Best Battlefield 6 weapons and guns - BF6 tier list

What are the best weapons in BF6? Games like Battlefield can live or die on their gunplay, with both the selection of firearms and the feel of using them key in ensuring a fun and rewarding experience. Thankfully, BF6 not only has a varied cast of guns, but Kinesthetic Combat ensures a satisfying learning curve for any weapon you choose to pick up.

The Battlefield 6 release date has come and gone, and we have a firm idea of what guns you should be using and what you should leave in the armory. Here are the best Battlefield 6 weapons.

Battlefield 6 weapon tier list

We have compiled a comprehensive tier list of every weapon in BF6, ranging from the meta, S-class guns, to the C-tier ones that you might want to avoid for now.

S Tier

M4A1

• Muzzle: Long Suppressor
• Barrel: 12.5″ Mid
• Underbarrel: Stippled Stubby
• Magazine: 36RND Magazine
• Ammunition: FMJ
• Optic: OSA-7 1.00x

The M4A1 is a carbine with a ridiculous damage output and a fire rate to match. Without attachments, it's useless beyond a few meters, but when fully equipped, you'll be able to eliminate enemies well into the mid-range.

The Stipped Stubby is an expensive attachment, but it does a lot of the heavy lifting in reducing recoil, with the Long Suppressor keeping your shots off the mini map. The additional capacity offered by the 36RND Magazine will also allow you to take on multiple opponents without having to reload.

AK-205

• Muzzle: Lightened Suppressor
• Barrel: 314mm Prototype
• Underbarrel: Alloy Vertical
• Magazine: 40RND Magazine
• Ammunition: FMJ
• Scope: Baker 3.00x

You'll see, even with no tinkering, that the AK-205 is unlike any of the other carbines, or assault rifles, for that matter. It combines an absurd rate of fire with unrivalled recoil control. Up close, it can shred enemies in an instant, and because of its precision, you'll still be able to put shots on distant targets with ease.

Despite having the lowest damage in the carbine category, its almost non-existent recoil means you'll be hitting more of your shots. The Baker 3.00x sight gives you a clear sight picture to make every shot count.

M87A1

• Barrel: 20" Factory
• Underbarrel: Folding Vertical
• Magazine: 7 Shell Tube
• Ammunition: Buckshot
• Scope: OSA-7 1.00x

The M87A1 is a shotgun that's capable of one-shotting enemies up to and around 15 meters, with two-shot capability way beyond that. An absurdly powerful gun with quick handling, it's mainly going to be used as a secondary for the Assault class, or on smaller infantry maps, but either way, once you have this in your hands, the enemy had better watch their corners.

You don't need to mess much with the M87A1, but we enjoyed the clean OSA-7 sight and the Folding Vertical grip to give us a bit more control in a hectic firefight. Slug ammunition can be changed if you prefer ultimate accuracy, but we feel like that's missing the point of a shotgun a little.

M2010 ESR

• Muzzle: Lightened Suppressor
• Barrel: 26″ Carbon
• Magazine: 5RND Magazine
• Ammunition: Match Grade
• Ergonomics: DLC Bolt
• Scope: SSDS 6.00x

Love it or hate it, but the M2010 ESR has the capability of being the most lethal weapon in Battlefield 6, if you know how to use it. It's feast or famine at close range, with the ESR capable of taking down enemies instantly - miss your shot, though, and you're easy pickings, so it's important to play to its strengths and stay out of your enemy's effective range.

Our loadout focuses on aiming speed and bullet velocity. The DLC Bolt allows you to chamber your next round without taking your eyes away from the target, and the Match Grade ammunition increases bullet velocity, making those distance targets much easier to hit.

PW7A2

• Muzzle: Convertor
• Barrel: Basic
• Underbarrel: Alloy Vertical
• Sight: OSA-7 1.00x
• Ammunition: Synthetic
• Magazine: 30RND Fast Mag

The PW7A2 is a compact SMG with an absurd fire rate, and even in its basic form, you'll see that it's a monster up close. With a few minor improvements, you'll be able to push the PW7A2's range a little, making it more deadly in more scenarios.

The Synthetic Ammunition is vital for increasing damage, as your headshots will be dealing a considerable amount more. The Convertor and the Alloy Vertical lock down that recoil to virtually zero.

