Best Warzone Caldera weapons: Ultimate tier list with meta loadouts
ActivisionCall of Duty Warzone’s massive list of weapons grows ever longer, but while you have a lot freedom in play, choosing the best loadout can be tricky with so many options available. Our list of the best meta weapons and strongest loadouts in Warzone Caldera will make it easier for you.
Warzone 2 is now into Season 5 but not everyone is fond of the changes, thankfully Warzone Caldera is still there for you, so you can re-experience the original Warzone in all its glory.
Of course, this means it can be difficult to figure out which gun you should be using in your matches right now as there are very few content creators still covering WZ1. Luckily, we’ve compiled five of the best Warzone guns based on their popularity in the meta, so you’ll always know which weapons to take into Caldera, Rebirth Island, or Fortune’s Keep.
We’ve even included a meta loadout alongside all of them so you can maximize the damage and potential of every weapon on the list. Without further ado, let’s check out the five best guns in Call of Duty: Warzone.
If you’re looking for Warzone 2 though, and want to know which top-tier weapons to use on Al Mazrah, be sure to check out our list of the best meta weapons and loadouts to use in Warzone 2.
Contents
- Top 5 meta Warzone weapons and loadouts, ranked
- What is the best gun in Warzone?
- List of all guns in Warzone
- Assault Rifles
- SMGs
- Sniper Rifles
- Marksman Rifles
- Shotguns
- LMGs
- Tactical Rifles
Best meta Warzone weapons, ranked
5. MP40
ActivisionAttachments
- Muzzle: Recoil Booster
- Barrel: Krausnick 317mm 04B
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Stock: Krausnick 33M Folding
- Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
- Magazine: 7.62 Gorenko 45 Round Mags
- Ammo Type: Hollow Point
- Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
- Perk 1: Brace
- Perk 2: Quick
Always one of the strongest SMGs, the MP40 stole the fifth spot and replaced the PPSh-41 on our top-five list.
This deadly SMG has a lethal TTK while also providing its user with a lot of mobility, making it ideal for players who prefer to play aggressively and take on gunfights head-on.
Just remember to run Overkill with the MP40 as it’s essential you have a longer-range weapon at your disposal. A meta sniper or AR would be perfect alongside this weapon, giving you a versatile setup overall.
If you’re looking for an alternative loadout, consider checking out our complete guide to the MP40.
4. 3-Line Rifle
Treyarch/ActivisionAttachments
- Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
- Barrel: Kovalevskaya 820mm R1MN
- Optic: 1913 Variable 4-8x
- Stock: ZAC Custom MZ
- Underbarrel: Heavy Foregrip
- Magazine: .30-06 20 Round Mags
- Ammunition: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Leather Grip
- Perk: Silent Focus
- Perk 2: On-Hand
A sniper has finally broken into the top five most popular weapons in Warzone, and of course, it’s the 3-Line Rifle.
This lethal long-range option is capable of downing enemies instantly and is top-tier on Rebirth Island and Caldera.
With the days of the Kar98k and Swiss K31 in the past, this Vanguard sniper has taken their place at the top and is definitely worth using if you enjoy picking off opponents from afar.
If you’re looking for an alternative 3-Line Rifle loadout, consider checking out our dedicated guide for the weapon.
3. XM4
Treyarch/ActivisionAttachments
- Muzzle: Suppressor
- Barrel: 13.5″ Task Force
- Optic: Microflex LED
- Ammunition: 45 Rnd
- Rear Grip: Airborne Elastic Wrap
The XM4 has broken into the top five most popular weapons in Warzone, replacing the Grau 5.56 on the list. As an AR, the XM4 is incredibly versatile and can be used in multiple ways, depending on which attachments are used on the weapon.
This loadout focuses on making the XM4 lethal at medium range, with the 13.5″ Task Force barrel and Suppressor improving the gun’s bullet velocity and damage range.
Run this setup alongside the Gorenko or MP40 and you’ll be set to dominate your opponents on Caldera.
