Best PU-21 Loadout in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
The PU-21 Light Machine Gun (LMG) in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is a powerful weapon that excels in medium- to long-range engagements. While it might be overlooked in favour of faster-firing guns like submachine guns, the PU-21 can become a devastating choice with the right attachments. This guide breaks down the best loadout, perks, and tactics to maximize the PU-21’s performance.
Why Choose the PU-21?
The PU-21 is unique among LMGs because of its excellent handling and mobility for its class, allowing players to move and react more quickly than with other LMGs. However, it suffers from slow aim-down-sight (ADS) speed and significant vertical recoil. With the right loadout, you can greatly reduce its downsides while increasing its effectiveness in medium-range firefights.
Best PU-21 Loadout
This build focuses on improving the PU-21’s recoil control, ADS speed, and sprint-to-fire time, making it more competitive in fast-paced multiplayer matches.
Attachments
Kepler Microflex (Optic)
- Why: This optic provides a clean, precise sight for mid-range engagements without blocking too much of your peripheral vision. The minimal zoom is ideal for tracking enemies across small-to-medium maps.
Compensator (Muzzle)
- Why: The Compensator reduces vertical recoil, which is crucial for maintaining accuracy during sustained fire with an LMG like the PU-21.
Fast Mag I (Magazine)
- Why: Reload times on LMGs can be painfully slow, especially during intense firefights. Fast Mag I improves reload speed significantly, allowing you to stay in the fight longer without getting caught reloading.
Commando Grip (Rear Grip)
- Why: This attachment helps with recoil control, making it easier to maintain accuracy during longer bursts of fire.
Balanced Stock (Stock)
- Why: Balanced Stock improves your movement speed while aiming down sights (ADS), allowing you to strafe more effectively in combat. This can make a huge difference in gunfights, as moving targets are harder to hit.
Best Perks & Wildcard for PU-21 Loadout
The right perks can make a huge difference when using a heavy weapon like the PU-21, providing you with mobility, faster health regeneration, and improved reload capabilities.
Perk Loadout
Gung-Ho (Perk 1)
- Why: This perk allows you to fire while sprinting, which is key for more aggressive playstyles. It also reduces the penalty when switching weapons, making it easier to swap to your secondary if needed.
Fast Hands (Perk 2)
- Why: Fast Hands boosts your reload speed and weapon swap speed, which are critical for LMG users who can be vulnerable during reloads.
Double Time (Perk 3)
- Why: This perk doubles your tactical sprint duration, giving you the ability to move more quickly around the map and reposition during engagements, which is key for escaping tricky situations or getting the drop on enemies.
Wildcard: Perk Greed
- Why: Perk Greed allows you to equip an additional perk in each slot, giving you more flexibility and utility. For this build, it allows you to stack defensive perks and improve survivability.
Additional Perks with Perk Greed
- Scavenger (Perk 1): This perk lets you replenish ammo from fallen enemies, ensuring that you don’t run out of bullets in prolonged fights.
- Enforcer (Perk 2): This perk increases your sprint-to-fire speed, which is crucial for an LMG loadout that needs to compensate for slow handling.
Secondary Weapon Recommendations
Even with Fast Mag I, you may find yourself needing to switch weapons in a pinch. Here are the best secondary weapons to pair with the PU-21:
Grekhova Handgun
- Why: The Grekhova is a reliable handgun with excellent fire rate and accuracy, making it the perfect choice when you need a quick backup weapon.
9mm PM
- Why: This is another solid option with a balance of damage and range. It’s ideal for finishing off enemies when your PU-21 magazine is empty.
Field Equipment & Tactical Gear
For a defensive playstyle, focus on equipment that helps you control space and avoid threats.
Tactical Equipment: Shock Charge
- Why: This immobilizes enemies, making it easier to mow them down with your PU-21.
Lethal Equipment: Molotov
- Why: Use Molotovs to control choke points or force enemies out of cover, where they’re more vulnerable to your LMG’s firepower.
Field Upgrade: Trophy System
- Why: The Trophy System destroys incoming explosives, making it easier to hold defensive positions without worrying about grenades or missiles.
Defensive Playstyle Tips for PU-21
The PU-21 is at its best when holding down key positions on the map. Here’s how you can optimize your playstyle for success:
- Mount Your Weapon: Take advantage of mounting your weapon on surfaces to reduce recoil further. This gives you pinpoint accuracy while holding key areas.
- Use Cover: Always keep cover nearby to avoid getting caught in open spaces where the slow handling and reload times of the PU-21 can be a liability.
- Reposition Often: Though the PU-21 is effective at long-range, keep moving to avoid being outflanked by faster opponents. Double Time and Fast Hands will help you reposition quickly between engagements.
The PU-21 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 may not be as fast as submachine guns, but it excels in mid- to long-range encounters when equipped with the right loadout. By focusing on attachments that improve recoil control and reload speed, this LMG becomes a powerful tool for holding down objectives or anchoring defensive plays.
With the perks and equipment suggested above, you can maximize the PU-21’s potential, allowing you to compete with even the most agile players. Give this loadout a try and dominate the battlefield with precise, powerful LMG fire.
Key Takeaways:
- The PU-21 shines in medium- to long-range combat, especially when used defensively.
- Attachments like the Kepler Microflex and Compensator significantly improve handling and recoil, making it easier to control.
- A defensive playstyle with Trophy Systems and Shock Charges allows you to control key areas and outlast opponents.