Black Ops 2 PS5 Meta Predetermined: Best Weapons and Loadouts Revealed

With re-releases of Call of Duty: Black Ops and Black Ops 2 still waiting on PS4/PS5, many players are already thinking about loadouts—both for returning veterans and for anyone jumping in for the first time. The good news is that Black Ops 2’s weapon meta has long since settled. Since the incoming ports are not expected to introduce balance changes, you can basically go straight to the standout guns that have historically done the most work in matches. And because BO2 is widely considered the era where the competitive CoD scene truly took off, don’t be surprised if lobbies get tense again—so any advantage you can build before you queue matters.

Neither the Black Ops 1 nor Black Ops 2 re-release has a confirmed date right now. Both are expected to be priced at $40 each. On top of that, BO1 and BO2 DLC will likely need to be bought again on modern PlayStation systems.

The original Black Ops is slated to arrive on current PlayStation hardware sometime in July, which makes it a good moment to revisit what the best guns in the series were—and what you’ll want to reach for when you step back into these maps.

Black Ops 2’s AN-94 Sets the Standard for Assault Rifles

In Black Ops 2, the AN-94 remains one of the most recognizable and consistently “wanted” weapons across the franchise’s history. Even outside of its original title, it has stayed in circulation—shown through returns like Black Ops 3 supply drops and the currently running Uncaged event in Black Ops 7 (pictured above). Across different movement eras and even into the modern Warzone period, the AN-94 has managed to stand out for how it looks, how it sounds, and for the way its firing pattern can create real momentum in fights.

What made the AN-94 especially strong in Black Ops 2 is that its first two shots come out faster than the rest of the sequence. That opening burst speed translates into a quick time-to-kill, which keeps the rifle competitive whether you’re taking short-range trades or stretching out longer engagements. Beyond the damage tempo, it’s also a well-rounded Assault Rifle with attachment options that are easy to think through. Optics are effectively optional because the default iron sights are already strong. For build flexibility, a stock is useful if you want faster movement, while a suppressor supports stealthy approaches. More broadly, suppressors tend to be a solid pick in most CoD games—especially when the minimap still reliably pings red dots when you fire.

Attachment limits are also part of why the AN-94 works so well. Unlike Black Ops 1, which started with only one attachment slot on primary weapons by default (and expanded to two with the Warlord perk), BO2 gives you two attachments per primary straight away, with room for three when you equip the Gunfighter wildcard. Secondary weapons can be scaled from one attachment to two using a wildcard.

MSMC Brings a SMG-Specific Kind of Consistency

Black Ops 2 managed to do something Black Ops (and several other entries) often struggled with: it offered strong options in both AR and SMG categories at the same time, rather than letting one class clearly outclass the other. The MSMC is a prime example of that balance. It’s the kind of SMG that doesn’t just perform well—it’s the sort of weapon players can pick up and immediately feel in control of, with little reason to worry about underperforming once the match starts.

Calling it “flawless” might sound extreme, but the MSMC’s fundamentals justify the hype. Its recoil is manageable, its three-shot kill range is notably generous, and its reload speed keeps your rhythm intact. In terms of handling, few guns in CoD match the MSMC’s feel—especially when you’re using the right attachments. If you want to keep up with the fast rate of fire, an extended mag is a straightforward choice, and fast mag is also a viable alternative if you prefer that style of setup. For range pressure, a long barrel is essentially a must because it helps push that three-shot kill capability further. A suppressor can also make sense, depending on whether you’re prioritizing stealth over raw map presence. Since the MSMC is already the SMG “king,” you can usually stick with a wildcard choice other than Gunfighter—because you generally don’t need more than two of the four attachment slots mentioned above to get the job done.

Key Alternatives When You Want More Than the “Best Two”

Black Ops 2 has plenty of top-tier options, so while the AN-94 and MSMC are often the most straightforward answers for their categories, there are other standout guns worth considering if your playstyle doesn’t line up with those two.

• M8A1 — A four-round burst weapon that returned in Black Ops 7; it’s especially good for longer-range fights.
• FN FAL — If you’ve got a fast trigger finger (or you’re using the DualSense Edge and its adaptive triggers), this rifle can be a serious problem on PS5.
• Scar H — An Assault Rifle that leans into damage at the cost of accuracy; it’s a solid option if recoil management is your weak spot.
• MP7 — The “Scar H” equivalent for the SMG class, with the benefit of effectively no recoil.
• Skorpion EVO — For players who like to get close (or grind Nuketown 2025 for camos), its extremely high fire rate helps you finish fights quickly—just be ready for some recoil.
• Remington 870 MCS — Unlike Black Ops 1’s weaker shotgun options, this pump-action shotgun can one-shot at close range.
• KSG — With good aim, this can outshine the Remington, since its slug rounds are capable of killing at very long distances.
• DSR-50 — Even after Black Ops 2’s controversial quickscoping adjustment, it remains a top-tier sniper and is strongly associated with the game’s identity.
• LSAT — Especially when equipped with the target finder, this accurate and powerful LMG lets you lock down lanes with less hesitation.
• KAP-40 — Arguably the second most iconic pistol in CoD history, with the M1911 taking the spotlight thanks to Zombies; this full-auto pistol can outperform multiple primary weapons.

With far more viable, high-level weapons available in Black Ops 2 than in its predecessor, players should have plenty of choices while they work their way back toward the series’ first mastery camo, Diamond. Still, if you’re specifically chasing the absolute best-of-the-best, the AN-94 and MSMC remain hard to beat.