There are 4 launchers in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare & Warzone and each has its own character. Find out here what makes each launcher so powerful and for what use they are best suited. Small spoiler: All launchers in Modern Warfare pack a mighty punch.
What launchers are there in CoD MW? In CoD, you can choose a sidearm for special missions alongside fast submachine guns and powerful LMGs. You can take pistols, knives or hefty launchers, and the explosive companions can provide strong support in battle. In total, Modern Warfare and Warzone offer 4 of these launchers for loadouts:
- PILA
- Strela-P
- JOKR
- Rocket Launcher (RPG)
What do launchers bring me? All 4 launchers have their peculiarities and offer a significant advantage in certain situations. They reliably destroy killstreaks, land one-shots, or eliminate annoying vehicles. In our tips for Warzone, we even recommend having one as a team at all times.
“TheXclusiveAce” took a closer look at the launchers and analyzed the stats as well as advantages and disadvantages of the heavy weapons in his English YouTube video. Here you can find his results, applications, and tips for these explosive helpers.
Update May 25 – The big Mid-Season Update 1.21 likely revised the functioning of the launchers and changed the damage values. Under the point “All launchers in the value comparison after Update 1.21” you will find the details of the changes.
The best launchers for every use in Call of Duty 2019
Which launchers are best against soldiers? Here, the two Russian launchers Strela and RPG dominate.
For direct and rapid combat, the RPG performs a bit better, as its reload time is almost half that of the Strela and its explosion radius is significantly larger. However, the rockets from the Strela drift very little over long distances and travel at an insane speed.
One of the best weapons of Modern Warfare in the primary slot and you can take down any opponent.
Which launchers are best against killstreaks and vehicles? Here, PILA and Strela stand out.
The PILA has a slight edge due to its strong target acquisition. This allows you to target and eliminate helicopters or vehicles from great distances in Warzone. The Strela rounds are not influenced by rocket countermeasures and can therefore take out killstreaks like the VTOL-Jet with one shot less.
What about the JOKR? Previously known as Javelin launcher in Call of Duty, this launcher is a bit different from its colleagues. You have to lock on to fire for what feels like ages, and the impact takes a long time to arrive, but it comes from above. The JOKR can be strong in certain situations, but in most cases, the other launchers are ahead.
All launchers in the value comparison after Update 1.21
What is generally known about the CoD launchers? Although the launchers are all unique, they share three common characteristics:
- A direct body hit with a rocket always eliminates opponents
- They must be aimed before they can be fired
- The launchers cause environmental damage in 3 strengths depending on the distance from the target to impact
What are the stats of the launchers? “TheXclusiveAce” compiled the stats of the launchers and got the following values for damage and movement characteristics:
Damage profile of the launchers
- PILA
- 0 – 2.8 meters – 250 damage
- 2.8 – 5.5 meters – 135 damage
- 5.5 – 8 meters – 50 damage
- Strela
- 0 – 2.5 meters – 250 damage
- 2.5 – 3 meters – 75 damage
- 3 – 6 meters – 50 damage
- JOKR
- 0 – 5 meters – 600 damage
- 5 – 15 meters – at least 150 damage
- RPG
- 0 – 2.5 meters – 250 damage
- 2.5 – 4.5 meters – 130 damage
- 4.5 – 9 meters – 50 damage
Movement stats of the launchers
| Time to fire | Reload | (Eager) | |
| PILA | 617ms | 4.49s | 3.05s |
| Strela | 534ms | 4.46s | 2.89s |
| JOKR | 1,902ms | 2.07s | 1.50s |
| RPG | 584ms | 1.85s | 1.37s |
What changed with Update 1.21? “Ace” examined in a recent YouTube video the characteristics of the launchers again, as the patch notes of update 1.21 noted a nerf to the RPG. He discovered that there was even a rework of the damage calculation for all loadout launchers.
Although he can’t say for sure whether this new effect came into the game with patch 1.21 or was introduced weeks earlier, currently, the impact damage from a hit no longer decreases “gradually” the further you are from the impact, but there are now only 3 damage levels. This applies to the mobile launchers PILA, Strela, and RPG. Testing the JOKR is difficult, so “Ace” cannot provide a precise statement here.
In addition to the changes in environmental damage, all mobile launchers can now down an opponent in Warzone with their maximum impact damage. Up to 2.5 meters away, the launchers deal 250 damage, exactly as much as an enemy soldier with 3 armor plates has. The PILA even up to 2.8 meters.
PILA – Launcher Alpha
What makes the PILA special? With the first available rocket launcher from Modern Warfare, everything revolves around target acquisition. You can fire rockets without a locked target, but the accuracy of the projectiles leaves much to be desired, especially at greater distances. Vehicles you have targeted with the target acquisition almost always receive a hit.
How do I use the launcher in Warzone? The PILA is an absolute vehicle killer and reliably eliminates the annoying vehicles. The Quad and the small Rover explode in a charming team wipe explosion, and every small vehicle is an opportunity to reduce the number of opponents. If you play in a team, you should always consider whether one of you packs a PILA.
SUVs and helicopters are only disabled after a hit. Shoot the vehicles a little beforehand and then take the shot. If you have enough rockets, you can also take a shot at distant helicopters and thus take down an opposing team from their vehicle.
