Season 3 has changed the face of Call of Duty: Warzone. There is a new map and the weapon meta is changing due to nerfs to the best and most popular weapons. MeinMMO shows you 4 weapons as alternatives to the weakened frontrunners M16, AUG, Mac-10, and FFAR.
With Season 3, there have been significant changes in Call of Duty: Warzone. The new map Verdansk ’84 offers fresh locations for combat and the war equipment is also likely to change. The strongest weapons from the last season have been nerfed across the board.
Currently, it is not yet certain which firearms will dominate your loadouts in the near future. However, MeinMMO wants to offer you 4 alternatives to the former meta weapons that you can’t go wrong with.
Replacement for FFAR and Mac-10 in Close Combat
How severe were the nerfs? The two close-range beasts of Season 2 had to take a significant hit. They were not completely broken by patches, but are noticeably weaker – as both now deal less damage.
In the case of the Mac-10, this meant that you now need one more shot for a kill at the shortest distance. The time-to-kill with body shots is now about 540 milliseconds for 3 plates. That’s a significant increase from 486 milliseconds before the patch (via YouTube). The rapid-fire SMG ranks in the middle of the pack with that value. If you are comfortable with the weapon, it remains a strong support at close ranges – but is no longer a top weapon.
The increase in time-to-kill for the FFAR is even more noticeable. Now, with chest shots, you need 10 shots for a kill and 594 milliseconds. Before the update, the value was an unmatched 462 milliseconds (via YouTube). Since mobility has also decreased somewhat, the assault rifle has lost some of its appeal and falls significantly behind.
AK-47 from Cold War as a New Meta Contender
The AK-47 from Cold War first appeared on the weapon radar in Warzone after a buff to its barrels in Season 2. It has strong stats and can take out enemies with chest shots within 500 milliseconds.
With Season 3, you can now effectively bring this strength to the battlefield. The recoil of the AK-47 is much more vertical and thus easier to control. In close combat, it has a good chance of becoming the first Kalashnikov assault rifle considered a meta weapon in Warzone.
CoD Warzone: AK-47 from Cold War Setup
- Muzzle: GRU Suppressor
- Barrel: 18.2″ VDV Reinforced
- Optic: Microflex LED
- Underbarrel: Spetsnaz Grip
- Ammunition: 45 Round Fast Mag
CR-56 AMAX as a Tried-and-True Alternative
This assault rifle has long been part of the meta but led a life in the background after the FFAR 1 took over. Its time seems to have come. The developers even state in the patch notes for update 1.36: “We are keeping a close eye on the AMAX. No king reigns forever.”
The AMAX can take down an enemy with chest shots within 486 milliseconds, offering one of the top stats among automatic weapons in Warzone. It also has the potential to be effective at longer ranges. If it feels slow with our suggested setup, swap the long barrel for a stock or laser. However, the control will suffer.
CoD Warzone: CR-56 AMAX Setup
- Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
- Barrel: XRK Zodiac S440
- Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip
- Ammunition: 45 Round Mag
- Grip: XRK CR-56 Patterned Grip
Replacement for the Tactical Rifles AUG and M16 at Long Range
How severe were the nerfs? Both weapons had to undergo nerfs, but particularly the AUG has suffered.
Overall, the developers have adjusted the Austrian over rifle of Season 2 3 times already, and it is significantly weaker. With Season 3, the pause between bursts was increased by another 33%. For fans of strong burst rifles, it is still an exciting choice. All others should stay away for now.
The case is somewhat different for the M16. The weapon remains very stable, plays comfortably, and takes down enemies easily and quickly. If you liked the M16 during its peak at the end of the second season, keep it in your loadout. You never know. Here is the setup guide for the M16.
Krig 6 as a New Meta Contender
The assault rifle benefits from a damage buff and is now a strong alternative among long-range weapons. It has a feature that gives it an advantage over most assault rifle competitors: its belly shots are as strong as its chest shots. You can neglect the otherwise important chest shots with the Krig 6.
The weapon is very stable, and it offers a strong time-to-kill value of 644 milliseconds among automatic weapons with high range. The range of the first damage area ends at just under 40 meters without attachments.
CoD Warzone: Krig 6 Setup
- Muzzle: Agency Suppressor
- Barrel: 19.7″ Ranger
- Optic: Axial Arms 3x
- Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip
- Ammunition: STANAG 60 Rounds
M4A1 as a Tried-and-True Alternative
The M4A1 has been a true staple since Modern Warfare, and this continues with Warzone. The weapon has never really been off the radar and has consistently been part of the meta weapons.
This assault rifle is not the absolute best in any discipline but offers the best mix of damage and stability – and that makes it so strong. It is harder to control than the Krig 6 or Grau 5.56, but its time-to-kill with chest shots is under 600 milliseconds (593 ms).
CoD Warzone: M4A1 Setup
- Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor
- Barrel: M16 Grenadier
- Optic: VLK 3.0x Scope
- Ammunition: 60 Round Mag
- Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip
Whether the new Season 3 will again be dominated by a few weapons remains uncertain. This will only show in the coming days when many players have had time to process the changes. During this time, it’s best to rely on tried-and-true methods, as you can’t go wrong there. Except perhaps with your sniper weapon.
You should leave the meta weapons of Season 2 behind. Also because the developers have already announced that they will be making further changes soon if they do not like the meta development.
Which weapons are you pulling out of the closet now? Do you rely on old favorites or try out new companions?
