The best weapons in Call of Duty: Warzone for Season 4

Since its release in 2020, Call of Duty: Warzone has captured the attention of over 100 million players, making it one of the most successful battle royale games to date. If you’ve played, you’ve probably learned that gaining a victory can be tough, especially if you’re struggling to find a weapon that suits you. Warzone is played way differently than Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War, or Vanguard‘s conventional multiplayer suite; the goal is to have a diverse loadout that is ideal for all situations and attempts to help you survive against 140-plus other players.

You’ll probably find some decent weapons along the way, but ideally, you should use your custom loadouts, which can be acquired via a Loadout Drop. These can be obtained by purchasing them from a Buy Station, giving you full access to your arsenal of custom guns and attachments.

To keep things fresh, Warzone developer Raven Software has made a habit of changing how many top weapons perform, meaning you can’t get used to the same options for too long. Now that Call of Duty: Vanguard has been integrated into Warzone, there’s certainly no shortage of weapons to choose from — in fact, there are over 160 weapons total. Here, we’ll go through the game’s best weapons, from the most versatile to the highest damage output, and their recommended attachments, accounting for any type of scenario you’ll encounter.

These are the best weapons in Call of Duty: Warzone during Season 4.

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Assault rifles

BAR (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Kicking off our best list of assault rifles is the BAR, a weapon that has always been decent, but following the recent Season 4 update, has made its way to the top of the long-range meta. It doesn’t have the fastest time to kill (TTK) but has virtually no recoil, especially when using the CGC 30-inch XL Barrel. At long range, being able to hit your shots is equally as important as having a competitive TTK. A fast TTK will do you no good if you can’t hit your shots. The other thing to consider with the BAR is that it does have a slow rate of fire, meaning it’s less forgiving if you do miss your shots. But its TTK, low recoil, and ease of use make up for its other shortcomings.

Cooper Carbine (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The Cooper Carbine has drifted in and out of the Warzone meta since the Vanguard integration, but following the Season 4 update, the weapon sits at the top of its class. It received a buff and now has one of the best TTKs in the game, outclassing the likes of the BAR, Bruen Mk9, and the XM4. This, coupled with the fact that it’s so easy to control, makes it a top choice in the current meta. The other factor to consider is that the Cooper Carbine works great as a sniper support weapon, though the recommended build is for long-range. However you choose to use the weapon, it will no doubt serve you well, whether you’re on Caldera, Fortune’s Keep, or Rebirth Island.

FARA 83 (CW)

Recommended loadout:

The FARA 83 is another throwback that has found itself back at the top of the Warzone meta, thanks to its power and ease of use. As always with Warzone weapons, each has pros and cons, and the FARA is no exception, falling somewhere between the BAR and UGM-8 in terms of its TTK. Once again, this is a weapon that shines thanks to its ease of use, offering low recoil, making it easy to hit your shots. If you’re struggling to control some of the other weapons on this list but still want a rifle that packs a punch, the FARA might be for you, especially for mid- to long-range engagements. The other quirk you should be aware of with the FARA is that it has a slow reload time of 3.17 seconds (according to TrueGameData), so it’s best to use the VDV 60 Rnd Fast Mag to make up for this flaw.

KG M40 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The KG M40 is an underrated rifle that comes out on top thanks to its low recoil. Sure, its TTK is nothing special, but you’ll easily be able to hit your shots — even from hundreds of meters away — with this weapon. The thing is, on paper, many of the top assault rifles have the potential of a ridiculously fast TTK, but you’ll rarely achieve them due to a number of factors. But with the KG M40, you’re more likely to achieve its fastest TTK since it’s so easy to control. It also offers one of the fastest bullet velocities, which will no doubt make it easier to stay on target. You might not have this one leveled up since it was never popular, but we highly recommend giving it a try.

NZ-41 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Next up is the NZ-41, a weapon that made its way into the meta during Season 3. The theme with Season 4 is a list of weapons with very little recoil, and the NZ-41 fits that build. It was actually recently nerfed ever so slightly, but even still, it’s an exceptional weapon for long-range engagements, especially if you’re someone who struggles to control recoil. When it comes to TTK, it’s a bit slower than many options on this list up to about 35 meters. Then, it takes over as one of the best rifles in the game in terms of TTK past that 35-meter mark. The weapon will likely lead you to more consistent victories out at long-range since its recoil is so low, even if its TTK isn’t the best.

Vargo 52 (CW)

Recommended loadout:

The best thing about the Vargo 52 is its versatility — you can build it for long-range or as a sniper support weapon. When it comes to TTKs, it falls somewhere between the XM4 and the AK-47 (CW), making it a top choice depending on your skill level. Thanks to the weapon’s higher fire rate of 791RPM, it works much better as sniper support than the AK-47 (CW), which is certainly worth considering when picking a weapon.

However, the sweet spot for the Vargo 52 is at mid-range, somewhere around 25 meters or so. At this range, it beats out weapons like the FARA 83, AMAX, and XM4, depending on where your shots land. In short, this weapon works well in many situations and is competitive against many top assault rifles depending on the situation.

