Black Ops 7 launches with 30 weapons across assault rifles, SMGs, shotguns, LMGs, marksman rifles, snipers, pistols, launchers, and melee. Not all of them are equal. A handful of guns sit at the center of the multiplayer meta, while others are niche picks or full-on challenge weapons.
This breakdown pulls together how the weapons are currently tiered, how often they’re actually used in matches, and what roles they fill. If you just want to know what to level first, or which guns are worth building full loadouts around, this is the snapshot that matters.
Black Ops 7 guns tier list (global view)
Across the full launch arsenal, the current consensus tier list looks like this:
| Tier | Guns | What they’re good at |
|---|---|---|
| S | Peacekeeper MK1, Dravec 45, M8A1, Shadow SK, M15 Mod 0, MXR-17 | Core meta picks; strong damage and control, used in both pubs and ranked |
| A | AK-27, DS20 Mirage, X9 Maverick, Carbon 57, MPC-25, Warden 308, VS Recon, Ryden 45K, Razor 9mm, M10 Breacher, Echo 12, MK.78 | High-performing but slightly more situational; usually one trade-off like recoil, range, or handling |
| B | M34 Novaline, XM325, Jäger 45, Coda 9, XR-3 Ion (for niche burst sniping) | Solid backups or sidegrades; can work with the right playstyle and attachments |
| C | RK-9, Akita, A.R.C. M1 | Fun or specialist picks; generally worse than alternatives in their class |
Within that broad structure, a few weapons clearly dominate player loadouts right now: M15 Mod 0, Dravec 45, MXR-17, M8A1, and Peacekeeper MK1. Shadow SK, VS Recon, and MK.78 round out the long-range options that appear consistently in higher-tier play.
Black Ops 7 S-tier weapons and why they’re meta
These guns form the backbone of the current Black Ops 7 meta. They show up across pubs, ranked, and competitive-style matches because they’re reliable in most situations.
| Gun | Class | Why it’s S-tier | Typical perks around it |
|---|---|---|---|
| M15 Mod 0 | Assault rifle | Extremely well-rounded damage, accuracy, and handling. Works on every map and in almost every lane. Also the most-picked gun in current data, sitting around or above half of all primary weapon choices. | Flak Jacket, Fast Hands, Dexterity, Overkill or Gunfighter depending on whether you want a second primary or more attachments |
| Dravec 45 | SMG | Full-auto SMG with unusually good stability and effective mid-range for its class. One of the most trusted close‑range primaries and a staple in short-map loadouts. | Lightweight, Fast Hands, Dexterity, often paired with Assault Pack for ammo |
| MXR-17 | Assault rifle | High-damage rifle tuned for mid to long-range fights. Strong accuracy and range at the cost of mobility and a smaller 25‑round mag, which is a fair trade in coordinated play. | Lightweight, Fast Hands, Dexterity, with Tactician for more active equipment use |
| M8A1 | Marksman rifle | Four‑round burst marksman that can delete players in two bursts at mid to long range. Very low recoil within bursts and excellent time-to-kill if you land chest and headshots. | Flak Jacket, Fast Hands, Dexterity, often Overkill to pair with a close‑range secondary primary |
| Peacekeeper MK1 | Assault rifle | Hyper-mobile AR that plays almost like an SMG. Exceptional movement and handling, but kicks harder and loses some range. Ideal for aggressive players and small maps. | Flak Jacket, Fast Hands, Dexterity, frequently Gunfighter to max out attachments |
| Shadow SK | Sniper rifle | Semi-auto sniper with high power and stable recoil. Less used than VS Recon, but placed in S-tier for players who want follow‑up shots over pure one‑shot potential. | Flak Jacket, Fast Hands, Dexterity, often with mobility-focused choices in the wildcard slots |
If you’re starting from scratch and want a simple leveling plan, invest in these first. M15 Mod 0 and Dravec 45 alone cover most gunfights you’ll see in standard multiplayer. M8A1 or MXR‑17 handle mid to long-range lanes, while Peacekeeper MK1 and Shadow SK push more aggressive and sniper-focused roles.
Best Black Ops 7 assault rifles
Assault rifles define the mid-range meta in Black Ops 7. They’re also the safest starting point for new players because most maps are built around medium sightlines.
