In this guide, we’ll break down our list of the best Warzone 2 loadouts, including the top eight builds in the current season. Each build includes the two guns you should use, their respective attachments, and the perks and equipment that you’ll need.
Best Warzone 2 loadout builds
With more than 40 weapons currently available in Call Of Duty’s latest Battle Royale, it’s understandable if the meta feels a bit confusing. Fortunately, we’ve dropped into Al Mazrah more times than we can count, and we’ve tested a lot of guns along the way. Below, you’ll find eight loadouts that we’ve carefully curated to help you get plenty of Warzone 2 wins in 2023. These are the best Warzone 2 loadouts right now: Below we’ll walk you through each of these weapon combinations and the ideal attachments you need to turn them into the very best Warzone 2 loadouts available in the current meta.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #1: RPK + Fennec 45
We didn’t rate the RPK very high when Warzone 2 dropped back in November, but it’s since become one of the top guns in the current meta. It’s an LMG, so expect it to feel clunky, but it’s also capable of dropping enemies at incredible speed. It’s also easy to control, ensuring that you can drop enemies at range without breaking a sweat. The attachments listed below, taken from our best RPK loadout in Warzone 2, will push it even further, making the RPK one of the top weapons in Warzone 2. RPK attachments:
Muzzle: Lockshot KT85 (Unlock at RPK lvl 9) Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56 (Unlock at Lachmann-762 lvl 6) Magazine: 40 Round Mag (Unlock at TAQ-56 lvl 7) Rear Grip: Demo-X2 Grip (Unlock at RPK lvl 18) Optic: SZ Holotherm (Unlock at PDSW 528 lvl 12)
The RPK is a monster at longer-ranges, but its slow handling speed will make it hard to compete in close-quarters engagements. That’s why we recommend the Fennec 45 as your secondary, as its lightning-fast speed will down opponents before they can even react. You’ll find our list of attachments, taken from our guide on the best Fennec 45 loadout in Warzone 2, below: Fennec 45 attachments:
Muzzle: AVR-T90 Comp (Unlock at Vaznev-9K lvl 4) Barrel: ZLR 16.5" Ignition Barrel (Unlock at Fennec 45 lvl 14) Underbarrel: Agent Grip (Unlock at X13 Auto lvl 17) Magazine: Fennec Mag 45 (Unlock at Fennec 45 lvl 15) Optic: Cronen Mini Pro (Unlock at Expedite 12 lvl 7)
With the RPK and Fennec 45 put together, you’ll be able to bag some easy wins in Al Mazrah. However, perks and explosives might still give your enemies the upper hand if you run in without considering the best gear. Fortunately, you’ll find a list of the best perks and equipment for this loadout below:
Perk Package: Warden Perk 1: Double Time Perk 2: Strong Arm Bonus Perk: Fast Hands Ultimate Perk: Overclock Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
With the Warden perk package, you’ll make use of some of Warzone 2’s best perks, with Double Time and Fast Hands being the most notable. These will let you tactical sprint for longer, along with helping you reload and swap weapons faster. Whether you’re running and gunning with the Fennec 45 or reloading the RPK after gunning down a squad, these perks are sure to keep you at the top of your game.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #2: Victus XMR + BAS-P
This Warzone 2 loadout is perfect for the extended ranges at which you’ll encounter enemies in Warzone 2. The Victus XMR is the best Sniper Rifle in Warzone 2 thanks to its extreme stopping power over long distances, and with the below attachments (taken from our Warzone 2 Victus XMR loadout guide) we’ve ramped up its effectiveness over those extreme distances so you can wipe out whole squads from afar. Victus XMR attachments:
Muzzle: Bruen Counter-Ops (Unlock at Victus XMR lvl 21) Barrel: Mack 8 33.5 Super (Unlock at Victus XMR lvl 3) Laser: VLK LZR 7MW (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 5) Ammunition: .50 Cal High Velocity (Unlock at Victus XMR lvl 9) Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip (Unlock at Sakin MG38 lvl 3)
We’ve paired it with the BAS-P, which ranks high on our list of the best SMGs in Warzone 2. The BAS-P (which debuted alongside the Victus in Season 1) is a formidable short-range weapon with the right attachments, and in fact features the highest accuracy in its class. As a short-range alternative for the Victus XMR as the circle shrinks further, the BAS-P is certainly worth using. BAS-P attachments:
