Best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 loadout and class build

Here is the best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 loadout to turn this already powerful marksman rifle into a one-burst beast that'll mow down enemies.

by · PCGamesN

What is the best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 loadout? There are few things more satisfying in Call of Duty than dispatching an enemy with a single burst, and the AEK-973 is the best in the game at doing so, at least, up to the 40-meter mark with this loadout.

This powerful marksman rifle is also surprisingly stable out of the box, making it a dream to build in Black Ops 6. It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the AEK-973 is stationed on our best BO6 loadouts list, and with our tried and tested build you’ll be tearing up lobbies in the FPS game – more on that below.

How to unlock the AEK-973 in Black Ops 6

To unlock the AEK-973 in Black Ops 6 you must reach player level 34. As a Black Ops 6 Prestige unlock, the AEK-973 is a decent candidate for one of your permanent unlocks. However, we’d advise prioritizing using the limited unlocks on end-Prestige weapons so you can maximize your time with them.

Best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 loadout

  • Optic: Volzhskiy Reflex
  • Muzzle: Suppressor
  • Barrel: Long Barrel
  • Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
  • Magazine: Extended Mag I
  • Rear Grip: Quickdraw Grip
  • Stock: Balanced Stock
  • Fire Mods: Rapid Fire

While you can use any standard sight for this AEK-973 loadout such as the Kepler Microflex, we’re big fans of the Volzhskiy Reflex and its large round optic. Muzzle-wise, we’ve tested the lot, but haven’t noticed a huge difference in performance. As such, the Suppressor gets our vote as it keeps you nice and safe on the mini-map, provided killstreaks aren’t active.

Moving down the weapon, we’ve opted for the Long Barrel – a must-have on most weapons thanks to its large boost in effective damage range. On the underside of the AEK-973, we have the Vertical Foregrip for horizontal recoil control, the Extended Mag I to ensure you’re able to fight off multiple enemies with one clip, and the Quickdraw Grip to bolster your ADS speed.

At the butt of the gun, we have gone with the Balanced Stock due to the extra mobility boost it provides. If you find yourself missing shots because of bullet flinch, the Combat Stock will quickly solve the issue. Finally, apply the Rapid Fire mod to increase the burst rate of the rifle.

Best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 class build

  • Secondary weapon: CIGMA 2B
  • Melee: Knife
  • Tactical: Stim Shot
  • Lethal: Semtex
  • Field Upgrade: Acoustic Amp
  • Perk 1: Gung-ho
  • Perk 2: Assassin
  • Perk 3: Double Time
  • Specialty: Enforcer
  • Wildcard: Gunfighter

As you’ll be running all eight available attachments, the Gunfighter Wildcard is mandatory for this build. While you can pick any sidearm you fancy to marry up with the AEK-973, taking the killstreak destroying CIGMA 2B is a logical choice if you’re running a suppressed weapon – no UAV, no problem.

As you’re going to be aiming for long streaks, the Stim Shot will keep you topped up on health while providing an extra burst of mobility. The Lethal slot is largely down to personal preference, but the Semtex is our go-to pick. For the Field Upgrade, we’ve been having a lot of fun with the Acoustic Amp, as the amplified footsteps give us a clearer understanding of where our targets are lurking.

Perk-wise, we’ve gone for the red trinity of Gung-ho, Assassin, and Double Time to gain access to Enforcer. If you’re fragging out on a particular day, consider taking Bankroll instead of Double Time to get you to your streak breakpoints quicker.

Best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 alternatives

The best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 alternative is the AS Val. Though the Swat 5.56 is also a burst-based marksman rifle, we feel it’s not worth using in its current state. As such, if you want to dish out the damage and rack up quick kills, the best Black Ops 6 AS Val loadout will serve you well.

And that’s the best Black Ops 6 AEK-973 loadout and class setup. Now that you’re decked out with the best attachments the rifle has to offer, get out onto the Black Ops 6 maps and show them how it’s done. You’re going to be ripping through opponents with ease using our loadout, so read our Black Ops 6 camos guide to find out how to unlock great skins.