| AR | Tier | Unlock | Identity |
|---|---|---|---|
| M15 Mod 0 | S | Base | Default full-auto rifle with balanced stats. Very easy to control, flexible enough for close and mid-range fights, and strong enough to remain competitive even at longer distances with the right attachments. |
| Peacekeeper MK1 | S | Level 52 | High‑mobility, high‑recoil AR. Plays like a hybrid SMG/AR and is one of the best weapons on tight three‑lane maps if you can handle the kick. |
| MXR‑17 | B to S (by role) | Level 16 | Slower, harder‑hitting rifle geared toward anchored play and long-range duels. Magazine size and handling keep it just below the very top in general use, but it’s arguably the strongest AR if you treat it like a semi‑LMG for headglitches and power positions. |
| AK‑27 | A | Level 4 | High-damage rifle with low vertical but high horizontal recoil. It hits extremely hard but demands good recoil correction and isn’t as forgiving as M15. |
| X9 Maverick | A | Level 28 | Burst AR with strong damage and clean recoil. Average movement and slower handling keep it off the absolute top, but it’s a great fit if you like structured burst play. |
| DS20 Mirage | A | Level 37 | Balanced AR with a built‑in underbarrel grenade launcher. The launcher gives utility value in objective modes, but recoil and average handling mean it’s more of a utility pick than a pure slayer gun. |
For raw performance and ease of use, M15 Mod 0 remains the standout. Peacekeeper MK1 is the clear choice for rush-heavy players once you unlock it. MXR‑17 and AK‑27 reward more deliberate players who want damage and range over movement speed.
Best Black Ops 7 SMGs
Submachine guns handle close quarters and fast rotations. The current meta strongly favors one primary SMG, with several backups that fill specific niches.
| SMG | Tier | Unlock | Playstyle fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dravec 45 | S | Level 34 | Stable, accurate SMG that reaches farther than most close‑range guns. This is the main close‑range meta weapon, especially on small maps and objective modes where you’re constantly rotating through tight rooms and short lanes. |
| Ryden 45K | A | Base | Fast‑firing SMG with excellent handling. It has one of the quickest time‑to‑kills up close but burns through ammo and kicks more at mid‑range, making it a pure CQB shredder. |
| Razor 9mm | A | Level 19 | Extremely high rate of fire and strong close‑range presence. Range and handling fall off fast, so it sits just below Dravec for all‑round use but is terrifying at point‑blank. |
| Carbon 57 | A | Level 46 | Low-damage but very high ammo count SMG with respectable range and manageable recoil. Best for players who like to stay in the fight without reloading, trading raw TTK for magazine size. |
| MPC‑25 | A | Level 55 | High‑damage, very mobile SMG with heavy recoil and limited range. It can outgun almost anything up close if you master the kick, but it’s less forgiving than Dravec. |
| RK‑9 | C | Level 7 | Burst SMG focused on rewarding headshots and upper‑body hits. Below‑average range and burst timing demands make it weaker than full‑auto options for most players. |
In practical terms, Dravec 45 is the SMG to build around. Ryden 45K is a strong early unlock and backup option for pure close‑range speed. Razor 9mm and MPC‑25 are more specialized for high-skill players who want unstable but explosive TTK.
Shotguns, LMGs, and marksman rifles in the tier list
These classes sit more on the edges of the meta. They’re powerful in the right circumstances, but less universal than the best ARs and SMGs.
Shotguns
| Shotgun | Tier | Unlock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| M10 Breacher | A | Base | Pump‑action with an optional charge to tighten spread. It can one‑shot up close and is one of the better small‑map picks when you know the rush routes. |
| Echo 12 | A to C (by lists) | Level 22 | Double‑barrel with strong back‑to‑back kill potential and better range than M10 on paper. Lower overall ranking is mostly due to how unforgiving missed shots are. |
| Akita | C | Level 40 | Full‑auto shotgun with great mobility but very short effective range and high recoil. It’s fun, but it struggles to justify a primary slot over SMGs. |
LMGs
| LMG | Tier | Unlock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MK.78 | A–B | Base | Heavy, slow, and built around a 75‑round mag. Excellent for holding lanes and objectives, but the sluggish handling makes it difficult in the game’s fast pacing. Still a real long‑range threat in the right hands. |
| XM325 | B | Level 31 | Faster‑firing LMG with better mobility than MK.78 but increased recoil and reduced range. It occupies a middle ground between ARs and traditional LMGs. |
Marksman rifles
| Marksman | Tier | Unlock | Identity |
|---|---|---|---|
| M8A1 | S | Level 10 | Core meta burst rifle with outstanding mid to long‑range performance. Low recoil in burst, strong damage, and central to many high‑skill AR/marksman setups. |
| Warden 308 | A | Level 25 | Semi‑auto with very high damage and average handling. Held back by a double‑action style fire delay that makes follow‑up shots slower. |
| M34 Novaline | B | Level 49 | Two‑round burst rifle with exceptional damage and range but low mobility and fire rate. Strong on paper, but slower pacing keeps it out of the central meta. |
Sniper rifles, pistols, and launchers
Snipers and pistols are shaped more by personal comfort than raw pick rates, but a few options clearly rise above the rest.
