Best AK-74 Loadouts and Class Guide in Black Ops 6

Crafting the best AK-74 loadout in Black Ops 6 is crucial for players looking for a hard-hitting Assault Rifle early in the game.

In the current meta of Black Ops 6, Assault Rifles are very powerful and can be effectively used on every map. As with most Call of Duty Black Ops titles, multiple older soviet weapons are included in multiplayer. This title sees the return of the AK-74.

The AK-74 resembles the classic weapon from earlier games: a high-recoil, fully automatic rifle capable of handling with high damage. These loadouts build on the gun's strengths while helping its weaknesses: dialing down the recoil to allow the high damage to flourish.

Below, you’ll find the best AK-74 loadout in Black Ops 6, how to unlock it, and the ideal class setup to complement it.

How to unlock the AK-74 in Black Ops 6

The AK-74 is unlocked relatively early in the game. It is the second weapon in the AR category to be unlocked, requiring players just to reach level ten.

How good is the AK-74 in Black Ops 6?

The AK-74 is a very reliable Assault Rifle within Black Ops 6. It has a slower fire rate but high bullet velocity & damage. The base weapon can three-shot kill with 2 headshots mixed in or a four-shot kill with body shots. This allows for a fast time-to-kill and makes it extremely powerful in the hands of a great aimer. Below are the complete weapon statistics for the AK-74:

Camos for the AK-74 Black Ops 6

Each weapon within Black Ops 6 has nine Military Camos, two Special Camos, and four Mastery camos for both multiplayer and zombies.

The Military Camos for multiplayer are unlocked by headshot kills, requiring 100 to completely finish the category. In Zombies, players must get 2,000 critical kills in order to complete the Military Camos in that mode.

The Special Camos are:

Multiplayer
Whitecap Camo: Get 50 Eliminations while the Strategist Combat Specialty is active with the AK-74
Vengeance Camo: Get 20 Kills with the under-barrel launcher attached to the AK-74

Zombies
Chlorine Camo: Get 5 Critical Kills rapidly 15 times with the AK-74
Haunted Camo: Get 300 Eliminations with the AK-74 while it's Pack-A-Punched

To complete the Mastery Camos, we have a complete guide to each. They include Gold, Diamond, Dark Spine, and Dark Matter in multiplayer. In Zombies, the Mastery Camos are Mystic Gold, Opal, Afterlife, and Nebula.

Best Low-Level Class Setup for the AK-74 in Black Ops 6

In Black Ops 6, players don't have to fully level up the AK-74 in order to unlock all of the camos or to build a good weapon class. Below is a great low-level class setup for the AK-74:

Muzzle: Compensator
Barrel: Long Barrel
Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
Optic: Prismatech Reflex
Rear Grip: Commando Grip

Best Pubs Class Setup for the AK-74 in Black Ops 6

What is the best class build for the AK-74 for public matches? We have you covered with a build that uses the Gunfighter Wildcard to attach 8 attachments. This build brings out the best characteristics of the weapon such as the great mobility, low recoil, and excellent time-to-kill. Here are the attachments:

Muzzle: Ported Compensator
Barrel: Long Barrel
Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
Optic: Kepler Microflex
Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
Magazine: Extended Mag I
Stock: Balanced Stock
Fire Mods: Recoil Springs

Best Zombies Class Setup for the AK-74 in Black Ops 6

Zombies has made its great return in Black Ops 6, having two maps to play. The AK-74 is a lethal weapon to use when combing the CHF Barrel (Extra headshot damage), Extended Mag III, and Rapid Fire Mod. Here is the full build for the AK-74 Zombies Class:

Muzzle: Ported Compensator
Barrel: CHF Barrel
Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
Optic: Kepler Microflex
Rear Grip: Ergonomic Grip
Magazine: Extended Mag III
Stock: Light Stock
Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

Interested in more Black Ops 6 content? Check out articles on competitive class guides for SMGs, AMES 85, or guides for the campaign including completing the safehouse puzzles and other achievements.