Black Ops 7 meta and best guns to use in multiplayer

The Black Ops 7 weapon meta has some clear standouts and, thanks to the addition of S1 guns, things have changed. Assault rifles are currently edging out the Marksman rifles that previously dominated, with a switch to faster firing options now the game is finding its groove.

The Maddox and Kogot seem to be dominating the discussion after arriving in S1, shaking up the top choices that the game launched with. There's are a lot of options though, with a case to be made for plenty of guns. Although assault and SMG classes really are pushing the lead currently. Below I've laid out a list of all the weapons that are currently topping the meta that you should definitely consider building loadouts around.

Black Ops 7 meta guns

Here's what seems to be dominating the BO7 meta so far, proving to be top picks for a lot of loadouts. There's an extensive selection of guns to choose from, so be sure to experiment as all of them can be good in the right hands and with the right attachments:

1. Maddox RFB: Unlocked on page 6 of the Battle Pass page this S1 assault rifle was an instant S tier option in the meta. It's got a fast fire rate but also great handling at closer distances, so it's capable across a good range.
2. Kogot-7: This season 1 SMG is a fast and mobile option, countered by low damage and high recoil. One of the trickier guns to master but it really pays off if you click with it.
3. AK-27: This AR unlocks early and is worth checking out thanks to its high damage and range. It's not the fastest firing option though but it's a fav assault option for a lot of people.
4. Dravec 45: Locked behind level 34 it took a little while for this SMG to really show its colors. Its low recoil makes it extremely dangerous in the right hands however and it has good range for an SMG. The low damage means you really need to land your shots though.
5. M15 MOD 0: Even as one of the starting assault rifles in Black Ops 7, the M15 is arguably one of the game's best. It deals relatively low damage for an assault rifle but has a good fire rate and range, along with manageable accuracy, making it versatile and easy to use. Here's a Black Ops 7 M15 Mod 0 build to make it even better!
6. Shadow SK: This is probably the top tier sniper in the game at the moment thanks to its handling and suitability for quickscoping. It's got low damage for the class overall so you'll need a rock solid headshot at range, or upper chest closer up, for a one shot kill but it's a quick to use, semi auto option that rules at longer ranges.
7. Ryden 45K: The Ryden kicks pretty hard, but its high fire rate and good all-rounder stats means it's relatively easy to use and is a great base for a range of attachments focused on recoil control, hipfire accuracy, and mobility. Though it's worth bearing in mind that almost all the SMGs are quite strong in Black Ops 7 and can feel quite similar.
8. M8A1: Returning from Black Ops 2 as a marksman rifle, the M8A1 still feels like a high-damage assault rifle with lethal four-round bursts, but missing any shots can be punishing
9. Warden 308: I don't know what the developers were thinking when they made this marksman rifle because it's unbelievably busted. The Warden is essentially a less unwieldy sniper rifle – even with a built-in firing delay it's pretty easy to use, capable of scoring one-shot kills to the upper chest and above.
10. M34 Novaline: The Novaline is another strong marksman rifle that fires two-round bursts and rewards accurate fire as hitting both shots almost always results in a one-burst kill.
11. Peacekeeper MK1: The Peacekeeper is the other default assault rifle and is good for those who want something a bit more aggressive than the M15. Its recoil is harder to handle due to its higher fire rate, and its range is relatively poor but stick to shorter-range engagements and you can go toe-to-toe with some SMGs.

While these Black Ops 7 guns seem to be top choices for now, bear in mind that attachments make a big difference to the performance of any gun, and certain perks and wildcards can help too. That means non-meta weapons can still perform well when they built appropriately and are used as part of a suitable loadout and playstyle.

And obviously balance patches might radically change which guns are considered part of the Black Ops 7 meta, with underperforming guns potentially surging up while the currently dominant marksman rifles might take a hit.

© GamesRadar+. Not to be reproduced without permission.