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

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.

While testing out countless options can be an effective strategy in Warzone, oftentimes it's better to follow the trend and use what is considered a 'meta loadout' for optimal results.

With Warzone Season 3 now underway, you may still be looking for a rundown of 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's meta, based on their popularity in WZ, using data from WZStats.

Top 5 meta Warzone weapons & loadouts

 5. Holger 556

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Best Holger 556 loadout

• Barrel: Chiros-6 Match
• Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
• Muzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Magazine: 40 Round

Replacing the bulky Pulemyot 762, the Holger 556 is a slightly more lightweight LMG that shares similar characteristics with an Assault Rifle. However, the gun retains an LMG's trademark heavy-hitting damage and is an absolute machine on Rebirth Island in Season 3.

With JAK Glassless Optic equipped you'll have minimum recoil and deadly damage output, making it easy to dispose of foes in an instant. A 7.15% pick rate puts this at number five and it'll likely continue rising through the rankings this patch.

4. HRM-9

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Best HRM-9 loadout

• Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
• Barrel: Thorn-90 Barrel
• Stock: Folding Stock
• Magazine: 50 Round Drum
• Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop

The pint-sized HRM-9 made a massive splash last patch and it's continuing its dominance spree in Season 3 - sporting an impressive 7.8% pick rate. In my opinion, this gun has everything you're looking for in a solo-carry SMG and that's demonstrated in its position as the number one weapon in its category.

Fit with plenty of mobility, a strong TTK, and a snappy ADS, the HRM-9 has surpassed both the WSP Swarm and Striker in terms of popularity.

Perfect for aggressive competitors, it's built for storming buildings and taking the fight to your enemies where they'll stand no chance.

3. Bruen MK9

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Best Bruen MK9 loadout

• Muzzle: VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor
• Rear Grip: Stip-40 Grip
• Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Support Grip
• Magazine: 60 Round Mag

Despite slight nerfs to its damage in the Season 3 patch, the Bruen MK9 remains the king of the LMGs. A minor buff to its ADS time has even made the weapon slightly snappier, and it's enough to keep it ahead of the Pulemyot 762.

Sporting an 8% pick rate, it's no longer at the top of the rankings, but it's still a devastating long-range threat in Season 3. Pair it with a build that transforms the LMG into a laser beam and have something really special with the Bruen MK9.

2. Renetti

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Best Renetti loadout

• Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
• Optic: Nydar Model 2023
• Underbarrel: SL Skeletal Vertical Grip
• Conversion Kit: JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
• Magazine: 50 Round Drum

It's been a while since a secondary took a podium spot but the Renetti is truly showing up in Season 3 with a staggering 8.1% pick rate. This burst pistol obliterates foes at close quarters and if your AR or SMG runs out of ammo, this is the gun you need to be pulling out to finish foes.

On top of that, the release of Rebirth Island means more enclosed and chaotic gunfights, exactly where the Renetti thrives. Whether the pistol can hold the number two spot is hard to say, but it's certainly showing up big at the start of the patch.

1. SOA Subverter

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Best SOA Subverter loadout

• Muzzle: TY-LR8
• Barrel: Dozer-90 Long Barrel
• Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
• Underbarrel: Bruen Heavy Grip
• Magazine: 50 Round Drum

The mid to long-range monster at the beginning of Season 3 isn't an AR or LMG, it's a Battle Rifle in the form of the SOA Subverter. Despite being hit with nerfs in the latest update, this weapon still fries enemies from afar and is the ultimate threat on Rebirth Island.

With the JAK Glassless Optic equipped, beaming foes is far too easy and the versatility of the weapon means it can also hold its own at close to mid-range as well. Unsurprisingly it holds the highest pick rate in the game at an impressive 8.2% - let's see how long it can hold onto the crown.

What is the best gun in Warzone?

Out of all of Warzone's weapons, picking out the best gun is an extremely difficult task, as oftentimes the best option for you will come down to personal preference.

However, based on the statistics and as shown above, the SOA Subverter is the best weapon in Warzone with an 8.2% pick rate.

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Courtesy of Activision

The Battle Rifle'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.

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

• Striker
• WSP Swarm
• AMR9
• HRM-9
• RAM-9
• WSP-9
• Rival-9
• FJX Horus
• Striker 9
• Lachmann Sub
• ISO 9mm
• Vaznev-9K
• Lachmann Shroud
• VEL 46
• PDSW 528
• FSS Hurricane
• ISO 45
• MX9
• BAS-P
• Minibak
• Fennec 45

ARs

• SVA 545
• MTZ-556
• BP50
• Holger 556
• MCW
• RAM-7
• DG-56
• RAM-9
• FR 5.56
• ISO Hemlock
• FR Avancer
• TR-76 Geist
• TAQ-56
• Kastov 762
• Chimera
• Kastov-74U
• M13B
• M13C
• M4
• Lachmann-556
• Tempus Razorback
• STB 556
• Kastov 545
• M16

LMGs

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

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Courtesy of Activision

Battle Rifles

• BAS-B
• SOA Subverter
• Sidewinder
• MTZ-762
• TAQ-V
• Lachmann-762
• FTAC Recon
• SO-14
• Cronen Squall

Snipers

• KATT-AMR
• XRK Stalker
• Longbow
• KV Inhibitor
• MORS
• Signal 50
• Carrack .300
• Victus XMR
• SP-X 80
• MCPR-300
• LA-B 330
• FJX Imperium

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

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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.

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 that includes top-tier loadouts.