Warzone meta shifts back to Black Ops 6 rifles

Each seasonal update tends to shake up the meta, either by introducing new weapons or tweaking existing ones

Several fan-favorite rifles have re-emerged as dominant picks in Warzone following the Black Ops 6 Season 5 Reloaded update, with players saying these weapons now “absolutely melt” enemies.

Each seasonal Call of Duty update tends to shake up the meta, either by introducing new weapons or tweaking existing ones. This time, developers have brought some long-forgotten favorites back into the spotlight with notable buffs.

One standout is the CR-56 AMAX, which now forms part of one of the fastest Time to Kill (TTK) loadouts in the game. But it's not alone — a handful of other rifles, like the Kilo 141, have returned to top-tier status.

In a breakdown posted on September 13, Warzone expert WhosImmortal highlighted several guns making a major comeback. Among them was the AK-74, which he praised for its all-around power. “To me, the damage is there, the range is there, the velocity is there,” he said. “If you can master the recoil here, this is a meta choice. This thing absolutely melts, especially on Rebirth.”

He also spotlighted the Kilo 141, which benefitted from range buffs. “This thing got a nice buff… It’s low recoil, it’s an absolute laser beam,” he explained, calling it a clear meta contender.

The XM4 also earned a place in WhosImmortal’s top-tier list. He called it “easy to use” with a competitive TTK up to 60 meters, making it a strong pick — particularly on Rebirth Island. However, he noted the XM4 may underperform on Verdansk due to its more limited effective range.

With these buffs, the Warzone weapon meta is once again evolving — and old favorites are finding new life.