If you’re looking for an alternative XM4 loadout, consider checking out our dedicated guide for the weapon.
2. Cooper Carbine
Attachments
- Muzzle: MX Silencer
- Barrel: 22” Cooper Custom
- Optic: SVT-40 PU Scope 3-6x
- Stock: Cooper Custom Padded
- Underbarrel: m1941 Hand Stop
- Magazine: 9mm 60 Round Drums
- Ammunition: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Polymer Grip
- Perk 1: Tight Grip
- Perk 2: Fully Loaded
Since it came into the game, the Cooper Carbine has either been an absolute beast or has occasionally had its monstrous mouth muzzled by a nerf, before being buffed into the meta again.
In Season 5 Reloaded, it’s currently the most popular AR in the game with a 9.2% pick rate and shreds opponents at medium to long range.
It has the damage of an AR and can output at the rate of an SMG, making the weapon an easy gun to consider during Warzone Season 5 Reloaded.
If you’re looking for an alternative Cooper Carbine loadout, consider checking out our dedicated guide for the weapon.
1. Armaguerra 43
Attachments
- Muzzle: Recoil Booster
- Barrel: Imerito 550mm 03P
- Optic: Slate Reflector
- Stock: Imerito TA Skeletal
- Underbarrel: SG98 Compact
- Magazine: 9mm 60 Round Mags
- Ammo Type: Lengthened
- Rear Grip: Taped Grip
- Perk 1: Hardscope
- Perk 2: Quick
A rejig at the top has seen the Armaguerra come to the fore a lot more and become recognized as CoD Warzone’s elite killer during a game.
With other weapons receiving nerfs, the Armaguerra’s ferocious SMG capabilities have been clear for all to see thanks to its great fire rate and piercing shots up close.
If you needed to know how much the Warzone community favors the weapon then look no further than its meta-pick rate, as the Armaguerra is now the number one SMG in Warzone with an eye-opening 11.7%.
If you’re looking for an alternative Armaguerra 43 loadout, head to our dedicated loadout guide for the weapon.
What is the best gun in Warzone?
Identifying the best gun in Warzone is a difficult task as everyone has their preference when it comes to picking and customizing the perfect loadout.
However, as showcased above, the Armaguerra 43 is currently the most popular weapon in the game and is considered by a lot of players as the strongest gun in the current meta.
With a deadly TTK and devastating damage at close range, it’s a lethal choice if you want a versatile weapon that can take out enemies in an instant.
All guns in Call of Duty: Warzone
Now we’ve counted down the top five best Warzone weapons in the current meta, let’s check the other available options for players in-game.
Warzone Assault Rifles
Treyarch/Activision| Weapon | Description | Guide |
| FAL | Semi-automatic Assault Rifle capable of taking out enemies effectively at medium range. | Loadout/Class |
| Kilo 141 | Fully automatic Assault Rifle with a steady rate of fire and a manageable recoil pattern. | Loadout/Class |
| KG M40 | Fully automatic workhorse Assault Rifle. | Loadout/Class |
| Vargo-S | Full auto AR that trades firepower for improved accuracy and fire rate. | Loadout/Class |
| M4A1 | Fully automatic battle rifle, most effective at medium to long range with the correct attachments. | Loadout/Class |
| FR 5.56 | A three-round burst Assault Rifle that’s most effective in medium-range gunfights. | Loadout/Class |
| Oden | Fully automatic hard-hitting battle rifle with a slow rate of fire. | Loadout/Class |
| M13 | Fully automatic Assault Rifle with a high rate of fire and a low recoil pattern. | Loadout/Class |
| FN Scar 17 | Large caliber automatic Assault Rifle that’s effective in long-range gunfights. | Loadout/Class |
| AK-47 (Modern Warfare) | High damage automatic Assault Rifle with a heavy recoil pattern. | Loadout/Class |
| RAM-7 | Fully automatic bullpup Assault Rifle that’s effective in close-quarter gunfights. | Loadout/Class |
