💣 /codmeta/
A Call of Duty: Meta Loadout Archive
📌 Written by Dan / FMHY.net
📅 Last updated: June 26, 2025
💬 danxyz7 on Discord
👋 Welcome!
This guide chronicles the most powerful ("meta") multiplayer loadouts for the core, annually released Call of Duty titles on PC and Console, spanning from Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) to Modern Warfare III (2023). These titles were primarily developed by Infinity Ward, Treyarch, and Sledgehammer Games.
"What's Covered (and What's Not)"
This guide focuses on the historical "settled" multiplayer metas of the core Call of Duty titles. Games with continuously evolving metas like Warzone, CoD: Mobile, DMZ, or Zombies modes are not covered due to their distinct and frequently updated balancing philosophies.
"When is This Guide Updated?"
This guide will be updated after a new game's meta has "settled," meaning it has not received significant balance changes for a considerable period.
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 is the current title; updates for it will likely cease around November 2025, after which its settled meta will be considered for inclusion.
How to Use This Guide
- Jump to your favorite game using the Table of Contents.
- Browse chronologically to see how the meta has evolved over the years.
- For unfamiliar terms, consult the Glossary of Common Terms.
A Word from the Author:
I've played Call of Duty since CoD4 released in 2007. In all my years with the series, I was always thinking of ways to dominate the game. Player skill, map knowledge, and adaptation to specific match situations always play a huge role, but a significant part of your success comes down to your class and what weapons you use. Below are the most popular and effective classes for each game, which should give you the most success when used properly.
📜 Table of Contents
- Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (CoD4 - 2007)
- Call of Duty: World at War (WaW - 2008)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2 - 2009)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 (BO1 - 2010)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3 - 2011)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (BO2 - 2012)
- Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
- Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (AW - 2014)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (BO3 - 2015)
- Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (IW - 2016)
- Call of Duty: WWII (WWII - 2017)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (BO4 - 2018)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (MW 2019)
- Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (BOCW - 2020)
- Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MWII 2022)
- Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MWIII 2023)
- Glossary of Common Terms
🎮 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (CoD4 - 2007)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Stopping Power: A Perk that increased bullet damage, a must-pick for reducing Time-To-Kill (TTK).
- Juggernaut: A Perk that increased health, serving as a direct counter to Stopping Power.
- UAV Jammer: A Perk that made you invisible to the UAV radar, essential for stealth builds.
- Deep Impact: A Perk that increased bullet penetration, making it easier to shoot enemies through cover.
- M16A4 Dominance: This assault rifle's one-burst potential was unmatched.
🏆 The M16A4 Master (Best AR)
- 🔫 Primary:
M16A4
w/Red Dot Sight
(orACOG
) - 🔫 Secondary:
Desert Eagle
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Bandolier
(for ammo) orSpecial Grenades x3
(for powerful stun/flash spam) - Perk 2:
Stopping Power
(Essential for one-burst kills) - Perk 3:
Deep Impact
(for wallbangs) orSteady Aim
(for better hip-fire)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Frag Grenade
&Stun Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: The
M16
withStopping Power
could kill in a single, accurate burst, giving it the fastest optimal TTK in the game. It was the undisputed king of CoD4.🎯 Best for: All modes, especially holding lanes in Domination, Search & Destroy, and Team Deathmatch.
🏆 The MP5 Silenced Flanker (Best SMG/Stealth)
- 🔫 Primary:
MP5
w/Silencer
- 🔫 Secondary:
Desert Eagle
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Bandolier
orSpecial Grenades x3
- Perk 2:
Stopping Power
(for damage) orUAV Jammer
(for stealth) - Perk 3:
Dead Silence
(for silent movement) orDeep Impact
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Frag Grenade
&Stun Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: The best all-around SMG with laser-like accuracy. Combined with
UAV Jammer
andDead Silence
, it created the most effective stealth flanking build in the game.🎯 Best for: Search & Destroy, Team Deathmatch, and flanking in objective modes like Sabotage.
🏆 The M40A3 Quickscoper (Best Sniper)
- 🔫 Primary:
M40A3
(no attachment was standard) - 🔫 Secondary:
Desert Eagle
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Bandolier
orClaymore x2
- Perk 2:
Stopping Power
(Ensured consistent one-shot kills to the chest and head) - Perk 3:
Steady Aim
(Crucial for tightening hip-fire spread during the quickscope) orDeep Impact
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Frag Grenade
&Stun Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: This weapon defined quickscoping in the early days of CoD. It had the best combination of handling, a large one-shot kill area (with Stopping Power), and accuracy for the emerging playstyle.
🎯 Best for: Getting aggressive opening picks in Search & Destroy and making highlight plays in Team Deathmatch.
🎮 Call of Duty: World at War (WaW - 2008)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- MP40 Dominance: This SMG was so powerful it outclassed most weapons at nearly all ranges.
- Stopping Power: Returned to amplify the strength of already powerful weapons.
- Juggernaut: The necessary counter-perk for survivability against Stopping Power.
- Deep Impact: Bullet penetration remained a very strong mechanic.
🏆 The MP40 Rusher (Overall Best Weapon)
- 🔫 Primary:
MP40
w/Round Drum
(optional) - 🔫 Secondary:
.357 Magnum
orTT-33
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Bandolier
orBomb Squad
- Perk 2:
Stopping Power
(to melt even faster) orJuggernaut
(to survive) - Perk 3:
Steady Aim
(for superior hip-fire) orDeep Impact
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Sticky Grenade
&Smoke Grenade
⚠️ Community Consensus: MP40 Dominance
TheMP40
was almost universally agreed upon as the most dominant weapon in WaW, often outclassing other weapon types even at their intended ranges. Its high damage and controllable recoil made it a menace.
💡 Why it was meta: Universally considered the best gun in the game. It had an unmatched combination of damage, fire rate, and range (for an SMG).
Stopping Power
made it truly oppressive.🎯 Best for: All modes, particularly aggressive play in Domination, Team Deathmatch, and Capture the Flag.
🏆 The PTRS-41 Anti-Everything Sniper (Best Damage)
- 🔫 Primary:
PTRS-41
- 🔫 Secondary:
.357 Magnum
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Bandolier
orBouncing Betty x2
- Perk 2:
Stopping Power
(Ensured one-shot kills to limbs) - Perk 3:
Deep Impact
(Penetrated nearly every surface, making it lethal for wallbangs)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Sticky Grenade
&Smoke Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: The highest damage sniper in the game. With
Stopping Power
andDeep Impact
, it could one-shot-kill enemies through almost any object on the map.🎯 Best for: Holding long sightlines and area denial in Domination, War, and Team Deathmatch.
