While we’ve seen many longstanding top tiers remain dominant heading into Season 4, there are a few guns that have been rising up the ranks of the Warzone meta through occasional buffs here and there. On the same dime, some weapons that previously reigned supreme are a little worse for wear these days. All of the weapons we recommend below are perfectly usable across all playlists on Caldera, Fortune’s Keep and Rebirth Island once it returns. With the focus clearly being on faster, more hectic Ressurgence game modes this season, we’ll be recommending loadouts that excel in action-packed scenarios. We’ll keep this page updated as the meta changes, so be sure to head back at a later date to make sure you’re ahead of the curve when it comes to packing the best guns.
Best Warzone Loadouts
Taking into account the opinions of top players, streamers, and the community at large, these are the best Warzone loadouts you can build. We’ll try to give a mix of suggestions for new players just starting out, intermediate players looking to step up to the next level, and top-tier picks that require the highest level gear.
Best loadouts for Vanguard beginners - STG44 and MP40 Best loadouts for Vanguard beginners - Gorenko Anti-tank Rifle and PPSH Warzone loadout - HDR and H4 Blixen Warzone loadout - BAR and Owen Gun Warzone loadout - M4A1 and Double Barrel Shotgun Warzone loadout - DP27 and Type 100 Warzone loadout - XM4 and Welgun What are Loadouts in Call of Duty Warzone?
Best loadouts for Vanguard beginners - STG44 and MP40
Starting out in Warzone with a brand new copy of Call of Duty: Vanguard, can feel rough. We’re four seasons in, and some of the stuff dedicated players can pull off in this game seemly far out of reach for grassroots players. Thankfully, the STG44 is amazing for keeping this competitive. Not only is it usable straight away without having to grind for levels, it has been one of the best - if not the best - assault rifle since Warzone Pacific launched.
Muzzle: MX Silencer Barrel: VDD 760mm 05B Optic: SVT-40 PU Scope 3-6x Stock: VDD 34S Weighted Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: 7.62 Gorenko 50 Round Mags Ammo Type: Lengthened Rear Grip: Polymer Grip Perk: Vital Proficiency Perk 2: Fully Loaded
But what do you do if the fights are up close and personal? That’s when the MP40 comes into play. Would you believe it, but this has many of the new-player-friendly strengths that the STG has, as it’s unlocked immediately and absolutely brilliant. It’s high rate of fire, combined with a general ease of use, make it a dream to use in buildings. All you have to be wary of is the damage falloff at longer ranges.
Muzzle: Recoil Booster Barrel: VDD 189mm Short Optic: Slate Reflector Stock: Krausnick 33M Folding Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: 7.62 Gorenko 45 Round Mags Ammo Type: Lengthened Rear Grip: Polymer Grip Perk: Brace Perk 2: Quick
Best loadouts for beginners - Gorenko Anti-tank Rifle and PPSH
If assault rifles aren’t really your thing, a sniper SMG combo may be exactly what you’re looking for as you venture into Warzone for the first time. Now, some time ago the Kar98k or Swiss was a perfect pick for brilliant snipers. However, thanks to the Warzone Pacific Season 3 sniper nerf, weapons like the Gorenko Anti Tank Rifle acts a powerful one-shot kill option that is easily accessible for newer players. That default sight is awful though, get rid of it ASAP.
Muzzle: Mercury Silencer Barrel: 420mm Empress Optic: 1913 Variable 4-8x Stock: Reinforced Stock Underbarrel: Bipod Magazine: 13mm AM 10 Round Mags Ammo Type: FMJ Rounds Rear Grip: Leather Grip Perk: Focus Perk 2: Deep Breath
To make the most out of the Gorenko, you’ll need a close quarters weapon that can be quickly pulled out in order to storm a building or rush an injured enemy squad. For this, we recommend the PPSH. Now, this SMG isn’t the powerhouse it used to be, but for those with just Vanguard it’s still a good pick able to pull out a decent performance with its high rate of fire and easy to control recoil.