Barrel: 10.5" Bruen Typhon (unlock at BAS-P lvl 23) Laser: VLK LZR 7MW (unlock at STB 556 lvl 5) Magazine: 50 Round Drum (unlock at TAQ-V lvl 20) Rear Grip: D37 Grip (unlock at BAS-P lvl 12) Underbarrel: FSS Sharkfin 90 (unlock at M4 lvl 6)
For more details check out our Warzone 2 BAS-P loadout guide; but suffice it to say that these two weapons together make you a very intimidating force at long-distance fights while also keeping you competitive at closer ranges. Of course, you’ll also need to come equipped with the best perks and equipment for this loadout, which we’ll list below:
Perk Package: Specter Perk 1: Double Time Perk 2: Tracker Bonus Perk: Spotter Ultimate Perk: Ghost Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
If your game plan consists of sniping from afar and dashing between cover with your SMG equipped, then Specter is the perk package for you. It increases your tactical sprint duration and helps you find enemies easily by following their footprints, but it also ensures that you can remain hidden when sniping from the safety of your perch.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #3: Signal 50 + Kastov-74U
The Signal 50 is another extremely potent Sniper Rifle, capable of firing off multiple shots in a startlingly short space of time. We’ve attached the longest Barrel to it for this loadout, along with an extended magazine and some recoil stabilizing attachments which make it child’s play to land your follow-up shots until the enemy is sent to the Gulag. Learn more about this phenomenal gun with our Warzone 2 Signal 50 loadout guide. Signal 50 attachments:
Barrel: 29" TV Kilo-50 (Unlock at Signal 50 lvl 15) Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56 (Unlock at Lachmann-762 lvl 6) Magazine: 7 Round Magazine (Unlock at Signal 50 lvl 10) Stock: FSS Echo Stock (Unlock at Signal 50 lvl 4) Rear Grip: SA Finesse Grip (Unlock at Signal 50 lvl 20)
In our mind the ideal pairing with the Signal 50 is the ultra-powerful Kastov-74U. It’s the hardest-hitting Assault Rifle in the game in terms of damage-per-shot, and its handling and mobility puts you more in mind of an SMG than an AR, allowing you to stay on the move despite the heavy Sniper Rifle on your back. With the attachments in our Warzone 2 Kastov-74U loadout guide you’ll find it very easy to mop up enemies in close quarters or mid-range. Kastov-74U attachments:
Barrel: Shorttac 330mm (Unlock at Kastov-74U lvl 16) Underbarrel: Phase-3 Grip (Unlock at Vaznev-9K lvl 9) Ammunition: 5.45 High Velocity (Unlock at Kastov 545 lvl 15) Magazine: 45 Round Mag (Unlock at M4 lvl 5) Optic: Cronen Mini Pro (Unlock at Expedite 12 lvl 7)
The Signal 50 allows you to initiate fights with a barrage of quick-firing shots that are likely to drop at least one opponent; while the Kastov-74U gives you the speed and close-range dominance you need to close the gap between you and the enemy team, and end the fight before they’ve had a chance to recover from your sniper shots. However, you’ll need the following perks and equipment to really hit your stride with this loadout:
Perk Package: Specter Perk 1: Double Time Perk 2: Tracker Bonus Perk: Spotter Ultimate Perk: Ghost Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
For a loadout with such a mix of short- and long-range power, a versatile perk package such as Specter is key. Ghost will ensure that you can stay hidden while picking off enemies, but the shrinking circle will force you closer to enemies. As this happens, Double Time will help you quickly dart between cover, while Tracker reveals enemy footprints so that you’re always ready to find and kill another enemy.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #4: MCPR-300 + Kastov 762
This loadout is built primarily for very strong mid-range play and versatility. The MCPR-300 is worthy of inclusion in this list despite its very slight inferiority to the Victus XMR, because they’re almost the same weapon. The MCPR-300 features lower chest damage and slightly lower range, but its handling speeds are crucially a little higher than the Victus’s, which is perfect for this particular loadout setup. Here we’ve followed the advice in our own Warzone 2 MCPR-300 loadout guide and attached a smaller scope to improve the gun’s ADS speed and make it more effective at mid-range quickscoping. MCPR-300 attachments:
Muzzle: Bruen Agent 90 (Unlock at Signal 50 lvl 8) Barrel: 22" OMX-456 (Unlock at MCPR-300 lvl 11) Magazine: 5 Round Mag (Unlock at FTAC Recon lvl 3) Rear Grip: Cronen Cheetah Grip (Unlock at MCPR-300 lvl 7) Optic: Forge Tac Delta 4 (Unlock at 556 Icarus lvl 9)
