Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies is in a solid place when it comes to gun variety, as recent updates have ensured that a lot more weapons are worth using. While Treyarch has promised this trend will continue, as it has teased more changes that will launch alongside Mauer Der Toten, there are several weeks left before Season 4 Reloaded. As such, Zombies fans will be getting a bit more time with the current meta.
While there are only a few weapons left that are truly bad inside Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies, they do exist. Likewise, there are a few guns that are undoubtedly the best of the best, so those looking to use the strongest guns in their loadouts have a very narrow list to choose from. While the meta will be altered once again later this Season, here are all the Zombies guns ranked from worst to best.
D Tier: Sniper Rifles
- M82
- LW3 Tundra
- Pelington 703
- Swiss K31
- ZRG 20mm
Sadly, Sniper Rifles are still the worst weapons inside of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies by far. While these guns are deadly in multiplayer, their lack of bullet penetration inside of Zombies makes them borderline useless. While they do fine against single targets like mini bosses, only being able to drop a few regular Zombies at a time makes them worthless. While headshot buffs have made them a bit better than they were back in Season 2, it is still impossible to suggest using a Sniper Rifle.
Considering that these guns were all top tier in Call of Duty: Black Ops 2, Black Ops 3, and Black Ops 4, the decline has been noticeable. While Treyarch has assured fans that they will be improved once Mauer Der Toten launches, the only reason to use this weapon class at the moment is to the unlock Dark Aether camo.
C Tier: SMGs, Assault Rifles, And Melee Weapons
- PPSh-41
- LC10
- MAC-10
- KSP 45
- MP5
- AK-74u
- Bullfrog
- Milano 821
- FARA 83
- XM4
- QBZ-83
- Krig 6
- FFAR
- AK-47
- Groza
- C58
- Knife
- Sledgehammer
- Wakizashi
- E-Tool
- Machete
- Baseball Bat
- Mace
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies’ C Tier category is massive, and for good reason. The Season 3 Reloaded overhaul saw all Assault Rifles and SMGs becoming usable in high rounds, and while they will not blow players away, they do get the job done. On the downside, they lack any kind of distinguishable personality, as all feel terribly similar when used against the undead. With players able to kit each rifle or SMG out to eliminate potential downsides, every gun is usable.
However, while both categories have been noticeably improved, the guns still need an extra boost to become top tier. If the Double Tap perk does finally arrive alongside Mauer Der Toten, it could give them exactly what they need to be just as viable as other weapon classes. However, while Double Tap has leaked, it is unclear when Zombies fans will be getting access to the classic Perk-A-Cola.
Also in C Tier are melee weapons, though much like Sniper Rifles, they have been confirmed to get a boost in the Season 4 Reloaded balancing pass. As of now, they are middle-of-the-road options. While they can be a lot of fun to use and are deadly in the right hands, they are also risky choices for fighting something like a Megaton or Panzer. Still, with a buff on the way, they may soon find themselves in B Tier or higher.
B Tier: Launchers, Pistols, Tactical Rifles, And The DIE Shockwave
- RPG-7
- Cigma 2
- 1911
- Diamatti
- Magnum
- AMP 63
- Type 63
- DMR 14
- AUG
- CARV 2
- DIE Shockwave
Launchers are surprisingly strong in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Zombies, as they can tear through trains and drop mini bosses like Manglers in a single shot. While they have not been buffed or nerfed in a meaningful way since Season 2, they are still worth trying out for those that are good at training. The splash damage is also minimal, ensuring that players will not be downing themselves if they have armor equipped.
Pistols, like launchers, have held onto their position as B Tier weapons. Reliable in their single weapon forms and deadly as dual wield guns, all can get the job done once Pack-A-Punched. A nice alternative for close range players that are tired of using Shotguns, handguns are worth trying out — especially if players want a nostalgic feel at the start of the match. With the AMP63’s aim assist bug ironed out as well, it has become a fine addition to the pistol category.
Finally, there is the Tactical Rifle class, something that received a massive boost in the Season 3 Reloaded update. Borderline A Tier, these guns could be ranked among the best of the best when Double Tap debuts. Reliable with great accuracy, strong headshot damage, and speedy reloads, the only downside to these guns is that they can struggle when players are surrounded. Provided that players don’t mind pressing the trigger constantly, guns like the DMR 14 and Season 3’s CARV 2 can decimate the undead.
Finally, there is the DIE Shockwave, a weapon that has become a lot less impressive as time has gone on. While upgrades for the DIE like Thermophasic and Electrobolt do help, and its unique way to refill ammo is fun, it lacks the efficiency of the other Wonder Weapons. As such, it cannot be placed on the same level.
A Tier: Shotguns, LMGs, and Special Weapons
- Streetsweeper
- Gallo SA12
- RPD
- M60
- Stoner 63
- MG 82
- M79
- Crossbow
- Ballistic Knife
- Nail Gun
Shotguns and LMGs are no-brainers when it comes to A Tier, as the guns are easily the best categories when it comes to regular weapons. The Streetsweeper and Gallo melt through hordes, and their large magazine sizes mean that players rarely need to reload. LMGs share the large magazine size benefit, and the boosts to headshot damage have ensured that they are one of the easiest ways to melt through hordes. Call of Duty Zombies fans cannot go wrong with any weapon from these categories, though each suits a specific style. For those who are constantly up close, shotguns are the move. For those that like to play from range and go for headshots, LMGs are the right choice.
Joining these two classes is the small but deadly category of Special Weapons. While the M79 was originally regarded as one of the worst Zombies guns, combining it with Ring of Fire helps to make it one of the best. The Crossbow is borderline overpowered, as it can tear through Orda’s health bar with ease. Players can also pick up their ammo from fallen corpses, a feature that the Ballistic Knife shares. With the shootable blade also having the benefits of a melee weapon, it is a great addition to the special weapon category. While the Nail Gun is new, it too can tear through trains of Zombies.
S Tier: The Best Of The Best
- Ray Gun
- RAI-K 84
- Hauer 77
- M16
Finally, there is S Tier, and it is made up of two Wonder Weapons and two loadout weapons. In the case of the Wonder Weapons, both the Ray Gun and RAI-K 84 are top tier. It is hard to top the damage of the original Ray Gun, and with the ammo nerf reverted, it is back to being an excellent choice. As for the RAI-K 84, the Assault Rifle variant shines due to its secondary fire. The ability to slow down the undead is very useful, especially in higher Outbreak world tiers. Its regular fire is solid, too, especially when it comes to killing Mimics.
As for loadout weapons, the Hauer 77 being at the top should surprise no one. Since launch it has been the best of the best, and even with minor nerfs, that has not changed. Players can not go wrong with the shotgun, as it is as reliable as a close-range weapon can be. However, the M16 Tactical Rifle has joined the S Tier category, standing far above its peers. A legitimately flawless gun, it can work in any situation. While it can be hipfired like a Shotgun to work at close range, it can also take out ranged threats. Shining in scenarios like the boss fight with Legion from the first Outbreak main quest, players looking for a well-rounded gun need look no further. For now, the M16 and Hauer 77 are the best of the best.
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is available now on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.