For your close combat in Call of Duty: Warzone there are currently a lot of options and you have the agony of choice. However, one weapon does not get the attention it deserves – the submachine gun AK-74u. If you like playing SMGs with a bit of range, MeinMMO shows you why you should try the Russian weapon.
What kind of weapon is this? The AK-74u serves as a secondary weapon to a sniper rifle or an assault rifle in Call of Duty: Warzone. The submachine gun offers you high range, large magazines, and very good control.
If you like weapons such as the MAC-10, Bullfrog, or PPSh, then you should keep the AK-74u on your radar. We show you why the SMG is a hit and with which setup the AK-74u rocks in Season 6.
AK-74u – An SMG for all occasions
What makes the AK-74u strong? In Warzone, there are two types of submachine guns:
- SMGs with high damage and low range
- SMGs with moderate damage and more range
The AK-74u belongs to the second category and provides you with a decent time-to-kill along with good range.
Up to nearly 14 meters, it retains full damage without attachments, while damage monsters like the OTs 9 or MP5 from Cold War are already in the second damage range. The OTs 9 loses damage at a distance of 7.7 meters without attachments – from here the AK-74u is stronger.
Among the other submachine guns in the range category, the AK-74u also has the best time-to-kill – if you factor in the open-bolt delay. This delay means that your weapons do not fire immediately after pulling the trigger; instead, they “warm up” briefly:
Time-to-kill chest hits: First damage range
- AK-74u – no delay: 603 milliseconds
- OTs 9 – no delay: 561 milliseconds
- PPSh – with delay: 630 milliseconds
- Bullfrog – no delay: 639 milliseconds
- MAC-10 – with delay: 640 milliseconds
In addition to damage and range, the AK-74u shines with low recoil and offers you large magazines. Among SMGs, it ranks 2nd in the “damage per magazine” value – behind the 5.56 conversion of the AUG from CoD MW.
What doesn’t the AK-74u do well? Its advantages in time-to-kill are somewhat offset by its aiming time. In standard values, it is noticeably slower than its two competitors, the MAC-10 and PPSh, but it does outperform the Bullfrog without attachments:
Aiming time without attachments
- AK-74u: 229 milliseconds
- OTs 9: 192 milliseconds
- PPSh: 172 milliseconds
- Bullfrog: 238 milliseconds
- MAC-10: 160 milliseconds
Another disadvantage is the low fire rate. With 696 shots/minute, it lags significantly behind the MAC-10’s 1118 rounds/minute, which shakes enemies with hits. The PPSh is also much higher at nearly 900 rounds/minute.
If you miss a shot, your time-to-kill with the AK-74u increases more than with the competition and goes up directly by 80 milliseconds.
Warzone: AK-74u – Setup of the “better Bullfrog”
What does a strong setup look like? Attach the mandatory GRU suppressor to the muzzle and grab the large magazine with 50 rounds. For the rest, focus on movement and mobility.
- GRU muzzle brake
- Laser: Tiger Team flashlight
- Stock: KGB skeletal stock
- Underbarrel: Patrol grip
- Magazine: Spetsnaz 50-round drum
Who should try the AK-74u? The main target group are players of the Bullfrog. In a poll about the most popular SMG of Season 6, the small weapon with large magazines ranked first and has its advantages. However, the AK-74u is superior to the Bullfrog in most respects, and if you are looking for something new again, the time of the AK-74u may be for you.
But players of the MAC-10 or PPSh can also benefit from a switch if you want more control when firing or to eliminate the open-bolt delay.
Even if you usually prefer SMGs with more damage, the AK-74u could offer you a good mix of damage and range.
Warzone is about to undergo the biggest change in battle royale since release and is heading towards the future together with Call of Duty: Vanguard. Currently, it looks like the developers are no longer tweaking the weapon meta, and you can fully enjoy your favorite weapons until the transition on December 2nd.
If you are still looking for the latest and best alternatives, then grab the AK-74u now. More strong weapon alternatives for your gameplay can be found here: CoD Warzone: The best weapons with setups – Season 6 / November 2021