The MCPR-300’s added effectiveness at mid-range allows us to pick a secondary weapon with a slightly lower effective range: the Kastov 762. This gun is extremely strong, with a very similar damage profile to its cousin, the Kastov-74U. It’s slower-handling, but has the range of an Assault Rifle rather than an SMG. It can be kitted out for even greater range, but instead we like to focus on pure recoil control, to help mitigate the Kastov 762’s biggest issue. Kastov 762 attachments:
Muzzle: TY-LR8 (Unlock at SA-B 50 lvl 17) Barrel: IG-K30 406mm (Unlock at Kastov 545 lvl 5) Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56 (Unlock at Lachmann-762 lvl 6) Ammunition: 7.62 High Velocity (Unlock at Lachmann-762 lvl 12) Optic: Cronen Mini Pro (Unlock at Expedite 12 lvl 7)
If you follow the choices we’ve made in our Warzone 2 Kastov 762 loadout guide, you’ll end up with a dangerously powerful close-to-mid-range rifle that is far more controllable than its default self, while the MCPR-300 is extremely effective at both long and mid-range. As in the above sniper loadouts, we’d recommend the following list of perks and equipment:
Perk Package: Specter Perk 1: Double Time Perk 2: Tracker Bonus Perk: Spotter Ultimate Perk: Ghost Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
Since this loadout tailors itself for medium-long range, the Specter perk package is an obvious fit. It helps you hide from UAVs while picking off enemies from afar, but also makes it easy to track those roaming nearby for some easy close-quarters kills. Double Time is also generally helpful in Warzone 2, as it keeps you at top speed so that you can dash towards the next circle with less risk.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #5: Raal MG + Vaznev-9k
Rounding off our loadouts guide is this unusual but extremely powerful combination of weapons. The Raal MG is the best LMG in Warzone 2 without question. It’s extremely hard-hitting, surprisingly accurate, and very forgiving over range - particularly with the attachments below, which you can read more about in our Warzone 2 Raal MG loadout guide. Raal MG attachments:
Muzzle: Cronen DM338 (Unlock at MCPR-300 lvl 23) Underbarrel: SA Side Grip (Unlock at Raal MG lvl 19) Ammunition: .338 Mag High Velocity (Unlock at Raal MG lvl 7) Magazine: 50 Round Belt Mag (Unlock at Raal MG lvl 24) Optic: SZ Holotherm (Unlock at PDSW 528 lvl 12)
The Raal MG sorts out our mid-range effectiveness, but we need to counteract its weight with a very nippy close-quarters option. Enter the Vaznev-9k - one of the fastest-firing and lightest guns in Warzone 2. With the attachments in our Warzone 2 Vaznev-9k loadout guide, you can turn the Vaznev into a close-quarters beast that is forgiving towards you but punishing towards enemies that get near. Vaznev-9k attachments:
Muzzle: XTEN RR-40 (Unlock at PDSW-528 lvl 13) Laser: SZ 1MW PEQ (Unlock at SP-R 208 lvl 2) Magazine: 45 Round Mag (Unlock at Vaznev-9K lvl 11) Rear Grip: Demo-X2 Grip (Unlock at RPK lvl 18) Stock: FT Tac-Elite Stock (Unlock at Kastov 545 lvl 17)
By pairing this short-medium range Vaznev-9k setup with the longer-range Raal MG, you should be set for firefights at any distance. However, guns alone won’t carry you to victory. Below, you’ll find the best perks and equipment to use in this loadout:
Perk Package: Sentinel Perk 1: Battle Hardened Perk 2: Bomb Squad Bonus Perk: Cold-Blooded Ultimate Perk: Overclock Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
Battle Hardened and Bomb Squad are particularly beginner friendly, giving you increased protection from a variety of lethal and tactical grenades. If you’re using your Raal MG like a juggernaut to tank through an enemy squad, then that extra padding is sure to come in handy. Cold-Blooded is a great bonus, helping you remain hidden from enemy thermals so that you don’t get pinged across the map by a pesky sniper.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #6: STB 556 + Lachmann Sub
The STB 556, or AUG, is another rifle you’ll likely see pop up in many players’ builds. Here it’s used as the long-ranged option, kitted out to be as strong and hitscan-esque as possible so you can burst down enemies 100 metres away without too much trouble for an automatic weapon. STB 556 attachments:
Muzzle: Harbinger D20 (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 18) Barrel: 24.4" Bruen S-620 (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 14) Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56 (Unlock at Lachmann-762 lvl 6) Ammunition: 5.56 High Velocity (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 7) Optic: Schlager 4X (Unlock at Rapp H lvl 12)