XM4 (CW)

Recommended loadout:

Much like the KG M40, the XM4 has climbed to the top of the assault rifle meta. This weapon has always been great, but since other top-tier rifles were nerfed, the XM4 now has a place among the best. Interestingly, its TTK is slightly worse than the Grau’s, at least within 47 meters. Once you get past that point, the XM4 is significantly better in terms of TTK, assuming you can hit your shots. Another great thing about the XM4 is that it features better mobility than the Grau, which is essential during fast-paced engagements.

The XM4 is relatively easy to control, falling in line with the Grau as well. One thing the XM4 also has going for it is the fact that it’s so versatile, working well at long-range as well as at mid-range. This is one to try if you can’t get a grasp on the C58, EM2, or AK-47 since the XM4 is much easier to control. It’s certainly a trade-off since those other rifles hit harder but their recoil is much less forgiving.

SMGs

Armaguerra (VG)

Recommended loadout:

For close-range weapons, TTK is the most important stat, and while the Armaguerra 43 isn’t the best in this regard, it does shine in other ways. For starters, it offers fast aim down sights (ADS) movement speed, allowing you to get around quickly while scoped in. Up close, this is huge and could be a dealbreaker in certain scenarios. It also has a competitive TTK that allows you to win most of your gunfights up close against many other SMGs. You’ll have a more difficult time using this weapon past 15 meters, but as long as you stick to fights within that distance, you’ll do well with the Armaguerra.

H4 Blixen (VG)

Recommended loadout:

When it comes to versatile SMGs, the H4 Blixen is at the top of the list since it excels in many categories. It works well at midrange, and if you use the Bergstrom 17 F3 Barrel, you’ll find it much easier to hit your shots from afar, as it provides a boost to bullet velocity. This weapon doesn’t compete against the Type 100 or Marco 5 up close, but in practically every other situation, the H4 Blixen is fantastic, with great TTKs, mobility, and relative ease of use. We highly suggest using this weapon, especially as sniper support. It also offers many different magazine sizes that you can change depending on the mode you’re playing.

Marco 5 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Currently, the Marco 5 is the best SMG in the game. This weapon is new with the Season 4 battle pass and can be unlocked for free. Though the Type 100 technically offers a faster TTK up close, the Marco 5 actually can outclass it and every other SMG in the game if you use the dual-wield option. Though, this will limit you to only 7 meters or so, which makes it less practical. Instead, we advise the build listed above, which gives it the best TTK (aside from the Type 100) inside 17 meters. Then, it overtakes the Type 100 at around 18 meters or so while offering excellent mobility, ADS times, and damage per mag. The Marco 5 will likely be nerfed soon, but we still recommend leveling it up since it’ll likely remain a meta weapon, even after future updates.

PPSh-41 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

As we’ve grown used to by now, Warzone has another duplicate weapon — this time, the PPSh-41 from Vanguard. Despite sharing the same name, the Vanguard version is quite different from the Cold War PPSh, though both are excellent. In this case, the Vanguard version has a much faster fire rate, allowing it to excel more up close, which — for some players — is ideal. It actually has a faster TTK than the Cold War PPSh up to 11 meters, so if you’re wanting a wild close-range SMG, we highly suggest it.

Keep in mind that the PPSh-41 (VG) has a noticeable amount of recoil and may be harder to control. If so, you might want to use the Cold War PPSh instead. The build above is more so meant for close quarters, with an emphasis on hip-fire. Both options are fantastic. It just depends on your skill and playstyle.

Sten (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The Sten is an overlooked SMG that has always been decent but is now a top choice during Season 4. It works best as an all-around weapon, excelling at midrange engagements while holding its own up close. The thing is, the Sten works best at around 15 meters or so, coming out ahead of the Armaguerra and even the PPSh-41 in terms of TTK. It also has great mobility, which will help when using it up close. Overall, you’ll want to give this one a try to see how it feels to you. Certain players will still gravitate toward a weapon even if it isn’t statistically the best, and the Sten might be that SMG for you. Though even on paper it’s still a beast of a weapon, it just falls short in certain categories while excelling in others.

Type 100 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The Type 100 is secretly the best SMG in the game in terms of TTK. That doesn’t mean you’ll always achieve that fast TTK since the best build does have a lot of recoil, but if you’re in close proximity to your target, the weapon should be easy to control. With this build, we advise using the Recoil Booster to improve the weapon’s fire rate. This does increase the recoil (hence the name), but the TTK will improve. The other key to this build is the Gung-ho Perk, which allows you to hip-fire while sprinting.

This is huge, as it’ll allow you to start shooting an enemy first. The main strategy is to sprint, then begin hip firing at the opponent, and then aim down sights. By the time you’ve aimed down sights, the enemy will already be damaged, allowing you to finish them off quickly. The Hollow Point rounds absolutely help as well, though only for close-quarters battles. We wouldn’t recommend engaging with enemies past 12 meters or so with this build.

