ActivisionAfter dominating the early days of Warzone, the HDR Sniper Rifle is back to do the same in Black Ops 6, but you’ll need the best loadout to make the most of it.
The Season 3 update is finally live, bringing back Verdansk and a host of classic guns like the Kilo 141. These weapons are also available in multiplayer, including the iconic HDR, one of the most powerful snipers in the entire game.
While its high damage is perfect for picking off enemies at a distance, you’ll need to make some adjustments to keep up with the fast-paced matches in Black Ops 6, so here are the best attachments and Perks to make the meta loadout.
Meta HDR build
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Barrel: Gain-Twist Barrel
- Magazine: Fast Mag 1
- Stock: Light Stock
- Laser: Strelok Laser
ActivisionThe HDR already deals more than enough damage for multiplayer, so the best loadout is all about making it quicker and more nimble to use. Kicking things off is the Suppressor, which keeps your shots off the minimap to prevent enemies from hunting you down.
Then, the Gain-Twist Barrel offers a bullet velocity increase, making the sniper virtually hitscan at longer ranges. We’ve also gone for Fast Mag 1, allowing you to reload quicker and slightly improving the ADS and sprint-to-fire speeds.
If you do want to use it on smaller maps, you’ll need the Light Stock to increase movement and strafing speeds. Finally, the Strelok Laser makes the transition from hipfire to ADS much more accurate, allowing you to snap onto targets with deadly precision.
Best Perks and Equipment
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Hunter’s Instinct
- Perk 3: Slipstream
- Wildcard: Prepper
- Lethal: Frag
- Tactical: Flashbang
- Field Upgrades: Trophy System and Assault Pack
ActivisionGhost is a must-use for any sniper class, as it keeps you hidden from the map so you can pick players off from the shadows. Hunter’s Instinct also comes in handy, marking the closest enemy target after every single kill.
Then, we recommend Slipstream, which removes the ability to Tactical Sprint but buffs the speed of regular sprint. When it comes to the Wildcard, Prepper works well with the HDR because it lets you bring a Trophy System to block projectiles and an Assault Pack to restock your own ammo.
Equipment-wise, the classic Frag is perfect for securing quick kills, while Flashbangs can blind enemies before you take them out.
Is the HDR meta in Black Ops 6?
While the HDR is comfortably the best Sniper Rifle in Black Ops 6, it can’t be considered meta since snipers generally aren’t that strong. While they’re perfect for sitting back and taking out enemies from a distance, they’re too slow to truly rival an Assault Rifle or SMG on the smaller maps.
That being said, if sniping is your preferred playstyle, this should be your go-to option as it’s a guaranteed one-shot kill if you hit the chest or head. But if you’re on a close-quarters map like Stakeout or even Babylon, you might want to look elsewhere.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy one-shot kills | Slow fire rate |
| Very accurate | Low mobility |
| Incredible damage |
How to unlock
The HDR is unlocked through the Season 3 Battle Pass by completing Page 3. It’s the HVT of this page, so you’ll need to earn enough Tokens to claim every other reward before it becomes available.
The good news is that it’s a free reward, so you can still get it even if you don’t buy the full Battle Pass.
Best alternatives
If you’re finding the HDR too clunky, the semi-auto fire rate of the SVD might be more your speed. Or, you could switch to a Marksman Rifle like the Tsarkov 7.62 or DM-10.
For more ways to get ahead in Black Ops 6, be sure to check out the best controller, PC, and audio settings to give you the edge.