The Lachmann Sub, or MP5, is another extremely powerful SMG in Warzone 2, and while it doesn’t quite have the range of the FSS Hurricane, it’s not really an issue when your other weapon is the extremely accurate and precise STB 556. The Lachmann Sub has a very competitive time-to-kill and DPS, as you’ll see if you check out our Warzone 2 weapon stats tables - and with the below attachments it can become very nippy and controllable as well. Lachmann Sub attachments:
Muzzle: AVR-T90 Comp (Unlock at Vaznev-9K lvl 4) Laser: VLK LZR 7MW (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 5) Underbarrel: Phase-3 Grip (Unlock at Vaznev-9K lvl 9) Magazine: 40 Round Mag (Unlock at TAQ-56 lvl 7) Stock: FT Mobile Stock (Unlock at Rapp H lvl 10)
With attachments taken from our Warzone 2 MP5 loadout guide to increase mobility, hipfire accuracy, and magazine capacity, the Lachmann Sub is capable of mitigating the STB 556’s one weakness and shredding enemies in close quarters. This means you have a loadout of two very effective automatic weapons that are extremely effective at their respective ranges and can work decently outside of those ranges too if you run out of bullets with one and have to quickly fall back on the other. However, these weapons alone might not be enough, so you’ll also find a list of the perks and equipment that you should use in this loadout below:
Perk Package: Specter Perk 1: Double Time Perk 2: Tracker Bonus Perk: Spotter Ultimate Perk: Ghost Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
For the run-and-gun playstyle, few perk packages are better than Specter. Double Time and Tracker will help you keep hot on the heels of your enemies, while Ghost helps you hide from their UAVs and other tracking equipment. These perks combine to make you a seasoned hunter in Al Mazrah, which is sure to help you score some extra wins.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #7: TAQ-56 + Vel 46
The TAQ-56 is a formidable Assault Rifle and it’s become a favourite in Warzone 2. It’s light, easy to control, and powerful at range, making it an excellent gun in the current meta. We can make those stats even better with the following attachments, which we’ve grabbed from our guide on the best TAQ-56 loadout in Warzone 2. TAQ-56 attachments:
Muzzle: Harbinger D20 (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 18) Underbarrel: Phase-3 Grip (Unlock at Vaznev-9K lvl 9) Ammunition: 5.56 High Velocity (Unlock at TAQ-M lvl 6) Magazine: 40 Round Mag (Unlock at TAQ-56 lvl 7) Optic: SZ Holotherm (Unlock at PDSW 528 lvl 12)
By rounding off this loadout with the Vel 46, our mission with this particular class setup becomes clear. This is a build that is meant to be versatile and effective particularly at any range, so that you’re ready for any scenario in Warzone 2. With the following attachments from our VEL 46 Warzone 2 loadout, the Vel 46 is a reliable secondary to wield when the circle gets smaller and your enemies get closer. VEL 46 attachments:
Muzzle: AVR-T90 Comp (Unlock at Vaznev-9K lvl 4) Laser: VLK LZR 7MW (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 5) Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56 (Unlock at Lachmann-762 lvl 6) Stock: LM Precision Stock (Unlock at VEL 46 lvl 23) Rear Grip: Schlager Soldier Grip (Unlock at VEL 46 lvl 25)
Together these guns make for a loadout that can very quickly delete enemies at long range, without weighing you down too much with extremely heavy weapon options. The VEL 46 is meant for running-and-gunning, while the TAQ-56 is perfect for stopping to land some easy hits at a distance. However, a versatile set of guns isn’t enough to get you a win. To come out on top, you’ll also need to consult the following list of the best perks and equipment for this build:
Perk Package: Specter Perk 1: Double Time Perk 2: Tracker Bonus Perk: Spotter Ultimate Perk: Ghost Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
The Specter perk package is one of the best in Warzone 2, as you can likely tell from its frequent occurence throughout this list. Double Time will keep you moving at max speed while running around with your Vel 46, and Tracker makes it incredibly easy to find and hunt enemies. This package also comes with the Ghost ultimate, which is one of the top perks in Warzone 2, as it keeps you hidden from enemy UAVs.
