Summary
- CoD Black Ops 6 introduces diverse Scorestreaks with varying pros and cons, impacting gameplay.
- Scorestreaks are ranked based on point efficiency, META relevance, and counter-immunity.
- Some top Scorestreaks include the Watchdog Helo, Archangel Launcher, and Sentinel Turret.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 introduces 18 Scorestreaks, many similar to those in previous titles like Cold War. However, small adjustments and updates have impacted each Scorestreak’s role in the metagame, leading to the need for a fresh tier list.
CoD Black Ops 6: 10 Best Weapons, Ranked
There is a wide variety of different weapons in Black Ops 6, from Submachine Guns to Sniper Rifles. Here are the best weapons in Black Ops 6, ranked!
In this list, the Scorestreaks of Black Ops 6 are ranked based on three criteria: 1) Point-to-power ratio, where cheap but effective devices rank higher; 2) META-relevance, with items that dominate the metagame ranked higher; and 3) Counter-immunity, where Scorestreaks that are easy to counter are ranked lower.
Updated on February 26, 2025, by Mohsen Baqery: Black Ops 6 fans are eagerly anticipating the rumored Specialist Scorestreaks. But even if the rumors don’t pan out, players will still have a wide selection of Scorestreaks to choose from, especially with Hand Cannon and War Machine now added to the roster. And for those aiming to pick the most effective tactical Scorestreaks for their loadouts, this list has been updated to include two more fun and meta-approved options.
9 Hand Cannon
Required Points: 900
- Pros: Lethal and fun to use
- Cons: Not beginner-friendly
- Function: Summons a powerful large caliber handgun with high damage and penetration.
Veteran Black Ops players might remember the Annihilator from Black Ops 3, also known as Seraph’s signature weapon. For those unfamiliar, the Annihilator was a powerful handgun that could one-shot enemies, almost like a mini-sniper. In Black Ops 6, the Hand Cannon takes a similar approach, but this time as a relatively realistic Scorestreak.
What makes the Hand Cannon one of the best Scorestreaks in Black Ops 6 isn’t just its power—it’s the fun gameplay it offers. As some players have put it, wielding the Hand Cannon feels like being John Wick on Call of Duty maps. The only downside is its risky nature, requiring above-average precision. Each time it spawns, the player gets ten bullets to make the most of, and if they die while using it, the weapon is removed.
8 Watchdog Helo
Required Points: 1,100
- Pros: It offers independent aerial support and distracts the enemy.
- Cons: It is expensive and easy to counter.
- Function: A helicopter hovers over the map and takes down nearby enemies.
The Watchdog Helo Scorestreak, often called the Helicopter, is one of the top aerial support options. It’s an AI-operated chopper, allowing players to stay focused on the battlefield. It also distracts the enemy for a few valuable seconds, forcing them to retreat to cover or focus their fire on it.
However, the Watchdog Helo’s high point requirement of 1,100 limits its appeal. Other choices, like the Sentry Turret, offer better value, and SAM Turrets can easily take down Watchdog Helos, making them less favorable than other options.
7 Archangel Launcher
Required Points: 650
- Pros: Comes with two rockets and allows for targeted elimination.
- Cons: It doesn’t offer the highest value at this price range.
- Function: Shoots two guided missiles.
In BO6, the guided rockets are more maneuverable than in previous Black Ops games. With its two rockets, players can expect to get over four kills—a solid result for a mid-range Scorestreak. The new Archangel Launcher also makes it harder for enemies to counter, as its rockets are now more agile in the air.
Black Ops 6 Zombies: 10 Worst Weapons That Should Be Avoided
Black Ops 6 Zombies has a short selection of weapons that should be actively avoided so as to not ruin a high-round run.
However, with a point cost in the 600–700 range, players might get more value from a UAV or Counter UAV, which have a greater impact on gameplay. Additionally, on smaller multiplayer maps, players can achieve multiple kills using lethal equipment like Semtex, reducing the necessity of guided rockets.
6 Sentry Turret
Required Points: 1,000
- Pros: It has a small hitbox.
- Cons: It breaks quickly and can’t perform well in open spaces.
- Function: An automatic ground unit fires at nearby enemies.
The Sentry Turret in BO6 offers a notable advantage over its counterpart in Black Ops: Cold War due to a reduced hitbox. This change makes it harder for enemies to target the turret from a distance, allowing it to stay on the battlefield longer if placed well.
Despite this, the Sentry Turret remains vulnerable to projectiles and grenades. Once its location is exposed, enemies can quickly take it out. Additionally, only a few maps offer ideal spots for turret placement, making it difficult to find a tactical position on most maps.
The Sentry Turret is also one of the best Scorestreaks in Black Ops 6 Zombies.
5 Scout Pulse
Required Points: 400
- Pros: It’s a high-utility item at a reasonable price.
