Unleash the full potential of the iconic AK-74 in Black Ops 6 with a loadout that transforms this classic assault rifle into a versatile, recoil-controlled powerhouse. Whether you’re rushing close quarters or holding mid-range angles, our expertly crafted build balances firepower, accuracy, and mobility to dominate every engagement. Discover the attachments, perks, and gear that make the AK-74 not just a weapon, but a game-changer in your Black Ops 6 arsenal.
For that reason, while we want to manage the recoil a little, we’re primarily focused on ensuring the gun can kill quickly at close-mid range rather than anything further. If you want to fight at further ranges, go for the AMES 85 or XM4, which both feature in our list of best guns in Black Ops 6.
Here’s the best AK-74 loadout in Black Ops 6, the best class to use with it, and how to unlock the gun to begin with.
How to unlock the AK-74 in Black Ops 6
To unlock the AK-74 in Black Ops 6, players need to reach Player Level 10. This milestone is typically achieved within an hour or two of gameplay, making the AK-74 one of the first weapons accessible through steady progression. To level up quickly, players can focus on completing daily challenges and engaging in objective-based game modes like Hard Point, Domination, and Kill Order, which provide ample experience points. Once unlocked, the AK-74 serves as a powerful early-game assault rifle, best used for holding angles rather than aggressive run-and-gun tactics.
To unlock the AK-74 in Black Ops 6, all you need to do is reach level 10. This should take no longer than an hour or two of gameplay, at which point you’ll unlock it alongside the operator Toro.
Best AK-74 loadout in Black Ops 6
The best AK-74 loadout in Black Ops 6 focuses on balancing recoil control, accuracy, and mobility to excel in close to mid-range combat. Key attachments include the Ported Compensator to reduce vertical recoil, a Vertical Foregrip for horizontal recoil stability, and a Balanced or Light Stock to enhance aiming speed and movement. Optics are generally omitted as the AK-74’s iron sights are effective. Complementing this setup with perks like Dexterity, Assassin, and Double Time, plus tactical gear such as Stim Shot and lethal options like Semtex, maximizes the weapon’s potential for rapid kills and versatile engagements. This loadout prioritizes quick target acquisition and handling over long-range capabilities, making it a reliable choice for aggressive playstyles in Black Ops 6.
Here is the best AK-74 loadout in Black Ops 6:
- Muzzle: Ported Compensator
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Commando Grip
- Stock: Balanced Stock
- Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
While we want to get control over the recoil a little with our AK-74 build, we don’t want to lean into it too hard because we’re not trying to make it compete across the entire map. We’re entirely skipping the optical sight here, because AK weapons famously have very usable iron sights and this gun is no different.
The Ported Compensator is the first attachment that will help with the recoil, buffing both the first shot and vertical recoil control, while the Vertical Foregrip assists with the horizontal recoil. Then, we have the Commando Grip to assist with mobility, since this build is suited to a faster playstyle than most assault rifles otherwise would be. This one buffs and aim down sight and sprint to fire speeds.
Next, the Balanced Stock buffs movement speed, and finally, the Recoil Springs do what they say on the tin: they buff both the vertical and horizontal recoil control. We’re not opting for the Gunfighter wildcard here because the gun doesn’t need an optic or a laser attachment, but if you do go for it, make sure you grab an Extended Mag and either the Long or Reinforced Barrel.
Best AK-74 class in Black Ops 6
The best AK-74 class in Black Ops 6 is designed to maximize the weapon’s mobility, accuracy, and firepower while effectively managing its recoil. The recommended setup includes the Grekhova as a secondary weapon, a full-auto pistol that pairs well with the AK-74 for close-range encounters. For perks, Dexterity, Assassin, and Double Time are ideal, unlocking the Enforcer Speciality to boost healing after kills. Tactical gear like the Stim Shot helps sustain health in the fast-paced, small maps of Black Ops 6, while Semtex serves as lethal equipment. The Gunfighter Wildcard is essential to equip up to eight attachments on the AK-74, enhancing its handling and performance. This class build balances aggressive play with survivability, making it a top choice for players wielding the AK-74 in multiplayer matches.
Here is the best class to use with the AK-74 in Black Ops 6:
- Pistol: Grekhova
- Melee: Knife
- Tactical: Smoke
- Lethal: Semtex
- Field Upgrade: Trophy System
- Perk 1: Flak Jacket or Tac Mask
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Gearhead
- Specialty: Strategist
- Wildcard: Danger Close
The best playstyle with this class is to focus on the objective, so that’s what all of our picks here are geared towards.
The Grekhova and the Knife are two standard picks as the best sidearm and melee choices across any class, and we’ve gone for a Smoke in the tactical slot to ensure you can jump on the objective in respawn-based modes and plant bombs with ease.
The Semtex is a solid lethal option, while the Trophy System is essential to protect you on objectives much like the Smoke. However, if you don’t plan on playing the objective, switch these for a Flashbang and Morphine Injector.
With the perks, we’ve opted for the three green choices, because the protection from either Flak Jacket or Tac Mask depending on your preference is invaluable.
Meanwhile, Fast Hands allows you to switch weapons much quicker if needed (and it extends fuses when throwing back grenades), while Gearhead gives you two field upgrade charges, and the ability to hack enemy equipment. That all comes together to grant Strategist, which gives you a score bonus for completing objectives and destroying enemy equipment.
Our recommended wildcard is Danger Close, because you can get two lethal grenades, but Perk Greed is an equally strong choice: go for whichever of Flak Jacket or Tac Mask you don’t already have selected. Alternatively, pick Ghost if you’re struggling with being detected by enemy UAVs.
How does the new AK-74 loadout transform it into a no recoil beast in Black Ops 6
The new AK-74 loadout in Black Ops 6 transforms it into a near no-recoil beast by strategically combining attachments that target both vertical and horizontal recoil control. The key components include the Ported Compensator, which improves first-shot accuracy and vertical recoil management, and the Vertical Foregrip, which significantly reduces horizontal recoil. Complementing these, the Commando Grip enhances mobility for faster aiming and sprint-to-fire speeds, while the Balanced Stock and Recoil Springs further stabilize the weapon during sustained fire. This setup allows players to maintain tight shot grouping and effortless control, effectively neutralizing the AK-74’s natural recoil and making it lethal in close to mid-range combat without sacrificing mobility.
How do the Ported Compensator and Vertical Foregrip work together to eliminate recoil
The Ported Compensator and Vertical Foregrip work together to effectively eliminate recoil in Black Ops 6 by addressing different recoil directions. The Ported Compensator primarily reduces vertical recoil and improves first-shot recoil control, smoothing out the initial shot jump and making vertical recoil more manageable. It also slightly softens horizontal recoil patterns, making the weapon easier to control overall. Meanwhile, the Vertical Foregrip significantly reduces horizontal recoil, which is the side-to-side kick that is harder to counteract. By combining the Ported Compensator’s vertical recoil reduction with the Vertical Foregrip’s horizontal recoil mitigation, the AK-74 achieves a balanced recoil profile that feels almost recoil-free, allowing for tight shot groupings and precise control during sustained fire.
