At the start of every new season in Modern Warfare and Warzone, the meta changes according to the introduction of new weapons and balancing changes to old ones. Each new season inevitably inspires a fresh look at all the weapons in the game, which soon fall into tiers defined by player preference and general consensus. However, new weapons are also always added mid-season, new balancing changes come about, and, most importantly, players get enough play time with each weapon to discover new strengths and weaknesses.
As each Call of Duty: Modern Warfare season progresses, new loadouts and strategies invariably gain traction as the best ways to win. This season alone saw the ascendance of the FAL into the limelight, and plenty of input from pro players and skilled streamers on what setups they use to gain an edge. With (hopefully) only a short time left in Season 4, it's time to look at all of the top builds this season and how they re-shaped the meta. All of these builds have had a long time to have their kinks ironed out, and will doubtless still be the best options heading into Season 5.
The Broken FAL and the Zero Recoil RAM-7
Two of the top builds of Season 4 came from rather unexpected places. The FAL has long been considered a middling gun with a low fire rate and unwieldy characteristics somewhere between an AR and DMR, while the RAM-7's extreme DPS was limited to close range by its unusual recoil pattern. With the right attachments though, even those core drawbacks can be nullified, as seen in the two top builds this season: the "broken" high DPS FAL and the "zero recoil" RAM-7.
Pre-buff, the FAL was valued as a good DMR alternative, but was nowhere near meta-defining. It was a solidly mid-tier weapon that was respectable, but never reached anywhere above just "good enough." With the Season 4 Reloaded update, however, the FAL got a significant buff to close-range damage and a few other stats, making it a monster with some of the fastest time to kill in the game. In Warzone, a Monolithic suppressor, XRK Marksman barrel, Commando foregrip, 30-round magazines, and a decent optic turned the FAL into a top-tier beast as players scrambled to unlock it and level it up for their own loadouts.
Meanwhile, the RAM-7 didn't receive any such major buff, but still made waves as an especially viable option. The RAM-7 always had extreme DPS, but many players found its recoil unmanageable. The same streamer who detailed the OP FAL loadout, thestonystark, went on to give players another top-notch setup for Warzone. With a Monolithic suppressor, FSS Ranger barrel, TAC Laser, Commando foregrip, and 50-round magazines, the RAM-7's recoil is reduced to a minimum, and it pairs with a sniper rifle like fine wine with cheese.
The Pro MP5 and Tfue's MP7
Pro players and high-profile streamers are another common source of popular loadouts. Streamers have the platform to make their favorite setups go viral, while pro players are a great source of tips and tricks because it is their job to know the game inside and out. This season, Scump's MP5 was one of the most popular builds for what is still considered the very best SMG in the game. While it is more focused on Modern Warfare than the long ranges of Warzone, it is still an interesting take on the gun.
Most builds include an optic and one of the MP5's lauded specialized barrels, but Scump's MP5 is all focused on the basics of handling. It includes the Operator foregrip, 10mm ammunition, Sleight of Hand, Stippled Grip Tape, and FTAC Collapsible stock. The MP5's iron sights are plenty good at close range, and the focus on mobility and damage is fitting for the high-speed gameplay of pro league. While 10mm ammo was recently nerfed, it still packs quite a punch at close range.
On the other end of the SMG spectrum, the incredibly popular Fortnite streamer Tfue has been trying his hand at Warzone, and cooked up a very solid MP7 setup. While the MP7 is typically good for faster and closer combat than the MP5, Tfue's version takes its high DPS and pushes it out way beyond the range of a close-quarters MP5 build like Scump's. With a Monolithic suppressor, FSS Recon barrel, Tac Laser, Merc foregrip, and 60-round magazines, the MP7 is a great all-rounder with enough range and ammo to compete with the best.
The M4A1 Triple Threat
The M4A1 is still going strong as the most popular weapon in both Modern Warfare and Warzone. It is extremely versatile, offers a wide array of ammunition choices, and can be customized to fit practically any playstyle. There are many more top-notch loadouts for the M4A1 than practically any other gun. Unlike other weapons, the M4A1 doesn't just shine with one specific setup- it can be molded to fit the user's needs. Other guns may be stronger in their niches, but the M4 remains popular due to its consistency.
According to YouTuber Macgaming, there are three core setups for the M4A1 that can cater to any playstyle. The core of any M4A1 loadout is a Monolithic suppressor, Stock M16 Grenadier barrel, Tac Laser, and 60-round magazines. With these core components as a baseline, three main variations are possible. One focuses on recoil control by adding the Commando foregrip, the second opts for better ranged visibility with a VLK 3.0 optic, and the last opts for the No Stock option to make the M4 as mobile as the MP7 or MP5, but with much larger bullets.
There are countless other top-notch loadouts to try in both Modern Warfare and Warzone, but ultimately it all comes down to what feels right for each individual player. Any of these popular setups are worth trying, and will certainly provide a competitive edge when used correctly. With Season 5 just around the corner, here's hoping that even more great new setups are discovered and revealed to the community.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone are available now for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.