A Tier

KTS100 MK8

• Muzzle: Single-Port Brake
• Barrel: 457mm MK9
• Underbarrel: Folding Vertical
• Magazine: 60RND Drum Mag
• Ammunition: Synthetic Tip
• Scope: BF-2M 3.00x

The KTS100 MK8 is the second LMG you get access to, and the difference is shocking. Advertised as a gun that offers only 'accurate suppressive fire', we would argue that accurate fire is also deadly fire. With the Synthetic Tip ammunition, you can hone the KTS100's accurate and controllable recoil into a terrifying tool of war.

Mainly used for mid-range engagements, our build doesn't focus much on hipfire, so you will have to be disciplined with your ranges - don't get forced into a fight that isn't to your advantage. Cover your team as they push, and watch your kill count soar.

M433

• Muzzle: Compensated Brake
• Barrel: 16.5" Rifle
• Underbarrel: Ribbed Vertical
• Magazine: 30RND Fast Mag
• Ammunition: Full Metal Jacket
• Scope: OSA-7 1.00x

While the M433 is considered the 'starting' gun, with a few tweaks, it can stand toe to toe with the best. Primarily used for close to mid-range engagements, you might struggle when pushing beyond 50m, but as long as you stay within your effective range, there isn't anything that can match you.

To push the range, you can opt for a Long Suppressor, but we feel that leaning into the M433's already-brilliant close-range damage is key. Compensated Brake, Ribbed Vertical, and the 30RND Fast Mag will ensure you're ready for anything that comes your way.

DRS-IAR

• Muzzle: Convertor
• Barrel: 20" SDM-R
• Underbarrel: Stippled Stubby
• Magazine: 40RND Fast Mag
• Ammunition: FMJ
• Scope: Mini Flex 1.00x

The DRS-IAR is an LMG that behaves more like a carbine. It takes the fire rate of its heavier counterparts and puts it in a highly mobile, highly dangerous frame.

Our attachment setup combines the Convertor with the Stippled Stubby to lock down the recoil almost completely, with the 40RND Fast Mag giving you the depth in reserves and the reload speed to take on all comers.

B Tier

C Tier

All BF6 weapons

Assault Rifle

A Jack of all trades, the assault rifle class is a perfect all-rounder for those who find themselves facing different types of engagements within each match. Most can be configured for close-quarters or for more mid-range firefights, depending on what the situation calls for.

• NVO-228E - This powerful assault rifle chambered in 7.62 Soviet is a reliable weapon designed for mid-range encounters.
• B36A4 - A versatile carbine that can be modified to compete in both close-quarters and ranged encounters.
• M433 - Chambered in 5.56×45, this cutting-edge rifle is best suited for closer ranges due to its above-average rate of fire.
• SOR-556 Mk2 - This modular rifle is an intermediate configuration. It's highly accurate and best utilized at mid to long-range engagements.
• AK4D - A classic battle rifle with a slow rate of fire, best utilized during mid to long-range engagements.
• TR-7 - With a relatively high fire rate and subsequent recoil, this popular bullpup battle rifle is better suited to close-range combat.
• KORD 6P67 - This low-recoil, high-rate-of-fire rifle performs well at both close and long ranges.
• L85A3 - With a steady rate of fire, this modified bullpup rifle favors mid to long-range engagements.

Carbine

Carbines are the unruly cousin of the assault rifle, often taking up more of a specific role on the battlefield, although their use can be considered largely the same. Some of these weapons can outpace the range or the sheer power of the assault rifle, but that comes at the cost of being more difficult to use.

• M4A1 - With its high cyclic rate, extending this carbine's effective range requires competent recoil management.
• M277 - Chambered in 6.8x51mm, this newly fielded rifle is intended for overmatch at range at the cost of magazine capacity.
• AK-205 - With an average cyclic rate and 5.45x39mm chambering, this rifle offers superior ranged performance.
• M417 A2 - Chambered in 7.62x51mm, this compact battle rifle offsets its high damage with a steady rate of fire.
• GRT-BC - A compact bullpup rifle with an above-average rate of fire and an intermediate chambering.
• QBZ-192 - A modern rifle of East Asian origin chambered in the unique 5.8x42mm. Comes factory with a bipod grip for rapid, stabilized shooting.
• SG 553R - A classic Cold War era rifle modernized for export. Its effectiveness quickly diminishes beyond mid-range.

