Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Weapons Ranked by Tier

What to Run in Black Ops 2 and What to Skip

Black Ops 2 multiplayer has more than thirty guns, and they are far from equal. The tier list behind this breakdown ranks 38 weapons, including the DLC Peacekeeper, from S down to D.

Seven weapons made the top tier: MSMC, AN-94, M8A1, PDW-57, DSR 50, FAL OSW and Skorpion EVO. They are a safe pick for duels and for long killstreaks. The ranking is subjective, but it shows well what to look for when choosing a gun.

Below you will find the full tier list, notes on each S-tier weapon, the best picks by class, beginner advice and the guns to avoid.

Black Ops 2 Multiplayer Weapon Tier List

The author weighs time to kill, recoil, range, handling, ammo, map fit and ease of use. The Assault Shield is left out because it is more of a defensive tool than a regular gun.

Treat the table as a guide, not a verdict. A B-tier gun is perfectly playable if it fits your map and style, and the gap between neighboring tiers mostly shows up at a high skill level. The sharpest drop is between S and D, where your odds in an even fight change a lot.

The Peacekeeper sits in A-tier, but only owners of the matching DLC can use it. According to player reports, the PS4 and PS5 version kept the same weapon balance, so the list applies there too.

The S-Tier Seven and How to Play Them

The author puts these seven guns at the top of the list. No single weapon wins on every map, so it helps to know what each one does best, such as where the AN-94 beats any SMG and where the DSR 50 sets the pace for the enemy team.

• MSMC. An all-round SMG for close and medium range. As described, it deals 40 damage per bullet within 14 m, so three hits are enough. Its fire rate trails the Skorpion EVO, but the gap is small. As described, it does well on Raid, Standoff, Slums, Express and Hijacked.

• AN-94. An assault rifle that works in nearly every lobby. As described, it kills in three hits at close and medium range (40 damage), while at long range damage drops to 33 and you need four. Recoil is manageable, and it suits both holding a position and playing the objective.

• M8A1. The strongest burst rifle. As described, a three-round burst at point-blank range (under 1.3 m) deals 105 damage. If you miss your bursts the gun loses its main edge, so it is not a beginner pick. It is excellent for holding lanes and mid-range angles.

• PDW-57. The 50-round magazine lets you chain several kills without reloading. Damage is modest, but three hits still win most close duels. It fits Hardpoint and Domination well.

• DSR 50. The sniper you can trust across different maps, and it kills in one shot. Ballista is faster, but DSR 50 is more dependable. Use it for long lanes and leave it at home on tight maps.

• FAL OSW. A semi-auto rifle that, as described, kills in two hits within 17 m. It needs accurate aim and good trigger control, and it shines on maps with long sightlines.

• Skorpion EVO. The highest fire rate among the SMGs and fast close-range play. The magazine drains quickly and the gun fades at distance. It is good for pushing and flanking, but without the Scavenger perk you will run dry before a long killstreak.

Best Weapon in Each Class

The S-tier does not cover every category. Here are the top picks by weapon type in this ranking, plus a few backups for when a map or mode calls for something different.

Assault rifles. AN-94, M8A1 and FAL OSW from S-tier. If you want the most versatile one, take the AN-94.

SMGs. MSMC, PDW-57 and Skorpion EVO. MSMC is picked as the best for its mix of damage, mobility and reach.

Snipers. DSR 50 is the only S-tier sniper. Ballista sits in A-tier; it is faster and favored by aggressive players.

Shotguns. R870 MCS is named best for its simplicity and damage, and as described it can kill in one shot. KSG demands good aim, but it reaches farther than the other shotguns.

LMGs. LSAT is more practical if you sometimes have to change position. MK 48 is heavier, and it is recommended only if you hold one lane and barely move.

Pistols. The full-auto KAP-40 is strong up close, and the burst-fire B23R is a good finisher.

Where Beginners Should Start

Do not pick a weapon just because it ranks high. Start with whatever works reliably on most maps. MSMC and AN-94 are good examples, but there are even simpler options.

• M27. The best starter assault rifle, with light recoil and stable handling at any range.

• MTAR. A simple early rifle, though do not expect much damage.

• PDW-57 and MP7. Forgiving SMGs with big magazines, and the MP7 is dependable up close.

• LSAT. For calm lane control.

• R870 MCS. A straightforward shotgun for close routes.

These have predictable recoil. They also come from different categories, so you will quickly learn which type suits you.

Weapons Better Left Alone

D-tier holds SMR, QBB LSW, M1216, RPG and Ballistic Knife. From C-tier, the author also advises skipping the Executioner and XPR-50 if consistent wins are the goal.

That does not mean you cannot get kills with them. They simply give you worse odds in a fair duel than top-tier guns. If you play for killstreaks, there is no reason to spend a slot on them.

Choosing Your Own Setup and Next Steps

Pick one S-tier weapon that matches your style, play a few dozen matches with it, and only then try others. You will learn recoil, ranges and timings faster than by swapping guns constantly. For objective modes like Hardpoint and Domination, PDW-57 and AN-94 work well. For long fights on maps with open lanes, take DSR 50 or FAL OSW, and for fast flanks use the Skorpion EVO.

For a beginner the best order is to find a simple gun with light recoil first, then move to more demanding ones. As your skill grows, time to kill and recoil control matter more, and the map starts to decide more than the tier on paper.

If you want to unlock everything faster or push progress in newer Call of Duty games, DVING offers services for the modern titles: Leveling, Weapon Leveling and Prestige. For individual weapon classes there are Assault Rifles Leveling, Submachine Guns Leveling, Sniper Rifles Leveling and Shotguns Leveling.