Best Black Ops 6 Zombies weapons – Tier list (season 3)

Your choice of a weapon ultimately determines the fate of a Zombies round, either leading to chaos or making you feel like an undead-killing boss. Now that I've become familiar with the game, I've come across guns that lean more towards the latter.

I'm talking about the tools that help you dominate the higher rounds or even the formidable Easter Egg Main Quests. So if you want to ease the stress of this action-packed mode, here are the best weapons to use in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Zombies.

BO6 Zombies weapons tier list for season 3

This BO6 Zombies weapons tier list covers everything from the mighty Wonder Weapons to the classic standard guns. Fortunately, the S tier features some seriously powerful options, along with a few solid alternatives in the lower ranks.

S Tier

Mustang and Sally (GS45 Akimbo)

• Unlocked by: Level 28 (Akimbo build by Level 31)
• Weapon Type: Pistol
• Pro: Pack-a-Punch turns this weapon into a grenade launcher
• Con: Damage rates are relatively low with no Pack-a-Punch

The legendary Mustang and Sally, a fan favorite from The Walking Dead x Call of Duty Zombies crossover, returns in Black Ops 6 with its explosive power. Starting with the GS45 Pistol, a potent weapon in its own right, you'll gradually upgrade to the top-tier dual pistols of Mustang and Sally. This power-packed duo will make you feel like a force to be reckoned with, especially during the higher rounds.

ASG-89

• Unlocked by: Level 31
• Weapon Type: Shotgun
• Pro: Unleashes tons of high-damaging bullets in seconds
• Con: Only good for close-range attacks

Every time I delve into the Zombie forums, the ASG-89 Shotgun is a hot topic. Its robustness and rapid fire rates make it capable of dispatching hordes of zombies. The shotgun has even proved its worth in the challenging Terminus Easter Egg showdown, depleting the health of its frightening boss at an instant rate.

PU-21

• Unlocked by: Automatically given to you
• Weapon Type: LMG
• Pro: Extended magazine to wipe out hordes of zombies
• Con: Longer reload times without Speed Cola

Light machine guns have always been my go-to in the world of Zombies. Since there are a ton of zombie heads to knock, you'll need all the bullets you can get. Fortunately, the PU-21 LMG helps out with this through its extended magazine size.

AS Val

• Unlocked by: Level 55
• Weapon Type: Assault Rifle
• Pro: High DPS rates
• Con: Recoil control can be difficult to handle

You'll notice there's no shortage of Assault Rifles in this Black Ops 6 Zombies weapons tier list, and that's because they're hands-down some of the best options to bring to the fight. The AS Val, in particular, is quickly becoming a crowd favorite in Season 3, tearing through zombies with relentless damage.

XM4

• Unlocked by: Automatically given to you
• Weapon Type: Assault Rifle
• Pro: One of the best starter builds in Zombies
• Con: Time to kill rates may be slightly slow

Like many on this list, the XM4 is an exceptional Wall Buy weapon. As an Assault Rifle, it can do more damage than that of SMGs and Pistols. The gun also boasts incredible Accuracy stats to get those nice-and-easy headshot kills. The XM4 has pretty decent mobility, too, which can make it feel like a submachine gun.

GPMG-7

• Unlocked by: Level 52
• Weapon Type: LMG
• Pro: This weapon turns into a deadly bullet machine when Pack-a-Punched
• Con: Has a smaller magazine size than the PU-21

If you're on the hunt for a powerful alternative to the PU-21, the GPMG-7 is your weapon of choice for sheer destruction. While its magazine size starts off a bit smaller, don't worry—once you Pack-a-Punch it, you'll be unloading a jaw-dropping 500+ rounds of pure chaos.

Krig C

• Unlocked by: Acquiring it through the Armory challenges
• Weapon Type: Assault Rifle
• Pro: High damage rates, especially when Pack-a-Punched
• Con: Not as easily obtainable as the XM4

I know the S tier already has a few Assault Rifles, but I couldn't resist adding one more with the Krig C. This bad boy is the definition of reliable, delivering consistently high DPS across all maps. It's just a solid, no-nonsense weapon that always gets the job done, making it a must-have for any zombie-slaying session.

