As a veteran Call of Duty player with over a decade of gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that the AEK-973 in Black Ops 6 is a hidden gem among the plethora of weapons available. While ARs and SMGs may grab all the attention, this Marksman Rifle packs a punch like no other.


In Black Ops 6 Multiplayer, Assault Rifles (ARs) and Submachine Guns (SMGs) often receive the most praise, but the AEK-973, a remarkably potent Marksman Rifle, is frequently overlooked and deserves more recognition.

In the course of a decade, the M8A7 from Black Ops 3 stands as one of the most powerful weapons in Call of Duty’s storied history. This legendary four-round burst assault rifle swiftly eliminated adversaries with just a single burst. While the series has produced numerous burst weapons since then, none have matched the impact of what we witnessed in BO3.

However, it’s worth noting that AEK is a legitimate competitor, and when skillfully utilized, it ranks among the top weapons in Black Ops 6, provided you can capitalize on its strong points with precision.

The AEK-973 functions as a precision Marksman Rifle, delivering lethal three-round bursts effective against enemies within 41 meters. It’s worth mentioning that the brief pause between shots may present some difficulty when using this weapon; however, an appropriate loadout can help alleviate these complications.

Let’s jump right into why the AEK-973 is one of the best guns in Black Ops 6.

Best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 loadout

  • Optic: Kepler Microflex
  • Muzzle: Ported Compensator
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

Picking the right optic is largely a matter of personal taste, however, the Kepler Microflex stands out by offering a remarkably clear field of view, making it ideal for close to moderate distance encounters.

To make sure you hit your targets consistently, the Ported Compensator enhances the initial shot and reduces vertical kickback, while the Vertical Foregrip aids in managing horizontal recoil. It’s highly advisable to equip both these accessories on every AEK-973 setup, as the gun becomes excessively shaky without them.

Afterward, the Quickdraw Grip enhances your ability to quickly adjust your sight when taking aim, a vital skill for being the initial shooter against faster ARs (Assault Rifles) and SMGs (Submachine Guns).

The Rapid Fire attachment is crucial for the AEK-973 as it significantly reduces the time gap between bursts, thereby enhancing the weapon’s firing speed. However, this accessory increases both vertical and horizontal recoil. But, the Ported Compensator and Vertical Foregrip can help mitigate these drawbacks to some extent.

Best Perks, Equipment & Combat Specialty for AEK-973 loadout

  • Wildcard: Perk Greed
  • Perk 1: Ninja
  • Perk 2: Tracker
  • Perk 3: Double Time
  • Perk Greed: Ghost
  • Specialty: Recon
  • Lethal: Frag
  • Tactical: Flashbang
  • Field Upgrade: Sleeper Agent

In the new update from Treyarch, the sound of footsteps has been significantly enhanced, making it simpler to spot opponents. Consequently, Ninja now minimizes one’s own footstep sounds. You won’t struggle to keep tabs on other players, as the Tracker function now highlights enemy footprints.

As a gamer, I’d say: “Boosting my loadout with Double Time is always a smart move. It significantly extends the time I can sprint tactically, which comes in handy for swiftly dodging firefights or swiftly navigating the map.

Ultimately, our suggestion is to implement the “Perk Greed” strategy to gain an additional perk. Utilize this slot for the “Ghost” perk to remain undetected on the mini-map during UAV scans.

With the application of three blue Perk cards, you gain access to the Specialty in Reconnaissance. The Enforcer perk offers a short-term boost to both your movement speed and health regeneration following enemy kills, but when it comes to choosing, the Recon specialty takes the lead.

With Recon, players gain the ability to spot enemies even behind walls following their resurgence. This advantage comes in handy as it offers a clear picture of each player’s location on the map, helping to prevent being trapped at spawn points. Moreover, the screen will alert you with a ping when an adversary outside your sightline detects you, granting a chance to take them down before they can react.

AEK-973 pros and cons

ProsCons
Slow fire rateOne burst eliminations
Challenging recoil patternExcellent damage output
Below average mobility statsGood magazine size

Where is the AEK-973 in the Black Ops 6 meta?

As per WZRanked’s data, the AEK-973 ranks 23rd among all the weapons in use. At first glance, this might suggest that the weapon isn’t particularly effective due to its low popularity. However, it’s worth considering giving it a try. The AEK-973 has an advantage that many other weapons lack: it can take down enemies with just one burst. Additionally, if you aim carefully, it boasts one of the quickest Time-to-Kill (TTK) rates in the game.

How to unlock AEK-973 in Black Ops 6

As a gamer, I’ve got some exciting news! The AEK-973 isn’t something you’ll stumble upon at the beginning of the game. You’ll have to grind through 34 levels before it’s yours to wield. But don’t worry, you won’t need to reach the max level to start using it!

Black Ops 6 AEK-973 alternatives

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2024-10-29 02:18