Battlefield 6 features 45 weapons across eight categories, with the current meta favoring close-quarters dominance due to map design. The S-tier weapons like M4A1, M87A1, and M2010 ESR offer the best combination of damage, fire rate, and control, while D-tier weapons like RPKM and P18 struggle to compete in the current environment. This comprehensive tier list ranks every weapon based on performance metrics, pick rates, and effectiveness across all engagement ranges.
| Tier | Weapons | Count | Meta Viability |
|---|---|---|---|
| S Tier | M4A1, NVO-228E, SGX, PW5A3, M2010 ESR, M1014, L110, AK-205 | 8 | Essential for competitive play |
| A Tier | TR-7, B36A4, KV9, AK4D, UMG-40, M417 A2, L85A3, SOR-556 MK2, M87A1 | 9 | Strong alternatives to S-tier |
| B Tier | KORD 6P67, M433, SCW-10, SL9, PW7A2, USG-90, SV-98, SG 553R, QBZ-192, M39 EMR, LMR27, SVDM, M240L | 13 | Viable in specific situations |
| C Tier | GRT-BC, M277, KTS100 MK8, M250, M/60, M123K, M250, ES 5.7, M44, M45A1, SVK-8.6 | 11 | Underperforming but usable |
| D Tier | 18.5KS-K, P18, SVK-8.6, RPKM | 4 | Generally avoid |
Our Battlefield 6 weapon tier list is based on comprehensive analysis from multiple sources, including official patch notes, player pick rates, and performance metrics. We evaluate each weapon based on:
Contents
The recent Patch 1.0.1.0 introduced general weapon handling improvements, including recoil tuning for more consistent gunplay, which has slightly shifted the meta toward weapons with better control characteristics.
S-tier weapons represent the absolute best choices in Battlefield 6 October 2025. These weapons excel in multiple categories and should be your primary focus for competitive play.
Stats: Damage: 25 | RPM: 830 | Reload: 2.384s | Muzzle Velocity: 536m/s
The M4A1 retains its meta status from the Open Beta, emerging as the strongest mid-range weapon in Battlefield 6. Its exceptional fire rate combined with manageable recoil makes it lethal at medium ranges. With the right attachments, it transforms into a laser beam, though burst firing is still recommended for long-range engagements.
Why S-Tier: Highest time-to-kill potential in its class, versatile across all ranges, and benefits from the recent recoil improvements in Patch 1.0.1.0.
Stats: Damage: 100 | RPM: 78 | Reload: 2.5s | Muzzle Velocity: 400m/s
The M87A1 shotgun delivers devastating one-shot eliminations at surprising ranges. Despite being pump-action, its consistency and damage output make it unmatched in close-quarters combat. The recent movement changes in Patch 1.0.1.0 have actually benefited shotgun play by reducing aggressive jumping tactics.
Why S-Tier: One-shot potential, excellent damage consistency, and dominates the current close-quarters meta with 6.15% pick rate.
Stats: Damage: 100 | RPM: 43 | Reload: 3.234s | Muzzle Velocity: 671m/s
The M2010 ESR stands as the only sniper rifle truly worth using in Battlefield 6. It guarantees one-shot eliminations at any range with perfect precision. While its bolt-action nature requires patience, the reward of unmatched long-range lethality places it firmly in S-tier.
Why S-Tier: One-shot elimination potential, perfect long-range accuracy, and dominates sightlines with 4.88% pick rate.
Stats: Damage: 25 | RPM: 830 | Reload: 2.517s | Muzzle Velocity: 402m/s
As the starter SMG for the Engineer class, the SGX offers an impressive combination of fire rate, handling, and stable recoil patterns. It excels in close-quarters combat and can even outperform some lower-tier assault rifles at medium range when equipped properly.
Why S-Tier: Highest close-range DPS potential, excellent mobility, and maintains a strong 6.30% pick rate in the current meta.
Stats: Damage: 33 | RPM: 654 | Reload: 2.5s | Muzzle Velocity: 671m/s
The NVO-228E (ACE32) strikes the perfect balance between stopping power and controllability. Its high damage per shot combined with manageable recoil makes it deadly at medium ranges. While it requires burst firing beyond 40 meters, its versatility earns it S-tier status.
Why S-Tier: Highest damage among ARs, excellent control, and effective across multiple engagement ranges.
Stats: Damage: 25 | RPM: 771 | Reload: 2.517s | Muzzle Velocity: 432m/s
The PW5A3 offers exceptional balance across all fronts. Unlike the SGX which specializes in close-quarters, the PW5A3 provides versatility that allows it to compete effectively at various ranges. Its smooth handling and easy-to-manage firing pattern make it accessible to players of all skill levels.
Why S-Tier: Top pick rate at 6.93%, versatile across ranges, and excellent handling characteristics.
Stats: Damage: 110 | RPM: 200 | Reload: 1.683s | Muzzle Velocity: 400m/s
The semi-automatic M1014 shotgun is an aggressive player's dream. Most enemies go down in a single shot, with minimal delay between blasts. Its surprising range and consistent damage output make it a formidable choice in the current meta.