🎮 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MW2 - 2009)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Stopping Power Pro: The king of Tier 2 perks, essential for competitive TTK.
- Sleight of Hand Pro: Faster reload and faster ADS made this a top-tier choice for aggressive play.
- Ninja Pro: Silent footsteps were paramount for flanking and competitive S&D.
- Commando Pro: Infamous for its dramatically increased melee lunge range.
- Akimbo Secondaries: Dual-wielded G18s, Raffica, and pre-patch Model 1887s were incredibly lethal.
- "Noob Tubes": The combination of
One Man Army
andDanger Close
allowed for infinite grenade launcher spam, a notorious and powerful "exploit" meta.
🏆 The UMP45 Silenced Rusher (Overall Best Gun)
- 🔫 Primary:
UMP45
w/Silencer
- 🔫 Secondary:
SPAS-12
or AkimboG18
/ AkimboRaffica
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Scavenger Pro
(ammo) orSleight of Hand Pro
(speed) - Perk 2:
Stopping Power Pro
(Essential for its fast TTK) - Perk 3:
Ninja Pro
(stealth) orCommando Pro
(melee lunge)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Stun Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: Arguably the best overall weapon in the game. It had an incredible TTK with
Stopping Power
, low recoil, good range for an SMG, and top-tier handling. A true icon of CoD metas.🎯 Best for: All modes. It excelled at flanking and slaying in TDM and Domination and was the top choice for S&D.
🏆 The ACR Silenced Laser (Best AR)
- 🔫 Primary:
ACR
w/Silencer
- 🔫 Secondary:
SPAS-12
or AkimboG18
/Stinger
(for anti-air) - ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Scavenger Pro
orSleight of Hand Pro
- Perk 2:
Stopping Power Pro
(Crucial for damage consistency) - Perk 3:
Ninja Pro
orSitRep Pro
(to see enemy explosives)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
/Claymore
&Stun Grenade
📝 A Note on the FAMAS vs. ACR: While the FAMAS had a faster theoretical TTK, the ACR's near-perfect accuracy made it more reliable and consistent across all ranges, especially under pressure. The ACR's "laser beam" quality made it the preferred choice for many top players.
💡 Why it was meta: The most accurate assault rifle in the game. Combined with
Stopping Power
and aSilencer
, it was an incredibly versatile and effective weapon for any situation.🎯 Best for: All modes. It was particularly strong for holding lanes in Domination and CTF and a reliable choice for TDM and S&D.
🏆 The "Noob Tube" (Best Exploit Class)
- 🔫 Primary: Any Assault Rifle w/
Grenade Launcher
- 🔫 Secondary: Any (used between
One Man Army
resupplies) - ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
One Man Army Pro
(The core of the exploit for infinite ammo & equipment) - Perk 2:
Danger Close Pro
(Massive explosive damage boost) - Perk 3:
Commando Pro
orSitRep Pro
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Claymore
&Stun Grenade
(Constantly refilled via OMA)
⚠️ Exploit Class - Maximum Annoyance: This class was less about gun skill and more about leveraging game mechanics for maximum, often frustrating, explosive effectiveness. It defined a certain type of "meta" through sheer, repeatable power.
💡 Why it was meta: Not based on gun skill, but on exploiting infinite, high-damage explosives. It provided unmatched area denial and clearing potential.
🎯 Best for: Domination (clearing flags), Demolition (bomb sites), and ruining the fun in TDM lobbies.
🎮 Call of Duty: Black Ops 1 (BO1 - 2010)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- No Stopping Power: Weapon balance shifted significantly, with base damage and fire rate becoming more important.
- Ghost Pro: Undetectable by Spy Planes and aircraft, this was the paramount perk for stealth play.
- Hardened Pro & Sleight of Hand Pro: Reduced flinch and faster ADS were crucial for winning gunfights.
- Ninja Pro: Silent movement remained a top-tier choice.
- Akimbo Pythons: These dual-wielded revolvers were incredibly powerful secondaries.
🏆 The FAMAS "Tryhard" (Best TTK AR)
- 🔫 Primary:
FAMAS
w/Dual Mag
- 🔫 Secondary: Akimbo
Python
orStrela-3
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Hardline Pro
(faster killstreaks) orFlak Jacket Pro
(objective play) - Perk 2:
Sleight of Hand Pro
(faster ADS) - Perk 3:
Marathon Pro
(unlimited sprint) orNinja Pro
(silent movement)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Concussion Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: The FAMAS possessed the fastest theoretical TTK among ARs due to its high burst fire rate. It dominated mid-range engagements if the user's aim was true.
🎯 Best for: Team Deathmatch, Domination (slaying), and Capture the Flag.
🏆 The AK74u Ghost (Best SMG/Stealth)
- 🔫 Primary:
AK74u
w/Suppressor
(andGrip
if using theWarlord
perk) - 🔫 Secondary: Akimbo
Python
orStrela-3
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Ghost Pro
(Essential for flanking) orLightweight Pro
(speed) - Perk 2:
Sleight of Hand Pro
orWarlord
(to allow two attachments) - Perk 3:
Marathon Pro
orNinja Pro
(Silent movement was key for SMGs)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
/Tomahawk
&Concussion
/Nova Gas
💡 Why it was meta: This SMG combined AR-like range and damage with SMG handling, making it extremely versatile. Paired with
Ghost Pro
and aSuppressor
, it was the definitive stealth weapon of BO1.🎯 Best for: Search & Destroy, Domination, Team Deathmatch, and Headquarters.
🏆 The Galil / Commando All-Rounder (Best Reliable ARs)
- 🔫 Primary:
Galil
orCommando
w/Suppressor
orReflex Sight
- 🔫 Secondary: Akimbo
Python
orStrela-3
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Ghost Pro
orFlak Jacket Pro
- Perk 2:
Sleight of Hand Pro
orHardened Pro
(flinch resistance) - Perk 3:
Marathon Pro
,Ninja Pro
, orHacker Pro
(see enemy equipment)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
/Frag
/Claymore
&Concussion
💡 Why it was meta: These ARs offered the best balance of damage, range, and manageable recoil for consistent performance across all maps. They were excellent and reliable alternatives to the higher-recoil FAMAS.
🎯 Best for: All modes. These were the go-to weapons for any situation.
🎮 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3 - 2011)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Specialist Strike Package: Earning perks instead of killstreaks allowed players to become "super soldiers" with up to 9 perks active.
- Assassin Pro: The most powerful perk in the game. It granted immunity to UAV, portable radar, thermal, and heartbeat sensors, and hid your red name/crosshair from enemies.
