After ruling Black Ops 7 multiplayer throughout Season 1, the Maddox RFB has finally been brought back down to earth. A hefty nerf has knocked it off its pedestal — but the meta hasn’t been left without a replacement.

While Season 1 Reloaded introduced several weapon balance changes for Warzone, Treyarch confirmed that multiplayer tuning would follow later. That promise was fulfilled on January 13, when a new patch delivered multiple meta-shifting adjustments to Black Ops 7’s weapon pool.

The Maddox RFB was among the biggest casualties. Since launching at the start of the season, it had been the undisputed top Assault Rifle, dominating engagements at nearly every range. To rein it in, the developers significantly reduced both its damage output and effective range, sharply limiting its long-range potential.

For many players, this update left a noticeable gap in their loadouts. The Maddox had been the most popular weapon in multiplayer prior to the patch, and replacing it wasn’t going to be easy. Fortunately, one Assault Rifle is perfectly positioned to take over — the AK-27.

AK-27 emerges as Black Ops 7’s top Assault Rifle

Although the AK-27 has always been a reliable option in Warzone, it struggled to shine in multiplayer due to its slower rate of fire. With the Maddox now weakened at range and the M15 Mod 0 receiving yet another nerf, the AK-27 finally has room to breathe.

With the right attachments equipped, the rifle boasts minimal recoil and exceptional consistency. More importantly, it delivers the fastest time-to-kill of any Assault Rifle currently available in Black Ops 7 multiplayer.

Data from the CODMunity comparison tool shows that the AK-27 secures eliminations in just 264 milliseconds out to 32 meters. While the Maddox still edges it out at very close range — up to around 21 meters — the AK-27 decisively takes over beyond that distance.

The DS20 Mirage comes closest in raw numbers, but its higher recoil and steeper learning curve make it far less reliable in practice. Past 39 meters, the AK-27 once again separates itself from the pack, maintaining a 416ms TTK all the way out to 80 meters — well beyond what’s typically required in multiplayer matches.

If you’re looking for the best weapon to use after the latest balance update, the answer is clear. The AK-27 is now the go-to Assault Rifle, especially on larger maps like Homestead and Retrieval, where long-range gunfights are unavoidable.

With the Maddox era officially over, the AK-27 has arrived to claim the crown.