Sniper rifles
| Sniper | Tier | Unlock | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| VS Recon | A | Base | Bolt‑action rifle with strong one‑shot potential to the upper body and manageable recoil. Widely used in long‑lane maps and often considered the default “real” sniper for the game. |
| Shadow SK | S | Level 13 | Semi‑auto sniper focused on consistent follow‑up shots. High power and stable recoil, but a lower fire rate defines it as a more methodical sniping option. |
| XR‑3 Ion | C (or B in niche builds) | Level 43 | Three‑round burst sniper with a noticeable pre‑fire delay. Strong damage, but the charge‑up feel and slower handling push it into challenge or specialty builds instead of mainstream play. |
Pistols
| Pistol | Tier | Unlock | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jäger 45 | B | Base | Semi‑auto sidearm with low recoil, high fire rate potential, and impressive damage for a pistol. The best default secondary for players who don’t run Overkill. |
| Velox 5.7 | B | Level 13 | Burst pistol with strong damage and controllable recoil. It fills a mid‑range backup role but is more demanding to use than Jäger. |
| Coda 9 | B | Level 34 | Full‑auto pistol with high damage and high recoil. Functions like a pocket SMG in close‑range fights and is often included in B‑tier meta lists as a reliable backup with the right attachments. |
Launchers and melee
| Weapon | Type | Tier | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| AAROW 109 | Launcher | Utility | Hybrid launcher with lock‑on capability for vehicles and scorestreaks plus free‑fire shots. Mainly a support tool, rarely a direct combat choice. |
| A.R.C. M1 | Launcher | C / D | Charge‑up energy launcher that pierces enemies and hits vehicles hard. Strong for anti‑streak play and objective disruption, but too slow and situational to matter in gunfights. |
| Knife / Flatline Mk.II | Melee | Specialist | High-damage, very short-range weapons. Effective in extreme mobility or stealth loadouts, but not part of the gun meta. |
Best Black Ops 7 loadouts by range
When you zoom out from individual guns, the most common approach is to build your classes around engagement ranges. The current meta splits cleanly into short, medium, and long-range anchors:
| Range band | Primary gun | Secondary meta option |
|---|---|---|
| Short range (CQB) | Dravec 45 (SMG) | Ryden 45K (SMG), Razor 9mm (SMG) |
| Medium range | M15 Mod 0 (AR) | Peacekeeper MK1 (AR), AK‑27 (AR), X9 Maverick (AR) |
| Hybrid mid‑range | Peacekeeper MK1 (AR) | MXR‑17 (AR) for more range, Carbon 57 (SMG) for more ammo |
| Long range (precision) | M8A1 (Marksman) | Warden 308 (Marksman), M34 Novaline (Marksman) |
| Long range (suppressive) | MK.78 (LMG) | XM325 (LMG) |
| Extreme range | VS Recon (Sniper) | Shadow SK (Sniper) for semi‑auto preference |
On small maps, the most consistent pairing is a Dravec 45 plus an AR like M15 Mod 0 or Peacekeeper MK1 through Overkill. On larger maps, players lean into M15 Mod 0 + VS Recon, or M8A1 plus a close‑range SMG.
Perks and wildcards that shape the gun meta
The perks you wrap around these weapons matter as much as the guns themselves. Across high‑usage loadouts, a few choices repeat constantly:
| Perk / wildcard | Effect on gunplay | Best paired weapons |
|---|---|---|
| Lightweight | Boosts movement speed and slide distance, making it easier to force close‑range engagements and chain routes. | Dravec 45, Ryden 45K, Razor 9mm, M10 Breacher, Peacekeeper MK1 rush builds |
| Flak Jacket | Reduces explosive damage so you can hold power positions without dying to random grenades. | M15 Mod 0, MXR‑17, MK.78, VS Recon, M8A1 anchor and AR builds |
| Fast Hands | Cuts reload and weapon swap time. This is nearly universal in meta builds because it keeps you live between engagements. | Used with almost every S‑tier gun |
| Dexterity | Lets you aim while sliding, diving, or jumping, which is critical for aggressive camera peeks and movement‑based gunfights. | SMGs, Peacekeeper MK1, M15 Mod 0 for aggressive AR play |
| Tactician | Speeds up equipment use and cooldowns, enabling more frequent stuns, smokes, or tactical tools. | M8A1, MXR‑17, control‑heavy AR and marksman setups |
| Overkill | Allows two primary weapons. This is the backbone of AR + SMG and marksman + SMG pairs that dominate higher‑level lobbies. | M15 Mod 0 + Dravec 45, M8A1 + Ryden 45K, Peacekeeper MK1 + VS Recon |
| Gunfighter | Unlocks extra attachment slots (up to eight), maximizing a single gun’s potential instead of running a second primary. | Peacekeeper MK1, MXR‑17, Shadow SK, MK.78 specialist builds |
| Assault Pack | Refills ammo and supplies, keeping streaks alive in extended pushes. | Dravec 45, Razor 9mm, M10 Breacher, other ammo‑hungry guns |
Most top loadouts share a simple backbone: Fast Hands + Dexterity and either Lightweight or Flak Jacket depending on whether the class leans toward rushing or holding angles. Overkill and Gunfighter then determine if you double down on one weapon or run two primaries.
Right now, the Black Ops 7 guns tier list is anchored by M15 Mod 0 at medium range, Dravec 45 for close fights, and M8A1 plus VS Recon for long-range control. Everything else orbits those four anchors as backups, specialist picks, or high‑skill alternatives. If you focus your unlocks and attachment grinds around that core group, you’ll have a competitive answer on every map and in every mode.
