Ops 6 integration saw 11 new Assault Rifles added to Warzone. This has drastically shaken up the meta, with many new rifles rising to the top after previous meta weapons received nerfs in Season 1 Reloaded. Here are the best assault rifle loadouts and recommended builds for each gun now that these changes are live.
Best Assault Rifle loadouts in Warzone
1. XM4
- Optic: Jason Armory 2x
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
- Stock: Buffer Weight Stock
The assault rifle meta may have started off close, but the XM4 is now leagues ahead of the competition. This is because it is the only AR to get access to the Buffer Weight Stock, an incredibly powerful attachment that boosts both vertical and horizontal recoil at the same time. This makes the XM4 ridiculously accurate to an extent that no other assault rifle can beat it.
If you want to make the XM4 truly laser-accurate, use this meta stock alongside the Vertical Foregrip. This combination results in next to no horizontal recoil, so you only have to pull straight down to keep shots on target. It won’t be long before you are downing enemy players from well over 100 meters, and the reduced visual recoil in Season 1 Reloaded only makes doing so even easier.
2. GPR 91
- Optic: Willis 3x
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Grip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
Despite being our lowest-ranked AR in multiplayer due to its lackluster TTK, the GPR 91 performs much better in Warzone and is one of the best long-range weapons in the current meta. It boasts exceptional mobility, handling, and accuracy, making it a great all-around option for dominating lobbies.
To get the most out of it, you’ll need to use the Reinforced Barrel, which boosts its maximum damage range up to an impressive 47 meters. That’s among the best of any assault rifle, allowing the GPR 91 to down other squads before they even know what hit them. You should also use the Compensator and Vertical Grip to minimize recoil and allow this meta gun to fulfill its true potential.
3. SVA 545
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
- Barrel: STV Precision Barrel
- Underbarrel: XRK Bowbreaker Grip
- Magazine: 60 Round Mag
Surprisingly, quite a few MW3 weapons have survived Black Ops 6’s integration, with a few of them even being meta. The SVA 545 is the standout of these, as it has retained the incredible TTK and accuracy that made it a fan favorite in the first place. Put it in burst mode and fire away to take advantage of this remarkable gun that anyone can dominate with.
The best SVA 545 loadout hasn’t really changed much. You’ll still want to be using the Monolithic Suppressor and STV Precision Barrel to maximize range and deal as much damage as possible. To be honest, this gun has hardly changed at all from way back to when it was first added, so if you liked it back then, you will still enjoy using it now.
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4. MCW
- Optic: Corio Eagleseye 2.5x
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
- Magazine: 60 Round Drum
- Ammunition: 5.56 High Velocity
The SVA 545 isn’t the only MW3 assault rifle to remain a top-tier option. Another classic in the MCW has also fared well in the current meta for many of the same reasons. It is another highly accurate primary weapon that is easy to use, deals great damage, and has next to no recoil when used with the right build.
As for what matters most for that build, the 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel is a must. This powerful attachment improves several key stats, including bullet velocity, range, and firing aim stability. These make it easier to land shots and make those shots hit harder, which is especially useful when coupled with a meta long-range optic like the Corio Eagleseye 2.5x.
5. Goblin Mk2
- Optic: Jason Armory 2x
- Muzzle: Compensator
- Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Magazine: Extended Mag II
If you believe you are a skilled Warzone player, you need to give the Goblin Mk2 a go. This is not an accessible gun, and your average Joe will struggle with it, but those with the ability to hit shots with a semi-auto gun are handsomely rewarded when using this loadout. With just six rounds, you can down a player, resulting in an outrageous TTK of just 649 ms.
This makes the Goblin Mk2 the highest damage assault rifle, so it only felt right to include it on this list. There’s no way to make this gun noob-friendly, but using attachments that reduce recoil, like the Compensator and Vertical Foregrip, helps considerably. You’ll also want a meta optic like the Jason Armory 2x, as a precision weapon like this is hopeless with iron sights.
All Warzone Assault Rifles ranked
| RANK | WEAPON | TTK (MS) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | XM4 | 750 |
| 2 | GPR 91 | 756 |
| 3 | SVA 545 | 713 |
| 4 | MCW | 756 |
| 5 | Goblin Mk.2 | 649 |
| 6 | Model L | 800 |
| 7 | AK-74 | 736 |
| 8 | Krig C | 752 |
| 9 | BP50 | 630 |
| 10 | AMES 85 | 800 |
| 11 | Chimera | 675 |
| 12 | STG44 | 800 |
| 13 | Holger 556 | 714 |
| 14 | M13B | 710 |
| 15 | AS VAL | 737 |
| 16 | BAL-27 | 694 |
| 17 | MTZ-556 | 740 |
| 18 | M16 (JAK Patriot) | 666 |
| 19 | Lachmann 556 | 747 |
| 20 | TR-76 Geist | 752 |
| 21 | Kastov 545 | 736 |
| 22 | Tempus Razorback | 720 |
| 23 | STB 556 | 729 |
| 24 | TAQ-56 | 768 |
| 25 | FR Avancer | 715 |
| 26 | M13C | 720 |
| 27 | M4 | 740 |
| 28 | ISO Hemlock | 800 |
| 29 | Kastov-74u | 800 |
| 30 | FR 5.56 | 754 |
| 31 | RAM-7 | 800 |
| 32 | Kastov 762 | 800 |
| 33 | DG-56 | 816 |
Meta analysis
The Season 1 Reloaded update saw the visual recoil of most Warzone guns drastically reduced, which makes assault rifles more effective than ever. As such, they have become much more popular, with the XM4 leading that drive. That’s no surprise given that it is absurdly accurate and currently the best weapon in the entire meta.
However, it’s far from the only AR worth using. The GPR 91, Model L, and Goblin Mk2 are all meta options that are very much capable of dominating lobbies in the right hands. If you don’t enjoy using the XM4, be sure to try all three of these top-tier alternatives to figure out what works best for you.
If you don’t fancy using something from Black Ops 6’s arsenal, quite a few of the guns carried over from MW3 are competitive too. Most notably, the SVA 545 and MCW are among the best weapons you can use, with their impressive accuracy keeping them relevant. There’s also the BP50, which stands out due to its spectacular TTK up close that allows it to outgun SMGs.
That’s all for the best assault rifle loadouts in Black Ops 6, but you’ll also want to know about the meta SMG loadouts to find out what to pair these guns with. Similarly, it’s worth checking out the best Warzone loadouts to get a better idea of how the current meta looks.
