Warzone best guns to use in Season 3 meta
The best weapons to use in Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 Season 3.
As of the launch of Season 3 in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, a selection of new weapons and balance changes have been implemented, resulting in another big swing in the game's constantly evolving metas.
Figuring out the best of the bunch and the dominating meta is something many players will be doing in Modern Warfare 3 and Warzone, and whilst you can stick to your personal favourites, sometimes the meta is the only way.
In this guide, we’ll be going over how weapons are unlocked, as well as the current meta and what's new in Season 3, and the overall best guns in Warzone and Modern Warfare 3.
On this page:
What is the current meta and what's new in MW3 and Warzone Season 3
Season 3 of Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 has recently launched, bringing with it several new weapons and balance changes to all existing guns, leading to a meta that's having another evolution similar to that of the previous season.
Whether it’s with the likes of the MCW assault rifle or the Striker SMG - continuously popular weapons since launch - on top of all the new weapons available, there's a lot of choice in MW3 which can provide plenty of options, even if you don't feel like using the current meta.
For example, even if they're not the absolute best, many other wepapons like the Holger 556 (G36C) assault rifle and the KATT-AMR sniper rifle have also become popular picks, and ebbed and flowed in the ever-evolving meta, at times outclassing what else is on offer.
On top of various buffs and nerfs to existing weapons, Season 3 adds several new firearms and Aftermarket Parts, acquired through weekly challenges and the Battle Pass.
In terms of new weapons, there's the FJX Horus submachine gun, MORS sniper rifle and, releasing later in the season, the BAL-27 assault rifle - the latter of which is a weapon reprised from one of Sledgehammer Games' previous Call of Duty titles, Advanced Warfare.
New Aftermarket Parts will rework existing weapons in a variety of ways - such as the JAK Revenger Kit that changes the BP50 into a more close-quarters-focused weapon. Additionally, unlocked via a currently-unknown source, there's the Photonic Charge Barrel for the nee MORS sniper, and this attachment reworks the firearm so that it can fire a 'high-power energy projectile' when charged up.
How these new additions, combined with the various balancing changes made with Season 3, shake up in the grand scheme of things is difficult to say definitively, especially with so many options. However, there are still a wide number of picks we can point to as solid recommendations for use within Season 3, whether you've been playing since launch or are just jumping in for the first time.
Best Assault Rifle in Warzone recommendation
Best weapon recommendation: MCW, DG-58, BP50
How to unlock: Player Level 44 (MCW) | Armory unlock (DG-58) | Sector B7, S2 Battle Pass (BP50)
After some time through MW3's launch weeks, Assault Rifles have largely dominated the meta since and it seems that'll continue throughout the game's lifecycle, especially with new contenders like the BP50 having been added since the game's release.
This new AR has a high rate of fire, with the in-game description touting its 'exceptional accuracy', recommending it for mid-long range combat. After trying it out ourselves, we can certainly agree with that, and it's got very little recoil to boot! We're not sure if it tops the MCW just yet, but it certainly poses some more competition in the space, that's for sure.
In a similar way to last season's attempt to make ARs a little less snappy and overall powerful, this season seems to continue that trend with a damage multiplier nerfs to the RAM-7, Holger 556, and MCW. The DG-56 also sees an increased sprint-to-fire time.
Last season's nerfs didn't seem enough to knock them off the podium, but it'll be curious to see how these changes shake out especially as the MCW has continued to be among the most popular assault rifles since launch. Since most players are likely already Level 55 and beyond, they'll have this unlocked and ready to use whenever, whereas new guns usually require the Battle Pass to be levelled - though you can instantly unlock it if buying tier skips or the Blackcell premium pass.
Paired with a few attachments such as the 16.5" MCW Cyclone Long Barrel we recommend in our MCW loadout guide, you’ll be able to further increase bullet velocity and range, along with a couple of extra buffs too to make the weapon even stronger.
Whilst the new meta settles, there are couple of other rifles we can recommend too that have each had their own time in the sun over time.
First is the SVA 545 which is essentially MW3's AN-94, and not only is it a strong rifle in itself, it's also unlocked as soon as you get access to custom loadouts. On top of that, owners of the MW3 Vault Edition get access to an entire set of bespoke attachments this gun has access to, more or less setting it up for success.
Another couple of options are the DG-58, or the Holger 556, the former of which is good if you're looking for something a little bit more focused on accuracy.
