Activision Blizzard is currently under investigation following accusations of harassment, discrimination, and fostering a hostile work environment. You can read more about the investigation here.
Warzone‘s long-awaited Pacific update is finally here, which means that it’s time to take a look at which of the updates new guns are dominating the battle royale’s new map and new meta.
While we’re used to seeing Warzone balance updates that change the game’s competitive dynamic, it’s not an exaggeration to say that the Pacific update essentially makes Warzone an entirely new game. There are a few weapons and strategies that remain as viable as ever, but the influx of new guns (as well as some major balance updates) means that you’re going to want to take some time to get the lay of the land before diving into Caldera.
So far as that goes, here are the absolute best guns available in Warzone at the moment.
Call of Duty Warzone Pacific Season 1: Best Guns
STG 44
There’s a healthy debate about the best assault rifle in Warzone at the moment, but my vote goes to the STG 44.
This is really one of those cases where a well-balanced weapon feels more powerful than it may technically be. The STG 44 is reliable at mid-to-long ranges and features a nice blend of speed and power that makes it surprisingly reliable in close-range scenarios as well. This isn’t a traditionally “dominant” Warzone weapon, but it’s too reliable to possibly ignore.
Mac-10
Again, there are several good SMGs in Warzone at the moment, but if you’re looking for something familiar that won’t let you down when it comes to power, then you’re looking for the Mac-10.
The Mac-10 is pretty much as good as it ever was, which means that it’s deadly accurate when hip firing, incredibly fast, and generally benefits from its relatively low recoil. You’re obviously not going to be able to rely on this gun at long ranges, but it absolutely shreds in most other scenarios.
DP-27
The DP-27 may be the new LMG on the block, but it’s already being compared to some of that weapon class’ best guns.
This thing may be borderline useless at any kind of distance, but it melts through anything that dares to get close to the person holding it. It’s hard to imagine any other gun “beating” this one at close ranges in a relatively fair fight.
DMR 14
While the DMR 14 will never reach the “broken” heights it once enjoyed, this tactical rifle is still a fantastic mid-to-long range option.
The DMR 14 is much more accurate than it’s been in some recent seasons, and its low recoil means that you can occasionally get away with “pushing” this gun’s ideal range in order to pull off some impressive shots.
Automaton
If the STG 44 isn’t the best assault rifle in Warzone at the moment, then the Automaton may just end up being the gun that steals that crown.
Much like the STG 44, the Automaton is accurate at slightly longer ranges and reliable enough to turn to in just about every scenario. However, the Automaton arguably separates itself from the pack by virtue of its power potential and slightly quicker TTK. It could just be the best overall weapon in the game.
NZ-41
On the surface, the NZ-41 brutal recoil makes it less desirable than the STG 44 and Automaton.
However, if you manage to slap the right attachments on this thing (which we’ll talk about soon), it’s possible to lower the recoil just enough to really appreciate just how powerful this gun really is. I don’t know if it’s the best AR in the game, but it might become your favorite.
OTS 9
The OTS 9 was making a strong case for itself as the best SMG in Warzone prior to the release of the Pacific update, and it’s arguably still the best weapon in that particular class.
While I prefer other SMG options at close ranges, the OTS 9’s longer-range capabilities make it easier to effectively use it in a greater variety of scenarios.
BAR
I understand why people are sleeping on the BAR considering how many other great AR options are currently available, but don’t overlook this gun until you’ve tried it for yourself.
The BAR boasts the kind of TTK potential that you can’t possibly overlook. In fact, I’d argue that it’s worth sacrificing the “reliability” you get with other guns to take advantage of this thing’s rapid firing rate and incredible stopping power.
Kar98k
I’m starting to get tired of recommending the Kar98k update after update, but the fact of the matter is that there’s no gun that does what this one does.
The Kar98 is a perfectly balanced weapon that challenges you to pull off accurate shots at longer ranges and rewards your efforts with one of the most consistently powerful rifles in the game. It really is worth mastering this gun’s learning curve to get the most out of it.
PPSH-41
The PPSH-41 is the kind of SMG that gives you exactly what you’d expect from this weapon class. It’s fast, it’s powerful, and it is devastating at close ranges.
What really impresses me about this gun, though, is that it’s surprisingly capable in mid-range encounters as well. I think that it lags behind some slightly better overall options, but this is another one of those Warzone guns that you might end up falling in love with.
Call of Duty Warzone Pacific Season 1: Best Loadouts and Attachments
While some Warzone guns work surprisingly well in their stock forms, you’re going to want to outfit the game’s best guns with the right attachments to really see what they can do.
STG – 44
Muzzle: MX Silencer
Barrel: VDD 760mm 05B
Optic: G16 2.5x
Stock: VDD 34S Weighted
Underbarrel: M1930 Strife Angled
Magazine: 8mm Kurz 45 Round Drum
Ammunition: Lengthened
Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
Mac-10
Muzzle: Agency Suppressor
Barrel: 5.9″ Task Force Barrel
Stock: Raider Stock
Grip: Field Agent Grip
Magazine: STANAG 53 Rnd Drum Mag
DP-27
Muzzle: MX Silencer
Barrel: Kovalevskaya 604mm
Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop/li>
Optic: ZF4 3.5x Rifle Scope
Magazine: 7.62x54MMR 105 Round Pans
Ammunition: Lengthened
Grip: Rubber Grip
Stock: ZAC S2M
DMR 14
Muzzle: Agency Suppressor
Barrel: 20.8” Task Force
Optic: Royal & Kross 4x
Ammunition: Salvo 40 Rnd Fast Mag
Rear Grip: Airborne Elastic Wrap
Automaton
Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
Barrel: ZAC 600mm BFA
Optic: G16 2.5x
Stock: Anastasia Padded
Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
Magazine: 6.5mm Sakura 75 Round Drum
Ammunition: Lengthened
Rear Grip: Pine Tar Grip
NZ-41
Muzzle: MX Silencer
Barrel: Orbweaver 360mm BC
Optic: G16 2.5x
Stock: Ravenwood Padded
Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
Magazine: 5mm Sakura 45 Round Mags
Ammunition: Lengethened
Rear Grip: Polymer Grip
OTS 9
Muzzle: GRU Suppressor
Barrel: 8.1” Task Force
Grip: Spetsnaz Grip
Magazine: Spetsnaz 40 Rnd Mag
Rear Grip: Serpent Wrap
BAR
Muzzle: F8 Stabilizer
Barrel: CGC 27” 2B
Optic: 1229/Slate 3.25x Custom
Stock: Cooper SP
Underbarrel: M1941 Hand Stop
Magazine: .50 BMG 30 Round Mag
Ammo Type: Lengthened
Rear Grip: Stippled Grip
Kar98k
Muzzle: G28 Compensator
Barrel: VDD RED2K
Stock: Short Stock
Underbarrel: Heavy Foregrip
Magazine: 8mm Klauser 3 Round Mag
Ammunition: Lengthened
Rear Grip: Fabric Rear Grip
PPSH-41
Muzzle: Mercury Silencer
Barrel: Empress 140mm Rapid
Optic: Slate Reflector
Stock: Empress Custom
Underbarrel: Carver Foregrip
Magazine: 7.52mm Gorenko 71 Round
Ammunition: Lengethened
Rear Grip: Stippled Grip