"Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" will have the same meta in its upcoming PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 re-releases, especially as Activision and Treyarch previously confirmed that these games will only be ported to the modern consoles.
For newcomers and returning fans getting ready for the re-release, knowing which guns reign supreme is a head start worth having.
'Call of Duty: Black Ops 2' Weapons Meta Is the Same
According to GameRant's report, "Call of Duty: Black Ops 2" is making its way to the PS4 and PS5 as a port of the 2012 original, and Activision is not expected to make any balance changes. That means the weapon meta players used over a decade ago is the same one they will be running in 2026.
The AN-94 is widely considered the top assault rifle in "Black Ops 2," and for good reason. The weapon fires its first two rounds at an elevated rate, giving it a fast time-to-kill that holds up at both short and long range. Its default iron sights are clean enough that an optic is not necessary, leaving room for a stock and a suppressor to make the most of two attachment slots.
Suppressors are especially useful in any "Call of Duty" game where red dots appear on the mini-map, and "BO2" is no exception.
On the SMG side, the MSMC is considered by many to be virtually flawless. Its recoil is manageable, its three-shot kill range is generous, and its reload speed is quick. An extended magazine helps accommodate the fast fire rate, while a long barrel pushes the kill range even further.
Players who only need one or two attachments can save their wildcard pick for something other than Gunfighter, since the MSMC does not need a full attachment build to perform.
Best ARs and SMGs From the Weapon Meta
"Black Ops 2" has more viable top-tier weapons than most entries in the franchise, giving players plenty of strong alternatives beyond the AN-94 and MSMC.
- The M8A1 is a four-round burst AR that handles long-range engagements well and returns in "Black Ops 7."
- The FN FAL rewards players with a fast trigger finger.
- The Scar-H offers more damage at the cost of some accuracy.
For players who prefer ARs with tighter recoil, the Scar-H is a reliable secondary option.
On the SMG side:
- The MP7 is the low-recoil pick for players who struggle to control faster-firing options.
- The Skorpion EVO shines in close-quarters settings like Nuketown 2025 but comes with noticeable recoil.
- The KAP-40 pistol rounds out the list as a secondary that can outperform many primary weapons when fully kitted.
PS5 Re-release of 'Black Ops 1 and 2'
It's official: the original Black Ops and Black Ops 2 are being ported to PlayStation in July, courtesy of our partners at @IronGalaxy. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/uqTZ6u09B5
— Treyarch (@Treyarch) June 17, 2026
Treyarch confirmed the re-releases of "Call of Duty: Black Ops" and "Black Ops 2" on modern PlayStation consoles via its official X account. Each game is expected to cost $40 on PS4 and PS5, though neither port has a confirmed release date yet.
DLC for both titles will likely need to be re-purchased on the new platform.
The "BO2" re-release will also mark the return of one of the franchise's most competitive multiplayer eras. "Black Ops 2" was where the competitive "Call of Duty" scene genuinely took shape, and with the same weapon balance intact, matches on PS5 are expected to be just as intense.