| Grau 5.56 | Fully automatic lightweight Assault Rifle that allows players to stay constantly on the move. | Loadout/Class |
| CR-56 AMAX | Compact fully automatic Assault Rifle built for mid-range gunfights. | Loadout/Class |
| FARA 83 | Automatic Assault Rifle with a high rate of fire that’s effective at medium to long range. | Loadout/Class |
| FFAR 1 | High fire rate Assault Rifle with fast reload speeds and deadly damage at medium range. | Loadout/Class |
| AK-47 (Cold War) | Fully automatic high damage Assault Rifle with a slower rate of fire that’s effective in short to medium-range gunfights. | Loadout/Class |
| Groza | Automatic Assault Rifle with a fast fire rate that deals consistent damage at range. | Loadout/Class |
| Krig 6 | Fully automatic Assault Rifle with incredible accuracy and a fast reload speed. | Loadout/Class |
| XM4 | Automatic rifle with reliable damage and manageable recoil control when firing. | Loadout/Class |
| AN-94 | High damage Assault Rifle with a unique hyperburst feature that gives the user the upper hand in gunfights. | Loadout/Class |
| AS VAL | Integrally suppressed fully automatic Assault Rifle built for stealth and close-quarter combat. | Loadout/Class |
| QBZ-83 | Fully automatic Assault Rifle with fast handling speed and increased mobility. | Loadout/Class |
| C58 | Full-auto Assault Rifle with high damage at close range with a slower fire rate. | Loadout/Class |
| EM2 | Well-rounded British rifle with good firing control. | Loadout/Class |
| STG44 | Versatile Assault Rifle adaptable to any situation. | Loadout/Class |
| Automaton | Automatic rifle with steady fire rate and is deadly at mid to long-range engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| BAR | High-caliber full-auto with accuracy for long-distance engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| Cooper Carbine | This short-range AR is easy to control with a fast fire rate. | Loadout/Class |
| AS44 | Fast-firing full-auto Assault Rifle ideal for close to mid-range engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| Vargo 52 | Full-auto Assault Rifle with good damage at mid-range with a fast fire rate, improved muzzle velocity, and reliable handling for steady firing control. | Loadout/Class |
| Nikita AVT | Full-auto Assault Rifle with the best-in-class fire rate in Vanguard. | Loadout/Class |
Warzone SMGs
Activision| Weapon | Description | Guide |
| AK-74u | Fully automatic SMG that offers consistent damage and reliable weapon control. | Loadout/Class |
| KSP 45 | 3-round burst SMG that provides high damage at moderate range and was released with Black Ops Cold War. | Loadout/Class |
| H4 Blixen | Favored by Special Operations Forces, this hard-hitting SMG offers mobility and accuracy in medium-range engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| Marco 5 | A high mobility Submachine Gun, accurate from the hip with excellent close-range stopping power. | Loadout/Class |
| UGR | Full-auto underwater Submachine Gun modified for improved land performance. Fire 5.66mm steel darts with moderate bullet velocity. | Loadout/Class |
| LAPA | Full-auto lightweight Submachine Gun prototype with reliable damage and good firing control | Loadout/Class |
| Striker 45 | Hard-hitting SMG that is capable of shredding enemies at long distances with great aim. | Loadout/Class |
| MP5 (Cold War) | Fully automatic SMG with a fast fire rate and low recoil. | Loadout/Class |
| Milano 821 | Fully automatic SMG with a slow rate of fire that offers a manageable recoil pattern. | Loadout/Class |
| P90 | Automatic SMG with an incredibly high rate of fire that thrives at close quarters. | Loadout/Class |
| Uzi | Fully automatic open bolt SMG that’s both lightweight and mobile. | Loadout/Class |
