Call of Duty: Modern Warfare has received a new weapon in its arsenal: the Crossbow. The new DMR offers a new, unique playstyle. We explain how to play with it and what attachments and loadouts make the Crossbow really shine.
What kind of weapon is this? The Crossbow is a recurring weapon from previous titles like the Black Ops series of Call of Duty. It is a DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) and thus a precision weapon.
You cannot unlock the Crossbow like other weapons by leveling up and grinding; instead, you must complete a challenge. We explain how to unlock the Crossbow in detail in this guide.
How strong is the Crossbow? For your convenience, we have compiled some data on the Crossbow. Since it is a DMR and not a fully-automatic or semi-automatic rifle like in our previous guides, the numbers are somewhat different:
- Damage (to the torso): 120 (up to 32 meters), unknown beyond 32 meters. Headshots are always fatal.
- Bolts needed for a kill (to the torso): 1
- TTK (for torso hits): 0ms
- Reload time: 4.5 seconds (3.25 seconds with Dexterity)
Note: Since the Crossbow was introduced with Patch 1.13 and is still new, not all details have been fully tested in some of our builds. They are largely based on experience from the multiplayer modes, weapon knowledge, and experience with the gunsmith.
We will update this first guide as soon as more data is available and if any setups need to be changed. You can see an initial impression of the gameplay in this video by TheseKnivesOnly:
The best attachments and setups for the Crossbow
How do I best modify the Crossbow? The Crossbow has some completely different attachments at the gunsmith compared to the other weapons in Modern Warfare. Instead of a muzzle, you switch the string and instead of a barrel, you change the bow.
The ammunition is also different. With other bolts, you completely change the behavior of the weapon, as the bolts add a special effect to the shot:
- Fury bolts explode
- Venom bolts release tear gas
- Backburn bolts apply thermite
What should I pay attention to? This leads to some attributes of the weapon gaining different importance. If you use a Fury or Backburn bolt, you can no longer get an instant kill on impact with one shot. However, the subsequent explosion guarantees a kill at all distances.
The downside is that you cannot retrieve the special bolts. This is another feature of the Crossbow: If you shoot regular bolts, you can pick them up again.
All of this leads to interesting setups that can be adapted for many situations.
Setup 1: Firefight/CQC
- Bow: XRK Quill 45 kg
- Underbarrel: FTAC Tempogrip
- Bolts: FTAC Fury 20″ Bolts or Stock: FSS SpeedTrak
- Perk: Dexterity
- (optional) Laser: Tactical Laser
With this setup, you are optimally prepared for heated close-quarters battles with many angles. You can quickly and reliably kill opponents from close range. With the explosive bolts, you can even take out entrenched enemies or at least scare them away.
The downside is that you will likely die in a direct confrontation before the bolt detonates. Although this is a “1 for 1”, it is still frustrating. In close maps, regular ammunition may be stronger.
This setup is particularly efficient for multiplayer modes like Team Deathmatch or Kill Confirmed, as well as on close maps with many buildings and hiding places.
Setup 2: Sniper
- Cable: 28-strand cable
- Bows: XRK Thunder 90 kg
- Sight: Scout Combat Scope or XRK Rangemaster VZ
- Stock: FORGE TAC Apex
- Underbarrel: XRK Precision Grip
With this setup, you sacrifice mobility and focus everything on range and precision. With these attachments, you should be able to reliably eliminate enemies even at long distances.
This setup is best suited for Ground War mode, but also for game modes like 10v10 and larger maps like Aniyah Palace. Wherever you can cover long distances or large areas, you are strong with this.
Setup 3: Anti-Killstreak
- Bows: XRK Quill 45 kg
- Stock: FSS SpeedTrak
- Underbarrel: XRK Precision Grip or Cable: 16-strand cable
- Bolts: FTAC Backburn 20″ Bolts
- Perk: Dexterity
This setup is primarily designed to deal with vehicles and aircraft such as the VTOL.
Note: Since the playlist update on January 28, three bolts no longer suffice for a VTOL. You now need five bolts for a VTOL and six for helicopters.
You build entirely on the possibility of taking enemy killstreaks out of the game and forgo versatility. Use this setup primarily when playing in a team or if you know someone can protect you.
This setup is best suited for Ground War, but it is also useful for close maps and heated battles. If a VTOL is pestering you in Team Deathmatch on Shoot House, switch to this setup and turn the aircraft into scrap.
How to build the best loads for the Crossbow
These loadouts give you the best classes: For each setup, we will also show you a loadout that gives you a perfectly tailored build for this setup. When it comes to the anti-killstreak, it is even important how you build this class to make it work properly.
You can choose killstreaks as you like, but we generally recommend the Drone and the VTOL and advise against the Gunship.
Build 1: CQC
- Secondary Weapon: .50 GS (Desert Eagle)
- Blue Perk: Looting or KRD
- Red Perk: Hardline
- Yellow Perk: Shrapnel
- Equipment: Throwing Knife and Stim
- Field Upgrade: Dead Silence
Build 2: Sniper
- Secondary Weapon: 1911 or X16
- Blue Perk: Cold-Blooded
- Red Perk: Kill Chain or Ghost
- Yellow Perk: Recon
- Equipment: Claymore and Stun Grenade
- Field Upgrade: Mobile Cover, Trophy System or Tactical Insert
Build 3: Anti-Killstreak
- Secondary Weapon: .50 GS (Desert Eagle) or .357 as a shotgun
- Blue Perk: Cold-Blooded
- Red Perk: Kill Chain or Refill
- Yellow Perk: Shrapnel
- Equipment: Thermite or C4 and Flash Grenade
- Field Upgrade: any
Advantages and disadvantages of the Crossbow
Is the Crossbow worth it?
Here’s why the Crossbow is challenging: With the Crossbow, you get a completely different weapon than what you are used to in Modern Warfare. It is extremely slow and requires a lot of precision.
As a beginner weapon, it is virtually unsuitable, and even veterans will likely find it difficult to use it effectively. There are good alternatives in its class, like the MK2 Carbine. You can find the best weapons of each category here.
Here’s why you should still try it: Nevertheless, no other weapon currently offers the same level of customization. For example, the poison bolts, which we have not listed here, can distract enemies at the right moment in a good team.
This makes the Crossbow capable of fulfilling tasks that few other weapons could accomplish in this way. It is an ideal niche weapon.
Moreover, its playstyle is very different from that of other weapons. You can experience CoD in a whole new way – or create your own builds to challenge yourself.
If you still don’t want to give the Crossbow a chance, here are more guides for popular weapons from Modern Warfare:
- The Hardcore Queen: Best attachments and builds for the AK-47
- The strongest LMG: Best attachments and builds for the PKM
- The strongest SMG: Best attachments and builds for the MP5
- The strongest assault rifle: Best attachments and builds for the M4A1
What do you think so far about the Crossbow? Can this weapon convince you? Or do you prefer to stick with the best representatives of the traditional arsenal?
