The assault rifle class has dominated Call of Duty: Warzone over the past couple of months after initially coming out of the gate slowly, initially bested by the battle and marksman rifle.
But that time has passed, and as we head towards Season 3, the AR has taken over as they do, with the class featuring a plethora of meta contenders.
Currently, we have access to over 20 assault rifles in Warzone, so it can be difficult to choose just one or two to use on your loadouts. Fortunately for you, we have put together a tier list of every assault rifle in Warzone - ranking them from best to worst - so you can make a more informed decision about which ones to use.
As a note, this tier list is based on Season 2 of Warzone, so it’s entirely possible the list changes when future updates arrive. If so, we will update the list accordingly.
Warzone assault rifle tier list
Below, you can see our full tier list but we’ll also go over each tier individually and why some assault rifles were placed where they are.
Tier | Assault rifles |
S-tier | RAM-7, SVA 545 |
A-tier | Holger 556, MCW, BP50, MTZ-556 |
B-tier | Kastov 762, Kastov 545, STB 556, TR-76 Geist, M13C, M13B, Chimera, DG-56 |
C-tier | FR 5.56, M4, TAQ-56, FR Advancer, Tempus Razorback, ISO Hemlock, Lachmann-556 |
D-tier | M16, Kastov-74u |
S-tier
The very best of the best...
RAM-7
SVA 545
There are only two ARs that can be considered the absolute meta in the current season of Warzone: the RAM-7 and SVA 545.
The RAM-7 is the more preferred choice for a majority of the community, but the SVA 545 is arguably deadlier in the right hands thanks to its burst-fire mechanic. If you can consistently burst enemies with your first two bullets using the SVA 545, it’s often a stronger choice than the RAM-7.
However, for most players, the RAM-7 is the better overall pick for sheer stability and consistent damage output.
A-tier
In the right hands or with the best loadout, these A-tier assault rifles are not to be underestimated.
Holger 556
MCW
BP50
MTZ-556
Moving into A-tier, there are certainly some viable options you can use. While none of these ARs can match up to the stats of the S-tier weapons, every rifle in this tier will serve you well.
Specifically, the Holger 556 and the MCW are the best options. They feature terrific handling, little recoil, and loadouts that offer a variety of playstyles.
As for the BP50 and MTZ-556, you’ll want to use the former more at longer ranges, while the latter is a fantastic choice at close range if you put the right attachments on it.
While the MTZ-556 won’t outmatch most SMGs at close range, it has a better chance than most other ARs in Warzone.
B-tier
Deadly but replaceable.
Kastov 762
Kastov 545
STB 556
TR-76 Geist
M13C
M13B
Chimera
DG-56
With a majority of the new MW3 assault rifles out of the way, it’s time for the MW2 ARs to make an appearance. Put plainly, the MW2 weapons simply don’t have the same effectiveness as most of their MW3 counterparts. You’ll have more visual recoil, less damage, and a harder time killing enemies at range if you use an MW2 AR against an MW3 one.
However, weapons such as the Kastov 762 and 545, TR-76 Geist, and STB 556 can be effective in the right hands and situations. They are not recommended for use in ranked lobbies, but for casual lobbies on Urzikstan, you can definitely get away with using any of the weapons in this tier.
As a final note, the DG-56 from MW3 is included in B-tier as well. While not a bad weapon, burst-fire ARs simply don’t hit hard enough in Season 2 of Warzone for them to be a consistent option.
C-Tier
Know them and ditch them.
FR 5.56
M4
TAQ-56
FR Advancer
Tempus Razorback
ISO Hemlock
Lachmann-556
It’s strange to see so many former meta options in C-tier, but the developers have made it clear they want players to mostly use the new MW3 assault rifles.
Weapons such as the Lachmann-556, ISO Hemlock, and TAQ-56 were once in the meta during Warzone 2, but they are almost unusable in competitive lobbies in 2024.
You can certainly try them out and get a few kills in casual lobbies, but most of the ARs in this tier get shredded by the likes of the RAM-7, SVA 545, Holger 556, etc. Although, the last MW3 weapon, the FR 5.56, is also in this tier, as it’s simply a worse version of the DG-56.
D-tier
Shouting at them might be more effective.
M16
Kastov-74u
Wrapping things up are the final two usable assault rifles in Warzone. The M16 has always been the worst weapon across the entirety of Warzone since it was introduced in MW2 and that hasn’t changed in 2024. You’ll be putting yourself at the largest disadvantage possible if you decide to run the M16 in any sort of lobby.
Then, there’s the Kastov-74u, surprisingly. What was once the most dominant weapon in MW2 has now been nerfed so badly that it’s among the worst possible choices in the game. While you’ll have more success with the 74u than you would with the M16, neither is an attractive option.
And that does it for the complete assault rifle tier list in Warzone. As previously mentioned, it’s entirely possible and likely that this list will change when the Season 3 update arrives, so don’t get too comfortable with the meta weapons just yet.
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