Summary
- The Ballistic Knife is notably absent in Black Ops 6, but could be a great alternative Special Weapon.
- The MP40 could be a neat additional World War II weapon following the debut of the PPSH-41.
- The Grau 5.56 and the HDR Sniper could make for excellent returning weapons in Black Ops 6 and Warzone for the return of Verdansk.
Black Ops 6 is a roller-coaster ride of a Call of Duty title, picking up the pace with its high-action gameplay, revolutionary movement system, and a plethora of fun game modes. Fans diving into the game can enjoy classic Multiplayer action and co-op Zombies, each featuring a roster of unique weapons.
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While many of the weapons featured in Black Ops 6 are brand-new, some have carried over from previous games. With even more returning weapons debuting each season—such as the TR2 and PPSH-41—fans may wonder what other iconic weapons could make a comeback. With that in mind, here’s a list of the top weapons that would make great returning additions to Black Ops 6.
1 Ballistic Knife
A Staple Among The Black Ops Titles
- Last seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
If there is one constant when it comes to the Black Ops series, it would have to be the Ballistic Knife, a weapon that has been featured in almost every Black Ops title since the original. However, more interestingly, the weapon has not been included with the launch of Black Ops 6, making it currently the only title in the Black Ops series not to feature it.
However, with the debut of the very first Special Weapon: the Sirin 9mm, along with the arrival of the D1.3 Sector, the revival of the Ballistic Knife is growing increasingly likely. This would serve as an excellent addition to the game, giving players a melee weapon capable of firing knives at enemies from afar, one that will likely prove rather deadly on maps like Stakeout and Bullet.
2 MP40
Iconic WWII Submachine Gun With Excellent Damage
- Last seen in Call of Duty: Vanguard
Before the launch of Season 2, Treyarch teased the return of an iconic Submachine Gun alongside the debut of The Tomb Zombies map. While that weapon was later revealed to be the PPSH-41, many initially speculated that it could have been the MP40—and it’s easy to see why.
Though the MP40 is typically reserved for Call of Duty titles set during World War II, recent weapon additions in Black Ops 6 suggest that Treyarch isn’t strictly sticking to ’90s-era weaponry. This makes the MP40 a likely candidate for a future return. Its firepower in past titles like Call of Duty: WWII and Vanguard made it a formidable SMG, boasting clean iron sights and versatile handling, making it a strong all-around option if added to Black Ops 6.
3 M1928 / Thompson
Nostalgic Weapon With An Excellent Fire Rate
- Last seen in Call of Duty: Vanguard
Keeping with the trend of iconic World War II Submachine Guns, the M1928—also known as the Thompson—remains one of the most recognizable weapons in Call of Duty history. It has appeared in numerous titles, most notably World at War, and while it isn’t typically associated with the time period Black Ops 6 is set in, its inclusion would make for an exciting addition.
The M1928 is known for its blistering fire rate, resulting in a fast time-to-kill, though its various iterations often suffer from slow sprint-out times compared to other SMGs. The weapon is also remembered for its absurdly large magazine size when equipped with its biggest drum mag, as well as its strong reliance on hip-fire accuracy. If introduced in Black Ops 6, the M1928 could serve as a nostalgic fan-favorite, particularly in Zombies—considering how well-received the weapon was when it was added to Origins in Black Ops II.
4 Grau 5.56
Powerful Warzone Weapon That Could Return With Verdansk
- Last seen in Modern Warfare 2019
The Grau 5.56 is a weapon that many Warzone players may remember fondly. It was one of the most dominant weapons in the meta for the original version of the popular battle royale title, boasting excellent handling, a fast time-to-kill, and minimal recoil. While the weapon has not been featured in any title since Modern Warfare (2019), the upcoming return of Verdansk for Black Ops 6 and Warzone's Season 3 makes it the perfect time to bring the weapon into both titles simultaneously.
The Grau 5.56 could serve as an excellent, easy-to-use weapon, filling a similar role to the Krig C or the XM4 as the jack-of-all-trades Assault Rifle for Black Ops 6. This would align perfectly with the game's fast-paced, arcade-style combat while also providing a nostalgic option that'll make Season 3’s Verdansk feel even more like the original Warzone experience.
5 HDR
Classic Warzone Sniper With Excellent Stopping Power
- Last seen in Modern Warfare 2019
Up next is the HDR, another weapon featured in both the original Warzone and Modern Warfare (2019), one that absolutely dominated long-range engagements in both games. The HDR is a bolt-action Sniper Rifle renowned for its high damage per shot, countered by its slow mobility and handling, making it a top pick for the most accurate and patient of marksmen.
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Much like the Grau 5.56, the return of Verdansk in Warzone and Black Ops 6 Season 3 makes it an excellent candidate for a returning weapon in both games. For Black Ops 6 specifically, the HDR could serve as a great alternative to both the LW3A1 Frostline and the LR 7.62, excelling in damage and bullet velocity whilst ranking behind the two in terms of speed and handling.
6 M79 Thumper
Powerful Single-Shot Grenade Launcher
- Last seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Every weapon introduced in Black Ops 6 has found its way into the competitive meta in some form, but there’s a noticeable lack of gimmicky weapons. Enter the M79 Thumper, a Grenade Launcher that could serve as a fun and chaotic addition to Black Ops 6 if it were to arrive in a future season.
The M79 Thumper was last seen in Black Ops Cold War, and while it has traditionally been categorized as a Launcher, its last appearance was as a Special Weapon. If a Special variant of the M79 Thumper were to debut in Black Ops 6, it could also introduce unique Fire Mods never before seen in previous iterations—such as incendiary projectiles, drill charges, or even gas grenades. As far-fetched as these additions may sound, a dedicated Grenade Launcher could be a great option, especially for players who prefer other attachments over the already-featured underbarrel Grenade Launcher.
7 Five-Seven
Fast-Firing Handgun With a Large Magazine
- Last seen in Black Ops II
Following the M79 Thumper is the Five-Seven, a weapon long overdue for a return to Call of Duty, having not been seen in the franchise since Black Ops II. The Five-Seven is an easy-to-use Pistol, featuring a fast fire rate and minimal recoil, making it an excellent secondary weapon for players looking for a reliable swap-to option.
In its last appearance, the weapon had a 20-round magazine by default, which would put it second only to the Stryder.22 in capacity, along with high damage—especially when factoring in headshots. However, the Five-Seven is quite similar to many existing Handgun options in Black Ops 6, meaning it would likely need a unique stat balance, such as increased fire rate, bullet velocity, or faster aim-down-sight speed if it were to be introduced in a future update.
8 AUG
Iconic Bullpup Assault Rifle From The Original Black Ops
- Last seen in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
Up last is the iconic AUG, a weapon that has remained a fan-favorite since its debut in the original Black Ops. While the AUG did return in Black Ops Cold War, that version was placed in a new weapon category and functioned primarily as a burst-fire rifle built for long-range combat. However, many fans still prefer the fully automatic Bullpup Assault Rifle, known for its high fire rate and impressive accuracy.
Currently, the STB-556—modeled after the AUG—is available in Warzone, but the AUG itself has yet to arrive in Black Ops 6. This leaves room for how the weapon could potentially return. One possibility is the introduction of the Cold War version, which featured a built-in scope and a burst-fire setup, making it ideal for long-range engagements. Treyarch could also introduce a Full-Auto Fire Mod attachment alongside the more recent version of the AUG, essentially bringing both versions into Black Ops 6.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
- Released
- October 25, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong