Best SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6

As a seasoned Black Ops 6 player with countless hours under my belt and victories to my name, I must say that the current SMG meta is as diverse and challenging as ever. The Jackal PDW takes the top spot, its unmatched close-range performance making it a formidable foe in any firefight. However, if you’re seeking a bit more punch, the Tanto .22 or C9 are solid alternatives that cater to different playstyles.


To excel in close combat situations in Black Ops 6, it’s advisable to choose a Submachine Gun (SMG). We’ve compiled optimal loadout suggestions for the top picks available.

2021’s version of Call of Duty may not boast the most extensive collection of firearms, but each weapon has a distinct role. Assault Rifles, for instance, excel in versatility across various combat scenarios, while Submachine Guns (SMGs) reign supreme when it comes to close-range skirmishes.

But with six to choose from, it can be hard to separate the strong from the weak. So, here are the best SMGs in Black Ops 6.

Best Black Ops 6 SMG loadouts

1. Jackal PDW

Best SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6

  • Muzzle: Suppressor
  • Barrel: Long Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag 1

Among all the submachine guns in Black Ops 6, the Jackal PDW truly shines and continues to be the top choice. Although some weapons in its class have superior range, the Jackal’s incredible power in close combat sets it far ahead of its competitors.

Improving its drawbacks is possible using the Long Barrel and Vertical Foregrip accessories, making it more effective at medium distances and controlling its recoil. Additionally, the Quickdraw Grip significantly increases the speed of aiming down sights, enabling you to secure those critical initial shots.

Similar to many Submachine Guns, the Jackal tends to consume a lot of ammunition. To keep you firing at multiple opponents without frequently needing to reload, it’s wise to use the Extended Magazine 1 attachment.

2. Tanto .22

Best SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6

  • Muzzle: Suppressor
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag 1
  • Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
  • Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

From my perspective as a gun enthusiast, the Tanto .22 stands almost as a mirror image to the PDW. While it’s true that it fires at a more relaxed pace, each shot packs quite the punch compared to its counterpart. If you fancy the handling of an SMG but prefer not to be out in the open on sprawling battlefields, this is your ideal match.

In comparison to several other weapons in Black Ops 6, it’s already incredibly efficient at taking down opponents quickly. However, adding the Rapid Fire modification makes its speed even more astonishing. This added power does come with a significant amount of recoil, but we’ve opted for the Vertical Foregrip to mitigate this issue.

3. C9

Best SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6

  • Muzzle: Ported Compensator
  • Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip
  • Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
  • Stock: No Stock

In Black Ops 6, Omnimovement shines as the main character, harmonizing perfectly with the C9. Despite being your initial Submachine Gun, its exceptional mobility makes it a reliable pick, whether you’re a beginner starting at Level 1 or an experienced player about to Prestige at Level 55.

The best C9 build doubles down on its movement, and the Ergonomic Grip is the most important attachment of them all. This improves the ADS, slide-to-fire, and dive-to-fire speeds, so, when paired with the No Stock option, you’ll be nothing but a blur.

4. KSV

Best SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6

  • Optic: Kepler Microflex
  • Muzzle: Ported Compensator
  • Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Rear Grip: CQB Grip

As a devoted fan, I’ve got to be straightforward: There’s quite a noticeable drop in performance from the top three guns compared to the KSV. The recoil on this gun can be challenging to manage, making it less controllable than its competitors. Additionally, its bullet velocity isn’t impressive at mid-range, which makes it a bit hard for me to wholeheartedly endorse it.

Despite what has been mentioned, it’s still incredibly potent in close combat due to its fast firing speed. You can further boost its speed by attaching the Reinforced Barrel. Subsequently, the Vertical Foregrip and Ported Compensator can significantly minimize the recoil, making the KSV more formidable in comparison to other weapons.

5. Kompact 92

Best SMG loadouts in Black Ops 6

  • Muzzle: Ported Compensator
  • Barrel: Long Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Precision Foregrip
  • Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag 1

The Kompact 92 boasts an exceptionally high rate of fire among Submachine Guns in Black Ops 6, but due to its restricted usefulness, it often lags behind several other alternatives within its category. Although it boasts one of the quickest Time-to-Kill (TTK) values within the game up to a certain distance, this advantage is significantly reduced by its steep drop-off.

However, all that being said, it truly shines on maps like Babylon and Payback if you can keep it under control. With this in mind, the Precision Foregrip and Ported Compensator should be your go-tos, while the Long Barrel buffs the range.

All Black Ops 6 SMGs ranked

  1. Jackal PDW
  2. Tanto .22
  3. C9
  4. KSV
  5. Kompact 92
  6. PP-919

Meta analysis

In Black Ops 6, the SMG meta is yet to fully develop, but the Jackal PDW has quickly become the top choice in the early game. Despite receiving a slight adjustment post-beta due to its dominance, its lethal close-range performance remains unchanged, making it a formidable weapon to contend with.

In summary, if you’re after higher damage per shot, the Tanto .22 isn’t lagging too far behind. And when it comes to agility and mobility, the C9 is an excellent choice. Additionally, you can unlock both of these guns earlier than the Jackal, so expect to see them in action more frequently during the early stages.

Absolutely, every new update introduces a variety of enhancements (buffs) and reductions (nerfs), along with fresh weapons, ensuring the gameplay remains diverse. Therefore, while things are as they are at present, they might look completely different in the upcoming months.

The initial update is Black Ops 6 Season 1, where it merges with Warzone for the first time, a feature introduced by Treyarch in their newest game.

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2024-10-25 18:49