In Modern Warfare and especially Warzone, time to kill is an all-important statistic. With more damage per second, the odds of winning any given gunfight rise dramatically. Of course, there is no faster time to kill than the much sought-after one-shot kill, annihilating the opposition with a single, well timed trigger pull. There are precious few weapons that can achieve one-shot capabilities in Modern Warfare and even fewer in Warzone, but anyone who is confident in their accuracy should seek to make at least one solid build with instant kill potential.
Call of Duty's meta is constantly changing, with damage numbers frequently getting tweaked in patches. Often, weapons with instant-kill capabilities are nerfed heavily to lower their damage or make them much more difficult to use. However, a few standbys remain, and with the right attachments, some weapons can gain one-shot potential where they had none before. In hardcore mode, far more weapons are capable of one-shotting enemies, so this breakdown will ignore hardcore, focusing mainly on core playlists and Warzone's rare one-shot contenders.
One-Shot Rifles for Modern Warfare and Warzone
ARs are the bread and butter of Modern Warfare and Warzone, offering all-rounder performance and mobility, but they typically aren't able to take out anyone in a single bullet. The FAL had some of the highest DPS in the game prior to its recent nerf and could one-shot at point-blank range, but even after the nerf, it is still a formidable weapon. An unexpected contender, the CR-56 AMAX, can now also gain one-hit kills thanks to its special ammunition option.
The FAL can still dish out one-hit kill headshots at considerable range, and with rapid trigger pulls, it is still one of the highest damage guns at mid- to close-range. While the days of the insanely overpowered FAL are over, it is still an immensely viable weapon in Warzone, where its range advantage over other ARs shines the most. A strong FAL build would use a Marksman barrel, VLK 3.0 optic, 30-round magazines, Merc foregrip, and Monolithic suppressor. There are plenty of other strong FAL builds out there, but prioritizing ranged damage is key in Warzone.
The CR-56 AMAX might seem an unlikely choice for a one-shot build, but it has one key ace up its sleeve. With M67 10-Round magazines, the gun's ammo capacity is significantly reduced, but the damage goes up quite a lot. Most importantly, the CR-56 can achieve one-shot headshots with the new ammunition. This build isn't well suited to Warzone because of its minuscule ammo capacity, but in core playlists, it is more than capable of dominating the battlefield. The M67 ammo, XRK Zodiac S440 barrel, an optic of choice, CR-56 EXO stock, and Commando foregrip will provide strong mobility and even stronger damage.
Instant-Kill DMRs in Modern Warfare and Warzone
DMRs are the go-to for one-shot weapons. The MK2 Carbine is a staple of quick one-tap builds and is likely the best pure one-shot weapon in the game. The FSS 24.0" Factory barrel boosts range, while the FSS MK2 Sport Comb stock, Stippled Grip Tape, Sleight of Hand, and a reflex optic round out the build. With those attachments, the MK2 has the speed to out-maneuver and out-ADS most other weapons, and the damage needed to blow the enemy away before they know what hit them.
The Kar98k is the one-shot weapon of choice for those who want more range and is a very solid choice for Warzone. With one-shot body shots up close and one-shot headshots at range, the Kar is a great backup to pair with a close-range SMG in Warzone. A Monolithic suppressor, Custom 27.6" barrel, zoom optic, Stippled Grip Tape, and FTAC Sport Comb stock will wring good, balanced performance out of the Kar. Opting for more mobility-based attachments can help at close range, but at that point, it is better to go with a MK2 or FAL, since the Kar98k's true strength is accuracy.
Pistols, Shotguns, and Snipers
As far as pistols go, two can offer one-shot kills: both the .357 revolver and .50 GS have one-shot headshots. While the revolver has better range, the Desert Eagle has quicker follow-up shots and better attachment options, making it one of the best pistols in Modern Warfare. A Match-Grade trigger, Stippled Grip Tape, Forge TAC Extended barrel, mini reflex optic, and 10-round magazines provide a well-rounded build for the Desert Eagle that can take on opponents at even very long ranges with extra panache.
Shotguns offer some of the best one-shot builds, and any shotgun in the game has one-shot potential with the addition of slug rounds. The 725 can blow enemies away at shocking ranges even without slug rounds, but because of pellet spread it can be fickle and unpredictable. The best shotgun for adding slug rounds to is the R9-O, with its quick double barrel firing and reliable pump action. A muzzle Choke, FORGE TAC Sentry barrel, Merc foregrip, slug rounds, and a reflex optic will take good advantage of its solid range and high damage. Even if the first round is at too long of a range to be a one-shot to the body, a quick backup shot is always at the ready.
Sniper rifles are, by nature, one-shot weapons. Even with full body armor, a headshot is a death sentence. Favored by pro players like Wuskin, the HDR is the top choice for snipers right now. A TAC Laser, optic of choice, FTAC Stalker-Scout stock, 9-round magazines, and HDR Pro barrel will do some serious work. In Warzone, swapping out the laser for a Monolithic suppressor can offer a bit more stealth and range. Whether it's for leaping around corners at close range or picking off enemies from across the map, players with good first-shot accuracy should give a try to at least one of these powerful setups.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Warzone are available on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.