Sirin 9mm

• Unlocked by: Acquiring it through the Armory challenges
• Weapon Type: Special
• Pro: Kills zombies almost instantly
• Con: Fairly low magazine size

The Sirin 9mm is the standout Special weapon that earns its place in the S Tier. Why? Because it offers critical kills with almost every shot, effortlessly targeting zombie weak spots. Even though it's classified as a Secondary weapon, don't be surprised if it becomes your go-to main due to its insane power and precision.

AMR Mod 4

• Unlocked by: Acquiring it through the Armory challenges
• Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
• Pro: Has the potential to take down mini bosses quickly
• Con: Not very useful with its base version

I've never been much of a sniper rifle person in Call of Duty Zombies, but after seeing how others dominate with them, I'm fully convinced they're one of the best weapon classes in the game. Out of all the snipers, the AMR Mod 4 takes the crown. It almost feels like you're wielding a shotgun instead of a sniper rifle, thanks to its incredible firepower. And with a Pack-a-Punch version, high-value targets like Doppelghasts and Manglers go down instantly.

Ray Gun Mark 2

• Unlocked by: Crafting it at the Shattered Veil map or through Mystery Box
• Weapon Type: Wonder Weapon
• Pro: It harnesses three variants that cater to distinct playstyles
• Con: Doesn't have as much area of effect as the original Ray Gun

Season 3's Shattered Veil map finally brings back the beloved Ray Gun Mark 2, and it's nothing short of amazing. This weapon fires three-round bursts of energy, but its real appeal lies in its upgraded variant. Once enhanced, you can transform it into a shotgun, a Marksman rifle, or an SMG, giving you plenty of options for taking down the undead. Plus, it's a key element in completing the Shattered Veil Main Quest, where you'll need to use it to defeat specific zombies.

Wunderwaffe DG-2

• Unlocked by: Mystery Box
• Weapon Type: Wonder Weapon
• Pro: Great for crowd control
• Con: Relatively slow in movement speed

Alongside the Ray Gun Mark 2, the legendary Wunderwaffe DG-2 has returned to help you obliterate the endless waves of zombies. With its devastating chain-lightning attacks, this weapon can wipe out groups of the undead in the blink of an eye, making it a lifesaver when surrounded.

A Tier

Ray Gun

• Unlocked by: Mystery Box
• Weapon Type: Wonder Weapon
• Pro: Deadly splash damage
• Cons: This weapon isn't as OP as it used to be in previous versions

Is it really a surprise to see the Ray Gun make it to this best BO6 Zombies weapon list? Of course not. I mean, come on. It's probably been on almost every Zombies iteration's list thus far, and rightfully so. This Wonder Weapon is all about power, bringing down zombies with its high-damaging blast.

Marine SP

• Unlocked by: Automatically given to you
• Weapon Type: Shotgun
• Pro: Gets rid of zombies quickly at close range
• Con: It doesn't have as much rapid fire as the ASG-89

While the Marine SP may not match the ASG-89 in ammo capacity, it's still an excellent choice. With the PAP version, you can further increase its magazine size, enhancing its effectiveness. Many Main Quest steps often involve protecting a particular object, which is the perfect time to use this shotgun.

AK-74

• Unlocked by: Level 10
• Weapon Type: Assault Rifle
• Pro: Excellent damage rates
• Con: Assault Rifles in the S tier are more robust than this build

The AK-74, another Assault Rifle in BO6 Zombies, is a weapon you can easily master. With its mid-to-long-range capabilities, targeting zombies will feel almost too easy. It's a well-balanced gun, covering Firepower, Accuracy, Mobility, and Handling stats.

Feng 82

• Unlocked by: Acquiring it through the Armory challenges
• Weapon Type: LMG
• Pro: One of the most mobile LMGs
• Con: Low magazine capacity

The Light Machine Gun class isn't exactly known for its mobility, but thankfully, the Feng 82 flips that script. This beast gives you the agility to outrun zombies, but it comes at a disadvantage with its lower magazine sizes.

