Black Ops 7 best guns in the launch meta
The finest firearms dominating the meta at Black Ops 7 launch.
Knowing the best guns in Black Ops 7 at launch is something you’ll want to know if you’re looking to dominate matches.
Across its entire arsenal, Black Ops 7 has a variety of different weapons to suit all kinds of playstyles, and each category is going to have an ever-changing meta that’ll rotate through launch and beyond.
To help get you up to speed with the best guns to use in Black Ops 7 right now, we’ll be running through the best guns across all types of weapons.
On this page:
What is the current meta and what’s new in Black Ops 7
Since the game has just launched, there’s a wide selection of weapons to use across primary and secondary. As players climb the ranks, you’ll no doubt see a bit of a shifting meta, likely with a few outliers along the way.
Alongside many new weapons, many are returning favourites from past Black Ops games such as the Peacekeeper MK1 and the M8A1, and they are two of the most sought after weapons at launch.
As we move towards Season 1, the meta may remain mostly similar as it is in the first week, but expect things to shake up past that as new weapons are added and existing ones are rebalanced.
Best Assault Rifle in Black Ops 7
Best weapon recommendation: Peacekeeper MK1 / DS20 Mirage
How to unlock: Player Level 52 / Player Level 37
The main assault rifle you’ll want to keep an eye out for is the Peacekeeper MK1.
Returning for the first time since Black Ops 2 in 2012, this gun has moved from an SMG to the Assault Rifle class, with its stats and more adjusted for this rendition of the gun.
Despite it swapping weapon types though, it comes with an impressive rate of fire that will easily laser down enemies, all whilst retaining solid recoil control. You might need some attachments to push it to further ranges afield, but overall, it’s very strong.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for a more all-round pick for the Assault Rifle class, we’d recommend the DS20 Mirage, or even the AK-27. The latter is a solid early game pick since it’s unlocked so early, whereas the DS20 Mirage is rewarded once you reach level 37.
Best Submachine Gun in Black Ops 7
Best weapon recommendation: Dravec 45
How to unlock: Player Level 34
With many of the SMG picks featuring high rates of fire, it can be challenging to find one that suits many of the maps in Black Ops 7 - even if some of them excel at close-quarters combat.
However, the Dravec 45 is a bit of an outlier here thanks to its steady rate of fire and solid range that allows it to be competitive across a variety of ranges - and that’s before equipping it with more attachments.
If you’d like something more intended for close quarter encounters however, we’d point to either the Carbon 57 or the MPC-25.
Personally, I prefer the Carbon, but the MPC will no doubt be sought after by many with it being a new version of the fan favourite MP7 from past titles.
Best Shotgun in Black Ops 7
Best weapon recommendation: M10 Breacher
How to unlock: Player Level 4 (custom loadouts)
From the three options in-game right now, the M10 Breacher is your best bet when it comes to shotguns, with potentially the Echo 12 being an alternative if you want to try something else.
The M10 Breacher has the benefit of being able to hold the trigger before firing to tighten its spread which became useful when trying to hit enemies further away - even one-shotting them when enough shots hit.
That said, on controller, I found this shotgun less than ideal to use. This is because, unlike other guns that fire on trigger pull, this shotgun instead fires on the release of the trigger. Whilst that makes sense for its spread-tightening feature, it also means that the gun feels less responsive, particularly when dealing with multiple enemies.
For the first time in a while, I’ve actually found myself less into the available shotguns, primarily because I didn’t really gel with any of them. With some changes to the controls, the M10 Breacher would be my go-to, but for now, I think I’ll be avoiding this category a bit.
Best Light Machine Gun in Black Ops 7
Best weapon recommendation: MK. 78 or XM325
How to unlock: Player Level 4 (Custom Loadouts) / Player Level 31
Since there are two LMGs in the game and it’s a niche pick anyway, this is one of those categories where your preference dictates it somewhat.
We’d recommend the MK. 78 for it being a more stable choice out of the two, but then the XM325 can be quite the laser - even if it does fly through ammo.
Upgrading these weapons with the Belt Fed attachment option unlocked when Prestiging each respective gun completely changes the feel and approach with these weapons in a way that we think is more than worth working towards. With this attachment, you’ll no longer need to reload, and then only be keeping an eye on an overheating meter.
So long as you can keep the weapon from overheating, we found the guns become much more viable options, and you’re more often than not, ready to respond to oncoming attacks. Throw on the Scavenger perk for ammo pickups, and you’re set for some serious spray and pray glory!
Best Marksman Rifle in Black Ops 7
Best weapon recommendation: M8A1
How to unlock: Player Level 10
Admittedly, even based on the beta, it felt like the M8A1 would easily take the crown as the best Marksman Rifle in the game at launch.
Not only is it a weapon returning since Black Ops 2 - and one of my personal favourites (perhaps I’m biased) – but it’s also just an incredibly consistent and effective weapon. With a reliable rate of fire, and a four-round burst that can eliminate enemies fast, it’s practically an Assault Rifle with extended range, which also makes it approachable if you’re coming from that weapon class.
If you are looking for something a little more accurate and deadly however, the Warden 308 is a semi-automatic, sniper-like choice that’ll get you into those long range engagements, netting you clean, one-shot eliminations.
Best Sniper Rifle in Black Ops 7
Best weapon recommendation: Shadow SK
How to unlock: Player Level 13
The best Sniper Rifle right now in Black Ops 7 is the Shadow SK.
Whilst it’s not the traditional bolt-action pick that often easily takes the win, the Shadow SK is a semi-automatic alternative with a higher fire rate that also one-shots enemies with ease. It does this whilst still being effective at long range, and that’s without throwing on any attachments.
Since it does have lower firepower than the VS Recon - which you’ll have access to as soon as you unlock Custom Loadouts - you could take that one for a spin instead, as you may find it’s more effective at the longer ranges.
Generally speaking though, with many of the sightlines in Black Ops 7’s Multiplayer maps, the Shadow SK should have you covered.
For more on the weapons of Black Ops 7, be sure to check our all guns listed page, as well as our tier list ranking of all guns.
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