SMG

Submachine guns are the perfect close-range weapon, with high rates of fire and pinpoint accuracy over short distances. On the smaller TDM encounters, these will be your go-to choice. Can be modified to extend range, but will generally be outpaced by assault rifles in that regard.

• SGX - A modern 9.19mm PDW suited for close-range engagements. It can be configured to improve its ranged capabilities.
• PW7A2 - A 4.6x30mm chambering ensures this PDW outperforms at range. Still effective in close quarters due to its high rate of fire.
• PW5A3 - This popular SMG performs admirably in all engagements up to and including mid-range.
• UMG-40 - A renowned polymer SMG with a low rate of fire, chambered in .40 caliber. Outperforms its peer at mid-range encounters.
• USG-90 - A high-capacity PDW with a unique design. Lower effective damage is offset by a high rate of fire.
• KV9 - With a blistering cyclic rate, this sleek SMG will near-instantly consume the ammunition within a standard magazine.
• SCW-10 - Chambered in 10mm, this modular modern SMG offers increased stopping power where other PDWs fall short.
• SL9 - Boasting a unique design, this cutting-edge SMG is adaptable to a variety of combat scenarios.

LMG

The Support's weapon of choice, LMGs, have deep ammo reserves and an impressive effective range. Not as deadly as some of the other choices, these weapons can be used to suppress enemies, laying down cones of fire to assist your team advance, or escape an encounter.

• L110 - An all-purpose Squad automatic Weapon chambered in 5.56x45mm. Well-matched for most engagements.
• DRS-IAR - A reliable LSW that blurs the boundary into service rifle. Attachments equipped decide how to best use this versatile firearm.
• M/60 - This widely used general-purpose machine gun is capable of keeping enemies suppressed with a slow and steady rate of fire.
• RPKM - The original Light Support Weapon. Relatively configurable and best suited for mid-range suppressive fire.
• M123K - An ideal LMG for mobile fire support. Will dominate in close quarters and keep enemies suppressed with a high fire rate.
• M250 - A companion to the M277 with similar ranged overmatch effectiveness, combining suppressing fire with lethal ranged capability.
• KTS100 MK8 - With low recoil and a steady RPM, this light machine gun's moderate damage is offset by accurate suppressive fire.
• M240L - A general-purpose machine gun modernized to improve weight and increase capacity. Effective in both aggressive and defensive roles.

DMR

The DMR, or Designated Marksman rifle, is a weapon that's somewhere in the middle between a carbine and a sniper rifle. These weapons excel in the mid-range, but often lack the stopping power needed for extreme distances.

• M39 EMR - Chambered in 7.62x51mm, this versatile marksman rifle is a solid addition to any squad's arsenal.
• LMR 27 - With an intermediate chambering, this cutting-edge precision rifle allows for rapid follow-shots at the cost of relatively low damage.
• SVK-8.6 - A precision rifle chambered in the powerful 8.6x70mm cartridge. Its lethality is offset by a lower rate of fire.
• SVDM - A classic marksman's rifle modernized for the 21st century. The right configuration can offer extreme mobility or ranged eliminations.

Sniper Rifle

Sniper rifles are the ultimate long-range solution; slow-firing, but extremely hard-hitting, these weapons require skill to use effectively, but if you master them, you'll be a menace to any opposition.

• M2010 ESR - This accurate bolt-action sniper rifle reaches targets at greater distances with its .300 WM chambering.
• SV-98 - Firing the legacy 7.62x54mmR, this balanced bolt-action rifle is most effective between 45m - 90m.
• PSR - Designed for extreme ranges, this sniper rifle is most effective between 75m - 150m.

Shotgun

Extremely potent at close range, shotguns are the go-to for breaching and entering a cramped space.

• M87A1 - A reliable pump-action shotgun chambered with 3" shells for improved stopping power.
• M1014 - This popular semi-automatic shotgun hits hard with 3″ shells, but is limited by its magazine tube capacity.
• 18.5KS-K - A magazine-fed, semi-automatic shotgun firing 2.75″ shells for sizable damage.

Now that you know all of the Battlefield 6 guns, you can decide what kind of soldier you want to be. Check out our guide on Battlefield 6 crossplay so you know which of your friends you can invite to the fight, and the Battlefield 6 system requirements, while you're at it, so you can be confident in your rig running the FPS.