Muzzle: Recoil Booster Barrel: Kovalevskaya 230mm B03P Optic: Slate Reflector Stock: Removed Stock Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip Magazine: 8mm Nambu 71 Round Mags Ammo Type: Hollow Point Rear Grip: Pine Tar Grip Perk: Tight Grip Perk 2:Quick
Warzone loadout - HDR and H4 Blixen
Another sniper build for those with a bit more experience in Warzone, alongside access to the full selection of guns previous Call of Duty games provided. The HDR retains a spot in Season 4 as a damn good high calibre option for those with a taste for long ranged engagements. This sniper is a old-school classic, able to pick off enemies in a single shot from vast distances.
Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor Barrel: 26.9″ HDR Pro Laser: Tac laser Optic: Variable Zoom Scope Stock: FTAC Champion
To back up this long-distance menace, a community favourite SMG picks up the slack in face-to-face gunfights. The while we used to put the OTs 9 here, we’re waving goodbye to that trusty SMG due to the fast Raven Software took it out back and Lenny’d it. Instead, the new hotness is the H4 Blixen. It has everything you’d want from an SMG, high rate of fire, a dream to handle, and great DPS granted you have the right attachements.
Muzzle: Recoil Booster Barrel: Jonsson 9" RMK Optic: Slate Reflector Stock: Removed Stock Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: 7.62 Gorenko 54 Round Mags Ammo Type:Lengthened Rear Grip: Polymer Grip Perk: Fleet Perk 2:Quick
Warzone loadout - BAR and Owen Gun
I will always put the BAR on this list (unless it’s pulled into the back rooms at Raven Software Vegas Casino style and nerfed into oblivion). Yes, it has a slow fire rate, and you’ll have a far easier time using guns like the STG. However, if you can make every hit count in a firefight, you’ll be shocked how good this gun is. With boons like a large magazine size and a great damage per shot on target, the BAR is a powerful presence in any loadout. I love you, BAR.
Muzzle: MX Silencer Barrel: CGC 30" XL Optic: SVT-40 PU Scope 3-6x Stock: Chariot WR Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: 8mm Klauser 40 Round Mags Ammo Type: Lengthened Rear Grip: Polymer Grip Perk 1: Hard Scope Perk 2: Fully Loaded
For a secondary weapon choice, we’ll be using an SMG that has won the hearts of Warzone players since its introduction in Season 2: Reloaded - the Owen Gun. Like all good SMGs, it deals serious damage up close, and it has a high rate of fire that acts as a perfect counter balance to the BAR. With the right attachments, the Owen gun is a right flirt. Bring them along to Fortune’s Keep, just don’t let your significant other know.
Muzzle: Recoil Booster Barrel: Gawain 188mm Shrouded Optic: Slate Reflector Stock: Removed Stock Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: 7.62 Gorenko 72 Round Drums Ammunition: Lengthened Rear Grip: Fabric Grip Perk: Acrobatic Perk 2: Quick
Warzone loadout - M4A1 and Double Barrel Shotgun
Wow, what year is it? It’s 2022, unfortunately. However, one of cooler aspects of the current times for Warzone players is the M4A1 is back in fashion baby! That’s right, what will likely come to mind when people clsoe their eyes and think “assault rifle”. El Classico. It is back in the meta in a major way thanks to some tasty buffs, which is pretty cool if you’ve been playing since Modern Warfare.
Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor Barrel: Stock M16 Grenadier Optic: VLK 3.0x Optic Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip Magazine: 60 Round Mags
Now that we’ve established this loadout with a brilliant, traditional assault rifle pick. Let’s get a little bit wild with it. It’s awfully tempting to bring along an SMG here, but why don’t you go ahead and take the Double Barrel Shotgun as your secondary weapon. With the right attachments, and in tight fights, it’ll blow your opponent’s teeth out the back of their head everytime. Just don’t miss, otherwise you’re screwed bud.
Muzzle: M97 Full Choke Barrel: Wilkie Huntsman Optic: SVT-40 PU Scope 3-6x Stock: Removed Stock Underbarrel: Mark VI Skeletal Magazine: 16 Gauge Ammo Type: Reduced Powder Rear Grip: Pine Tar Grip Proficiency: Gung-ho Kit: Quick
Warzone loadout - DP27 and Type 100
Finally, an LMG! Oftentimes this weapon class doesn’t get enough love in Warzone, but the DP27 one example of how the weapon class can be truly excellent. The LMG has a massive magazine, so you’ll always have plenty of shots available before you need to reload this giant gun. It‘s also very easy to control for an LMG, which paired with good damage makes this weapon a powerful pick for any Warzone playlist.
