Black Ops 7 Weapons Tier List Current Meta Guns and Loadouts

From the shadows of Black Ops 7 emerge weapons that redefine the battlefield-each gun a chapter in a lethal arms race where precision meets power.

1. M15 Mod 0 (assault rifle)

The M15 Mod 0 stands out as a balanced assault rifle with dependable accuracy and moderate recoil, making it suitable for both mid- and long-range combat. Its high rate of fire pairs well with a steady aim, allowing players to maintain pressure during sustained engagements. Customization options include enhanced barrels, hybrid scopes, and tactical grips, giving flexibility for different playstyles. Whether in close firefights or open-field skirmishes, the M15 Mod 0 delivers consistent performance that rewards precision and control.

First up, and to nobody’s surprise, we have the M15 Mod 0. Known as just the M15, this is the very first gun you have access to when you unlock loadouts, and as is usually the case in Call of Duty games, it’s a very jack-of-all-trades assault rifle. It can kill up close and at range, it has moderate recoil but nothing too extreme, and it sports fairly high damage.

When you kit it out with the right attachments, it also turns into a laser beam. You can delete enemies from across the map, barely missing a shot, if you equip attachments such as a longer barrel, a compensator, and either underbarrel or rear grips. This is the gun most players are using in multiplayer right now, and for good reason.

You can read more about the specific attachments you should use in our guide to the best M15 loadout.

2. M8A1 (marksman rifle)

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The M8A1 is one of two returning weapons from Black Ops 2, and back then, it used to be a true beast, arguably the best gun in the game. Well, guess what? You could say the same again – and Matt Scronce, the Black Ops 7 design director, has gotten his wish – because it’s back at the very top of the meta this time around too.

This is a three-round burst weapon, previously considered an assault rifle but one that now finds itself in the marksman rifle category. It’s capable of eliminating enemies in just one pull of the trigger, two at most, and is suited to players who like to play slower, holding angles and picking enemies off from afar. Use attachments that help manage the recoil and increase the damage range -just try not to get into close-range combat if you can help it and pre-aim around corners.

3. Dravec 45 (SMG)

The Dravec 45 is a compact submachine gun designed for fast-paced engagements and close-quarters combat. It delivers an impressive rate of fire, allowing players to suppress enemies quickly while maintaining precision in short bursts. With manageable recoil and quick handling, it excels in tight spaces like corridors or small maps. Custom attachments can help improve range and stability, making it a flexible choice for aggressive playstyles.

Despite Black Ops 7 leaning heavily in favor of fast-paced playstyles, SMGs in Black Ops generally aren’t quite as strong as you’d expect. That said, the Dravec 45 is a force to be reckoned with, mostly because you can also dominate with it at range because it doesn’t have too much recoil.

You’re going to want to focus on close-quarters combat though, so focus on using attachments that buff the handling and mobility, along with the hipfire accuracy. Equip a laser and one of the shorter barrels, but also stick on the Accelerated Recoil Springs fire mod because when you do engage in combat further than a few feet away, you want to be able to hold your own.

4. Warden 308 (marksman rifle)

The Warden 308 is a precise marksman rifle built for players who value power and accuracy over sustained fire. It features a semi-automatic action with minimal recoil, allowing consistent follow-up shots on distant targets. Its heavy barrel improves bullet velocity and range, making it deadly in medium to long engagements. Paired with a variable zoom scope and stability-focused attachments, the Warden 308 rewards methodical players who can control sightlines and pick off enemies before they even spot the threat.

Sniping has changed considerably in Call of Duty over the years. You’d be forgiven for thinking the best way to play with a sniper rifle is to take it slow and pick players off from afar, but actually, quickscoping is the way forward these days, a playstyle popularized during Modern Warfare 2 in 2009. Games like the original Black Ops tried to combat it by making sniper rifles harder to quickscope with, but eventually, they started embracing it.

You may be saying, “but the Warden 308 isn’t a sniper rifle, it’s a marksman rifle!” and you’d be correct. However, despite bolt-actions usually being preferred for quickscoping and the Warden 308 being semi-automatic, the sniper rifle options are limited in Black Ops 7. Therefore, this is the gun of choice, and it deals enough damage to warrant it. Make sure you put a decent scope on it, along with attachments that improve the aim down sight speed, handling, and damage.