Season 1 introduced the RAM-7 - a gun that many may recognise as the MTAR, originally introduced in 2012's Black Ops 2 - and this is another that stood out too. It's a fully-automatic bullpup rifle that originally had the highest fire rate of any until this season's BP50 released. It's only a small difference, and the RAM-7 still manages to beat the BP50 in numerous stats, even if there's ultimately not the most difference between them.
Later during Season 3, the BAL-27 will be added. With this being a fan-favourite reprised weapon from Advanced Warfare, it'll no doubt gain a ton of traction once it releases, and it's fairly likely this might be a pretty strong weapon upon its release. As such, it's worth keeping an eye out for it.
All in all, as mentioned, the assault rifle space is rather busy, and of course you've still got old favourites like the M4 - a weapon from MW2 available via Carry Forward - which was a fan favourite throughout the course of MW2's lifecycle.
For more on the general state of assault rifles, which ones are good, and how to build them, be sure to check out our guides on the best Assault Rifles and best loadouts.
Best Battle Rifle in Warzone recommendation
Best weapon recommendation: BAS-B
How to unlock BAS-B: Reach player Level 17
Whilst it wasn’t one that I used much right away at launch, the BAS-B was one I saw popping up pretty consistently, and so I decided to take it for a spin over and after using it enough to earn its Gold camo, it's safe to say it's become a strong a favourite of mine in the overall meta.
From a high-level view, it’s not too difficult to see why the gun is popular - its stats are the best of any Warzone and MW3 Battle Rifle, and actually outclasses nearly every MW2 option in all their stats too. Not only that, but it’s also heavily reminiscent of the Honey Badger - particularly with its iron sights - a standout and iconic weapon when it first appeared in Call of Duty: Ghosts ten years ago.
Using it in Multiplayer matches, it's even easier to see why many have gravitated towards it - it's great at lasering enemies down thanks to its great range and fast Time-to-Kill, and pairing it with a red dot and suppressor makes you feel like you're in the good old days due to its Honey Badger likeness. Except now it's a Battle Rifle and outputting high damage, resulting in what I'd say is one of the best weapons right now.
Similar to the situation with assault rifles, it too has had some ADS and sprint-to-fire speed nerfs, however it does have a new Aftermarket Part that can be earned this season - the JAK Outlaw-227 Kit that turns the gun into a lever-action rifle! How this shakes up we won't know till it's available to earn from its associated weekly challenge, so if that's something that interests you, be sure to keep an eye out for that.
Another weapon to keep an eye out for is the SOA Subverter, a new battle rifle released during Season 2. Described on the official COD Blog as a 'hard-hitting rifle' with a 'low rate of fire and predictable recoil', this one is suited more to precision-focused enthusiasts. A nice balance for the BAS-B then, and one that might be worth using, even if it did get hit with a couple of sprint-to-fire and aim-down-sight time nerfs with Season 3.
Best Submachine Gun in Warzone recommendation
Best weapon recommendation: Striker, RAM-9
How to unlock Striker: Reach player Level 4 (Striker) | Sector B6, S2 Battle Pass (RAM-9)
Just like the MCW and BAS-B before it, the theme of nostalgia only continues with the Striker Submachine Gun, not only a brilliant pick right from the outset, but also quite literally an almost direct copy of the iconic UMP 45 from the original Modern Warfare games.
Embodying that original in a few ways, it’s very similarly quite the powerhouse, continuing to be a standout gun since launch. As recommended in our Striker loadout guide, it’s a great gun to pair with a suppressor and red dot to make it a stealthy and accurate option for close-quarters engagements.
To make it even better at close-medium range, the gun even saw a couple of buffs as part of the Season 2 update, improving both its near-medium damage range and medium damage range. Each of these have been bumped up by 13% and 10% respectively, meaning it'll now perform better at longer ranges.
With such a wide net cast with Submachine Guns, they generally can run the gamut of both range and rate of fire, and the Striker lands pretty firmly in the middle as an effective weapon that still holds up at near-medium range encounters. In doing so, it’s a solid pick to use in the meantime whilst looking at other options you might want to try.
Whilst the Striker is a decently-balanced weapon stat-wise, a couple of other SMGs rose in popularity since their introduction, namely the AMR9 and Rival-9, both of which we've seen popping up across Multiplayer a fair amount.
