Tracking down the best AK-74 build in Black Ops 6, complete with the top attachments, allows savvy players who understand the power behind the iconic weapon to easily dominate mid-range encounters. It’s a personal favorite—a potent mix of high damage and range, with satisfying sound design and manageable recoil.
But like most weapons in the game, the carefully selected attachments and perks make this loadout shine. While everyone else prioritizes the AS VAL, you’ll rock an old-school Kalashnikov capable of devastating Hardpoint matches with glee.
You must pick and choose wisely, because the AK-74 can only equip five attachments. For this build, we opted to enhance the rifle’s range and damage output, while primarily improving its horizontal recoil to ensure you hit your target mid-to-long-range.
• Muzzle: Compensator
• Magazine: Fast Mag I
• Fire Mods: Recoil Springs
• Barrel: Reinforced Barrel
• Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
If you prefer to put more rounds down range, swap the magazine attachment we’ve picked for the Extended Mag, increasing your magazine ammo count to 40 rounds. However, it’s highly recommended that you stick with the Compensator and Reinforced Barrel. The latter provides a noticeable boost to damage at range while increasing bullet velocity—conversely, the former works in tandem with the Vertical Foregrip to improve horizontal recoil. The primary goal with these chosen attachments is to reduce horizontal and vertical recoil—the two greatest drawbacks of the AK-74.
Now that you have the best attachments for the AK-74, it’s time to consider the Perks, Wildcard, and Equipment to round out the loadout.
• Perk 1: Forward Intel (Increases minimap area and reveals directional indicators for enemies)
• Perk 2: Double Time (Significantly increases Tactical Spring duration)
• Perk 3: Gung-Ho (Reduces movement penalties while reloading or using Equipment)
• Specialty: Recon (Enemies appear through walls for a short period after respawn)
• Wildcard: Gunfighter (Allows for three additional weapon attachments)
• Lethal Equipment: Frag Grenade
• Tactical Equipment: Stim Shot
• Field Upgrade: Assault Pack
If you opt for Gunfighter, which unlocks additional weapon attachment slots, you can pick up Combat Stock, Commando Grip, and the Accu-Spot Reflex Optic.
Unlocking the AK-74 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 isn’t a challenging endeavor. Upon achieving level 10, you’ll receive the AK-74. Ta-da.
While it’s certainly not the meta weapon that fans would hope for, considering its overall power potential, the AK-74 remains a viable choice. It’s lagging behind fast-firing submachine guns, like the C9, or low-TTK (time to kill) assault rifles, such as the AS VAL, but the iconic rifle retains a place near the top.
For those looking to excel with the AK-74, here are a few tips:
• Don’t rush headlong into a fight. Stick to mid-range encounters for optimal performance.
• Learn to control the slow rate of fire for accurate shots.
• Fire in short bursts for better accuracy and ammunition conservation.
After playing with the AK-74 for countless rounds, you may wish to switch up your playstyle somewhat by choosing an alternative. Some recommendations include the AEK-973, XM4, AS VAL, and KSV. Each of these weapons excels in different scenarios and playstyles.
Remember, practice makes perfect in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6. With the right build and strategy, you can dominate the battlefield with the AK-74 in hand. So, gear up, customize your loadout, and get ready to show off your skills in the game!