| MP7 | Compact fully automatic SMG with a high rate of fire and minimal recoil. | Loadout/Class |
| LC10 | Well-rounded fully automatic SMG with great accuracy and impressive muzzle velocity. | Loadout/Class |
| Bizon | Fully automatic SMG with reliable damage and a large ammo pool. | Loadout/Class |
| AUG (Modern Warfare) | Modular fully automatic SMG designed for mobility and control. | Loadout/Class |
| MP5 (Modern Warfare) | A balanced fully automatic SMG with consistent damage and manageable recoil. | Loadout/Class |
| Bullfrog | Fully automatic SMG with improved range and a less accurate hip-fire spread. | Loadout/Class |
| Fennec | Fully automatic SMG with an insanely high fire rate and a smooth recoil pattern. | Loadout/Class |
| MAC-10 | High damage fully automatic SMG with a fast fire rate and heavy vertical recoil. | Loadout/Class |
| ISO | Precise SMG with a fast rate of fire that thrives in close-quarter engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| PPSh-41 | Full auto SMG with a fast rate of fire and a large bullet spread. | Loadout/Class |
| CX-9 | High fire rate SMG with excellent maneuverability. | Loadout/Class |
| TEC-9 | Semi-automatic SMG with high accuracy and minimal recoil. | Loadout/Class |
| MP40 | Workhorse SMG is suited to all short to medium-range engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| Owen Gun | High-caliber full-auto SMG with accuracy for medium ranges. | Loadout/Class |
| STEN | High-mobility full-auto SMG ideal for flanking enemy positions. | Loadout/Class |
| Welgun | Heavy full-auto SMG with lethality and range for short- to medium-range engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| Armaguerra 43 | Very high rate-of-fire SMG. Effective at short to medium-range engagements. | Loadout/Class |
Warzone Sniper Rifles
Treyarch/Activision| Weapon | Description | Guide |
| ZRG 20MM | Newly released bolt action Sniper Rifle with deadly damage at long range. | Loadout/Class |
| Rytec AMR | High-damage semi-automatic Sniper Rifle that’s dominant at long range. | Loadout/Class |
| Dragunov | Semi-automatic Sniper Rifle that thrives at medium to long range and has featured in countless Call of Duty titles. | – |
| HDR | Anti-material bolt action Sniper Rifle that’s devastating at long-range. | Loadout/Class |
| AX-50 | Hard-hitting bolt action Sniper Rifle that requires a precise aim at long distances. | Loadout/Class |
| Pelington 703 | Bolt action Sniper Rifle that offers mobility and a fast re-chamber speed. | Loadout/Class |
| LW3 Tundra | Bolt Action Sniper Rifle with high damage output and moderate sway. | Loadout/Class |
| M82 | Harding hitting Sniper Rifle with heavy recoil and slow handling. | Loadout/Class |
| Swiss K31 | Straight pull bolt action Sniper Rifle that does high damage at long range. | Loadout/Class |
Warzone Marksman Rifles
Treyarch/Activision| Weapon | Description | Guide |
| EBR-14 | Semi-automatic long-range battle rifle that’s lethal if the user can land multiple shots on their opponent. | – |
| R1 Shadowhunter | Black Ops Cold War Crossbow that launches lethal bolt projectiles that rewards a player with great aim. | – |
| Kar98k | High damage bolt action rifle that remains one of the most popular weapons in Warzone. | Loadout/Class |
| MK2 Carbine | Accurate lever-action rifle capable of taking out an enemy with a well-aimed shot. | – |
| Crossbow | Silent and deadly crossbow capable of one-shotting enemies if players have a good enough aim. | – |
| SKS | Lightweight semi-automatic Carbine rifle that focuses on utility over accuracy. | – |
| SP-R 208 | Hard-hitting bolt action rifle that’s precise and deadly at long range with a scope. | Loadout/Class |
Warzone Shotguns
Raven Software| Weapon | Description | Guide |
| Jak-12 | Fully automatic open bolt Shotgun that’s incredibly effective in close engagements. | Loadout/Class |