- Quickdraw Pro: Faster ADS speed was a fundamental advantage.
- Steady Aim Pro: Faster weapon ready after sprint was a huge buff to reaction time.
- Akimbo FMG9s: Pre-nerf, these were arguably the most broken secondary weapons in CoD history.
🏆 The ACR / MP7 Silenced Specialist (Overall Best Class)
- 🔫 Primary:
ACR 6.8
orMP7
w/Silencer
&Extended Mags
- 🔫 Secondary:
MP9
or AkimboFMG9
(pre-nerf) - ✨ Perks (Initial):
- Perk 1:
Sleight of Hand Pro
orScavenger Pro
- Perk 2:
Quickdraw Pro
(Essential for fast aiming) - Perk 3:
Steady Aim Pro
(Faster ready after sprint) orStalker Pro
(ADS movement)
- Perk 1:
- ✈️ Strike Package:
Specialist
(EarnAssassin
,Hardline
,Dead Silence
, etc.) - 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Portable Radar
/Concussion
💡 The Power of Specialist & Assassin: The
Specialist
package was the dominant way to play for high-kill games. Earning all perks, withAssassin Pro
being the most impactful, turned you into a stealthy, fast, resilient super-soldier.
💡 Why it was meta: The
ACR
andMP7
were laser beams with minimal recoil.Quickdraw Pro
andSteady Aim Pro
gave you a massive advantage in reaction-based gunfights. TheSpecialist
package fueled byAssassin Pro
was the pinnacle of MW3 loadouts.🎯 Best for: All modes. Extremely dominant in public matches due to the power of Specialist.
🏆 The Type 95 Burst Killer (Best Burst AR)
- 🔫 Primary:
Type 95
w/Red Dot Sight
&Rapid Fire
- 🔫 Secondary:
MP9
or AkimboSkorpion
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Sleight of Hand Pro
- Perk 2:
Quickdraw Pro
- Perk 3:
Steady Aim Pro
orStalker Pro
- Perk 1:
- ✈️ Strike Package:
Assault
orSpecialist
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Concussion
💡 Why it was meta: This weapon had the fastest TTK potential in the game via one-burst kills up close, which was amplified by the
Rapid Fire
attachment.🎯 Best for: Close to mid-range engagements in Team Deathmatch and Domination.
🎮 Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 (BO2 - 2012)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Pick 10 System: Revolutionized class creation, allowing unprecedented customization.
- Toughness: Reduced flinch when shot. This was almost universally considered the single most essential perk in the game.
- Dexterity & Extreme Conditioning: Perks that enhanced mobility and readiness were vital.
- Flak Jacket & Tactical Mask: Key perks for surviving explosive and tactical spam, especially in objective modes.
- Competitive Focus: The meta was heavily influenced by the new League Play mode, favoring well-rounded, consistent loadouts.
🏆 The MSMC / PDW-57 Rusher (Best SMGs)
- 🔫 Primary:
MSMC
orPDW-57
w/Laser Sight
,Long Barrel
, and/orFast Mag
- 🔫 Secondary:
B23R
orKAP-40
(Often none to save points) - ✨ Perks:
Lightweight
,Toughness
(Non-negotiable),Dexterity
,Extreme Conditioning
- 💣 Lethal/Tactical:
Semtex
/Shock Charge
/Concussion
(often none) - 🃏 Wildcards:
Perk 1 Greed
,Perk 3 Greed
💡 The Reign of Toughness: In Black Ops 2,
Toughness
was arguably the most impactful perk. Winning gunfights often came down to who had it equipped, as the flinch without it was severe.
💡 Why it was meta: These SMGs dominated competitive play with their excellent TTK and handling. Perks were chosen to maximize mobility and gunfight readiness, with
Toughness
being the absolute cornerstone of every serious loadout.🎯 Best for: Hardpoint, Capture the Flag, Search & Destroy, and aggressive Domination play.
🏆 The AN-94 / FAL / M8A1 (Best ARs)
- 🔫 Primary:
AN-94
,FAL OSW
, orM8A1
w/Quickdraw
,Stock
, &Reflex Sight
- 🔫 Secondary:
B23R
(Often none) - ✨ Perks:
Flak Jacket
,Toughness
(Still essential),Dexterity
,Tactical Mask
- 💣 Lethal/Tactical:
Semtex
/Concussion
/EMP Grenade
(often none) - 🃏 Wildcards:
Primary Gunfighter
,Perk 2 Greed
,Perk 3 Greed
💡 Why it was meta: These were the top choices for AR players. The
FAL
andM8A1
had incredible TTK potential in skilled hands. The combination ofQuickdraw
+Stock
+Toughness
was the winning formula for any AR engagement.🎯 Best for: Anchoring in Hardpoint, holding lanes in Domination and S&D, and general play in TDM.
🎮 Call of Duty: Ghosts (2013)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Extremely Fast TTK: Gunfights were over in an instant, emphasizing reaction time.
- Perk Point-Buy System: Flexible system where powerful perks were more "expensive."
- Ready Up & Quickdraw: A combination that drastically sped up aiming after sprinting, a vital advantage.
- Focus: The new "Toughness," reducing flinch and idle sway.
- Amplify & Dead Silence: An arms race between hearing loud enemy footsteps and moving silently. Amplify was exceptionally powerful.
- Vector CRB & Ripper: These SMGs defined the meta with their high fire rate and low recoil.
🏆 The Vector / Honey Badger / Ripper (Best SMG/Hybrid)
- 🔫 Primary:
Vector CRB
,Honey Badger
(Integrated Silencer), orRipper
(DLC) w/Foregrip
&Extended Mags
- 🔫 Secondary:
M9A1
/P226
(Often none to save perk points) - ✨ Perks:
Ready Up
(Essential),Quickdraw
,Agility
,Focus
(Needed for flinch),Off the Grid
(Ghost),Dead Silence
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Concussion
💡 The Ghosts Perk System & Ripper: Ghosts used a point-buy system for perks, leading to certain perks becoming almost universal picks due to their sheer power (e.g.,
Ready Up
,Focus
). The DLCRipper
SMG also became an absolute meta weapon upon its release, known for its high fire rate and integrated sight.
💡 Why it was meta: The
Vector
andRipper
had insane fire rates and low recoil. TheReady Up
+Quickdraw
perk combination was fundamental in this fast TTK environment, giving a massive reaction-time advantage.🎯 Best for: All modes, especially Domination, Search & Destroy, Blitz, and Cranked.
