The best AK-74 loadout and class setup in Black Ops 6

Sometimes, you just can't beat the classics.

The AK-74 assault rifle in Black Ops 6 menus
Screenshot by Dot Esports

The AK-47 is back in Call of Duty, kind of. It has an oddly different name for some reason, but it’s not a new one because it has been a similar but different gun in CoD in the past.

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If that’s confusing you, don’t worry, we’re confused too. The AK-74 is Black Ops 6’s AK-47, as the assault rifle of the Kalashnikov weapon system. Previously in Black Ops, the AK-74 was a submachine gun, but now it’s an AR. And thankfully, it’s strong, powerful, and to use.

Here’s the best loadout for the AK-74 in BO6.

Best AK-74 loadout and class setup in BO6

AK-74 loadout and class setup screen in BO6
I love to see an old favorite pop off. Screenshot by Dot Esports

The weapon formerly known as the AK-47 is strong in BO6, offering familiar firepower at range if you can handle its recoil. Don’t expect to push objectives and survive up close against top-tier SMGs, but if you sit back and hold down areas of a map with this build, you will flourish.

Best AK-74 build in Black Ops 6

  • Optic: Merlin Reflex
  • Muzzle: Compensator
  • Barrel: Gain-Twist Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I

As is usually the case, the AK kicks like a mule in BO6, so I like to center my build around keeping it as accurate as possible for dealing big damage at long range. That’s where the Compensator and Vertical Foregrip especially come in handy.

The rest of the build is up for some flexibility in your interpretation, including in the optic slot, where you can use whichever sight you are most comfortable with. But this build has given us much success in BO6 so far, and it’s one we feel confident in recommending.

Best AK-74 class setup in Black Ops 6

Equipment

  • Pistol: GS45
  • Melee: Knife
  • Tactical: Concussion
  • Lethal: Semtex
  • Field Upgrade: Trophy System

Perks and class setup

  • Perk one: Ghost
  • Perk two: Engineer
  • Perk three: Vigilance
  • Perk four: Gung-Ho
  • Wildcard: Perk Greed
  • Specialty: Recon

I’ve been having a lot of fun with this Recon-centric build for the AK-74 in BO6.

  • Recon: “Enemies can be seen through walls for a short time after respawn; a HUD edge indicator flashes when an enemy is outside your view; leave no death skulls when eliminating enemies.”

With the AK-74’s power, using the HUD flash to quickly turn and fire on an enemy means you can win a gunfight you might not be able to with a weapon that has less stopping power.

And if you want to go full stealth approach, swap out the Compensator attachment for a Suppressor to stay completely out of sight to ruin an enemy’s scorestreak or sneak up and nab an objective.

Author
Image of Scott Duwe
Scott Duwe
Senior Staff Writer & Call of Duty lead. Professional writer for over 10 years. Lover of all things Marvel, Destiny 2, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and more. Previous bylines include PC Gamer, Red Bull Esports, Fanbyte, and Esports Nation. DogDad to corgis Yogi and Mickey, sports fan (NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Rangers, NY Knicks), Paramore fanatic, cardio enthusiast.