The Battlefield 6 beta is live, and I’ve got the lowdown on the top guns to help you dominate. This game is shaping up to be a major hit this year. There was some worry before the reveal due to sketchy reports and past flops, but the hype has flipped. The first look at Battlefield 6 was super promising, and people are stoked. I got to play it for about 8 hours at the reveal event in Los Angeles, and it’s honestly some of the most fun I’ve had with a shooter this generation.

Now that the beta’s out, I’m sharing what I learned. I tested pretty much every gun in the game and got wrecked by plenty of them—some way more than others. I know what’s tough to deal with, what’s too strong, and what’ll help you win. I picked guns for different types of players, so there’s something for everyone.

One thing to keep in mind: in certain playlists, you can pair any gun with any class in Battlefield 6. But each class has a go-to weapon—like sniper rifles for Recon or LMGs for Support—that gives you extra boosts if you use it. Check the weapon overview to see those buffs when picking your loadout.

Battlefield 6 Lmg

NVO-228E (Assault Rifle)

This is my go-to for the Assault class. The NVO-228E feels like an AK and is super accurate at medium range. If you like keeping some distance from enemies, this is your pick. You can tweak it with attachments to handle recoil or bump up the mag size.

KTS100 MK8 (LMG)

This LMG is a beast. Some players griped online that it barely has recoil, which feels unfair, but it’s modeled after the real-life Ultimax 100, known for being steady. Unlike most big guns that are all about spraying bullets, this one’s precise. It’s perfect for unloading on enemies in tight spots like hallways. Plus, it’s great for suppressing fire—keeping enemies stuck in cover, unable to heal, while your squad moves in or tosses grenades.

M2010 ESR (Sniper Rifle)

This is the only sniper rifle in the beta, though you’ve got DMRs for semi-auto long-range options. The M2010 ESR hits hard. A headshot is a guaranteed one-shot kill, unlike DMRs, and it stops enemies from being revived thanks to its “killshot” modifier. If you’ve got good aim, this thing is a game-changer.

M4A1 (Carbine)

Carbines work with any class in any playlist, and the M4A1 is the star. This classic gun has been in shooters forever, and it’s still a killer in Battlefield 6. Its fast fire rate makes it deadly up close, but it’s solid at mid-range too. The downside? It’s got some serious recoil, so you’ll want to slap on attachments to make it easier to handle.

PW7A2 (SMG)

SMG fans have two options in the beta, and both are solid, but the PW7A2 edges out for close- and mid-range fights. It’s reliable enough to get you out of tough spots where the other SMG might leave you hanging.

M87A1 (Shotgun)

This shotgun is straight-up broken. The M87A1 was everywhere at the reveal event because it’s a one-shot kill with ridiculous range. I was shocked at how far people could blast me with it. Even though it’s a pump shotgun, it reloads crazy fast, letting you clear rooms in no time. Assault players can carry it as a third weapon in their gadget slot, and it was a nightmare to face. It’s way too strong right now, but Battlefield Studios says they’ll tone it down later. For now, have fun with it.