🏆 The "Amplify Soundwhore" (Best Awareness Class)
- 🔫 Primary: Any strong weapon (
Vector
,Remington R5
, etc.) w/Suppressor
- 🔫 Secondary: Any (often none)
- ✨ Perks:
Amplify
(The core of the build),SitRep
(Counters enemy explosives/equipment),Dead Silence
(So you are silent),Ready Up
,Quickdraw
,Focus
. - 💣 Equipment:
IED
&Motion Sensor
⚠️ Amplify: The Sound of Frustration:
Amplify
was so powerful that it borderline broke Search & Destroy for many, as even the slightest enemy movements became thunderously loud. Paired with your ownDead Silence
, it offered an almost unfair auditory advantage.
💡 Why it was meta:
Amplify
provided unparalleled positional information via sound, giving a massive advantage in situational awareness, especially when paired with fast ADS perks for quick reactions.🎯 Best for: Search & Destroy (highly effective), and defensive play in Domination.
🎮 Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (AW - 2014)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Exo Movements: Boost jumps, dashes, and slams completely changed the flow of gameplay, adding a vertical dimension.
- Supply Drop Weapon Variants: The single most impactful element. Elite variants were often statistically superior and meta-defining.
- Blast Suppressor: A perk that kept you off the minimap when using Exo moves. It was almost mandatory for high-level play.
- BAL-27 Obsidian Steed & ASM1 Speakeasy: The most notorious and dominant weapon variants in the game.
🏆 The BAL-27 Obsidian Steed / ASM1 Speakeasy (Best Variant Classes)
- 🔫 Primary:
BAL-27
(Obsidian Steed variant) orASM1
(Speakeasy / Magnitude variants) w/Quickdraw Grip
,Foregrip
, &Extended Mags
/Stock
- 🔫 Secondary:
RW1
(Railgun Pistol) or Exo Launcher - ✨ Perks/Abilities:
Lightweight
,Low Profile
,Blast Suppressor
(Absolutely pivotal),Toughness
,Scavenger
,Fast Hands
- 🤖 Exo Ability:
Exo Stim
orExo Overclock
- ✈️ Scorestreaks:
UAV
,Aerial Assault Drone
,Warbird
⚠️ Variant Disparity: In AW, Elite weapon variants obtained from Supply Drops often had significant statistical advantages over base weapons, making them the de facto meta. The
BAL-27 Obsidian Steed
(no damage drop-off) andASM1 Speakeasy
(higher fire rate) were infamous examples of this "pay-to-win" dynamic.
💡 Why it was meta: These specific elite variants were statistically far superior to their base versions, making them the clear best choices.
Blast Suppressor
was a non-negotiable perk for anyone wanting to use the advanced movement system without constantly appearing on the enemy radar.🎯 Best for: All modes. These loadouts dominated Hardpoint, Uplink, and Capture the Flag.
🎮 Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 (BO3 - 2015)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Advanced Movement System: Fluid wall-running, thrust jumping, and sliding defined the skill gap.
- Specialist Weapons/Abilities: Powerful rechargeable tools like
Kinetic Armor
,Ripper
, andHeat Wave
were game-changers.- Afterburner & Blast Suppressor: A key perk combination for fluid, constant, and stealthy movement.
- Fast Hands: Faster aiming after sprinting and weapon swapping was a major advantage.
- VMP & M8A7: These two weapons stood at the top of the SMG and AR classes, respectively.
🏆 The VMP / Kuda Rushdown (Best SMGs)
- 🔫 Primary:
VMP
orKuda
w/Quickdraw
,Grip
, &Fast Mags
/Stock
- 🔫 Secondary:
RK5
(Often none) - ✨ Perks:
Afterburner
(Faster thruster recharge),Fast Hands
,Blast Suppressor
(Stealthy movement),Dead Silence
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
/Trip Mine
&Concussion
(Often none) - 🦸 Specialist:
Kinetic Armor
(Survivability),Heat Wave
(Area stun),Ripper
(Lethal melee)
📝 Movement is Key: In BO3, mastering the advanced movement system was as important as gun skill. Perks like
Afterburner
andBlast Suppressor
were fundamental to enabling high-level, fluid play.
💡 Why it was meta: The
VMP
had a best-in-class fire rate and excellent handling. The core perk setup ofAfterburner
+Blast Suppressor
+Fast Hands
was vital for utilizing the advanced movement system to its fullest potential while remaining off the radar.🎯 Best for: Hardpoint, Uplink, Capture the Flag, and aggressive Search & Destroy.
🏆 The M8A7 / Man-O-War Anchor (Best ARs)
- 🔫 Primary:
M8A7
(Burst) orMan-O-War
(Heavy Auto) w/Quickdraw
,Stock
,Reflex Sight
, &Long Barrel
/High Caliber
- 🔫 Secondary:
RK5
(Often none) - ✨ Perks:
Flak Jacket
,Fast Hands
,Blast Suppressor
/Tactical Mask
,Awareness
/Dead Silence
- 💣 Equipment:
Trip Mine
/Semtex
&Trophy System
/Shock Charge
- 🦸 Specialist:
Kinetic Armor
,Combat Focus
(Scorestreak multiplier),Active Camo
💡 Why it was meta: The
M8A7
offered top-tier one-burst potential for accurate players, while theMan-O-War
was the most reliable heavy-hitting automatic AR. TheStock
attachment was particularly powerful, allowing for fast strafing while aiming down sights.🎯 Best for: Anchoring in Hardpoint, holding lanes in Domination and Search & Destroy, and Safeguard.
🎮 Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (IW - 2016)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Combat Rigs & Traits: Similar to Specialists, with the
Synaptic
Rig being utterly dominant.- Synaptic Rig + Propulsion Trait: This combination offered movement capabilities (faster, longer slides/jumps) that far outclassed all other options, defining the competitive meta.
- Craftable Weapon Variants: Epic variants often had powerful, meta-defining perks.
- NV4 - Flatline: A variant with infinite damage range, making it arguably the best weapon in the game.
- Dead Silence: An almost mandatory perk due to extremely loud default footstep audio.
🏆 The NV4 Flatline / KBAR-32 (Best ARs)
- 🔫 Primary:
NV4
(Flatline variant) orKBAR-32
(Invective variant) w/Quickdraw
,Foregrip
,Stock
, &ELO Sight
- 🔫 Secondary:
Oni
orHornet
- ✨ Perks:
Ghost
/Blind Eye
,Dexterity
,Hard Wired
,Dead Silence
(Indispensable) - 🤖 Rig:
Synaptic
(Payload:Rewind
, Trait:Propulsion
)
⚠️ The Synaptic & Flatline Meta: The
Synaptic
Combat Rig with thePropulsion
trait was so much better than other options that it became the only choice in competitive play. TheNV4 - Flatline
variant, with its infinite damage range, was similarly dominant and required little skill to use effectively at any distance.
