Black Ops 6 Zombies offers one of the most diverse arsenals in the series, giving players everything from reliable assault rifles to devastating shotguns and high-damage snipers. Knowing which weapons perform best is essential for surviving higher rounds and boss encounters. This tier list breaks down the strongest options in the current meta and highlights which ones you should prioritize.
S-Tier Weapons
S-Tier weapons represent the very best choices in Zombies. These guns combine raw power, versatility, and consistency, making them ideal for aggressive or methodical playstyles.
- AMAX (Assault Rifle, Season 3) – A balanced rifle with excellent damage scaling, especially effective when Pack-a-Punched.
- AS Val (Assault Rifle, Lvl. 55) – High fire rate with top-tier critical damage. Great for speedruns and melting bosses.
- C9 (Submachine Gun, Lvl. 1) – Perfect for close-range dominance thanks to mobility and steady DPS.
- FFAR 1 (Assault Rifle, Season 4) – A rapid-fire AR that excels at crowd control.
- Grau SWAT Conversion (Marksman Rifle, Season 3) – Precision-based, lethal at range, and reliable for clearing elites.
- Kilo 141 (Assault Rifle, Season 3) – Known for stability and consistent high damage across rounds.
- HDR (Sniper Rifle, Season 3) – A heavy sniper with massive stopping power, perfect for one-shot kills.
- Jackal PDW (Submachine Gun, Lvl. 43) – Aggressive SMG for run-and-gun playstyles.
- Ladra (Submachine Gun, S3 Reloaded) – A top-tier SMG for wave clearing.
- LC10 (Submachine Gun, Season 4) – Great accuracy and dependable crowd control.
- Model L (Assault Rifle, Lvl. 40) – High versatility and balanced stats.
- PP-919 (Submachine Gun, Lvl. 37) – A steady SMG for farming points and fast kills.
- PPSH-1 (Submachine Gun, Lvl. 2) – Classic horde shredder with massive fire rate.
- XM4 (Assault Rifle, Lvl. 1) – One of the most reliable ARs; large ammo capacity makes it essential for long runs.
If you’re aiming for long survivability and boss consistency, XM4, AS Val, and HDR stand out, while SMGs like PPSH-1 and Ladra are unmatched for mobility and wave clearing.
B-Tier Weapons
B-Tier weapons can still perform well in the right circumstances, but they are less consistent compared to the S-Tier picks. They often require strong attachments or upgrades to shine.
- AK-74 (Assault Rifle, Lvl. 10) – Solid early-game AR but gets outclassed later.
- GPMG-7 (Light Machine Gun, Lvl. 52) – Strong damage, but mobility and reload speed hold it back.
- LW3A1 Frostline (Sniper Rifle, Lvl. 1) – Decent sniper for headshots, but lacks versatility.
- Olympia (Shotgun, Season 4) – Nostalgic but situational; underwhelming for higher rounds.
These weapons are fun to use for novelty or challenge runs but aren’t reliable enough for high-round survival.
C-Tier Weapons
C-Tier weapons are functional but largely outclassed. They can be used while leveling or unlocking, but they don’t hold up well in long matches.
- ABR A1 (Assault Rifle, Season 5)
- AEK-973 (Marksman Rifle, Lvl. 34)
- AMES 85 (Assault Rifle, Lvl. 19)
- AMR Mod 4 (Sniper Rifle, S1 Event)
- ASG-89 (Shotgun, Lvl. 31)
- Cypher 091 (Assault Rifle, Season 2)
- DM-10 (Marksman Rifle, Lvl. 43)
- Essex Model 07 (Marksman Rifle, S4 Event)
- Feng 82 (Light Machine Gun, Season 2)
- Goblin Mk.2 (Assault Rifle, Lvl. 46)
- GPR 91 (Assault Rifle, Lvl. 28)
- Kompact 92 (Submachine Gun, Lvl. 49)
- KSV (Submachine Gun, Lvl. 7)
- Krig C (Assault Rifle, Season 1)
- LR 7.62 (Sniper Rifle, Lvl. 49)
- Maelstrom (Shotgun, S1 Event)
- Marine SP (Shotgun, Lvl. 1)
- PML 5.5 (Light Machine Gun, Season 5)
- PU-21 (Light Machine Gun, Lvl. 1)
- Sirin 9mm (Special Sidearm, S1 Event)
- Saug (Submachine Gun, Season 1)
- SVD (Sniper Rifle, Lvl. 25)
- Tanto .22 (Submachine Gun, Lvl. 16)
- Tsarkov 7.62 (Marksman Rifle, Lvl. 22)
- XMG (Light Machine Gun, Lvl. 13)
Most of these guns feel underpowered or too situational. They’re often placeholders until you unlock stronger weapons.
The S-Tier lineup defines the Black Ops 6 Zombies meta right now. If you’re aiming for survival beyond round 50, prioritize XM4, AS Val, HDR, and PPSH-1. These weapons provide the right balance of damage, ammo efficiency, and versatility.
See also: How to Beat Black Ops 6 Zombies Hardest Dark Ops Challenges
B-Tier and C-Tier guns aren’t useless—they can still get the job done with the right attachments, perks, and Pack-a-Punch upgrades. However, when rounds get tougher and bosses hit harder, you’ll want to rely on the proven S-Tier weapons to carry you through.
Whether you prefer the fast-paced style of SMGs or the methodical precision of rifles and snipers, Black Ops 6 Zombies ensures you’ll find a weapon that matches your playstyle. Play Now!
