In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Warzone, many players know the most popular and strongest weapons, but how about the other side? MeinMMO shows you here 6 unpopular weapons that probably will only be played more when they receive a buff.
What is this about? The strong meta-weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare are quickly found by many players. Almost since the beta, two weapons have held the top spots:
- The assault rifle M4A1 – Can do everything well, but nothing best
- The submachine gun MP5 – Also very versatile and deals massive damage at short range
In Warzone, some soldiers also come across the extremely stable Grau 5.56 or the strong AUG with assault rifle ammunition. Both belong to the best weapons for the BR.
But how does it look on the other side? MeinMMO shows you here weapons that are used less frequently and are usually not particularly strong. To create the list, we looked at the usage rates of the weapons on codstats.net and compared the results with our own experiences.
Here are the least popular and sometimes worst weapons in each category for primary weapons and rocket launchers in the current Call of Duty.
Unpopular Weapons in Call of Duty – The Flops of the Weapon Classes
First of all: This list is based on data from the game, but everyone perceives the weapons a bit differently, and a healthy dose of personal experiences has also been included. If you see other weapons at the bottom or have no problem with any of the weapons here, let us know in the comments.
Which are the least popular weapons? According to the usage rates, the following primary weapons and rocket launchers rank low in popularity among CoD MW players:
- Submachine gun: Uzi – 1 %
- LMG: SAR 87 – 0.5 %
- Sniper: Dragunov – 0.5 %
- DMR: EBR 14 – 0.6 %
- Shotgun: Origin 12 – 0.4 %
- Rocket launcher: Strela-P – 0.0 %
However, the list on “codstats” does not include weapons that came with the seasons, such as the SKS with Season 3 or the Season 1 weapon RAM-7.
The data refer to the multiplayer of Modern Warfare. These are different from Warzone, where comparing data is much more cumbersome and less precise, as weapons often used are those that players find early. In our assessment, we still give a brief insight into the usefulness for the battle royale.
Submachine Gun – The Quirky Uzi
Why is the weapon so unpopular? The quirky weapon cannot keep up with the strong SMGs. Neither in damage nor in handling. It feels a bit different than the other submachine guns. Looking at it, one could even say it plays strangely.
It has the lowest fire rate of the SMGs and has a unique charm when shooting due to its peculiar handling. This charm, however, is appreciated by very few players, and the low damage is not well received either.
What can it do well? Once you get used to the bumpy shooting feel, you get a well-controllable SMG with recognition value.
How does it perform in Warzone? If you have the Uzi under control, you can improve your round starts with it. The Uzi is often found as the first weapon, and with a bit of practice, you can score secure hits. Additionally, it consumes little ammunition due to its low fire rate.
Buff Potential: High – If the Uzi were to do a bit more damage with Season 4, it could become a strong alternative to the overpowering SMGs. It actually has everything it takes:
- A recognizable name, as it has appeared in many shooters
- Distinctive presence, as it plays uniquely
- Good controllability, due to the low firing rate
LMG – The Forgotten SAR 87
Why is the weapon so unpopular? The weapon does not feel like a real LMG, but brings the disadvantages of that weapon class.
The SAR 87 has not had a good standing since the launch of CoD MW. Largely ignored by players, it enjoys the company of every Damascus grinder who plays it for the metal skins more than 2 rounds in a row.
The weapon does not convey the powerful feel of an LMG as well as most other representatives of its class. It feels more like a hybrid of an LMG and an assault rifle, and here the Holger-26 performs significantly better, especially in the secret G36 version.
By the way, the SAR 87 shares its spot with the MG34, which also stands at 0.5 % popularity. However, the users of the MG34 have a K/D of 0.99, while the SAR players land at 0.91.
What can it do well? For an LMG, the weapon is extremely stable. Even mobile targets, like parachutists warming up in Warzone, you can hit well. Additionally, the weapon has almost as much DPS (damage per second) as the most popular LMG, the PKM.
Buff Potential: Not really – The weapon would need a significant overhaul to create a better gameplay experience. Higher damage could help here, but the weapon is actually already in a decent place. A lot would have to happen for the SAR to become more popular with Season 4.
Sniper – The DMR Sniper Dragunov
Why is the weapon so unpopular? You will find the Dragunov under the sniper category in CoD 2019, but it really cannot find its place there. Somewhere between sniper and DMR, you will find better options for its application area, and in Warzone, it lacks the one-shot kill with a headshot.
Although the weapon has its fans, especially in multiplayer, this mobile single-shot weapon can hit hard. But it convinces very few people and is only half as often used in MP compared to the more popular single-shot rifles MK2 Carbine or Kar 98k.
What can it do well? It is a nimble single-shot rifle with decent damage in multiplayer. If you are looking for a semi-automatic rifle and do not want to go for the large snipers, you might want to give the Dragunov a try. As mentioned, the weapon has its fan base, and justifiably so. But it’s not for everyone.
How does it perform in Warzone? In Warzone, you have much better alternatives; the Dragunov hardly competes with the big competitors AX-50, HDR and Kar 98k.