💡 Why it was meta: The
NV4 Flatline
was the most consistent and easy-to-use weapon in the game. TheSynaptic
rig withPropulsion
provided a massive movement advantage that was impossible to ignore.Dead Silence
was a must-have for stealth in a game with such loud movement.🎯 Best for: All modes. This combination excelled everywhere due to its versatility and raw power.
🏆 The Erad Cyclopean / VPR Yokai (Best SMGs)
- 🔫 Primary:
Erad
(Cyclopean variant - high damage slug) orVPR
(Yokai variant - built-in suppressor) w/Quickdraw
,Foregrip
, &Laser Sight
- 🔫 Secondary:
Hornet
- ✨ Perks:
Ghost
,Dexterity
,Momentum
,Dead Silence
(Still paramount) - 🤖 Rig:
Synaptic
(Payload:Rewind
, Trait:Combat Burst
/Propulsion
)
💡 Why it was meta: These variants offered unique and powerful advantages. The
Erad - Cyclopean
hit like a truck, while theVPR - Yokai
offered excellent stealth. Paired withSynaptic
movement andDead Silence
, they dominated close-quarters engagements.🎯 Best for: Aggressive flanking in Team Deathmatch and Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Search & Destroy.
🎮 Call of Duty: WWII (WWII - 2017)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Boots on the Ground: A return to traditional CoD movement.
- Divisions System: Replaced perks with class-based abilities and a single "Basic Training" slot.
- Primed / Scoped Basic Training: Flinch reduction was a highly valuable and sought-after stat.
- BAR (Pre-Nerf): For a significant period, this AR was an unstoppable force of nature.
- Infantry & Airborne Divisions: The go-to choices for AR and SMG players, respectively.
🏆 The BAR (Pre-Nerf) / STG44 (Best ARs)
- 🔫 Primary:
BAR
(pre-nerf monster) orSTG44
w/Grip
,Quickdraw
,Reflex Sight
, &Extended Mags
- 🔫 Secondary:
Machine Pistol
orP-08
- 🛡️ Division:
Infantry
(Faster ADS strafe, extra attachment, faster weapon swap) - 🏋️ Basic Training:
Hustle
(faster reload) orPrimed
/Scoped
(flinch reduction) - 💣 Equipment:
Sticky Grenade
&Smoke Grenade
💡 The BAR's Reign of Terror: Before its nerfs, the
BAR
was an absolute force, boasting incredible damage and manageable recoil. It was the undisputed king of WWII for a significant period, defining the early meta.
💡 Why it was meta: The
BAR
was utterly dominant before its nerf; theSTG44
was the best all-around AR after. TheInfantry
Division offered the best handling buffs for ARs, and flinch reduction from Basic Trainings likePrimed
provided a significant advantage in gunfights.🎯 Best for: All modes, including Domination, Hardpoint, Search & Destroy, and War.
🏆 The PPSH-41 Airborne Rusher (Best SMG)
- 🔫 Primary:
PPSH-41
w/Grip
,Quickdraw
, &Extended Mags
- 🔫 Secondary:
Machine Pistol
- 🛡️ Division:
Airborne
(Sprint faster/longer, built-in suppressor option when leveled) - 🏋️ Basic Training:
Hustle
,Gunslinger
(fire while sprinting), orScoped
- 💣 Equipment:
Sticky Grenade
&Stun Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: The most consistent and reliable SMG throughout WWII's lifespan. The
Airborne
division provided superior mobility for SMG playstyles, and its optional suppressor was a powerful stealth tool.🎯 Best for: Objective play in Hardpoint and Domination, Capture the Flag, and objective pushing in War.
🎮 Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 (BO4 - 2018)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Manual Healing & 150 Health: A higher TTK and the need to actively heal with
Stim Shot
fundamentally changed the pace of engagements.- Operator Mods: Powerful, unique attachments that created meta-defining weapon builds, like the
Maddox Echo Fire
andSaug Dual Wield
.- Stim Shot: This piece of gear was almost universally used for its fast healing.
- Gung-Ho: An extremely potent perk that allowed firing and using equipment while sprinting.
- Dead Silence: Silent movement was very strong in a game that encouraged flanking and disengaging to heal.
🏆 The Maddox RFB Echo Fire (Overall Best Weapon)
- 🔫 Primary:
Maddox RFB
w/Echo Fire
(Operator Mod),Quickdraw
, &Stock
- 🔫 Secondary:
Strife
(Often none) - ✨ Perks:
Scavenger
,Dexterity
,Gung-Ho
(Exceptionally strong in BO4) - ⚙️ Gear:
Stim Shot
(Indispensable for manual healing) - 🦸 Specialist:
Crash
(Team support),Ajax
(Offensive push),Battery
(Area denial)
⚠️ The Operator Mod Meta: The
Maddox RFB
with itsEcho Fire
Operator Mod (granting a second, faster-firing barrel) and theSaug 9mm
withDual Wield
were dominant forces for much of BO4's lifecycle, defining the absolute top tier of weaponry.
💡 Why it was meta: This build dominated the meta. The
Echo Fire
Operator Mod provided an insane Time To Kill.Stim Shot
was a must for healing, andGung-Ho
maximized aggressive potential and mobility.🎯 Best for: Hardpoint, Control, Domination, and Team Deathmatch.
🏆 The Saug 9mm Dual Wield (Best Close-Range)
- 🔫 Primary:
Saug 9mm
w/Dual Wield
(Operator Mod),Stock
, &Laser Sight
- 🔫 Secondary: None
- ✨ Perks:
Scavenger
,Lightweight
,Dexterity
,Gung-Ho
- ⚙️ Gear:
Stim Shot
(Non-negotiable) - 🦸 Specialist:
Ajax
(9-Bang/Shield),Prophet
(Seeker/Tempest),Crash
💡 Why it was meta: This class offered an unbeatable TTK at point-blank range. The combination of
Gung-Ho
andLightweight
allowed for extremely fast map traversal while hip-firing a storm of bullets.🎯 Best for: Breaking hills in Hardpoint, aggressive pushes in Control, and dominating on small maps.
🎮 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (MW 2019)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Gunsmith System: Deep 5-attachment customization created highly specialized weapons.
- Very Low TTK & No Traditional Minimap: This led to a slower, more tactical pace and made stealth perks and attachments incredibly valuable.
- Dead Silence as a Field Upgrade: A temporary but game-changing tool for flanking.
- Monolithic Suppressor: A staple attachment on most meta builds for its damage range increase and suppression.
