While the AK-74u held the spotlight for a majority of the Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Alpha, it was not until the end that fans started to realize the true power and potential of the AK-47. A staple of the era, the AK-47 made its way into the alpha alongside the equally powerful M16 rifle. Unlike the M16, though, the Black Ops Cold War AK-47 sports higher firepower at the cost of accuracy.
This powerful weapon is an earlier form of the AK line and served as one of the primary weapons in Russian deployments during the Cold War. As one of the most durable weapons ever made, the AK-47 rarely saw mechanical issues despite being deployed in sandy, muddy, and wet environments.
As far as Call of Duty lore goes, the AK-47 has made an appearance in a majority of titles. While its damage and durability have been a shifting variable depending on the game, the weapon continues to remain a fan favorite due to memorability and its high-damage ration. At the start of the Black Ops Cold War Alpha, fans were fielding the AK-74u due to its strength in close combat situations. Near the end, fans started noticing the unbalanced potential found in the Ak-47 with "beaming" loadouts starting to appear as the Alpha came to a close.
AK-47 Alpha Weapons, Attachments, and Build
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Alpha test was still an early version of the game with most guns still found in an unbalanced state. Still, fans were able to get a clear look at each weapon despite its stats still remaining a general mystery. The AK-47 is an assault rifle that holds 30 rounds in its magazine with 2 mags on reserve as needed. The weapon is designed for middle and long-range engagements finding a particular weakness in hip-fire accuracy and close-combat situations.
As for attachments, a majority of the options in Black Ops Cold War's Gunsmith were locked but did remain listed. Fans were able to get a good idea of what may be available in the future, while still being able to test a limited amount of attachment options onto their weapon. In the Alpha, most players that built into the Ak-47 decided to try and reduce weapon recoil resulting in several "beaming" loadouts. The main factors in these loadouts were the Barrel, Underbarrel, and Muzzle options as Stock, Body, Handle, and Magazine had less influence over the related stats.
With limited attachment options, many guns were unable to showcase their versatility. While this did limit options in customization, fans were still able to craft their personal builds into powerful and competitive Black Ops Cold War kits. One popular Ak-47 setup was to equip the Muzzle Brake 7.62 for its +10% Recoil control and pair it with the 18.2" Paratrooper barrel. This would increase recoil control while optimizing range and damage on the weapon. For faster speed and maneuverability, players chose to equip the Foregrip as this helped quicken ADS time and reduce movement penalties. For the close combat engagements, a Steady Aim Laser could be equipped which would help close in targetting reticules while not ADSing. Finally, fans would top off their weapon with a 40 Round Magazine which increases the amount of ammo available and allowing for more error between shots.
Ak-47 Alpha Recoil Build:
- Muzzle: Muzzle Brake 7.62
- Barrel: 18.2" Paratrooper Barrel
- Underbarrel: Foregrip
- Body: Steady Aim Laser
- Magazine: 40 Round Magazine
Ak-47 Alpha Fan Reception
Many fans already expected the Ak-47 to be in the game as the rifle has an iconic status for the 1960s Soviet era. Although the weapon has been used in several conflicts, it just would not be a Cold War game for many fans if this wooden-bodied rifle didn't make an appearance. What fans did not expect was the massive jump in lethality and damage between the AK-47 and other assault rifles. Although the AK-47 lacks in accuracy, it easily makes up the difference in sheer power alone.
For many fans, the strength of the gun made it an instant pick, but early in the Alpha it saw competition with the AK-74u which was a lighter and newer form of the signature rifle. While the Ak-74u did win in battles of speed and short-range burst, the versatility of the Ak-47's range solidified its position as a powerful weapon near the end of the Alpha weekend. The AK-74u might be the newer model, but it simply did not have the strength to compete directly with its older predecessor.
While the Streaming and Content Creator community had access to the game, they also reported a rise in AK-47 use as many players noticed that it was a strong and versatile weapon. With the right attachments, its range and damage could stretch across the massive maps showcased in the trailers, and quickly the gun earned a reputation for "beaming." It is interesting that the same general reputation appeared after a wider audience gained access to the weapon. As the Alpha continued to evolve throughout the weekend, many fans tracked the sizable shift in gun selection.
Early Alpha access had many fans trying a variety of guns, but a clear "alpha meta" started to form placing the AK-47 near the top. It is unknown whether or not the rifle will hold this position during the Black Ops Cold War Beta or launch phases of the game, many fans are expecting immediate nerfs. While it does not match the sheer power of the Sniper Rifles in Black Ops Cold War, it does provide fast-paced adaptability at multiple range increments mixed with a rather tight spread of accuracy.
Whether or not the AK-47 gets nerfed, there's little doubt it holds a special place in many fan's hearts. The rifle has been a long-standing member of the Call of Duty armory, and now with Black Ops Cold War, it has a chance to regain some lost honor as it is back in its proper era and element. Fans will just have to wait until the Beta period or full launch to see what will become of this high-powered rifle.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is set to release on November 13th for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.