Black Ops 2 has one of the most balanced yet brutally competitive weapon rosters in the entire shooter games genre. With 38 multiplayer weapons available, including the Peacekeeper DLC SMG, the gap between a well-chosen loadout and a frustrating one is enormous. Whether you just picked up Call of Duty: Black Ops II on PS5 or you're a returning player trying to relearn the meta, this tier list covers every gun from the absolute best to the ones worth skipping entirely.
What are the best weapons in Black Ops 2 multiplayer?
The short answer: the AN-94, MSMC, SCAR-H, M8A1, MP7, and Ballista sit at the top of the meta. These six weapons cover every playstyle and perform reliably across the game's varied map pool. Below is a full breakdown organized by tier, followed by class-specific recommendations and beginner picks.
Full tier list: every weapon ranked
S-Tier: the weapons that run the lobby
These are the guns that consistently appear in the hands of top players, and for good reason. Each one brings a combination of damage, handling, and versatility that the rest of the roster can't quite match.
AN-94
The AN-94 deals 40 damage per bullet at close to medium range, meaning three shots is all it takes to drop an enemy. At longer distances that drops to 33 damage, pushing the kill requirement to four shots, but the recoil stays manageable throughout. What makes it special is its flexibility: it holds lanes, plays around objectives, and adapts to almost any map in the rotation. Arguably the best full-auto assault rifle in the game.
MSMC
The MSMC has been the dominant SMG in Black Ops 2 for years. It deals 40 damage per bullet at ranges under 14 meters, so three hits end a fight. The damage range is exceptional for its class, and the recoil is low enough to stay accurate through a full magazine. Maps like Raid, Standoff, Slums, Express, and Hijacked are where this gun absolutely thrives.
SCAR-H
The SCAR-H is the easiest weapon to pick up and immediately perform with. It hits hard, has minimal recoil, and sports the best iron sights of any gun in the game. Players who want a reliable all-purpose assault rifle without fussing over optics will find this their go-to.
M8A1
The M8A1 is a four-round burst assault rifle that rewards accuracy heavily. At near-melee distances, three bullets deal 105 damage combined. Land clean bursts and the time-to-kill is among the fastest in the game. Miss bursts and you'll feel the penalty immediately. This is not a beginner-friendly weapon, but in the right hands it dominates mid-range lanes.
MP7
The MP7 is the most forgiving SMG in the roster. Great handling, low recoil, solid damage, and a larger magazine than most SMG competitors. It performs well both up close and at medium range, making it an excellent choice for players who move unpredictably across the map.
Ballista
The Ballista is the better sniper rifle for aggressive players. Its damage is lower than the DSR.50, giving a reliable one-shot kill only from the chest upward, but its handling speed and accuracy are noticeably superior. For quickscoping or fast-paced sniping, the Ballista is the pick.
MSMC class setup screen
A-Tier: strong options worth running
These weapons are competitive and can absolutely carry games. They each have a minor weakness that keeps them out of the top tier, but none of them are bad choices.
- MTAR: Exceptional at medium range with a fast fire rate and great time-to-kill. One of the strongest all-round assault rifles in the game.
- Vector K10: High fire rate SMG with low recoil. Excellent up close, though its effective range is limited.
- Scorpion EVO: The fastest fire rate among SMGs creates a rapid time-to-kill, but the recoil is significant. Best paired with the Scavenger perk to manage ammo consumption.
- LSAT: The standout LMG. Great range, strong damage, and surprisingly accurate. Pairs particularly well with the Target Finder optic when prefiring corners.
- DSR.50: The most powerful sniper rifle in terms of raw damage, with a reliable one-shot kill from the waist up. Slightly slower and less accurate than the Ballista, but easier to trust for consistent one-shot kills.
- FAL OSW: A semi-auto assault rifle that can drop an enemy in two hits at 17 meters or closer. Demands good aim and fast trigger control, but the reward is one of the fastest kill times in the game on long lanes.
- Remington 870 MCS: The best shotgun in Black Ops 2. Second-highest damage in the shotgun class with a reliable one-to-two shot kill. The fire rate is slow, but the stopping power compensates.
- B23R: A burst-fire pistol with solid damage and fire rate. The best secondary swap in the game for players who need a reliable backup.
- KAP-40: A full-auto machine pistol that functions like a pocket SMG. Excellent DPS but a small magazine. Great for sniper players who need a close-range option.
B-Tier: good guns with clear ceilings
These weapons are solid and usable in most lobbies, but they're generally outperformed by better options in their respective classes.
- Peacekeeper: An SMG and assault rifle hybrid with great range and fast handling. Sits comfortably at medium range and is a genuinely strong pick, held back only by being a DLC weapon some players won't have.
- PDW-57: A 50-round magazine makes this one of the most forgiving SMGs in the game. Damage isn't spectacular, but the ability to chain kills without reloading makes it excellent for objective modes like Hardpoint and Domination.
- M27: Incredibly low recoil and easy handling at any range. Average time-to-kill, but the predictability makes it perfect for newer players.
- Type 25: High fire rate full-auto assault rifle with a fast time-to-kill, offset by above-average recoil. Strong up close and at medium range.
C-Tier and below: what to avoid
Once you drop below B-Tier, the weapons start showing real limitations. C-Tier guns are situationally viable but consistently outclassed. D-Tier weapons have specific use cases (the FHJ-18 AA is genuinely the best tool for shooting down scorestreaks) but aren't worth building a class around.
F-Tier is straightforward: the Ballistic Knife, Crossbow, and RPG are gimmick weapons. Fun to mess around with in casual lobbies, but not remotely competitive.
What are the best weapons for beginners in Black Ops 2?
If you're new to the game or returning after a long break, prioritize weapons with predictable recoil and forgiving handling over raw damage output.
The AN-94 and MP7 are the two safest starting points. Both perform well across the map pool without demanding high accuracy or precise trigger timing.
How does weapon ranking work in Black Ops 2?
The tier list above weighs several factors together rather than relying on damage numbers alone. Time-to-kill, recoil pattern, effective range, handling speed, magazine size, and map fit all contribute to a weapon's overall ranking. A gun with high damage but terrible recoil (like the SMR) ranks lower than a more controllable option because consistency matters more than peak performance in a fast-paced multiplayer environment.
Map fit deserves special attention. The MSMC is dominant on tight maps like Hijacked and Slums but loses ground on larger, open maps where the AN-94 or DSR.50 make more sense. Running the right weapon for the map rotation you're in will improve your results more than chasing the single highest-ranked option.
For more strategies and loadout guides covering every weapon class, the Call of Duty: Black Ops II guides collection has everything you need to build competitive classes from scratch.