Best Warzone weapons, most popular meta loadouts & tier list (Season 3 Reloaded)

Best Warzone weapons, most popular meta loadouts & tier list (Season 3 Reloaded)
Images via Activision

Written by 

Alex Garton

Last updated 

3rd May 2024 15:54

Contents

Identifying which Warzone (or WZ2 if you're still using the original name) weapons are best to use in the current meta can be tough, especially when there are so many lethal guns following the Modern Warfare 3 integration.

With Warzone Season 3 Reloaded now underway, you'll likely want to know which guns you should be utilising to dominate your enemies on both Vondel, Urzikstan, and Rebirth Island. To make the process simpler, I've put together a ranked list outlining which loadouts are top in Season 3 Reloaded's meta, based on their popularity in WZ using data from WZStats.

Top 5 meta Warzone weapons & loadouts

5. WSP-9

WSP-9 SMG in gunsmith on Warzone
Click to enlarge

Best WSP-9 loadout

  • Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
  • Barrel: HISS Short Light
  • Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
  • Magazine: 50 Round Mag
  • Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop

In Season 3 Reloaded, the WSP-9 is a jack-of-all-trades SMG that is solid in nearly every department - but doesn't have that standout factor to take it to the top of the meta. Capable of punishing foes at mid-range and equipped with a consistent TTK, the WSP is the trusty weapon you can always rely on.

It's obvious a lot of Warzone fans have realised this in Season 3 Reloaded, as it's sitting at a hefty 8.56% pick rate.

4. Pulemyot 762

Pulemyot 762 LMG in Warzone gunsmith
Click to enlarge

Best Pulemyot 762 loadout

  • Muzzle: VT-7 Spitfire Suppressor L
  • Barrel: JAK Annihilator Long Barrel
  • Optic: CORIO Eagleseye 2.5x
  • Conversion Kit: JAK Annihilator Bullpen Kit
  • Stock: Command D-15 Recoil Reduction Pad

A familiar face in Warzone's best weapons, the monster that is the Pulemyot 762 still excels in those long-range skirmishes where beaming a foe is your primary goal. A manageable recoil pattern and high damage output mean that this monster of a gun should never be underestimated.

As with any LMG though, mobility isn't its strong suit and it does feel like you're carrying a tank on your back, but that hasn't stopped it from racking up a huge 8.9% pick rate.

3. Striker 9

Striker 9 in Warzone gunsmith menus
Click to enlarge

Best Striker 9 loadout

  • Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
  • Optic: NYDAR Model 2023
  • Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
  • Ammunition: 9MM High Grain Rounds
  • Magazine: 50 Round Drum

The number one SMG in Season 3 Reloaded is the Striker 9, which will be music to the ears of OG Call of Duty fans. Based on the old-school UMP45 from MW2 (2009), this close-quarter weapon is a true threat in face-to-face gunfights and enclosed spaces.

Anyone running this weapon shouldn't be afraid to push the pace of a match and hunt down foes to rack up countless kills. It's especially potent on Rebirth Island and that's probably why it's got a staggering 9.5% pick rate. 

2. SVA 545 

SVA 545 in Warzone Gunsmith
Click to enlarge

Best SVA 545 loadout

  • Muzzle: Sonic Suppressor
  • Optic: CORIO Eagleseye 2.5x
  • Magazine: 60 Round Drum
  • Barrel: STV Precision
  • Ammunition: 5.45 High Grain

On the Assault Rifle front, the SVA 545 is the jewel in the crown thanks to its incredibly low recoil that makes it almost too easy to control. When there's no kickback from your gunfire, you can strictly focus on maximising your shots and landing every ounce of damage on an opponent.

If that wasn't enough, the fact that the SVA fires its first few bullets faster and then slows down means it rewards anybody that can snap onto an enemy instantly. If that's you, join the waves of people running the SVA and pushing its pick rate up to 11%.

1. DG-58 LSW

DG 58 LSW in Warzone Gunsmith
Click to enlarge

Best DG-58 LSW loadout 

  • Optic: CORIO Eagleseye 2.5x
  • Stock: Recoil Reduction Buttplate
  • Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
  • Muzzle: Casus Brake
  • Barrel: WUDI Long

A true benefactor of the Season 3 Reloaded update, the DG-58 LSW was hit with some major buffs in the latest patch. These improved the weapon's long-range damage and completely wiped out a lot of its previous recoil issues that made it such a tough LMG to use.

Now, it's a demon on both Rebirth Island and Urzikstan, dominating the meta and racking up an astounding 11.7% pick rate. It's great to see the DG-58 LSW back after such a long time, let's see how long it can hold onto the crown. 

What is the best gun in Warzone?

Based on the statistics and as shown above, the DG-58 LSW is the best weapon in Warzone with an 11.7% pick rate.

The LMG's damage output, effectiveness at long range, and stability have propelled it to the top of the meta, effectively making it a must-use gun in Season 3 Reloaded.

Out of all of Warzone's weapons, though, picking out the best gun is an extremely difficult task, as oftentimes the best option for you will come down to personal preference - so make sure to keep this in mind.

Warzone 2 operator next to helicopter holding a weapon
Click to enlarge
Courtesy of Activision

List of all weapons in Warzone

While the Warzone weapons and loadouts above are the strongest options in the current meta, there are countless other guns you can experiment with.

All of them have their strengths and weaknesses, meaning it's possible to find an off-meta weapon or hidden gem that hasn't been discovered by the rest of the community just yet.

Here's the full list of weapons in Warzone:

SMGs

ARs

LMGs

  • Pulemyot 762
  • DG-56 LSW
  • Holger 26
  • Bruen MK9
  • TAQ Evolvre
  • Sakin MG38
  • RPK
  • Raal MG
  • Rapp H
  • HCR 56
  • 556 Icarus

Warzone 2 Operator holding phone
Click to enlarge
Courtesy of Activision

Battle Rifles

Snipers

Marksmen Rifles

  • KVO Enforcer
  • MCW 6.8
  • DM56
  • MTZ Interceptor
  • Tempus Torrent
  • TAQ-M
  • EBR-14
  • Crossbow
  • SA-B 50
  • SP-R 208
  • LM-S
  • Lockwood MK2

Shotguns

  • Lockwood 680
  • Haymaker
  • Riveter
  • KV Broadside
  • Expedite 12
  • Lockwood 300
  • Bryson 890
  • Bryson 800

Warzone 2 operator next to blossom tree
Click to enlarge
Courtesy of Activision

Remember, the meta is constantly shifting with every update, so we'll make sure to keep the list refreshed anytime there's a move in the rankings.

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Be sure to check out our Warzone homepage for all of the latest news and guides. Also, if you're diving into Modern Warfare 3, consider checking out our best MW3 gun list, or the best weapons in Warzone Mobile.

Alex Garton
About the author
Alex Garton
Alex is a Senior Writer at GGRecon. With a BA (Hons) in English, he has previously written for Dexerto & Gfinity. Specialising in Call of Duty & Apex Legends, he loves (attempting) to improve his aim in competitive shooters and will always make time for a single-player RPG.
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