Call of Duty Modern Warfare has seen a great number of changes in the short time since its original launch, from major buffs and nerfs to the addition of entirely new, meta-changing weapons. The original list of weapon tiers in CoD took versatility, fun, and effectiveness into account when ranking all of the game’s guns but so many changes have occurred that a new hierarchy is in order.
Call of Duty Modern Warfare has an exceptional gun progression system honed over many games. Each match provides some progress, but long-term goals take long-term commitment. In order to unlock all the skins and attachments for a gun, players must commit to using the weapon frequently and consistently, getting kills under various sets of circumstances from hip firing to using no attachments. For this reason, it’s important to know what guns to commit to, and when each gun is most rewarding and effective.
Several nerfs to the 725 Shotgun, an SMG buff, changes to automatic rifles, and the addition of the Holger-26 and RAM-7 are just a few of the many changes that have shifted the balance of weapons in Modern Warfare since release.
While leaks have hinted at the addition of a Vector and a Crossbow for some time now, there is no sign of them yet. For now, the rankings of major weapons should be relatively stable until the next major update. Some weapons are strong, some need to have the right attachments, and some are just plain fun despite their lack of power. The following tiers take overall power, versatility, and user enjoyment into account to determine where each gun’s true value lies.
D-TIER
D-Tier weapons are neither powerful nor fun to use. Even with all the right attachments equipped, there is no saving these weapons from obscurity. Maybe some day they will be reworked or buffed, but it's not likely. The only satisfaction to be found here is in using something with an objective disadvantage to win against others. Otherwise, avoid these guns at all cost.
The Uzi is an interesting case. In reality, its slow rate of fire, controllable recoil, and ease of operation make it one of the most popular small arms in the world. However, it also has a slight delay between when the trigger is pulled and when the first shot is fired. This is unfortunately reflected in Modern Warfare. The realism is admirable, but this idiosyncrasy combined with a slow rate of fire, unusually high recoil, and low damage per shot make the Uzi a consistent under-performer.
The SA87 isn’t worth the time it takes to upgrade, if only because the PKM is unlocked first and is the best LMG in the game. Even after a buff, marksman rifles can’t compete with assault rifles in range or snipers in damage. The EBR 14 is the worst marksman rifle available, making it even more pointless. Meanwhile, the Dragunov, M19, and Strela-P all offer worst-in-class performance.
C-TIER
The FAL is a semi-auto rifle in a class filled with fully automatic guns. It has respectable fire rate when compared to marksman rifles, but lacks in range.
The AUG is fun to use because it is so versatile. It is an SMG that can be altered to fill the role of a longer-range carbine, but it can’t compete with the real thing. The PP19 is a decent gun, but other SMGs put it to shame.
The KAR98K, like most marksman rifles, does not boast very impressive performance. Players should pick up an AR or sniper rifle instead. The X16 is the first pistol in the game, with respectable damage and an OK fun-factor. The PILA is an effective launcher with some good modification options. Finishing off C-Tier is the 725 Shotgun. Once the most broken weapon in Modern Warfare, it is now underwhelming compared to its former glory.
The 725 was once able to compete with sniper rifles, and several nerfs did nothing to reduce its potency. Eventually, the 725 was balanced into obsolescence. Now its range is only marginally better than that of other shotguns, while its two-shot capacity makes it unable to finish off most opponents quickly enough. It might be fun to use for a while, but no one should expect to do well with it.
B-TIER
The FR 5.56, better known as the FAMAS, is a phenomenal bullpup rifle in the real world. However, in Modern Warfare it is limited to three-shot bursts to keep its high rate of fire from blowing other ARs out of the water. In hardcore mode, it kills an enemy with a single burst, but in regular game modes it can’t outdo other ARs and SMGs.
The FN SCAR 17 does respectable damage, but is nothing more than an inferior AK-47, while the M13 is just an all-around pretty good weapon. The 1911 is also a good all-around sidearm, but nothing about it stands out.
