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 Mag

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 7.1% pick rate puts this at number five and it'll likely continue rising through the rankings this patch.

4. BP50

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Best BP50 loadout

• Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
• Laser: Kimura RYL33 Laser Light
• Ammunition: 9MM High Grain Rounds
• Rear Grip: TRST-IV Grip Tape
• Conversion Kit: JAK Revenger Kit

At a 7.3% pick rate is the lethal BP50 fitted out with the brand new JAK Revenger Conversion Kit, an attachment that transforms the AR into more of an SMG.

With an RPM of almost 1000, this gun melts enemies at close range and gives enemies no chance of fighting back. Combined with the setup above, you have a highly mobile weapon that can easily glide around Urzikstan and Rebirth Island farming kills in Season 3.

3. 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 SOA Subverter mid to long-range monster in Season 3 and it all comes down to the gun's devastating TTK. 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 third-highest pick rate in the game at an impressive 7.8% pick rate.

2. 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 8.1% 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.

1. Bruen MK9

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Best Bruen MK9 loadout

• Muzzle: Casus Brake
• Barrel: 23" XRK Horizon V2
• Optic: CORIO Eagleseye 2.5x 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 and currently, the meta as a whole. 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 8.3% pick rate, it's a devastating long-range threat in Season 3 and holds the crown at the top spot. Pair it with a build that transforms the LMG into a laser beam and have something really special with the Bruen MK9.

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 Bruen MK9 is the best weapon in Warzone with an 8.3% pick rate.

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Courtesy of Activision

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.

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.