Me personally, I got quite attached to the WSP Swarm thanks to a preset loadout I was trying out before I hit Level 4. It does have a bit of a steep learning curve admittedly, primarily due to its very high rate of fire, so it felt a bit like I was constantly needing to reload - one to practice with for sure, but one that felt pretty effective when hitting shots consistently, even if it meant a bit of a battle with the recoil. That particular build of it included in the preset loadout, there's something about it that just screamed Call of Duty Multiplayer to me, especially with its fan-favourite red-dot-and-suppressor combo.
For more on the WSP Swarm, check out one of the WSP Swarm loadouts we put together for it.
For people playing since Season 2, they might've noticed the RAM-9, an SMG version of the RAM-7 assault rifle we discussed earlier. Its damage is higher than nearly every other SMG, and it just generally has a high rate of fire, and felt like a strong contender for the best close-range SMG in the game upon its release. After trying it out in-game, we can confirm it feels great to use, with strong accuracy and a pretty fast time-to-kill. Even if it's not right at the top for all players, we can certainly see it gaining some traction as more begin to unlock it.
As an added bonus, it just got a small buff in the form of a 17% decrease in sprint-to-fire time, making it even more snappy to use in combat.
New to Season 3 is the FJX Horus, which the COD Blog describes as featuring 'an incredible fire rate and class-leading mobility', along with strong handling that helps to mitigate any recoil you experience. Considering the other high rate of fire options for SMGs, this looks to be another competitor in that space and thus might be one to keep an eye on.
Best Shotgun in Warzone recommendation
Best weapon recommendation: Lockwood 680
How to unlock Lockwood 680: Reach player Level 4
For me, this is one I discovered way back in MW3's beta, having it equipped as a secondary thanks to benefits provided by the Gunner Vest. Swapping to the Lockwood 680 for close encounter battles as a backup to my primary MCW, it was an incredibly effective option, and one that’s right at home in some of the very small and compact environments you'll find throughout many of MW3’s maps, and Warzone's Urzikstan or Fortune's Keep.
For MW3 specifically, the new Vest system - and Gunner Vest in particular for this gun - can really be a game-changer here though granting a multitude of benefits alongside having access to a second primary.
Throwing on the Gunner Vest and chucking on the Lockwood as a second primary, and you’ve got a great backup shotty that’ll be a great close quarters option for any medium-range-focused build.
Not only that, but the range isn’t too shabby either, with the second-to-highest range of any shotgun across MW2 and MW3’s complete arsenal. While it may not be the king of range, it’s on the upper echelon of shotties when it comes to raw damage.
Even in Season 3, it seems like the Lockwood 680 is still one of the best go-to shotguns for many, but it's still worth considering MW2’s Expedite 12, as well as MW3’s full-auto Riveter that’ll no doubt be compared to the classic AA-12 from the original MW2. Featuring a higher fire rate and the best range of all shotguns, it’s possible many would consider the Riveter the best shotgun in the game.
Best Light Machine Gun in Warzone recommendation
Best weapon recommendation: Holger 26 or Pulemyot 762
How to unlock: Armoury Unlock (Holger 26) | Reach player Level 4, Custom Loadout unlock (Pulemyot 762)
Lightmachine guns are always an interesting beast to dissect and study because they’re a rather niche option that generally doesn’t get too much love. From my personal experience, with a seemingly longer TTK in Modern Warfare 3, LMGs didn’t feel all that good initially, and for fast-paced matches, having a long reload time and slowed movement speed doesn’t always feel the best.
However, there are a couple of decent options worth checking out, the first of which fits in a nice middle ground between Assault Rifles and LMGs.
Back in the beta, the Holger 26 was the primary LMG I noticed popping up consistently, at least comparatively to the Pulemyot 762 at the time. Since launch, there's now a few more to consider from the LMG category that gives a bit more variety, especially with MW2's LMG offerings still available too.
The main LMG that has continued to see a lot of use since launch however is the Pulemyot 762. Complete with a huge mag size of 100 rounds, the highest of all MW3 LMGs and only equalised by the Bruen MK9 and Sakin MG38 from MW2, it's an impressive gun that actually has a pretty quick TTK particularly if you're able to resist the gun's strong recoil.
Not only that, but for Warzone specifically, having more ammunition may be worth the slot - and since you can equip two primaries to any of your loadouts, you'll have a bit more flexibility when using one of these, particularly if equipped with the reload-speed-buffing Sleight of Hand perk, for example.
On the whole, LMGs aren't exactly taking the meta by storm like some of the other weapons, but they're still gaining a fair bit of attention that makes them worth considering and may find more of a home in larger game modes and Warzone matches. With the Pulemyot having gained traction in MW3's early days, it might be worth keeping an eye on that as the community slowly decides on what they feel is the best Light machine gun in the game.
