Essential Competitive Class Setups & Tips for Black Ops 4 League Play

League Play released for PS4 last Thursday and arrives on Xbox later this week.

The mode is played competitively and draws in the fiercest competition you can face in-game. As such, it is important to come prepared with proper competitive minded classes. We’ve seen that some of you may need a helping hand in this department and we’ll gladly lend it (we’re looking at you, MX9 Suppressed with NVIR players…).

he mode is played competitively and draws in the fiercest competition you can face in-game. As such, it is important to come prepared with proper competitive minded classes. We’ve seen that some of you may need a helping hand in this department and we’ll gladly lend it (we’re looking at you, MX9 Suppressed with NVIR players…).

We’ll split the guide into sections based on playstyle and roles. An image of each class is shown with a brief description below.

Note on Dead Silence: While many pros players do not use Dead Silence in respawn modes, we recommend it in League Play. As communication may be minimal, you will have to “carry” many teammates through matches and maintaining a silent footstep will help you solo-carry.

Main AR

This is the most straight-forward long range AR class for use in competitive Black Ops 4. The class offers superior range and the most long range firepower apart from snipers (and perhaps the newly buffed Swordfish). The class does lack utility so be sure to slay out and keep spawn control to ensure you are contributing enough to your team.

Game modes: SnD, Control, Hardpoint

This class is essentially the Maddox version of the first class. Great for slaying out the enemy team inside and outside the objective. Fast ADS speeds with quick close to medium range kill times. The class is best used at medium range for maximum damage, but can contend with most SMGs.

Game modes: SnD, Control, Hardpoint

The Swordfish is a newcomer in a sense to the competitive weapon pool. The ADS strafe speed and ADS-in time of Quickdraw 2 were both buffed and have made it a threat. The Swordfish can take targets down to 10-15 health in a single burst and has very little recoil. The weapon is best used in SnD to hold sightlines, but can be used in respawn due to recent buffs.

Game modes: SnD, Control, Hardpoint

Main SMG/OBJ

This Saug class is all about using the speed of the SMG to kill targets and get out fast. The Quickdraw gives you near instant ADS-in times and double Stocks give you strafe speed rivaling sprint speeds. The class does lack a perk 1, so you will have to be careful of explosives and stuns. Be sure to use your speed to your advantage and play close range. Be a nuisance.

Game modes: SnD, Control, Hardpoint

This Saug class is a little more objective-oriented. The double stuns give you utility and forces enemies to switch to Tac Mask, opening up opportunities for your Battery’s War Machine. The playstyle will be quite similar to the first Saug class, but remember to use your stuns whenever possible.

Game modes: Control, Hardpoint

Support AR

Competitive Black Ops 4 features a lot of stun grenades in addition to the common Cluster Grenades. This class should always be slotted and ready to go just in case the enemy is fond of stuns. While your team can rock Tac Mask, Trophy Systems offer objective-wide defenses against all incoming projectiles. Be sure to throw your trophies into hardpoints and control points to help with incoming enemy attacks.

Game modes: Control, Hardpoint

This class offers a mix of slaying power and utility due to the versatility of the Maddox. The stun will allow you to take on several targets at once and push out enemy locations to give your team some breathing room in objective gamemodes.

Game modes: Control, Hardpoint

Sniper

Sometimes, a little extra firepower is called for. That’s where the Paladin comes in. If you are finding it hard to hold onto long sightlines in SnD, think about equipping this sniper class. The Stabilizer will allow for straight shots and the FMJ will wall-bang targets that attempt to flee when they see the sniper’s barrel pointed in their direction.

The Mozu gives you a clean secondary option for when the enemy gets in close range. The pistol is a three bullet kill at close/medium range, so don’t be afraid to challenge gun fights against ARs and SMGs.

Well, there you have it. We hope these classes will help you as you grind to be the number 1 player in your Ladder. Note that these classes may need tweaks depending your playstyle & meta swifts.