| Gallo SA12 | Semi-automatic Shotgun with reliable damage and pellet spread. | Loadout/Class |
| Streetsweeper | Burst fire high damage tactical rifle with a built-in optic that provides 1.5x magnification. | Loadout/Class |
| Origin 12 | Semi-automatic Shotgun with large ammo capacity for nonstop fire. | Loadout/Class |
| R9-0 | Double-Barrel Shotgun that fires two rapid shots before each re-chamber | Loadout/Class |
| VLK Rogue | Agile 12-gauge Shotgun with incredible mobility and range capabilities. | Loadout/Class |
| 725 | Break action Shotgun with a two-round capacity that’s lethal at extended ranges. | – |
| Model 680 | Pump-action Shotgun that’s reliable and effective in close-quarter gunfights. | – |
| Hauer 77 | High-damage pump-action Shotgun that’s capable of one-shotting enemies at close range. | – |
Warzone LMGs
Raven Software| Weapon | Description | Guide |
| PKM | Fully automatic high-power LMG that’s effective at medium to long range. | Loadout/Class |
| SA87 | Fully automatic bullpup Light Machine Gun with a lower rate of fire that keeps the recoil low. | Loadout/Class |
| UGM-8 | High fire rate, mobile LMG that excels at creating suppressing fire and pushing enemy positions. | Loadout/Class |
| M91 | Heavy LMG that’s stable and effective in long-range engagements but lacks mobility. | Loadout/Class |
| MG34 | Fully automatic LMG with a high rate of fire and a heavy recoil pattern. | – |
| Holger-26 | Versatile LMG that’s designed for a broad range of engagements and effective at all ranges. | – |
| Bruen | Open bolt fully automatic LMG that provides a fast rate of fire and great stability. | Loadout/Class |
| FiNN | Ultra-light automatic LMG with a low fire rate and advanced recoil control. | Loadout/Class |
| Stoner 63 | Fully automatic LMG with a solid fire rate and a large ammo capacity. | Loadout/Class |
| RPD | High-damage LMG with great handling speed and a heavy recoil pattern that’s featured in countless Call of Duty titles. | Loadout/Class |
| M60 | Fully automatic LMG with solid ammo capacity and a slower rate of fire for excellent stability. | – |
| MG 82 | Fully automatic LMG with a manageable recoil pattern and high damage at medium range. | Loadout/Class |
| RAAL MG | The Reconnaissance Auxiliary Assault Lightweight Machine Gun uses a low fire rate and a reciprocating barrel. | Loadout/Class |
| Bren | Full-auto LMG with accurate initial fire, recoil becomes difficult to control with sustained fire. | Loadout/Class |
| Type 11 | Lighter LMG offers additional maneuverability to reposition during battle. | Loadout/Class |
| Whitley | Heavy long-range machine gun, cumbersome but consistent. | Loadout/Class |
Warzone Tactical Rifles
Raven Software| Weapon | Description | Guide |
| M16 | Burst fire Tactical Rifle and deadly accurate while a player is aiming down sight. | Loadout/Class |
| DMR-14 | Semi-automatic Tactical Rifle with a high fire rate and low recoil. | Loadout/Class |
| AUG (Cold War) | Burst fire high damage Tactical Rifle with a built-in optic that provides 1.5x magnification. | Loadout/Class |
| Type 63 | Semi-automatic Tactical Rifle with a low rate of fire and improved stability at long-range | Loadout/Class |
| M1916 | Semi-automatic Vanguard rifle that’s deadly accurate and deals reliable damage. | Loadout/Class |
This list should help you find the best gun in Warzone that suits your playstyle and allows you to dominate your opponents.
Although choosing meta weapons is key if you’re looking for every possible advantage, your primary focus should be finding a gun you enjoy using.
Don’t forget to try a bunch of the loadouts above and see which ones help you pick up the most kills. If you’re looking to stay on top of all the latest Warzone and Warzone 2 news and leaks, check out our dedicated Call of Duty home page.