Best Marksman Rifle in Warzone recommendation
Best weapon recommendation: MTZ Interceptor or MCW 6.8
How to unlock: Armoury Unlocks (Requires Level 25)
In a similar way to LMGs - and perhaps Battle Rifles too - Marksman Rifles are in a pretty niche spot. They occupy a space between Assault Rifles (ARs) and Sniper Rifles (SRs), but whereas Battle Rifles are more akin to ARs, Marksman Rifles are more akin to SRs. This essentially puts them in a similar line of competition to snipers themselves.
Despite the niche window the class lives within, there are still quite a lot to choose from - 12 to be exact, a number that's comprised of 4 from MW3, and 8 from MW2.
Whilst the meta may shake up over time, much like it has been since the beta, the MTZ Interceptor takes the crown here, which is no doubt in part due to its total damage that - not including MW2’s Crossbow - is the highest of the lot. It’s also on the upper end of total range and, besides the MCW 6.8, it near enough has best-in-class range and accuracy too.
From a high-level view, the MTZ Interceptor and MCW 6.8 look like the two Marksman Rifles to keep an eye on, but with a collection of 12 to choose from, it’s entirely possible you might find another suits you more.
Best Sniper Rifle in Warzone recommendation
Best weapon recommendation: XRK Stalker, KATT-AMR, or Longbow
How to unlock: Season 1 Battle Pass/Challenge unlock (XRK Stalker) | Requires Level 4, Custom Loadouts unlock (KATT-AMR) | Reach player Level 4 (Longbow)
Since the launch of MW3, the sniper rifle scene has been interesting to watch shake out. Whilst there was a lot of love for the Longbow, it seemed initially like this was mainly due to a unique version you could net by purchasing the Vault Edition of MW3. However, that's not entirely the case since the Longbow can be a very powerful gun in its own right.
On day one, taking them at face value, the KV Inhibitor is the one that stood out to me and seemed to fit the bill for a strong sniper, particularly one that was consistently landing one-shot kills at longer ranges. In a way, the Longbow felt almost like something more suited towards Marksman Rifle territory, and so even if with a strong pairing of attachments it seemed like a powerful gun, the KV Inhibitor was the more sniper-like rifle, and was what we were previously recommending.
Following launch, it was the KATT-AMR that took the place of the best sniper rifle.
However, thanks to the Season 1 addition of XRK Stalker, the game had a more definitive champion. This rifle features bolt-action-firing, and on the whole, is a fan favourite that shot up in popularity since its introduction. With Season 2's update, it even was buffed in Warzone to have increased range and the ability to one-shot down other players when hitting them in the head within the gun's maximum damage range.
Looking to the current game, Season 3 has introduced the MORS which itself is racking up various amounts of praise and various players claiming it to be the new best sniper. As such, it's likely this new rifle will be going head-to-head with other popular picks like the XRK Stalker - and by the sounds of things, you can't go wrong whichever one you pick.
How weapons are unlocked in Warzone and Modern Warfare 3
What’s interesting about Warzone and Modern Warfare 3 is that - for the first time in franchise history - weapons from the previous Call of Duty title are carried across.
As part of the 'Carry Forward' feature, all weapons from MW2 are usable and retain all unlock progress in terms of weapon levels, attachments, and camos too, meaning if you’re jumping into MW3 or Warzone from MW2, you’ll already have a large and expansive set of weapons to use.
Carry Forward also includes all weapon blueprints and attachments too.
If you don’t own MW2 or still have weapons locked in that game, they are all still available to unlock in Warzone and MW3 alongside all the new weapons too, via a mix of weapon level requirements, or unlock challenges that become available once you reach player level 55.
As for Warzone and MW3 weapons, some are unlocked as part of your general player level climb - that is to say, by playing Multiplayer matches and earning XP, you’ll unlock MW3 weapons naturally regardless of what you use - whereas a large number of others are unlocked via the Armoury.
The armoury is unlocked by reaching player Level 25, and is a new system where you complete daily challenges to unlock specific weapons and equipment of your choosing.
With the various ways to unlock weapons and the sheer number of them, there are many to collect which will no doubt make this one of the most diverse metas of any Call of Duty game.
For more on Warzone and Modern Warfare 3, be sure to check out the various guides we have covering Season 3's lineup of content and feature additions , as well as loadout guides for various guns such as the MCW, Striker, and more.