- Overkill: Carrying two primary weapons was a very common and powerful strategy.
- The Grau 5.56 & Bruen Mk9: These weapons had infamous periods of absolute meta dominance.
🏆 The M4A1 / Grau 5.56 Laser Beam (Best ARs)
- 🔫 Primary:
M4A1
orGrau 5.56
(post-launch meta king)- Build:
Monolithic Suppressor
(Muzzle),Corvus Custom Marksman
/Tempus Archangel
(Barrel),Commando Foregrip
(Underbarrel),60 Round Mags
(Ammunition),VLK 3.0x Optic
orStippled Grip Tape
(Rear Grip)
- Build:
- 🔫 Secondary: Launcher (
PILA
) or an Overkill weapon (MP5
,Kar98k
) - ✨ Perks:
E.O.D.
,Overkill
/Ghost
,Amped
(for fast weapon swaps) - 💣 Equipment:
C4
/Semtex
&Stun Grenade
/Heartbeat Sensor
- 🔧 Field Upgrade:
Trophy System
orDead Silence
(Essential for flanking)
💡 The Grau Meta: For a long time, a specific
Grau 5.56
build with theMonolithic Suppressor
and Archangel barrel was infamous for having virtually zero recoil, dominating multiplayer and Warzone.
💡 Why it was meta: The Gunsmith allowed ARs to be built with almost no recoil, making them dominant at all ranges.
Dead Silence
as a Field Upgrade was a paramount tool for aggressive plays and traversing the map safely.🎯 Best for: All modes. Excelled in Ground War, Domination, and Search & Destroy.
🏆 The MP5 / MP7 Rusher (Best SMGs)
- 🔫 Primary:
MP5
(10mm Auto Mags pre-nerf) orMP7
- Build:
Monolithic Integral Suppressor
(Barrel),Merc Foregrip
(Underbarrel),Stippled Grip Tape
(Rear Grip),FTAC Collapsible
(Stock),Sleight of Hand
(Perk)
- Build:
- 🔫 Secondary: Typically an AR/Sniper via
Overkill
- ✨ Perks:
Double Time
,Overkill
/Ghost
,Amped
/Tune Up
- 💣 Equipment:
C4
/Semtex
&Stun Grenade
- 🔧 Field Upgrade:
Dead Silence
(A must for aggressive SMG play)
💡 Why it was meta: These SMGs had the best TTK potential up close and could be kitted for lightning-fast handling. The
MP5
with 10mm Auto rounds was exceptionally powerful before its nerfs, defining the SMG meta. They were often paired with a long-range weapon viaOverkill
.🎯 Best for: Hardpoint, aggressive Domination, Search & Destroy, and Kill Confirmed.
🎮 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War (BOCW - 2020)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Perk Greed Wildcard: Allowing 6 perks became the foundation of most meta classes.
- Loud Default Footsteps: This made the
Ninja
perk exceptionally valuable and almost a mandatory pick.- Flak Jacket & Tactical Mask: The go-to starting perks for survivability.
- Higher TTK: Compared to MW19, gunfights were longer, emphasizing tracking and sustained fire.
- AK-74u & Tec-9: The dominant forces in the SMG category.
- Marshal Shotgun Pistol: A meta-defining secondary that warped close-quarters combat.
🏆 The AK-74u / LC10 / Tec-9 Perk Greed (Best SMGs)
- 🔫 Primary:
AK-74u
,LC10
, orTec-9
(post-launch meta-definer)- Build:
GRU Suppressor
(Muzzle),Task Force
(Barrel),Spetsnaz Grip
(Underbarrel),KGB Skeletal Stock
(Stock)
- Build:
- 🔫 Secondary:
Marshal
(Dual Wield) orDiamatti
(Burst) - 🃏 Wildcard:
Perk Greed
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Flak Jacket
&Tactical Mask
- Perk 2:
Scavenger
&Assassin
- Perk 3:
Ghost
&Ninja
(An absolute must-pick)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Stimshot
- 🔧 Field Upgrade:
Trophy System
orField Mic
💡 The Power of 6 Perks:
Perk Greed
allowing for six perks, combined with the immense value ofNinja
to counteract loud footsteps, made this the foundation of nearly every competitive class. The post-launchTec-9
andMarshal
also became incredibly dominant upon release.
💡 Why it was meta: The
AK-74u
andTec-9
were the best SMGs.Perk Greed
allowed stacking powerful survivability, intel, and stealth perks.Ninja
was indispensable for high-level play due to the game's loud footstep audio.🎯 Best for: Hardpoint, Control, Domination, and all aggressive playstyles.
🏆 The Krig 6 / XM4 Perk Greed (Best ARs)
- 🔫 Primary:
Krig 6
(laser beam) orXM4
(versatile)- Build:
Agency Suppressor
(Muzzle),Ranger
/Mil-Spec
(Barrel),Field Agent Grip
(Underbarrel),STANAG 50 Rnd
(Magazine),Axial Arms 3x
(Optic)
- Build:
- 🔫 Secondary:
Marshal
(Dual Wield) or Launcher - 🃏 Wildcard:
Perk Greed
- ✨ Perks:
- Perk 1:
Flak Jacket
&Tactical Mask
- Perk 2:
Scavenger
&Gearhead
- Perk 3:
Ghost
&Ninja
(Still paramount)
- Perk 1:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Stimshot
- 🔧 Field Upgrade:
Trophy System
orSAM Turret
💡 Why it was meta: The
Krig 6
was one of the easiest ARs to use at range due to its minimal recoil. ThePerk Greed
+Ninja
combination remained the best setup for survivability and stealth across all playstyles, making it the perfect complement to a lane-holding AR.🎯 Best for: Anchoring in Hardpoint, holding lanes in Domination and Control, and general TDM play.
🎮 Call of Duty: Vanguard (2021)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- 10 Attachment Gunsmith: Allowed for extreme min-maxing of weapon stats.
- Low TTK & Combat Pacing: Blitz pacing created chaotic, high-engagement matches where fast-handling weapons thrived.
- Piercing Vision: A controversial perk that highlighted suppressed enemies through walls.
- Radar: A highly valuable perk that showed unsilenced fire on the minimap.
- Vital Proficiency: Increased critical hit area, significantly reducing TTK.
- MP-40 & Bren: These two weapons, when kitted out, defined the meta for long periods.