Best Warzone 2 loadout #8: M4 and SP-X 80
The M4 is a wonderfully familiar and highly customisable AR, which we’ve configured below for maximum effectiveness over range. This will be our long-ranged option, and while it’s not going to be very strong at sniper distances, it provides the perfect backbone for a powerful mid-range build. Learn more about the M4 and its capabilities with our Warzone 2 M4 loadout guide. M4 attachments:
Muzzle: XTEN Havoc 90 (Unlock at Kastov 545 lvl 8) Barrel: Hightower 20" Barrel (Unlock at M4 lvl 15) Underbarrel: FTAC Ripper 56 (Unlock at Lachmann-762 lvl 6) Ammunition: 5.56 High Velocity (Unlock at STB 556 lvl 7) Optic: SZ Holotherm (Unlock at PDSW 528 lvl 12)
Because the M4 is so versatile and effective at most ranges, we can afford to take a specialised long-range weapon as our secondary. The SP-X 80 is a great Sniper Rifle option for those who don’t get on with the weighty Signal 50 or MCPR-300. It’s lighter and less damaging, but still a very effective rifle over Warzone 2’s long distances, particularly when you push the bullet velocity and effective range as much as possible as we’ve done in our Warzone 2 SP-X 80 loadout guide. SP-X 80 attachments:
Muzzle: Bruen Agent 90 (Unlock at Signal 50 lvl 8) Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser (Unlock at EBR-14 lvl 10) Ammunition: .300 High Velocity (Unlock at MCPR-300 lvl 17) Magazine: 8-Round Magazine (Unlock at SP-X 80 lvl 18) Optic: Schlager 3.4X (Unlock at Rapp H lvl 12)
By pairing the M4 and SP-X 80, we’ve created a loadout that is remarkably easy to use, making it perfect for beginners. However, it isn’t complete without a set of perks and equipment, which you can find below:
Perk Package: Specter Perk 1: Double Time Perk 2: Tracker Bonus Perk: Spotter Ultimate Perk: Ghost Lethal Equipment: C4 Tactical Equipment: Heartbeat Sensor
Surprise! Or rather, not at all a surprise if you’ve checked out the other Warzone 2 builds on this list. Specter is that good, though, and the combo of Double Time, Tracker, and Ghost strikes a strong balance between keeping you hidden from enemies and making them easy to find. That blend makes it a great package for survivability, and that’s the name of the game if you want to win in Warzone 2. With that, we’ll bring to a close our list of the best Warzone 2 loadouts that you can call down in the middle of a match. If you want to substitute any of the above guns with another, then take a look at our Warzone 2 best guns tier list to see which weapons are the most viable and competitive right now. Activision Blizzard are currently the subject of a number of legal actions, labour disputes and allegations of workplace harassment. Rock Paper Shotgun will continue to write about these issues, as well as covering Activision Blizzard games as part of our commitment to cover subjects of interest to our readers. The latest news can always be found under our Activision Blizzard tag.
