New Classic Weapon Debuts in Black Ops 6 & Warzone Season 5

A familiar armament from past Call of Duty titles has stormed into popularity with the latest Season 5 update of both Black Ops 6 and Warzone — and it’s already shaping the meta.

⚡ Enter the Essex Model 07 Marksman Rifle

Unlocked through the "Ballerina" event, the Essex Model 07 is a powerful lever-action marksman rifle boasting jaw-dropping killing power. While its fire rate lags behind the fastest guns in the game, what it lacks in speed it more than makes up for with lethal stopping strength.

In Black Ops 6 multiplayer, the Essex can deliver a one-shot takedown with a headshot at any distance. With optimized attachments, even shots to the chest, stomach, or arms can down enemies up to around 66 metres — making it a dominant choice on mid-range maps where most encounters unfold.

Over in Warzone, marksman rifles typically struggle to compete, but the Essex flips the script. While the HDR still reigns at extreme ranges, the Essex proves deadly in mid-range combat. It can knock out fully plated opponents with a headshot up to 34 metres, and two-shot the torso at distances reaching roughly 80 metres . Its fast aim-down-sights (ADS) time allows skilled players to deliver follow-up shots quickly — making it extremely effective in its sweet spot 

That said, the weapon operates much like a shotgun in terms of risk and reward — as noted by CoD expert WhosImmortal. It’s high-risk: inaccurate shots leave you vulnerable to AR or SMG users, but landing precision hits can decisively shift battles 

🔧 Meta Loadout

To maximize the Essex’s effectiveness, here’s the streamer-crafted setup for Warzone:

For Black Ops 6 multiplayer, switch to a cleaner sight like the Kepler Microflex in place of the 2X optic 

⏳ Discussion & Outlook

As Season 5 unfolds, expect to encounter the Essex Model 07 dominating skirmishes — although an upcoming “Season 4 Reloaded” update might bring a nerf to its potency 

Bottom line: With its blend of leverage, precision, and mid-range dominance, the Essex Model 07 has emerged as a standout pick. If you’re aiming to make waves this season, mastering this lever-action leviathan could give you a serious edge.