🏆 The MP-40 Mobility Demon (Best SMG)
- 🔫 Primary:
MP-40
- Build (10 Attachments):
Recoil Booster
(Muzzle),Krausnick 317MM 04B
(Barrel),Removed Stock
(Stock),Mark VI Skeletal
(Underbarrel),Lengthened
(Ammo Type),Stippled Grip
(Rear Grip),Brace
&Quick
(Profiency & Kit)
- Build (10 Attachments):
- 🔫 Secondary:
Machine Pistol
- ✨ Perks:
Ghost
,Radar
(A very strong choice),Double Time
- 💣 Equipment:
Gammon Bomb
&Stim
💡 10 Attachments & The MP-40/Bren Era: Vanguard's 10-attachment Gunsmith allowed players to create monster builds. The
MP-40
was the most versatile and dominant SMG, while theBren
LMG, kitted for zero recoil, became an unstoppable laser beam that dominated at all ranges.
💡 Why it was meta: The
MP-40
was the most versatile and powerful SMG for much of the game's cycle. Ten attachments allowed it to be optimized for incredible speed and a blistering TTK, with theRecoil Booster
muzzle being a key component.🎯 Best for: All modes, especially effective in fast-paced Blitz matches for Domination, Hardpoint, and Patrol.
🏆 The STG44 / Automaton / Bren Laser (Best Long-Range)
- 🔫 Primary:
STG44
,Automaton
, orBren
(LMG meta)- Build (Bren Laser):
Mercury Silencer
(Muzzle),Queen's 705mm Royal
(Barrel),Hockenson SP2B
(Stock),M1941 Hand Stop
(Underbarrel),.303 British 50 Rnd
(Magazine),Lengthened
(Ammo Type),Polymer Grip
(Rear Grip),Vital
(Proficiency),Tight Grip
(Kit)
- Build (Bren Laser):
- 🔫 Secondary:
Machine Pistol
- ✨ Perks:
Fortified
,Radar
,Double Time
- 💣 Equipment:
Gammon Bomb
/Sticky Bomb
&Stim
💡 Why it was meta: ARs like the STG44 and Automaton could be built for near-zero recoil, and the
Vital
proficiency boosted their TTK significantly. TheBren
LMG, however, when kitted for maximum recoil control, became an unstoppable laser with a fast TTK, arguably surpassing ARs for ease-of-use at range during its peak.🎯 Best for: Holding long angles and map control in Domination, Hardpoint, and Patrol. The Bren was notorious for locking down entire maps.
🎮 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (MWII 2022)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Weapon Tuning: Fine-tuning attachment stats allowed for deep min-maxing.
- Earned Perk System: Bonus and Ultimate perks were unlocked mid-match.
- Loud Footsteps & Dead Silence: The
Dead Silence
Field Upgrade was a must-use due to very loud default audio.- Fast Hands: A very impactful Bonus Perk for weapon readiness and speed.
- ISO Hemlock AR & TAQ-56/Vaznev-9K: These weapons defined the top tier of competitive play, with the ISO Hemlock having a long reign as the undisputed best gun.
🏆 The ISO Hemlock / TAQ-56 / Vaznev-9K (Core Meta)
- 🔫 Primary:
ISO Hemlock
(peak meta AR),TAQ-56
(consistent AR), orVaznev-9K
(best SMG)- TAQ-56 Build:
Harbinger D20
(Muzzle),17.5" Tundra Pro Barrel
(Barrel),FSS Sharkfin 90
(Underbarrel),Demo Cleanshot Grip
(Rear Grip),TV Cardinal Stock
(Stock)
- TAQ-56 Build:
- 🔫 Secondary:
X12
(Akimbo viable) orPILA
- ✨ Perk Package:
- Base:
Bomb Squad
,Double Time
- Bonus:
Fast Hands
(Extremely beneficial for responsiveness) - Ultimate:
Birdseye
(Dominant for awareness) orQuick Fix
- Base:
- 💣 Equipment:
Drill Charge
/Semtex
&Stun Grenade
- 🔧 Field Upgrade:
Dead Silence
(Indispensable for stealth) orTrophy System
⚠️ The ISO Hemlock's Reign: For a significant period, the
ISO Hemlock
AR was undeniably the best all-around weapon in the game, boasting incredible accuracy, damage, and ease of use. It defined the absolute meta before eventual balancing patches.
💡 Why it was meta: The
TAQ-56
andVaznev-9K
were the clear best-in-class weapons for competitive play, offering a perfect balance of TTK, recoil, and handling. TheDead Silence
Field Upgrade was a non-negotiable pick due to the game's loud footstep audio.🎯 Best for: The core competitive modes: Search & Destroy, Hardpoint, and Control.
🏆 The SP-X 80 / MCPR-300 (Best Snipers)
- 🔫 Primary:
SP-X 80
(fast handling) orMCPR-300
(more stable)- SP-X 80 Build:
NILSOUND 90
(Muzzle),22.5" ELEVATE-11
(Barrel),FSS OLE-V LASER
(Laser),MAX DMR PRECISION
(Stock),SCHLAGER MATCH GRIP
(Rear Grip)
- SP-X 80 Build:
- 🔫 Secondary:
X12
orBasilisk
- ✨ Perk Package:
- Base:
Bomb Squad
,Double Time
- Bonus:
Focus
(Great for flinch reduction) orFast Hands
- Ultimate:
Ghost
orQuick Fix
- Base:
- 💣 Equipment:
Claymore
/Throwing Knife
&Stun Grenade
- 🔧 Field Upgrade:
Dead Silence
(For repositioning) orTrophy System
💡 Why it was meta: These snipers offered the best balance of one-shot potential and handling for both traditional sniping and quickscoping, aided significantly by the
Focus
perk for maintaining aim under fire.🎯 Best for: Getting key picks in Search & Destroy, and long-range dominance in Invasion and Ground War.
🎮 Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MWIII 2023)
🔑 Pivotal Meta Elements:
- Faster Movement & 150 Health: Slide canceling returned, and a higher health pool shifted the meta towards tracking and sustained damage over instant kills.
- Gear-Based Perk System: Perks were split into Vests, Gloves, Boots, and Gear slots.
- Covert Sneakers: Boots that provide a permanent Dead Silence effect became the single most dominant and meta-defining piece of gear.
- MCW & Rival-9: The "ACR" and "MP5" of the game, defining the top of the AR and SMG classes.
- Aftermarket Parts: Conversion Kits that drastically altered weapon function, like the infamous pre-nerf
JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
for theRenetti
.