LW3A1 Frostline

• Unlocked by: Automatically given to you
• Weapon Type: Sniper Rifle
• Pro: Power to one-hit kill the undead
• Con: This weapon isn't the best for hordes of zombies

Even though the LW3A1 Frostline has a slower fire rate, one well-placed shot is all it takes to drop enemies at a fast rate. It doesn't matter if they're armored zombies—this rifle will tear through them like paper.

Swat 5.56

• Unlocked by: Automatically given to you
• Weapon Type: Marksman Rifle
• Pro: Superb accuracy and handling stats
• Con: Low fire rates

Marksman Rifles aren't used all that much amongst the community, but if I had to pick one, the Swat 5.56 would be my top pick. Much like sniper rifles, it delivers one-shot kills to zombies. Additionally, its three-round burst allows you to take down multiple targets quickly and efficiently.

B Tier

C9

• Unlocked by: Automatically given to you
• Weapon Type: SMG
• Pro: Excellent for mobility
• Con: Adequate damage rates

When the Mystery Box doesn't consistently deliver, you can rely on the Wall Buy weapons. The C9, available on most maps, is a dependable choice. I've experimented with other weapons, but some don't match the reliability of this SMG. If there's one thing you need in Zombies, it has to be fast movements, which is where the C9 comes into play.

Maelstrom

• Unlocked by: Acquiring it through the Armory challenges
• Weapon Type: Shotgun
• Pro: Decent range
• Con: High recoil control

The Maelstrom had the potential to be a great addition to BO6 Zombies, but with weapons like the ASG-89 and Marine SP taking the lead, it didn't quite make the cut for the higher tiers. That said, this full-auto shotgun still offers solid range and handling.

Stryder .22

• Unlocked by: Level 40
• Weapon Type: Pistol
• Pro: Great rapid fire and mobility
• Con: Low damage and range

With the exception of Mustang and Sally, pistols usually don't offer the firepower needed in Zombies, given their slower rate of fire. If you're still leaning towards a traditional pistol, the Stryder .22 is your best choice. It may not deal massive damage, but it offers fantastic mobility as you take on the undead.

C Tier

DRI-11 Beamsmasher

• Unlocked by: Mystery Box or crafted at Terminus
• Weapon Type: Wonder Weapon
• Pro: Perfect for handling large groups of zombies
• Con: It can slow you down with its heavy build

The Beamsmasher's Primary attack releases a destructive Aetheric beam of light, obliterating anything in its path. This unique ability, akin to the Aetherella Easter Egg's heat vision, gives you a sense of superhuman power. In addition to this damaging beam, the Beamsmasher harnesses the distinct skill to stop the enemy in their tracks. Unfortunately, now that other Wonder Weapons have entered the picture, this tool just doesn't quite hit the mark as much in season three.

Thrustodyne M23 (Jet Gun)

• Unlocked by: Crafted it Liberty Falls or found at Mystery Box
• Weapon Type: Wonder Weapon
• Pro: Deals with multiple zombies
• Con: Long Secondary attack load times

The Jet Gun is an absolute blast to use in the Liberty Falls map. It's all thanks to its ability to suck zombies up and cause a devastating explosion with its Secondary Attack. Like the Beamsmasher, however, it won't really do you much good in the latest season, especially now that the Wunderwaffe DG-2 has returned.

Elemental Swords

• Unlocked by: Craft at Citadelle des Morts
• Weapon Type: Wonder Weapon
• Pro: Provides unique elemental buffs
• Con: Can only be used in Citadelle des Morts

If we were still in season one Reloaded of Black Ops 6 and Warzone, the Elemental Swords would be sitting much higher on this list. Nevertheless, since they're limited to just one map, their usefulness outside of Citadelle des Morts is minimal. Even so, you should definitely give these Wonder Weapons a try, especially if you're just starting out.

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