Mastering the right weapon loadout in Black Ops 6 can significantly impact your performance, especially with marksman rifles.
The AEK-973 is arguably one of the best weapons for taking out enemies in one or two bursts, especially at its effective range. To tap into its true power, here’s the best loadout that maintains balance.
Best AEK-973 Loadout in Black Ops 6
Though the AEK-973 performs exceptionally well at medium to long distances and is lethal with precise shots, players need the ideal loadout to pull it off.
click to enlargeWith each burst, it can eliminate enemies up to 41 meters away if well-aimed, giving it an edge in combat precision over other weapons in the marksman class.
Recommended Attachments
- Optic: Kepler Microflex
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Barrel: Long Barrel or Reinforced Barrel
- Long Barrel is the go-to option if you prefer to keep a bit of distance from enemies and want each burst to hit as hard as possible over greater ranges. Meanwhile, the Reinforced Barrel is the choice if you want both range and faster bullet velocity.
- Underbarrel: Vertical Foregrip
- Rear Grip: Quickdraw or Commando Grip
- Quickdraw enhances aim-down-sight (ADS) speed, while the Commando Grip stabilizes recoil for stationary encounters.
- Magazine: Extended Mag I
- Stock: Balanced Stock
- Fire Mode: Rapid Fire
If you choose Perk Greed as your Wildcard, you’ll only have five attachments on the AEK-973, so you’ll need to be selective about which ones best support your playstyle.
Gunfighter, on the other hand, opens up all attachment slots for a fully optimized setup and maximum weapon performance.
Perks & Equipment
- Perk 1: Ninja
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Double Time
- Lethal: Frag Grenade or Impact Grenade
- Both are versatile for disrupting enemy positions or securing an initial advantage in contested zones. The Frag Grenade is ideal if you prefer a bit of strategy with your throws, as it can be cooked to time its explosion precisely. The Impact Grenade focuses on speed and detonates upon contact.
- Tactical: Stim Shot
- Field Upgrade: Trophy System
Despite its strengths, the AEK-973 may lack speed and sluggish reload time.
This may be less ideal for close-quarters combat, where faster, fully automatic weapons usually have the advantage.
You can still gain an upper hand by bringing a dependable secondary weapon.
The Grekhova (a full-auto pistol) pairs well with this loadout, covering close-range gaps with rapid-fire efficiency.
Alternatives like the 9mm PM and GS45 also offer reliable firepower, ensuring you have a fallback option in tight situations.
That’s the rundown on the AEK-973 loadout. Don’t forget to check out the best DM-10 loadout here!
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