Why S-Tier: Rapid one-shot potential, excellent range for a shotgun, and dominates close-quarters engagements.
Stats: Damage: 25 | RPM: 720 | Reload: 6.5s | Muzzle Velocity: 780m/s
The L110 stands out as the jack-of-all-trades among LMGs. It offers accuracy, fire rate, and damage output in equal measure, with exceptional stability across all ranges. Its 100-round magazine provides sustained firepower that's invaluable in objective-based game modes.
Why S-Tier: Best LMG for mobile play, excellent stability, and maintains a 5.02% pick rate.
A-tier weapons are more than capable of dominating matches but lack the overwhelming power or versatility of S-tier options. These weapons excel in specific roles and are solid choices for players who master their particular strengths.
Stats: Damage: 33 | RPM: 720 | Reload: 2.4s | Muzzle Velocity: 648m/s
The TR-7 offers bullpup fire rate that makes headshots incredibly satisfying. It combines solid base damage with impressive fire rate, making it effective in close-quarters combat. However, strong vertical recoil and poor ammo capacity prevent it from reaching S-tier status.
Best For: Close-quarters engagements where high fire rate matters more than magazine capacity.
Stats: Damage: 25 | RPM: 720 | Reload: 2.384s | Muzzle Velocity: 780m/s
The B36A4 represents the ultimate jack-of-all-trades assault rifle. It doesn't excel in any particular area but offers solid performance across all ranges. With the right attachments, you can customize it for close-quarters or long-range engagements, making it incredibly versatile.
Best For: Players who want a reliable, adaptable weapon that performs well in any situation.
Stats: Damage: 25 | RPM: 947 | Reload: 2.5s | Muzzle Velocity: 402m/s
The KV9 boasts the highest fire rate in the game, making it devastating in close-quarters combat. However, its small magazine size (17 rounds default) means you'll need to make every shot count. It requires excellent trigger discipline but rewards aggressive players with unmatched close-range DPS.
Best For: Aggressive players who excel at close-quarters combat and can manage limited ammunition.
Stats: Damage: 28 | RPM: 650 | Reload: 2.6s | Muzzle Velocity: 680m/s
The AK4D offers a nice balance between damage and fire rate, with better control than many other assault rifles. It performs particularly well in mid-range engagements where its stability shines. While not as versatile as S-tier options, it's a solid choice for players who prefer controlled, deliberate firefights.
Best For: Mid-range engagements where control and accuracy are paramount.
Stats: Damage: 23 | RPM: 750 | Reload: 2.8s | Muzzle Velocity: 380m/s
The UMG-40 provides a nice middle ground between the high-DPS SMGs and more controllable options. It offers solid performance in close-quarters while maintaining enough stability to be effective at medium ranges. Its larger magazine size compared to the KV9 makes it more forgiving for extended engagements.
Best For: Players who want SMG mobility with slightly more range and magazine capacity.
B-tier weapons can be effective in specific situations or when used by players who understand their particular strengths. These weapons often excel in one area but have significant drawbacks that prevent them from competing with higher-tier options.
Stats: Damage: 20 | RPM: 830 | Reload: 2.4s | Muzzle Velocity: 750m/s
The M433 blurs the line between assault rifles and SMGs with its high fire rate. While it can be devastating in close-quarters, it struggles at longer ranges due to poor precision. It's a solid choice for aggressive players who prioritize close-range engagements.
Best For: Close-quarters combat where high fire rate trumps long-range capability.
Stats: Damage: 40 | RPM: 260 | Reload: 2.8s | Muzzle Velocity: 850m/s
The M39 EMR is the best DMR in Battlefield 6, offering excellent damage per shot with good accuracy. While it requires more skill to use effectively than automatic weapons, it can be devastating in the hands of a patient player who excels at long-range engagements.
Best For: Long-range engagements where precision matters more than volume of fire.
Stats: Damage: 33 | RPM: 650 | Reload: 2.5s | Muzzle Velocity: 680m/s
The SG 553R offers impressive damage per shot for a carbine, making it effective at medium ranges. However, its lower fire rate compared to other carbines means it struggles in close-quarters engagements against higher-rate-of-fire weapons.
Best For: Medium-range engagements where damage per shot is more important than fire rate.
Stats: Damage: 22 | RPM: 800 | Reload: 2.6s | Muzzle Velocity: 390m/s
The SCW-10 offers solid close-quarters performance with good mobility and handling. While it doesn't have the highest DPS in its class, it's more controllable than many other SMGs, making it a good choice for players who value accuracy over raw firepower.
Best For: Players who want controllable SMG performance without sacrificing too much DPS.
C-tier weapons struggle to compete in the current meta and are generally outperformed by options in higher tiers. These weapons often have significant drawbacks that make them less viable for competitive play, though they can still be used effectively in casual matches or by players who specifically master their unique characteristics.
Stats: Damage: 24 | RPM: 700 | Reload: 2.7s | Muzzle Velocity: 720m/s
The GRT-BC suffers from mediocre stats across the board. It doesn't excel in damage, fire rate, or control, making it outclassed by nearly every other assault rifle in the game. While usable, it's hard to recommend when so many better options are available.
