OPINION
Ghosts weapon tier list
Our S/A/B editorial recommendations for public Core 6v6. Tiers compare weapons within their class; they are not a measured TTK leaderboard.
From my notes. This is an editorial ranking based on documented weapon roles, handling and intended engagement range. The TierMaker page was blocked during research, so I do not present an unobserved community vote as consensus. No new in-game tests, TTK values or recoil calibrations are claimed.
Criteria and scope
S = my first recommendation for the named role; A = strong alternative; B = specialist or conditional. Names within a tier are not internally ordered. This list is for public Core 6v6, not Hardcore, competitive rules or Extinction.
Editorial tier table
| Weapon class | Tier | Weapons | Reason / trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assault rifle | S | Honey Badger; Remington R5 | Honey Badger is a flexible suppressed rifle without spending a barrel slot; R5 is the slower-firing, high-damage alternative for deliberate range. |
| Assault rifle | A | AK-12; SC-2010 | AK-12 favors controlled, high-damage shots; SC-2010 is an accuracy-oriented option. Both suit measured mid-range play better than rushing. |
| Assault rifle | B | SA-805; MSBS; ARX-160; FAD | SA-805 asks more recoil/sight management; MSBS is burst-specialized; ARX-160 has a built-in laser; FAD is a more conventional generalist. |
| SMG | S | MTAR-X; Ripper (DLC) | MTAR-X is the straightforward mobile pick. Ripper switches between SMG and AR behavior, trading DLC access and added complexity for flexibility. |
| SMG | A | Vector CRB; Vepr | Vector suits a slower-firing, higher-damage preference; Vepr trades per-shot stopping power for capacity and manageable recoil. |
| SMG | B | Bizon; K7; CBJ-MS | Bizon is a short-burst option; K7 is for close stealth with its integrated suppressor; CBJ-MS specializes in hip fire. |
| LMG | S | M27-IAR | Large ammunition capacity makes this my anchor pick for holding a lane; slower movement and handling make it a poor entry-rush choice. |
| LMG | A | Ameli; LSAT | Ameli’s slower firing rhythm favors controlled fire; LSAT emphasizes range and damage. Both remain lane-holding specialists. |
| LMG | B | Chain SAW | Hip-fire-only operation is a distinct specialist role, not the aimed lane-control job used for the other LMG placements. |
| Shotgun | S | Bulldog | My first choice for a deliberately close route; this placement is role-based, not a claim of measured pellet damage or range. |
| Shotgun | A | FP6; Tac 12 | Alternatives for players comfortable committing to close engagements; not my default for a mixed-range map. |
| Shotgun | B | MTS-255 | A conditional pick for a dedicated close-range plan; the tier does not imply it loses every shotgun duel. |
| Sniper rifle | S | USR; L115 | USR is the handling-oriented option; L115 is for deliberate center-mass shots. Carry a handgun plan for close fights. |
| Sniper rifle | A | Lynx | Semi-automatic follow-up shots suit a held position, but this is not the mobile bolt-action role of my S picks. |
| Sniper rifle | B | VKS | Its integrated suppressor is a useful stealth specialization; that alone does not make it my general-purpose first pick. |
| Marksman rifle | S | MR-28 | An accuracy-oriented choice for players holding medium-to-long sightlines; not a substitute for an entry SMG. |
| Marksman rifle | A | IA-2; MK14 EBR | Flexible alternatives for a deliberate marksman build; the table makes no Hardcore one-shot claim. |
| Marksman rifle | B | SVU | A conditional long-range setup rather than my general roaming recommendation. |
Evidence boundary
TierMaker was not readable in the research capture; I do not claim community consensus. Weapon-role descriptions were checked in the IGN Call of Duty: Ghosts weapon pages, including Honey Badger, Remington R5, MTAR-X, Devastation, M27-IAR, Chain SAW, USR, L115, Marksman Rifles, Shotguns. No TTK or calibrated recoil numbers are used.
Questions
Is this a community-voted or official list?
No. This is the site’s editorial opinion for public Core 6v6; no unobserved vote is presented as consensus.
Why are there no TTK numbers?
No controlled same-version test was done, so the ranking uses documented roles and trade-offs only.
Does this apply to Extinction?
No. Extinction uses separate class, ammo and in-match upgrade systems.
Keep reading
Looking for the Modern Warfare character? See Simon "Ghost" Riley and Ghost vs Ghosts.
Sources checked 23 October 2026
Updated .