Muzzle: MX Silencer Barrel: Kovalevskaya 604MM Optic: SVT-40 PU Scope 3-6x Stock: Empress VZV Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: 7.62x54mmR 105 Round Pans Ammo Type: Lengthened Rear Grip: Polymer Grip Perk: Hardscope Perk 2: Fully Loaded
Sometimes, you’ll find yourself in a situation in which slowly pulling out and setting up your LMG just doesn’t make sense. In these tragic times, you need an SMG you can quickly switch to in order to keep yourself going. Enter the Type 100, an outstanding short range option that has steadily climbed the ranks in the past few months, becoming one of the best guns overall seemingly out of nowhere.
Muzzle: Recoil Booster Barrel: Warubachi 134mm Rapid Optic: Slate Reflector Stock: Warubachi Grip Folding Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: .30 Russian Short 36 Round Mags Ammunition: Lengthened Rear Grip: Polymer Grip Perk: Acrobatic Perk 2: Quick
Warzone loadout - XM4 and Welgun
The XM4 is a hard assault rifle to compete with right now, something owners of Cold War will be well aware of. It was lurking around the meta for ages, not quite breaking into the heavenly tier that certain other rifles were reaching, but being a good pick nonetheless. Right now, it’s become one of the best assault rifles in the game easy, a dream to handle and a savage damage dealer.
Muzzle: Agency Suppressor Barrel: 13.5" Task Force Optic: Axial Arms 3x Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip Magazine: STANAG 60 Rnd
To finish off our final meta loadout, we’ve got the Welgun. Ever since this SMG entered the fray it has domianted the weapon category and been a menace on Caldera and Rebirth Island. On Fortune’s Keep, it maintains its position as a fantastic close range option, nearly reach the heights of the MP40, but falling just short. A very fun gun to use too. Go wild with it!
Muzzle: Recoil Booster Barrel: 320mm SA Shrouded Optic: Slate Reflector Stock: Removed Stock Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop Magazine: 7.62 Gorenko 40 Round Mags Ammo Type: Lengthened Rear Grip: Polymer Grip Perk: Acrobatic Perk 2: Quick
What are loadouts in Call of Duty Warzone?
An intrinsic part of the Battle Royale genre is starting with nothing, and Call of Duty Warzone is no different. As you glide down onto Caldera, Rebirth Island, or Fortune’s Keep you’ll have nothing but a pistol and your wits. However, as the game progresses you’ll be able to pick up a customised loadout from an airdrop you call in yourself, or that’s randomly dropped somewhere across the map. This will give you access to three perks of your choice, alongside decked out weapons of your choosing to help you fend off other players. Bear in mind that these are the best loadouts for Warzone, not multiplayer matches, so there are a few questions you should keep in mind when building your personal loadout.
Are you playing solo, or as part of a team? Are the other remaining players solo, or a team as well? How long is left in the match, and what stage is the circle on? What kind of loadout will be best suited to the locations the circle is forcing you into?
Regardless of how lucky you are, a well-built loadout is a far more consistent way of securing a Warzone win than relying on ground loot, and will allow you to perform at your best. Where massive multiplayer Battle Royales like Warzone have a huge amount of randomness inherently in their design, pre-built loadouts provide the advantage of familiarity. So while obviously some loadout choices are stronger than others, being comfortable with your weapons of choice is key. Warzone is a free-to-play game, but dedicated players who have been grinding out Vanguard, Cold War, and Modern warfare will have a huge advantage over other players in terms of loadout options available. There’s no working around this reality, but hopefully you’ve spent the time leveling up in those games so you have as many choices as possible. Beyond that, you may notice a running theme throughout the best loadouts: they usually have two primary weapons rather than a main weapon and a secondary. There’s a good reason for that! The combination of a sniper and a mid-range AR or close range SMG has always been a far more powerful option than taking a classic sidearm. With Vanguard not really revolutionising secondaires, this likely won’t change with Caldera’s launch. For more guides on great guns in Call of Duty, check out our best Vanguard guns page.