5. MXR-17 (assault rifle)

The MXR-17 stands out for its precision and stability during sustained fire. Equipped with a balanced recoil system and adaptable attachment slots, it supports both close-quarters combat and mid-range accuracy. Its high fire rate and dependable damage output make it a popular pick for aggressive players who prefer mobility without sacrificing control. The weapon’s modular design also allows quick customization to fit varied playstyles across different maps.

We’re back to the assault rifle category now and the MXR-17 is next up, which was everyone’s gun of choice during the beta window in October. Where the M15 has a fairly high fire rate, the MXR-17 fires much slower, in exchange for higher damage. This means the MXR is even more suited to longer engagements; you’ll just need to improve the recoil and accuracy.

So to that end, you should equip it with a decent optical sight – 1.5-2x zoom should be the sweet spot – along with a longer barrel for improved damage, not to mention grip and stock attachments to help with the recoil. Choosing between this and the M15 is mostly a matter of preference because while the top biller in this list is more versatile, the MXR is much better suited to certain types of fight.

6. Ryden 45K (SMG)

The Ryden 45K stands out in the SMG category for its sharp accuracy and fast handling. Its compact frame makes it ideal for close-quarters combat, while the balanced recoil allows for steady bursts during intense firefights. With a high rate of fire and solid damage output, the weapon excels in flanking maneuvers and fast-paced engagements. Custom attachments such as the reflex sight and extended mag further enhance its precision and sustained firepower.

Finally on our list, we have another SMG. As mentioned with the Dravec 45, SMGs aren’t as strong as you might expect in this game, but if you’re hurtling around the map, sliding and diving constantly, getting in the faces of your enemies, the Ryden 45K is your best bet. It has a much faster fire rate at over 900 rounds per minute, and since it’s the first SMG you unlock, you can use it from the get-go.

As you level it up though, you’ll want to take advantage of that fire rate and handling, by equipping attachments that enable that playstyle. Anything that buffs the sprint to fire speed, hipfire accuracy, and movement speed is a no-brainer. When possible, you want to be close enough to your foes that you don’t even need to aim down the sights, so hipfiring becomes your go-to.

Best loadout for VS Recon sniper

VS Recon offers one-shot kills up to 50 meters with minimal flinch, making it ideal for quickscoping and long-range dominance in Black Ops 7.​
The best loadout prioritizes bullet velocity, damage range, ADS speed, and stealth for versatile performance across multiplayer and Warzone modes.​

Primary Attachments

• Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor boosts damage range and silences shots to stay off the minimap.​

• Barrel: 24.9″ Domain Barrel (or 23″ G-Force Barrel) maximizes bullet velocity and range for hitting moving targets.​

• Underbarrel: MFS R-Stop Handguard or Stetig-C Handguard improves stability and aiming.​

• Rear Grip: R-1 Shelf Grip enhances ADS speed and jump ADS for mobility.​

• Fire Mods: 7.62 NATO Overpressured increases velocity; swap to Light Bolt for faster rechamber if aggressive.​

Secondary and Perks

Pair with MPC-25 SMG or Jäger 45 pistol for close-range backup.​
Use Gunfighter Wildcard for extra attachments, Dexterity perk for quick ADS while moving, and Flak Jacket for explosive resistance.​

Meta Loadout Table

Best secondary for VS Recon sniper

Best Secondaries for VS Recon
MPC-25 SMG and Jäger 45 pistol serve as top secondaries for the VS Recon sniper, providing close-range firepower to cover its weaknesses.​
These weapons pair effectively with sniper loadouts focused on quick ADS and stealth.​

MPC-25 SMG

Unlocked at level 55, the MPC-25 excels in close quarters with high mobility and rivaling assault rifle performance.​
Equip a suppressor and extended mag for seamless transitions from long-range sniping.​
Ideal for Warzone flanks or multiplayer rushes when enemies close distance.​

Jäger 45 Pistol

Available immediately, the Jäger 45 offers reliable backup with strong TTK and off-meta viability as a primary.​
Its hip-fire accuracy suits aggressive quickscopes without needing attachments for basic use.​
Use for stealthy swaps in tight spaces or as a lightweight secondary.​

Loadout Comparison