🏆 The MCW / Rival-9 Core Meta (Best AR/SMG)
- 🔫 Primary:
MCW
(low-recoil AR) orRival-9
(best SMG)- MCW Build:
VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor
(Muzzle),16.5" MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
(Barrel),RB Regal Heavy Stock
(Stock),SL Skeletal Vertical Grip
(Underbarrel),MK.3 Reflector
(Optic)
- MCW Build:
- 🔫 Secondary:
Renetti
w/JAK Ferocity Carbine Kit
(Pre-nerf monster) - ⚙️ Gear Setup:
- Vest:
Infantry Vest
(faster Tac Sprint) orAssassin Vest
(stealth) - Gloves:
Quick-Grip Gloves
(faster swap) orScavenger Gloves
(ammo) - Boots:
Covert Sneakers
(Eliminates footstep sound - indispensable) - Gear:
EOD Padding
(explosive resist) orGhost T/V Camo
(UAV stealth)
- Vest:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
/Breacher Drone
&Stun Grenade
💡 The Reign of Covert Sneakers: In MWIII,
Covert Sneakers
became the almost universally adopted Boots choice. They provided the effect of theDead Silence
perk permanently, which was incredibly powerful given the game's audio and fast movement mechanics.
💡 Why it was meta: The
MCW
was the lowest recoil AR, making it extremely easy to use, while theRival-9
was the best all-around SMG for competitive play.Covert Sneakers
, providing constant silent movement, was the single most impactful piece of gear, defining how players navigated the map.🎯 Best for: The core competitive modes: Hardpoint, Search & Destroy, and Control.
🏆 The BAS-B / Holger 556 Battle Rifle/AR (Best Alternatives)
- 🔫 Primary:
BAS-B
(high-damage Battle Rifle) orHolger 556
(solid all-rounder AR)- BAS-B Build:
VT-7 Spiritfire Suppressor L
(Muzzle),Bruen Venom Long Barrel
(Barrel),Bruen Heavy Support Grip
(Underbarrel),30 Round Mag
(Magazine),Corio Eagleseye 2.5x
(Optic)
- BAS-B Build:
- 🔫 Secondary:
Renetti
w/JAK Ferocity Kit
orWSP Stinger
- ⚙️ Gear Setup:
- Vest:
Infantry Vest
orGunner Vest
- Gloves:
Quick-Grip Gloves
orMarksman Gloves
(flinch resist) - Boots:
Covert Sneakers
(Remained a top-tier choice) - Gear:
EOD Padding
orMag Holster
(faster reload)
- Vest:
- 💣 Equipment:
Semtex
&Stun Grenade
💡 Why it was meta: The
BAS-B
offered extremely high damage output and became a dominant force, challenging the MCW for the top spot. TheHolger 556
provided a reliable alternative.Covert Sneakers
continued to be a highly favored choice for maintaining stealth and mobility with these powerful weapons.🎯 Best for: Team Deathmatch, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and the Cutthroat mode.
📖 Glossary of Common Terms
Understanding these terms will help you grasp why certain loadouts are considered "meta."
ADS (Aim Down Sights)
- Meaning: The act of looking through your weapon's sights for accurate aiming.
- Significance: "ADS Speed" is how quickly you can aim. Faster ADS speed is critical for winning reaction-based gunfights.
Akimbo / Dual Wield
- Meaning: Using two of the same weapon, one in each hand. You cannot ADS.
- Significance: Offers a very high rate of fire or burst damage at close range but sacrifices all long-range accuracy.
Anchor
- Meaning: In objective modes like Hardpoint, a player whose role is to hold a position on the map to control enemy spawns for their team.
- Significance: A good anchor makes it easier for their team to capture and hold objectives by forcing enemies to spawn far away.
Buff / Nerf
- Meaning: A "buff" makes a weapon/perk stronger; a "nerf" makes it weaker.
- Significance: These are the primary ways developers balance the game and cause the meta to shift.
Flinch
- Meaning: The amount your screen and aim kick upwards when you are shot.
- Significance: High flinch makes it very difficult to win a gunfight if you're being shot first. Perks like
Toughness
orFocus
are used to reduce it.
Gunsmith
- Meaning: The deep weapon customization system (introduced in MW 2019) that allows players to equip multiple attachments to significantly alter a weapon's performance.
- Significance: Allows for highly specialized builds, like maximizing recoil control for a "laser beam" AR or maximizing ADS speed for an aggressive SMG.
Meta
- Meaning: An acronym for "Most Effective Tactic Available." It refers to the combination of weapons, perks, and strategies that are considered the most powerful and optimal for winning.
- Significance: The meta is what top players use to gain a competitive edge. This guide is an archive of past metas.
Operator Mod / Aftermarket Part
- Meaning: Unique attachments in certain CoD titles (like BO4, MWIII) that dramatically alter a weapon's function, often in a meta-defining way.
- Significance: Can turn a standard weapon into a completely different, often more powerful, one.
Quickscoping (QS)
- Meaning: A technique with sniper rifles where the player quickly aims down sights and fires almost simultaneously to get a one-shot kill at close to medium range.
- Significance: A high-skill playstyle that relies on specific sniper builds and perks that enhance ADS speed.
Rotation / Rotating
- Meaning: Moving to the next objective (e.g., the next Hardpoint hill) before it becomes active.
- Significance: A key element of high-level strategy. Early rotation allows a team to set up a defense and control the objective before the enemy arrives.
Scorestreaks / Killstreaks
- Meaning: Powerful rewards (like UAVs, air strikes) earned by achieving a certain number of kills or score without dying.
- Significance: A core CoD mechanic that rewards strong performance and can turn the tide of a match.
Stopping Power
- Meaning: A classic perk (from older titles like CoD4, MW2) that increased bullet damage.
- Significance: It was often an essential perk because it significantly reduced the TTK, making many weapons kill in one less shot.
TTK (Time To Kill)
- Meaning: The amount of time it takes for a weapon to kill a full-health enemy once you start hitting your shots.
- Significance: A lower TTK is a primary factor in what makes a weapon "meta." It means the weapon kills faster and is more likely to win a direct gunfight.
Variant / Blueprint
- Meaning: Special versions of base weapons. In older games like AW, variants could have statistical advantages. In modern games, "Blueprints" are pre-built cosmetic versions with specific attachments.
- Significance: In games like Advanced Warfare, variants with superior stats were meta-defining and often seen as "pay-to-win."
Wallbang
- Meaning: The act of shooting and killing an enemy through a wall or other piece of penetrable cover.
- Significance: Perks like
Deep Impact
or attachments likeFMJ
improve a weapon's ability to deal damage through surfaces, making wallbanging a more viable tactic.
Final Thoughts
This guide is a trip down memory lane for veteran players and a historical resource for newer ones. Metas evolve, but these loadouts represent the pinnacle of power in their respective eras. Enjoy the nostalgia, and remember: while these loadouts were "meta," player skill and adaptation always play the biggest role. Good luck out there.