Stats: Damage: 22 | RPM: 680 | Reload: 7.0s | Muzzle Velocity: 750m/s
The M277 LMG offers poor damage per shot combined with a slow reload time, making it one of the least effective light machine guns. While it has a large magazine, the low damage output means it takes too long to eliminate targets, making it vulnerable to counter-fire.
Stats: Damage: 85 | RPM: 40 | Reload: 3.5s | Muzzle Velocity: 650m/s
The KTS100 MK2 fails to deliver one-shot eliminations like the M2010 ESR, while also suffering from poor bullet velocity. This combination makes it ineffective at long ranges where snipers should excel, and it's easily outclassed by the S-tier sniper option.
D-tier weapons are significantly underpowered or have such severe drawbacks that they're rarely worth using. These weapons are generally outclassed by alternatives in every meaningful way and should be avoided unless you're specifically challenging yourself or memeing.
Stats: Damage: 25 | RPM: 399 | Reload: 1.8s | Muzzle Velocity: 350m/s
As the only sidearm option, the P18 is purely a backup weapon. It lacks the firepower to compete with primary weapons and should only be used in emergencies when your primary weapon is empty or you're in extremely close-quarters situations.
Stats: Damage: 20 | RPM: 650 | Reload: 8.0s | Muzzle Velocity: 720m/s
The RPKM combines low damage with one of the slowest reload times in the game, making it one of the least effective weapons overall. Its poor performance across all categories makes it hard to recommend under any circumstances.
Different maps in Battlefield 6 favor different weapon types. Here's our recommendations based on map design:
Recommended Weapons: M87A1, SGX, PW5A3, KV9 Why: Short sightlines and tight corridors favor high-damage shotguns and rapid-fire SMGs that can win close-quarters engagements quickly.
Recommended Weapons: M4A1, NVO-228E, AK-205, B36A4 Why: These versatile weapons perform well across various engagement distances, allowing you to adapt to different combat situations effectively.
Recommended Weapons: M2010 ESR, M39 EMR, AK-205, L110 Why: Large open spaces favor weapons with excellent range, accuracy, and damage at distance. Precision becomes more important than fire rate in these environments.
Battlefield 6's Pick 100 attachment system forces strategic choices between different weapon enhancements. Here's our recommended priority for attachment points:
The current Battlefield 6 meta heavily favors close-quarters weapons due to map design and the movement changes introduced in Patch 1.0.1.0. However, we expect significant shifts in the meta as larger, vehicle-focused maps are released in future updates.
Based on current weapon performance and developer trends, we anticipate:
The best weapons in Battlefield 6 October 2025 are the M4A1, M87A1, M2010 ESR, SGX, and PW5A3. These S-tier weapons offer the best combination of damage, fire rate, and control for competitive play.
The weapon meta typically shifts with major patches, which usually occur every 4-6 weeks. Minor balance adjustments can happen more frequently, especially in response to community feedback and gameplay data.
For beginners, we recommend starting with the M4A1 (Carbine) or SGX (SMG). These weapons are forgiving, versatile, and effective across various situations, making them ideal for learning the game's mechanics.
Shotguns like the M87A1 and M1014 are currently very strong in close-quarters combat due to their one-shot potential. However, they're balanced by their limited range effectiveness, making them situational rather than universally overpowered.
Attachments are crucial in Battlefield 6 due to the Pick 100 system. The right attachments can dramatically improve a weapon's performance, while poor choices can make even S-tier weapons ineffective. Focus on recoil control and damage enhancement first.
The M2010 ESR sniper rifle is the best long-range weapon, offering one-shot elimination potential at any distance. For players who prefer automatic weapons, the AK-205 provides excellent long-range performance with its high precision and control.
Practice in the firing range to master recoil patterns, use burst fire at longer ranges, adjust your sensitivity settings, and focus on crosshair placement. Consistent practice with your preferred weapons will yield the best results.
Yes, the weapon meta will likely shift significantly when larger, vehicle-focused maps are released. Long-range weapons and anti-vehicle options will become more valuable, potentially changing the current close-quarters dominated meta.
The M4A1 carbine is arguably the most versatile weapon, performing well in close, medium, and even long-range engagements with the right attachments. Its balance of fire rate, damage, and control makes it effective in nearly any situation.
Counter shotguns by maintaining distance, using cover effectively, and choosing weapons with good mid-to-long-range performance. Weapons like the M4A1, AK-205, or M2010 ESR can out-range shotgun users effectively.
This comprehensive Battlefield 6 weapon tier list provides everything you need to dominate the current meta. From the S-tier weapons that define competitive play to the situational options in lower tiers, understanding each weapon's strengths and weaknesses is crucial for success.
Remember that while tier lists provide excellent guidance, the best weapon is ultimately the one you're most comfortable and effective with. Take time to experiment with different options, master their recoil patterns, and adapt your loadouts to match different maps and situations.
Stay tuned for future updates as the meta evolves with new maps, game modes, and balance changes. For the most current information, be sure to check the official Battlefield 6 channels and community resources regularly.
This tier list is current as of October 2025 and will be updated with each major patch and meta shift.