However, you should not engage the truck alone. They continue driving easily after a hit, and it’s usually not worth wasting rockets on them. However, combined with Thermite, you can take down the trucks nicely.
How do I use the launcher in multiplayer? The PILA performs best here as an anti-killstreak weapon. From Wheelson to turret to VTOL – with the PILA you can quickly lock on and deliver a big hit. However, this launcher doesn’t feel as strong as it does in Warzone.
VTOL or killstreak helicopters use rocket countermeasures to deflect the first guided rocket. Additionally, you need several shots to take down the big devices. In regular multiplayer, the Strela is more suitable, but in Ground War, the PILA can also shine.
Strela-P – Launcher Beta
What makes the Strela special? An all-round rocket launcher with some strengths, but the most “buts”. However, if you are willing to make compromises, you get a jack-of-all-trades here.
How do I use the launcher in Warzone? Other launchers generally perform better here, but the Strela offers interesting application possibilities that also make it strong in Warzone. The rockets are extremely accurate and fast, and you can even hold your breath while aiming, just like with the strong sniper rifles of Warzone.
An injured opponent who is holed up behind cover is an easy target for a well-placed rocket. If you shoot at a “downed” opponent, you might even catch his comrade. With this also explosive setup of the crossbow, you can finish off the down phase of opponents after the K.O.
Hitting vehicles at short to medium ranges is also not a problem due to the fast projectiles. Here, however, the PILA is better.
How do I use the launcher in multiplayer? If you want to eliminate soldiers but also want to shoot down killstreaks, then the Strela is your choice. The precise rockets of this launcher fly at high speed, and even the sometimes agile flying objects of the killstreaks can be hit well.
However, the launcher has disadvantages when fighting soldiers. Compared to the RPG, the detonation radius is significantly smaller, and the long reload can be annoying. However, the Strela is a solid all-rounder in multiplayer with unusual sniper characteristics.
JOKR – Launcher Charlie
What makes the JOKR special? The weapon is different from its 3 brethren. You have to lock onto the target for a long time and can’t just fire a rocket casually. The projectiles take a long time to reach their destination and strike from above. You also get a comparatively large detonation area and deal a lot of damage here.
How do I use the launcher in Warzone? It is not the best choice here, but it has a special feature that makes it quite interesting. You can use the launcher like a cluster strike. If you see an occupied roof where some campers have just frozen in hard-scope stillness, fire one of your JOKR strikes at the lazy group.
Since the rocket strikes from above, you can even catch opponents behind the roof edges. If you knocked out a sniper, send a second surprise behind and take the kill and the reviving teammate. Knowing how snipers behave in Warzone can help with that.
How do I use the launcher in multiplayer? The JOKR is suitable for fighting against tight positions that are open from above. In the objective-based modes of MW multiplayer, such as Domination or Headquarters, the targets are often under open skies, and you can attack defending opponents without much risk.
This is also the decisive advantage that this launcher brings – attacking the opponent from a safe position. In the large “Ground War” mode, the big rocket launcher can also play its cards right. On smaller and medium-sized maps, you won’t find much success with the JOKR.
Rocket Launcher – Launcher Delta
What makes the RPG special? The fastest and most mobile rocket launcher on this list. This robust weapon platform can deliver a quick, precise shot to opponents and reliably clears enemies out of the way in close quarters multiplayer combat. However, the further you are from the target, the more unpredictable the projectiles become.
How do I use the launcher in Warzone? The RPG often pops out of the first box of the match and then brings the only shot inventory that stands between the seen enemy and the Gulag. The shot should hit the opponent directly to knock him out. If you shoot just slightly off, assist with the pistol and finish off the wounded enemy.
Against the Warzone vehicles, the PILA is the much better choice; the RPG is more helpful in house-to-house fighting or when the opponent disappears behind cover. If you have shot down a enemy soldier’s armor, follow up with a shot on his position and take him down. But remember the insane trajectory of the projectiles. At greater distances, it is hardly predictable where the rockets will land.
How do I use the launcher in multiplayer? This is the right launcher for quick combat at short ranges. If you want to play without “Overkill” and draw your pistol less often than you would like, then give this one a try.
You can eliminate enemies around corners and intimidate them with close impact hits. Use the RPG like your grenades and wear down enemies with constant RPG hits. A strong sidearm that can also clear out an annoying killstreak.
Grenade Launcher as a bonus in Warzone
The Warzone also has its own launcher that occasionally drops from the Battle Royale boxes – the grenade launcher:
Where do I get the grenade launcher? You cannot bring the launcher into Warzone through your loadouts, nor can you search for it specifically. The launcher is a random drop and is also quite rare.
How good is the special launcher? It might be pretty good. However, as it is so rare, there is little testing or more precise analysis.
The grenades fly in a curve at the target and pack a punch. Additionally, many grenades fit in the magazine, allowing for multiple shots in succession. With all other launchers, you have to reload long before the next shot comes. Large vehicles like the truck can be taken on directly with it.
If you’re looking for more info about the weapons in Warzone, we have many guides and tips for your Warzone loadouts here on MeinMMO. The right tools are often half the battle in Call of Duty.
