With some many modes to choose from, it can be hard to pick!
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is packed with adrenaline-fueled game modes, each offering a different style of combat, pacing, and reward potential. Whether you’re grinding XP for that prestige emblem or just looking for the most fun way to blow off steam, selecting the right mode can make all the difference. In this article I want to help you out by making a list of game modes, ranking them by both their fun factor and their XP gain.
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This least goes from least to most fun.
- Control
Control makes players alternate between attacking and defending two areas on the map. What separates it from the average objective mode is that your team only has a set number of respawns each round — which is part of the problem.
When you’re out of lives and stuck watching your teammates struggle the last 30 seconds, the fun disappears fast. The mode demands coordination and awareness, but punishes casual players who just want to hop in and shoot. The tension can be exciting in the right context, but for most, it’s more pressure than pleasure.
- Search & Destroy
No respawns. One bomb site. One chance per round.
Search & Destroy has been in Call of Duty for a very long time, and it hasn’t changed much over the years. Its methodical pacing and clutch potential make it a fan-favorite in ranked play, but in casual lobbies, the appeal drops off. If you get eliminated early, which will probably happen from time to time, you’re left spectating for the rest of the round.
Much like the previous mode this one has a downtime that certainly feels long and players looking for more casual fun might have some issues with it.
- Hardpoint
Hardpoint moves the fight from one objective to another every minute, forcing teams to scramble constantly for control.
The constant movement should make things exciting, and it does for the most part! However, sometimes the spawning locations can feel a little unfair and getting picked off on the run back to site can feel pretty stress inducing.
It’s a great mode when teams are organized. But if even one player on your squad isn’t rotating correctly, it turns into a chaotic mess where you feel like you’re always playing catch-up. Still, great in concept!
- Headquarters
Headquarters is a mode where one team captures a point and defends it while locked out of respawns until it’s destroyed. This mechanic creates moments of high tension, especially for the defending team.
When things go right, the mode feels thrilling. But if your team collapses after capturing the HQ, the next 30 seconds feel like punishment. It’s a gamble every round, and unless your squad works well together, still, the matches feel very intense which is a good thing.
- Free-For-All
Everyone’s an enemy. No teams. No objectives. Just survive and score!
Free-For-All is perfect for warming up or practicing reflexes, but after a few matches, however it can feel repetitive after a few matches. The lack of teamplay can get lonely, and spawn logic sometimes places you right in someone’s crosshairs.
That said, if you’re in the zone, racking up kills with no distractions can be incredibly satisfying. It’s a classic mode that still holds up.
- Gunfight
Gunfight throws you and one partner into intense 2v2 rounds with random weapons and no respawns. It’s short, snappy, and brutally unforgiving.
The thrill of Gunfight comes from its simplicity. Every round is a new puzzle, and no two games feel alike. It forces communication and creative plays in a tiny window of time.
Still, as a change of pace, it’s one of the most polished small-scale experiences in the game.
- Kill Order
One of Black Ops 6’s standout additions, Kill Order introduces a high-value target (HVT) for each team. Take out the enemy HVT, earn bonus points. Protect your own, or pay the price.
This mode cleverly combines elements of TDM and objective strategy. It encourages both aggression and defense, often within the same moment. The constant shifting between hunting and hiding makes it feel fresh and unpredictable.
It’s a sleeper hit in this lineup. It offers just enough chaos to stay fun without becoming unbalanced.
- Kill Confirmed
If you’ve played Team Deathmatch, you already understand Kill Confirmed. Only with one small twist: points only count when you collect your opponent’s dog tag.
This one mechanic changes everything.
It discourages camping and forces players to move. It rewards risky plays, clutch saves, and well-timed pushes. TDM with purpose, and that makes it far more entertaining. If you want something casual but still a little tactical, Kill Confirmed hits the sweet spot.
- Team Deathmatch
It’s the bread and butter of multiplayer game modes, and that’s not a bad thing. Team Deathmatch strips the game down to its basics — just kill the enemy and don’t die too much!
Sometimes, you don’t want rotating objectives or complicated rules. You just want to drop into a lobby, shoot some enemies, and relax. TDM provides exactly that. It’s predictable, sure, but it’s also incredibly reliable.
It might not be the most innovative mode in the lineup, but it’s consistently fun, especially when you’re using a good meta loadout!
- Domination
Domination is the perfect hybrid of chaos and structure. With three zones to capture, there’s always something to fight for, but never so much that it becomes overwhelming.
This mode keeps players engaged throughout the match. Whether you’re flanking to capture the site under their nose or holding down a zone in a full-on shootout, there’s always a role to play. It rewards awareness, map knowledge, and coordinated pushes, however it doesn’t punish lone wolves.
Domination rarely has dead time. You’re either defending, capturing, or desperately sprinting to stop a triple cap. This mode is easily one of the most fun in the game!
In conclusion
Call of Duty Black Ops 6 offers a lot of game modes — there’s even some limited time event modes! Some modes prioritize competition. Others thrive on chaos or creativity. The beauty of this game is that you’re never locked into one experience. Whether you’re feeling strategic, aggressive, or just in the mood to chill, there’s a mode waiting for you!
