Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, the latest title in the veteran military FPS series, is proving to be one of the most popular yet. Now entering it's second season, developer Infinity Ward has been keeping the multiplayer-focused Modern Warfare fresh with a stream of new updates, playlists, and game modes.
Along with these updates have also come a series of buffs and nerfs, as Infinity Ward attempts to smooth out the rough edges. Unfortunately, the nature of the meta makes it impossible to truly balance a game with so many factors, and it's inevitable that some combinations will always be better than others.
While secondary weapons, equipment, and perks can certainly make a difference to the strength of a class, the primary weapon is undeniably its core. For that reason, this breakdown of the most overpowered classes in Modern Warfare is focused primarily on these weapons and the attachments that make them so powerful.
Kilo 141
It may come as a surprise to some that the Kilo 141, the very first assault rifle that players unlock in Modern Warfare's multiplayer progression, is actually one of the best in the game. Combining a fantastic rate-of-fire with little recoil, the Kilo 141 is a versatile rifle that excels in close to mid-range combat.
When it comes to sttachments, the way to make the most of the Kilo 141 is to enhance its strengths, rather than shoring up its weaknesses. To this end, the Compensator, Commando Foregrip, and Singuard Arms 19.82 Prowler Barrel will take recoil almost entirely out of the picture, while also increasing damage range and bullet velocity.
This is only leaves mobility, which will be enhanced by choosing the No Stock option and Stippled Grip Tape. This combination of attachments turns the already strong Kilo 141 into a veritable monster of medium range combat, fast-firing, no recoil, and with the mobility and range to take on threats no matter where they come from.
Grau 5.56
Newly added in Modern Warfare Season 2, the Grau 5.56 is a Swiss assault rifle based on the Sig Sauer SG 552 Commando. Whereas the Kilo 141 excels in close to medium ranges, a Grau with the right attachments can outrage almost any other weapon. Firstly, the Monolithic Suppressor can be used not only to increase damage range but also comes with the handy bonus of suppressing the weapon.
Complementing the Suppressor is the FSS 26.4" Archangel Barrel, which gives another large increase to damage range, as well as adding control and bullet velocity. Unfortunately, it also comes with a hefty mobility penalty. For those players who find this too heavy a price to pay, the shorter 20.8" Nexus Barrel offers similar stats without quite such a drawback.
Finally, playing with No Stock, the Commando Foregrip, and the 50-Round Magazine will allow a Grau user to play aggressively, and even retain the mobility to mitigate their close-range disadvantage. These attachments turn the Grau 5.56 into a fantastic medium-long range assault rifle, with minimal recoil, great range and decent speed.
MP5
Saving the best for last, the final two Primaries on this list have been dominant since Modern Warfare's launch. The first is the MP5, widely considered the best SMG in the game. The Heckler and Koch replica brings unusual levels of accuracy and recoil control for an SMG, allowing an impressive versatility.
While the MP5 is a gun that stands well in any configuration, to bring out its over-powered side players should aim to enhance its mobility and aggressive qualities. The FTAC collapsible stock grants both movement speed and faster aiming down the sights, allowing an MP5 player to excel on close-quarters maps.
A neat complement to this enhancement is the Merc Foregrip, which adds recoil control and hip-fire accuracy for those moments when there is literally no time to aim. The fantastic Stippled Grip Tape is also recommended, as well as the 10mm Auto 30-Round Magazine, for extra stopping power, and the Sleight of Hand perk, for faster reloads.
M4A1
The big daddy of Modern Warfare's assault rifles, and several older Call of Duty games as well, is the M4A1. Just like its SMG cousin, the MP5, this is a gun that has been dominant since day 1 and continues to rule the Modern Warfare meta despite repeated nerfs and bug fixes.
Unlocked at level 6, the strength of the M4A1 lies in its combination of high damage, unparalleled fire-rate, and minimal recoil. These three factors come together to make the M4A1 capable of simply out-shooting practically every other weapon in the game in a head-to-head contest.
To enhance the M4A1's raw killing power, players should make sure to use attachments that boost range, recoil control, and mobility. The Covus Custom Marksman Barrel gives hefty buffs to the first two, as well as to bullet velocity, but the M16 Barrel is also a good choice, giving even more range at the cost of mobility.
The M4A1 works best with a close-range sight, like the G.I. Mini Reflex, but for players comfortable with the Iron-Sights the Compensator or 50-Round Magazine are good alternatives. Finally, No Stock, the Commando Foregrip, and the Stippled Grip Tape give the best killer in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare the mobility it needs to get the drop on the enemy, strengthening its odds even further.
Secondary Weapons
While not as important as what a player is toting as their primary weapon, secondary weapons, equipment, and perks are also essential parts of what makes an overpowered Class. The decision isn't as clear cut as with primaries, but anyone looking for a strong secondary weapon won't regret picking up the .357 Magnum. Its hefty stopping power and mid-range potential in the Modern Warfare meta make it an excellent side-arm, and with the right Attachments it can be formidable force in its own right.
The Long Barrel, adding damage, range and recoil control, is essential for maximizing the Magnum's lethality, while the Lightweight Trigger allows it to match faster-firing weapons in close-quarters. Modern Warfare's Akimbo Perk also enhances the Magnum's close-range killing power, particularly in combination with the 5MW Laser and the Snakeshot Rounds.
Equipment and Perks
When it comes to the best equipment and perks in Modern Warfare, there are a few choices that players should keep in mind. The C4 offers a greatly enhanced radius and damage over conventional explosives, and in the hands of a skillful player, it can be used as quickly and easily as any grenade. For those looking to stay alive, the Stim is an excellent tool, and it's even possible to fire a weapon while using it.
In terms of Perks, E.O.D. is essential for keeping a player alive in the face of grenade-spam and powerful Killstreak weapons, allowing them to build up their own kills with less risk. The Restock Perk plays into this survivability, refreshing the player's lethal and tactical equipment every 30 seconds, essential for those who always prefer to lead with a grenade. This also has a strong synergy with the Shrapnel Perk, which doubles the amount of lethal equipment that can be carried, and slows the health regen of enemies caught by the player's explosives.
Ultimately, there is no perfect Class in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Nevertheless, a player who makes use of these suggestions, adapting them to their own tastes and abilities, will be giving themselves every advantage in a match. While no combination of weapons, equipment and perks will make a player unkillable, knowing the best options and building a class around them is the best way to rise above the pack in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's multiplayer.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is out now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.