Shotguns

Gallo SA12 (CW)

Recommended loadout:

Speaking of close-quarters, let’s touch on a weapon category that is often overlooked: Shotguns. Since shotguns are only useful at around 8 meters or so, many players opt against using them, which is understandable, but if you play your cards right, you can become unstoppable with the right setup. Arguably the best option in the game is the Gallo SA12. It’s tough to measure TTKs with a shotgun, but based on our testing, you can down a player in as low as two shots depending on proximity (and how much armor they have equipped).

Aside from the high damage potential, shotguns are great because they’re primarily fired from the hip, as opposed to aiming down sights. This means you can start dealing damage to your opponents first since your pellets will come out faster. The Gallo SA12 is the best option for longer ranges — of around 10 meters or so. Even though a maximum of 12 pellets doesn’t sound like much, you’d be surprised how much damage you can deal with that amount.

JAK-12 (MW)

Recommended loadout:

If you’re new to using shotguns, there’s one more recommendation you might want to try. The JAK-12 is our second choice in the shotgun category due to it being fully automatic. This means you can simply hold down the trigger to fire off a consistent stream of pellets. Up close, this is absolutely devastating, even though each pellet doesn’t deal as much damage as the Gallo SA12. If you’re within 5 meters or so, the JAK-12 pretty much beats anything else, so it’s at least worth trying out.

One thing to note is that we advise using the Frangible — Disabling Perk on this weapon, which slows your foes’ running speed when you deal damage to them with the JAK. This allows you to close the gap faster, potentially leading to an easier elimination.

LMGs

Bruen Mk9 (MW)

Recommended loadout:

If you’re someone who still wants to rock Modern Warfare weapons, you should absolutely be using the Bruen Mk9. This is an LMG, so it will definitely hinder your mobility and ADS speeds, but it makes up for that thanks to its competitive TTK and low recoil. Even though many weapons on this list have low recoil and fast TTKs, there’s still room for experimentation due to how each weapon feels — and when it comes to the Bruen, it certainly has its own distinct feel that has resonated with the community over the years. It’s statistically worse than many of the newer weapons, but again, if you like how it handles, you’ll likely be able to compete.

UGM-8 (VG)

Recommended loadout:

The UGM-8 is the newest Warzone weapon, and it is hands-down the very best in the game right now. It has everything going for it: the fastest TTKs, the lowest recoil, a massive magazine size, and it can even compete in terms of ADS speeds if you use the right attachments. The kicker is that it utilizes a burst Barrel that makes it even easier to control, and you don’t even need to continuously pull the trigger to use it. Simply hold down the trigger, and this weapon will fire several bursts at a time, allowing you to secure eliminations from hundreds of meters away. This weapon will no doubt be nerfed soon, so use it while it absolutely decimates the competition.

Whitley (VG)

Recommended loadout:

Much like the KG M40, the Whitley is an underrated gem that is well worth using this season. It’s a lighter LMG that works best at the range, due to its fast bullet velocity. In fact, this weapon offers one of the fastest bullet velocities in the entire game, which will lead you to more victories at long ranges. Thanks to the Whitley being a lighter LMG, it competes with other assault rifles in terms of movement and ADS times while still giving you many benefits of a heavier rifle such as accuracy and large magazine sizes. In short, this weapon falls in between the KG M40 and the Cooper Carbine in terms of TTK, but you’ll be able to consistently earn eliminations with it thanks to its effectiveness at range.

Marksman Rifles/Snipers

3-Line Rifle (VG)

Recommended loadout:

It pains us to say, but we removed the Swiss K31 and Kar98k in favor of the 3-Line Rifle, which is the new best aggressive sniper following recent nerfs. As you might be aware, Marksman Rifles like the Swiss, Kar, and the SP-R 208 were all nerfed, disallowing them from getting one-hit eliminations to the head past a certain point. This means they’ve become relatively unusable, especially on Caldera, which usually has massive long-distance battles. All of that is to say that the 3-Line Rifle is the new king of fast-paced, aggressive snipers, offering competitive ADS times (almost on par with the Marksman Rifles pre-nerf) while still able to get one-hit kills to the head at any range. It won’t feel as snappy as the Swiss or Kar, but it’s close enough, making it a top choice for aggressive snipers. Give it a try!

ZRG 20mm (CW)

Recommended loadout:

As part of the season 3 update, all the lightweight snipers were nerfed, removing the ability to earn a one-shot elimination to the head within certain distances. While these weapons — such as the Kar98k (MW), the Swiss K31, and SP-R 208 are still viable within specific parameters, long-range engagements now require the use of heavier snipers if you want to down a player in one shot. For this, we highly recommend the ZRG 20mm, a Cold War sniper that has always been good, it just lacked the mobility benefits of the aforementioned lightweight rifles.

The ZRG can down an enemy player with one shot to the head at any distance. You can also deck it out to improve its ADS speeds, which will make the weapon feel snappier, competing admirably against the likes of the Kar98k and Swiss. It’s certainly a tradeoff when using this weapon, as it has slower ADS speeds and overall mobility, but when battling against an enemy sniper using one of the lightweight options, you’ll win your gunfights if you have accurate aim.

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