Now that the 725 has been nerfed for the umpteenth time, shotguns in Modern Warfare are all pretty lackluster options with terrible range. The Model 680 and Origin 12 are both prime examples of these limitations. However, they both have a very satisfying feel and will mop up enemies at short ranges. In tight quarters, having a shotgun stowed away as a sidearm with the Overkill perk can be a lifesaver.
The .357 revolver is one of the worst sidearms available. It has a painfully slow rate of fire and only six rounds. However, with the right modifications the .357 can get shotgun rounds and become extremely fun and useful. It can occupy the role of a pocket shotgun without the need for the Overkill perk, and has a high enough cool factor to warrant grinding out the upgrades.
The JOKR launcher is useful because of its arcing shots, while the RPG-7 is useful against enemy players at the cost of vehicle damage. They both have their merits, but are very situational weapons.
A-TIER
The Oden assault rifle has a very low rate of fire, but its high damage numbers make up for that. It has a unique feel when compared to other ARs, and is very competitive in hardcore playlists. The Kilo 141 may be the first gun in the game, but it offers high damage and fun handling. The P90 is likewise one of the first weapons available, but its huge magazine capacity and rapid rate of fire make it a great option. Low damage and range are a major downside, but the addition of smaller, classic maps to Modern Warfare makes guns like the P90 more compelling now.
The MK2 Carbine has risen above the other marksman rifles in Modern Warfare as something of a replacement for the 725 Shotgun. With the right attachments, the MK2 can achieve one-shot kills with direct hits to an opponent’s body. This requires aiming down sights and having a lot more accuracy than the 725, but a near-instant time to kill makes the MK2 Carbine a good choice for those with enough skill to pull it off.
The R9-O shotgun is not much more effective than other shotguns, but its two rapid shots per pump provide a high level of enjoyment. At the same time, a relatively high capacity makes it a compelling option as shotguns go. The M91 is a very good LMG, but yet again is not quite as good as the PKM. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the MG34 is not a very good gun, but is extremely fun to use. The HDR is reminiscent of the M91. It is a very good gun, but pales in comparison to the best gun in the sniper rifle class.
Meanwhile, the riot shield is strong enough to land in S-Tier, but still remains in A because it is boring to use and annoying to play against. However, the combat knife is downright terrible, but there is nothing more satisfying than using it to get flashy kills.
Closing off A-Tier is the new Holger-26. It is unlocked after tier 15 as one of the free rewards in Modern Warfare's new Battle Pass. The Holger is a balance between an automatic rifle and an LMG, offering a 100-round magazine, plus a fire rate and range equal to the PKM. However, it maintains a very fast reload and high mobility, making it a great choice as a primary weapon.
The Holger-26 has slightly lower damage than the PKM, but can be fully modified into a G36-C, making it a very versatile gun. The Battle Pass tiers take some work to unlock, but it is worth it for the new guns.
S-TIER
Several assault rifles fall into S-Tier because like it or not, they define the meta of Modern Warfare. The AK-47 is the last to unlock, but its high damage and satisfying feel make it worth the grind. The M4A1 is still an S-Tier weapon because of its range, accuracy, damage, and fire rate. However, it has lost its crown as the best assault rife in Modern Warfare.
The PKM is the first and best LMG in the game, while the AX-50 is the last and best sniper rifle. The .50 GS, or Desert Eagle, doesn't have much competition in the other sidearms.
The MP5 and MP7 are both great SMGs with a lot of customization, good damage, and high fun-factor. After the SMG buff and addition of more close-quarters maps leading into Season 1, they are even more compelling.
Lastly, the RAM-7 has stolen the M4A1's crown as the best weapon in Modern Warfare. It has the same damage numbers as the M4A1, but a much higher rate of fire and very controllable recoil. It trades off a bit in the way of range, but this is a negligible sacrifice. Only unlocked after tier 31 in the battle pass, it is a worthy reward.
With more content coming to Modern Warfare in the future, the balance of every gun will no doubt continue to shift. This is a good thing, as it keeps the game fresh and exciting.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is available now on PC, PS4, and Xbox One.