Buff Potential: Meh – The weapon serves a small niche in Modern Warfare and will likely remain there until the end of the CoD 2019 lifecycle. It does not do a bad job, but it cannot compete against the strong competition.
A bit more headshot damage, maybe even a knockout with one hit in Warzone with full armor, and the Dragunov could land on some players’ radar with Season 4.
DMR – EBR 14 is Only for Connoisseurs
Why is the weapon so unpopular? The EBR deals relatively low damage compared to other DMRs and falls short on range as well.
The DMRs are already poorly regarded by players, and hardly anyone really plays them. The best value here is still the MK2 Carbine with 1.3 % popularity. The EBR stands at a measly 0.6 %.
The majority of players prefer to use automatic weapons, and a detour to semi-automatics usually starts with the MK2 or the strong assault rifle FAL. The carbine takes down opponents in multiplayer with a single shot to the chest – the EBR cannot keep up here. So, almost only fans of mobile single-shot rifles reach for this gun.
What can it do well? The rifle is quick to aim and fire, stable, and loads fast. If you want to dip your toe into DMRs but don’t like having to chamber every shot individually, give the EBR a try. It can be really fun.
How does it perform in Warzone? Here again: Look at the direct competitors. The DMR Kar 98k still performs really well because you can take down opponents with one headshot K.O. But the other DMRs hardly provide any advantages. Maybe the crossbow with explosive bolts.
Buff Potential: So-So – The weapon does what it was designed for – quick single shots with moderate damage. And it does that quite well. An increase in range for Warzone would be interesting, but the EBR will likely not become one of the popular weapons even with Season 4.
Shotgun – Origin 12 Rumbles Across the Screen
Why is the weapon so unpopular? The Origin feels powerful, and during shots, you really get shaken. But the range is low, and the rumble when shooting is not always helpful.
Due to the mix of erratic handling and unusual range, many players leave the shotgun in the closet, unless Shipment 24/7 is on. Here, all shotguns can shine.
What can it do well? The weapon has a high fire rate for a shotgun. The shots come flying out and can take down opponents very quickly, in multiplayer and in Warzone.
How does it perform in Warzone? In battle royale, you can melt your opponents’ armor with it, but you still need to hit. The Origin 12 allows for more mistakes than the R9-0 since you can shoot again more quickly if you miss a shot. However, the TTK (Time to Kill) is more than double as high when the opponent has full armor.
Buff Potential: Phew… – Like the EBR and Dragunov, the Origin 12 fills a niche. However, this niche must still be shared with the R9-0. An even higher fire rate could put the shotgun on track, but against the heavy double shot of the R9-0, it will hardly manage, even with Season 4.
Rocket Launcher – Poor Strela Can Do Everything, But Nothing Right
Why is the weapon so unpopular? It wants to be the RPG for everyone, but fails to convince with its advantages. For every plus point, there’s a but:
- Very fast and accurate rockets, but small detonation radius
- Fastest time from aiming to firing, but long reload time
- Countermeasures from vehicles don’t work, but only because it has no target acquisition
As a result, many soldiers prefer the alternatives. In “codstats”, the Strela rounds down to a popularity value of exactly 0.0 %.
What can it do well? The launcher offers high accuracy. Additionally, the rockets remain predictable over greater distances, while, for example, the projectiles of the RPG sometimes fly unpredictably.
If you haven’t included it in your loadout yet, it’s definitely worth a try. It’s really strong against killstreaks in multiplayer. The countermeasures of flying objects, such as the VTOL jet, do not work against it, as the rockets do not respond to heat. This way, you save a rocket and a lot of time.
A comparison of all rocket launchers regarding multiplayer and Warzone can be found here:
Buff Potential: Limited – It’s hard to make the weapon stronger without overpowering it. Even now, there are many players who complain about an overpowered RPG. In Warzone, many are even opting for the KRD perk instead of Cold-Blooded, which would protect them from thermal sights. If the Strela were buffed, it could become an RPG that shoots bullets almost as precisely as a sniper rifle. Hardly anybody would want that.
A higher damage against vehicles could bring the weapon up to PILA level. The PILA has target acquisition and reliably takes out vehicles in Warzone, but does not destroy them. If the Strela were to completely destroy a helicopter or SUV with one shot, the device could become interesting with Season 4.
Assault Rifles – A Class of Their Own
The assault rifles have been deliberately left out of this list. Hardly any of them can be said to need a buff and be unpopular.
Even the least popular AR, the single-shot FAL, is far from needing a buff and stands at 1.4 %, even ahead of the most popular DMR, the MK2 Carbine with 1.3 %.
Among the 4 most popular weapons, without season weapons, 3 assault rifles stand at the top. Only the submachine gun MP5 can keep up, which is considered one of the strongest weapons in the game.
- M4A1 – 20.4 %
- MP5 – 9.4 %
- Kilo 141 – 8.5 %
- AK-47 – 5.5 %
So far, there has been relatively little weapon balancing in CoD MW 2019, but maybe we will get some surprises in the arsenal with Season 4. So far, not much is known about the new season, but quite a bit of facts, rumors, and leaks.
Do you agree with this list? Or does your favorite weapon perhaps belong to this list completely undeservedly?