- Cons: It’s outperformed by UAV and Harp.
- Function: A personal UAV reveals nearby enemies on the mini-map.
The Scout Pulse, previously known as Intel or Personal UAV, is a tracker perk that reveals enemy locations by detecting their pulses. This BO6 Scorestreak is ideal for aggressive, movement-focused playstyles, as it provides real-time information, helping players track down enemies with less risk of ambush.
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Scout Pulse is a META choice in most loadouts partly due to its synergy with the Bankroll and Dispatcher perks, which allow players to activate it early and gain an edge. However, as the match progresses, it’s often outclassed by UAV and Harp, which is its main drawback.
4 Napalm Strike
Required Points: 850
- Pros: Utility and crowd control
- Cons: Slow and evadable
- Function: Launches a targeted strike of explosive Napalm.
Zone control is crucial in Black Ops 6 multiplayer, especially in game modes like Domination. And one of the key tools for achieving this control is the Napalm Strike. This Scorestreak lets players call in an aerial explosive attack capable of wiping out enemies in a specific area. If the enemy has set up a defensive position in one part of the map, it's the perfect opportunity for the opposing team to use a Napalm Strike to disrupt their defense and launch a counterattack.
The downside of the Napalm Strike, however, is its slow nature. The enemy usually has a few seconds to reposition before the explosives hit, as the aircraft takes time to spawn and launch the attack. Despite this, the Napalm Strike remains one of the best Scorestreaks in Black Ops 6 due to its utility and crowd control potential.
3 SAM Turret
Required Point: 550
- Pros: It has a defensive utility.
- Cons: It must be placed in an open area.
- Function: Takes down opposing aerial support devices and vehicles.
Using aerial Scorestreaks offers an advantage, but countering the enemy’s air support is also critical to combat. That’s where the SAM Turret comes in, automating ground-to-air combat. Even better, each team can deploy multiple SAM Turrets, making it nearly impossible for opponents to succeed with an air-to-ground approach.
However, SAM Turrets lack durability and are vulnerable to enemy projectiles. They also need to be placed in open areas to cover a wide portion of the sky; otherwise, they may not operate effectively.
2 UAV & CUAV
Required Points: 600 and 700 (respectively)
- Pros: Both accelerate Scorestreak build-up.
- Cons: Both are easy to counter.
- Function: UAV exposes enemies’ locations, and CUAV counters that.
In recent Call of Duty games, UAVs and Counter UAVs have consistently influenced the multiplayer META, and Black Ops 6 continues this trend with its enhanced Unnamed Aerial Vehicles.
Call Of Duty Black Ops 6: Best Weapons For The Strike Stakeout Map
The Stakeout map is the smallest in Black Ops 6, meaning players will have to use unique strategies and specific weapons to succeed.
The new UAV and CUAV now offer a higher point bonus, granting +15 points instead of the usual 10 for each completed objective or elimination while they’re active. While this boost may seem minor, it’s significant when paired with perks like Bankroll and Dispatcher, as the 50% increase accelerates Scorestreak’s progress substantially.
1 Chopper Gunner
Required Points: 1,600
- Pros: It provides devastating aerial support and is hard to counter.
- Cons: Collecting 1,600 points is challenging.
- Function: Player shoots down enemies from a chopper for a few seconds.
While the Chopper Gunner may not match the Dreadnought in raw power, it’s more accessible and often delivers a similar kill count. Given the Dreadnought’s higher cost of 1,800 points, the Chopper Gunner becomes the more appealing option.
In time- or space-bound modes, the Chopper Gunner is particularly effective, as it forces enemies to avoid open spaces and restricts their movement. Additionally, since it’s not AI-operated, it can’t be countered by perks like Cold-Blooded, making it a formidable choice.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 83 /100 Critics Rec: 91%
- Released
- October 25, 2024
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Suggestive Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs
- Developer(s)
- Treyarch, Raven Software
- Publisher(s)
- Activision
- Engine
- IW 9.0
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
- Cross-Platform Play
- Yes - PlayStation, Xbox, PC
WHERE TO PLAY
- Cross Save
- Yes - PlayStation, Xbox, PC
- Prequel(s)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Call of Duty: Black Ops II, Call of Duty: Black Ops, Call of Duty: World at War
- Franchise
- Call of Duty
- Number of Players
- 1-4
- Split Screen Orientation
- Vertical or Horizontal
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- Unknown
- PC Release Date
- October 25, 2024
- Xbox Series X|S Release Date
- October 25, 2024
- PS5 Release Date
- October 25, 2024
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- How Long To Beat
- 8 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- PS Plus Availability
- N/A
- File Size Xbox Series
- 216 GB (October 2024)
- Local Co-Op Support
- 1-2 Players
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
