Hello, this is XboxAhoy and this is the fortieth and final episode of my Black Ops 2 Weapon
Guide.
This time, we're covering the AN-94.
We round out this series with this automatic assault rifle' first sighting in the main
Call of Duty series - where it's unlocked at the final level, 55.
The AN-94, or 'Avtomat Nikonova, 1994' is a Russian weapon design intended as a potential
replacement for the AK-74 as a part of Project Abakan.
The weapon takes its name from its chief designer, Gennadiy Nikonov - and boasts a unique delayed
recoil action that is able to fire two shots before the recoil of the first is felt.
This increases the probability of multiple target hits, and with the initial two-round
burst fired at 1800 rounds per minute, such a flurry of fire has proven very effective
when tackling enemies wearing modern body armour.
The rifle fires the same Russian intermediate cartridge as the AK-74, the high velocity
5.45 by 39 millimetre round.
While the design's increased complexity and cost means that it is unlikely to ever replace
the more simple Kalashnikov design currently in service, the AN-94 has seen limited use
by some units, and the unique mode of operation may influence a future design.
In-game, damage is moderate, with the AN-94 offering a reasonable 3-hit kill range - impressive
by most automatic weapon standards, and only bested by the SCAR-H.
At a distance, you may need up to five shots to kill - but a single headshot will guarantee
a 4-shot kill at any distance, which means you should experience quite consistent damage
performance across a wide variety of ranges.
Penetration ability is average, the same as the majority of the other assault rifles.
Rate of fire is particularly unusual - in a similar fashion to the HAMR, the AN-94 has
a dual fire rate: with the first two rounds fired more quickly than the remainder.
The initial two-round burst is fired at 940 rounds per minute - a very impressive rate
given the weapon's higher damage - and successive shots are fired are a more sedate 625 rounds
per minute.
These faster rounds grant bonus effectiveness to those able to get on target rapidly with
their first shots - and can decide the outcome of a firefight.
When paired with select fire, the AN-94 will retain its two-round burst mode, a trait shared
only with the Vector K10.
When employed as a burst fire weapon, all your shots fired will be at the higher fire
rate - but you will have to expend more effort in pulling the trigger repeatedly.
Hipfire performance is as expected for the assault rifle class: reliable enough to repel
close range enemies, but not nearly as competitive as an SMG.
Recoil is more than controllable in most instances: the initial burst will normally find the same
target, and the slower fire rate of the successive shots helps to moderate the effect of the
weapon's kick.
At longer ranges, burst firing can prove effective - both to lessen the impact of recoil, and
to otherwise take advantage of the enhanced fire rate.
Aim time is standard for the AN's class, at 250 milliseconds, as are switch times and
your mobility: you'll move at 95 percent of the base speed.
Magazine capacity is also standard: 30 rounds is on par for the assault rifle class, and
will normally prove sufficient for most gunfights.
Extended clip takes this capacity to 40 rounds instead.
Reload times are average, at just a little shy of two and a half seconds - generally
not a problem, but it's wise to keep an eye on your count mid-firefight.
Our build with the AN-94 is one built around pure gun-on-gun aggression: a weapon-focussed
class designed to move fast and strike swiftly, taking advantage of the AN-94's versatile
performance and rapid lethality when on-target.
First of our pick ten selections is the Primary Gunfighter wildcard - permitting three attachment
choices for the utmost flexibility in constructing a gun-centric build.
Our first attachment choice is very useful for weapons that see significant benefit with
first-shot precision: The Quickdraw Handle.
Being able to snap quickly onto target means you'll be able to deliver the deadly two-round
rapid burst of the AN-94 directly onto your foe: a far more effective tactic than relying
on hipfire or the slower sustained rate of fire.
Next, the Adjustable Stock is an indispensable addition for many - and will let you keep
the AN-94's sights up while retaining much in the way of manoeuvrability.
This means you can remain aggressive without sacrificing pin-point accuracy - you'll be
able to push into a enemy's position and instantly strike with the rapid two-rounds to quash
any hope your opponent might have of fighting back.
The stock is also useful in cases where you're caught unexpectedly - bringing up your sights
and strafing away from your opponent's aim can baffle them long enough for you to launch
an effective counter-attack, and as such this attachment will result in you turning the
tables on your enemy more often.
Our final attachment choice is Fast Mags, improving reload speed and reducing your downtime
between magazines.
You will be largely helpless during this time, so for an aggressive build a faster reload
is a boon - and while you perhaps shouldn't be reloading after every single kill with
the AN-94 due to its slower sustained rate of fire - you'll have to resupply eventually,
and Fast Mags will ensure the process goes smoothly.
Faster reloads mean you can adopt a faster style of play - and our first perk choice
will add a similar speed bonus to our build.
Lightweight works well with any offensive class, and will prove particularly synergistic
with the Stock.
The 7% boost to movement speed means you'll be better able to keep up with faster SMG
and shotgun users, and this will help you to more often appear in the right place at
the right time.
Next, selecting Toughness as your tier two perk will result in more gunfights falling
in your favour - important for any class, but essential for a gun-centric build.
As you'll be most effective while aiming down your sights at all but the closest of ranges,
the enhanced stability when taking incoming fire will often prove decisive.
The AN-94 can be a devastating weapon in close quarter gunfights when you're able to rapidly
get on target - and our final perk choice complements the Quickdraw Handle in assisting
on this front.
Dexterity is a solid choice for any aggressive build, reducing the time it takes to recover
from sprinting - and thus allowing faster reaction to a close-range target with a lower
penalty to accurate fire.
Next, we spend a point on a secondary pistol to serve as a backup for those times when
your primary is left unready.
A rapid switch fills the void when you're ambushed mid-reload, and while your sidearm
might see only occasional employment - such secondary intervention can often save your
life.
Finally, we have a point spare to spend on either an attachment for your secondary weapon,
or some lethal or tactical equipment of your choice - there's not much more a single point
will do for the AN-94's performance, so you have the luxury of choosing some other convenience.
That's our build - one designed to maximise the AN-94's potential within an aggressive
role, and offering consistent performance and reliable kills over a wide range band.
With such a strong focus on speed-enhancing traits, the only limitation to your effectiveness
is your reaction time - and your ability to ensure your first two shots find their mark.
The AN-94 is a strong offering within the assault rifle category that offers a versatile
blend of damage and handling, with the benefit of a unique output trait.
The initial two-round burst is its strongest asset if you can snap onto targets quickly,
with such a burst accelerating your time to kill and needing just a third shot to finish
them off at a close range.
Otherwise, the AN is a versatile weapon that can shrug off opponents at almost any range
- it's hard to dislike the well-rounded performance.
However, the slower sustained rate of fire can put you at a disadvantage when circumstances
demand more output: unexpected encounters with faster-firing opponents may place you
at a disadvantage.
The weapon's versatility is its own downfall, too - a jack of all trades, but master of
none.
Plenty of weapons will outclass you up close, and the same will apply at a longer range,
too.
Still, such adaptability is a trait in itself - so you can worry less about positioning
and instead focus on your sights.
If you're able to consistently land the first shot on your opponent, rapid kills will be
your reward - proving reliable when tackling targets both near and far.
The AN-94 might be more Abakan than abacus, but nevertheless...
...you can definitely count on this weapon.
Thanks for watching, this has been XboxAhoy.
Join me next time when I'll be doing something different.
Until then, farewell.