SMGs and Shotguns in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7

If you want to dominate close-quarters combat in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, learning how to use SMGs and shotguns effectively is a must. These two weapon classes are the backbone of fast-paced, aggressive gameplay - perfect for players who thrive on speed, precision, and chaos. Whether you're rushing objectives, holding tight corners, or flanking unsuspecting enemies, mastering SMG and shotgun fundamentals will let you control the pace of every match and overwhelm your opponents before they can react.

What Are SMGs & Shotguns Good For

· SMGs (Submachine Guns) are built for mobility, fast kills at close-to-mid range, and aggressive maneuvering.

· Shotguns dominate very close-quarters combat - clearing rooms, tight hallways, or surprise flanks.

· Because both weapon types excel at CQB (close quarters battle), your movement, positioning, and reactions matter more than for slower guns. SMGs tend to have much higher fire-rates and better handling, while shotguns often require you to commit to very tight engagements.

Use SMGs when you're running fast, flanking, or moving between cover, and shotguns when you're clearing small areas or expect enemies to appear around you unexpectedly.

Key Weapons to Know

Here are a few standout SMGs and Shotguns in BO7:

SMGs

· Dravec 45 - A full-auto SMG that is very stable and effective at longer ranges compared to many SMGs.

· Graz 45k - Offers a good balance of handling, power, and recoil; useful in close-quarters bursts.

· Razor 9mm - Very high rate-of-fire, but its range is limited and it may require more control to make effective at anything beyond ultra-close fights.

Shotguns

· M10 Breacher - A pump-action / charge-like shotgun. It has a mechanic where holding the trigger tighter reduces spread (closer pellet grouping) for hip fire or ADS.

· Echo 12 - A double-barrel style shotgun that fires two shots before rechambering. High damage in very close range, useful for flanking or surprise fights.

Knowing the specific behaviors (e.g. rechamber time, spread patterns, intercept ranges) helps you optimize usage depending on the map or mode.

Loadout & Attachments Tips

To get the most out of SMGs and Shotguns, consider the following attachment and perk choices:

SMG Attachment Tips

1.Recoil / Stability Mods

Use attachments that reduce both vertical and horizontal recoil. For example, on the Dravec 45, many players equip muzzle attachments and fire mods to tame recoil.

2.Barrel / Range Boosts

If you want your SMG to perform well slightly outside ultra-close range, choose barrels that extend effective damage range. For the Dravec 45, people often use the 19″ Horizon Fluted Barrel to improve reach.

3.Magazines

Extended magazines help when you're spraying in close fights or trying to chain multi-kills without reloading. Overkill risk is lower with SMGs because their base fire rate is already high, so having extra rounds avoids you being caught mid-reload.

4.Handling / Speed Enhancements

Grips, stocks, and rear attachments that improve aim-down-sight speed, aim stability while moving, or sprint-to-fire improve how reactive the SMG can be when you're zipping around the map.

5.Perks & Wildcards

Pair mobility-oriented perks (Lightweight, Fast Hands, Dexterity) with SMGs, since you'll be fighting while moving, sliding, jumping, or diving. Some loadouts use Overkill wildcard to carry a close-range secondary or shotgun alongside.

Shotgun Attachment Tips

1.Spread Control

Use attachments (barrel, choke, stock modifiers) that tighten pellet spread, especially if you're aiming from the hip or want more consistency against moving targets at very close range.

2.Rechamber / Fire-Rate Improvements

For shotguns like the Echo 12, decreasing rechamber time or optimizing how quickly you can fire both barrels can give you the edge when pushing corners.

3.Mobility Perks

Since shotguns require you to get close - often faster than the enemy expects - perks that increase your movement speed, reduce aim-down-sight time, or let you recover quicker after a slide or dive are crucial.

4.Pairing with SMGs

Many aggressive players carry both an SMG and a shotgun (or use Overkill wildcard) so they can use SMG for movement & mid-close fights and pull out the shotgun for surprise or brutal room-clears.

Strategy & Playstyle Advice

Here's how to use SMGs & Shotguns well in matches:

· Map awareness & pathing: Know the typical routes players use to rotate or flank. Use that to plan your SMG pushes or shotgun holds / ambushes.

· Movement tactics: Slide-cancel, jump-to-fire, dive or wall-jump where allowed. SMGs reward aggressive "on the move" plays. Shotguns reward fast pushes through chokepoints.

· When to switch: If you're entering a building, hallway, or small room, consider switching to shotgun just before entry. If you instead expect enemies across a corridor, stay on SMG with good range modifications.

· Flanking & cover: SMGs let you pressure from angles; shotguns let you win the close fight. Combining both gives you flexibility.

Know your trade-distance: Every gun has optimal range beyond which its damage or pellet spread drops off. Avoid taking shotgun fights at longer ranges. Also avoid trying SMG sprays beyond range without range attachments.

Ultimately, SMGs and shotguns are all about confidence, movement, and map control. The best players use them not just for quick kills, but to dictate how and where fights happen. Once you learn each weapon's strengths, optimize your loadouts, and refine your positioning, you'll find that every close-range encounter becomes your territory. So gear up, stay mobile, and bring that relentless energy into Black Ops 7 - because in the world of high-speed gunfights, hesitation is the only real enemy.

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