Summary
Season One ofCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3recently launched on December 6, finally introducing some original maps to the popular shooter title alongside new weapons and game modes. As expected, the season has already begun introducing some balancing changes to the huge variety of weapons in the title, with a solid meta beginning to form around which firearms are the most effective on the battlefield.
Gun metas have become more potent in recent years for the franchise, and they seem to be more important than ever inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. With the IP becoming even more competitive in its core multiplayer gameplay, players need every advantage they can possibly find in order to thrive, and there are a select few weapons that should be at the top of players' priority lists for in-game use.
While the stock versions of these weapons are effective, they need the correct attachments to truly shine and be worthy of meta inclusion.
The Best Meta Weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Season 1
TheModern Warfare 3gun meta has been dominated by assault rifles since the game launched, with ARs essentially outperforming all submachine guns and making them obsolete. While this has been slightly improved withthe recent balance changes forMW3, assault rifles still largely reign as the core meta for the game’s multiplayer.
TheMCW is one of the best choices for use inModern Warfare 3, being regarded by many as the most effective of the game’s already overpowered selection of assault rifles. Being billed as a lightweight and adaptable weapon, the MCW’s fantastic stock recoil control and handling make it a devastating firearm. With the right attachments, the MCW cannot be matched by any other gun inModern Warfare 3, ranking it very highly in the game’s early Season One meta.
Anothermeta assault rifle withinModern Warfare 3is the Holger 556, being a much beefier alternative to the MCW with a lot more stopping power. While the Holger 556 is outperformed by many other ARs in terms of fire rate, it boasts an excellent level of handling and base damage that makes it lethal at mid-to-long ranges. With many maps inMW3’s current pool being quite large and playing slowly, the Holger 556 is a solid option for long-ranged combat that should not be ignored.
Away from assault rifles, theBAS-B battle rifle is another top pick out ofModern Warfare 3’s 100-plus weapons. The battle rifle classification of weapon was introduced in 2022’sModern Warfare 2, being high-damage rifles with a lot of recoil and low fire rates. The BAS-B conforms to a perfect middle-ground of mobility and handling, boasting a lot more control than other BRs and being another solid pick for long-distance engagements.
Modern Warfare 3’s SMGs Are Creeping Into the Meta
Recent balancing changes have seen someSMGs become genuine contenders for theMW3meta, with the Striker SMG being a prime example of this. The Striker has an extremely high fire rate with a great level of base recoil control, making it a serious contender at close to mid-range. Thanks to the recent changes, the Striker’s sprint-to-fire and ADS time have been reduced, making it an even more powerful choice for the SMG meta.
TheRival-9 SMG is another top option for close-ranged engagements. One of the most lightweight and agile submachine guns inModern Warfare 3, the fast fire rate and mobility of the Rival-9 makes it a must-have weapon for smaller maps such as Rust, Shipment, or Meat. DespiteMW3boasting such a wide array of weapons, the meta of the title is dominated by five firearms that put the rest to shame.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (2023)
WHERE TO PLAY
The war has changed. Call of Duty returns with an all-new campaign, modernized versions of classic Multiplayer maps and an open-world PvE Zombies experience. The campaign, a direct sequel to the record-breaking Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, sees Captain Price and Task Force 141 face off against ultranationalist war criminal Vladimir Makarov as he extends his grasp across the world. In Multiplayer, the 16 maps that launched with Modern Warfare 2 in 2009 return with upgraded graphics, new modes and innovative gameplay features. In Modern Warfare Zombies, team up with other squads for the first time ever as you work together to survive in the largest Zombies map yet
