Best Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer weapon builds and loadouts
Call of Duty fans will know that Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer can be daunting, especially when it comes to choosing the right weapon builds in the Gunsmith and finding perks that work well with them.
With all modes now live, including the campaign and returning DMZ, some players may use the story to learn the ropes before jumping into multiplayer. However, knowing which weapons, attachments and perks to use can give you an advantage online.
With that in mind, we've put together a guide to recommended MW4 guns, weapon builds and perks for each primary weapon type, helping you find the right multiplayer loadout without having to try every combination yourself.
The best MW4 guns, builds and perks to use in multiplayer
Assault rifles
HAN 86 (All-rounder)
The Han 86 has a fast fire rate and manageable recoil, making it an easy and effective weapon to handle, especially for beginners. However, it isn't the hardest-hitting assault rifle, so you'll need to land your shots consistently, particularly at longer ranges.
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Attachments
- Laser: Schlager VISIV-5
- Muzzle: FSS IS300
- Rear grip: Hanbit H86 Grip
- Stock: Meiko L9P-Fold
- Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
M4 (Versatile)
The M4 is a reliable, all-round assault rifle that performs well at close-to-medium range. Its recoil is manageable, making it a solid choice for players who want a dependable weapon that doesn't require too much effort to control. Attachments can help tailor it to your playstyle, including a suppressor for a more discreet approach. However, it's not the hardest-hitting rifle, so accuracy is important if you want to win your gunfights.
Attachments
- Barrel: 18" LE Crosswind
- Laser: SA LAZ-500
- Muzzle: XRK Mil-Tac Suppressor
- Optic: ZLR Type C
- Stock: Demo Dozer Stock
- Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Blood Rush
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
Kastov 762 (Lane control)
Chambered in 7.62mm, the Kastov 762 is a hard-hitting assault rifle with plenty of damage potential. However, that power comes with more recoil to manage, so consider using attachments to help keep your shots on target. It's a good choice if you prefer hitting harder over firing rapidly, but you'll still need to control your bursts to make the most of it.
Attachments
- Apex Attachment: Kastov ARC
- Barrel: Hanbit 74U 205.74mm
- Laser: Schlager VISIV-5
- Rear grip: FJX Kastov Grip
- Stock: Spetsnaz S10 Stock
- Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
Submachine guns (SMGs)
ISO Nightshade (Aggressive)
This SMG has a rapid fire rate of 923 RPM, excellent mobility and surprisingly good versatility for a weapon of its type. While it's particularly effective at close range, it can also hold its own at medium range with the right attachments. However, that fast fire rate means you'll burn through ammunition quickly, so make every shot count.
Attachments
- Apex attachment: Kastov 545
- Barrel: Hanbit 74U 205.74mm
- Laser: Schlager Visiv-5
- Rear grip: FJX Kastov Grip
- Stock: Spetsnaz S10 Stock
- Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Blood Rush
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
VEL 46 (Versatile)
The VEL 46 has a fast fire rate of 952 RPM, excellent mobility and manageable recoil, making it a dangerous choice at close-to-medium range. It also has a generous 40-round magazine, giving you a little more breathing room when taking on multiple enemies. However, its damage output drops off at longer ranges, and its rapid fire rate can see you chewing through ammunition quickly. So, if you prefer getting up close and personal, this could be the SMG for you.
Attachments
- Barrel: ZLR Carbon-900
- Laser: Schlager VISIV-5
- Muzzle: FSS Crackdown
- Rear grip: Demo STP-1
- Stock: No Stock
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
X-58 Nyx (Mobility)
This versatile SMG combines manageable recoil with good mobility, making it a solid choice for players who prefer a run-and-gun playstyle. It also has a 40-round magazine, which is handy when taking on multiple enemies, and a built-in suppressor to help keep your position concealed. However, its time-to-kill can be slower than that of some rival SMGs, particularly in close-range gunfights, so you'll need to make your shots count.
Attachments
- Apex Attachment: X-58 Void
- Barrel: VB-46 Series 11
- Laser: XRK Clutch-LS
- Muzzle: XRK Herder 40
- Rear grip: V46 R-Skel Grip
- Underbarrel: FSS Fireline Grip
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Blood Rush
- Perk 3: Tracker
Shotguns
There are only two shotguns available at launch, so we've included a second Rezi 12 build to give you three loadout options.
Rezi 12 - Build one (Close-quarters)
While it's not associated with Capcom's survival horror series, the Rezi 12 is certainly a scary weapon when pointed at your enemy. Like most shotguns, it's excellent at close range, but its semi-automatic firing mechanism also gives it a respectable fire rate of 150 RPM. It's reasonably mobile for a shotgun, too. However, its six-round magazine and the time needed to reload can leave you vulnerable if you miss your shots or find yourself facing multiple enemies.
Attachments
- Bolt: ZLR Competition-B6
- Laser: Schlager VISIV-5
- Muzzle: EXP Firelite 12
- Rear grip: Bruen R12-SH
- Stock: No Stock
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Blood Rush
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
Warlord (Aggressive)
The fantastically named Warlord has a generous ammunition capacity, holding 14 rounds with another 42 in reserve. That's a significant advantage over the Rezi 12's six-round magazine, particularly when you're taking on multiple enemies. It's a solid choice for holding ground and defending tight spaces. However, its slower fire rate of 105 RPM means missed shots can be punishing, and reloading can leave you exposed.
Attachments
- Barrel: NK Gangta-12G
- Bolt: L-Strike Bolt
- Muzzle: Mugi Kalnal-T 12G
- Rear grip: DV3-Sinsok Grip
- Stock: Mugi Tac-717 Stock
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
Light machine guns (LMGs)
FiNN LMG (Versatile)
LMGs are generally designed around sustained fire and larger magazines, and the FiNN LMG is no exception. With a 100-round magazine, it's ideal for keeping enemies under pressure without having to reload too often. Its relatively manageable recoil also makes it a solid choice at medium range. However, it's not the most mobile weapon, and its reload time can leave you vulnerable if you run out of ammunition at the wrong moment.
Attachments
- Laser: SZ Gen.6 PEQ
- Muzzle: XRK Mil-Tac Suppressor
- Optic: ZLR Type C
- Rear grip: XRK Singularity-13
- Stock: EXP Bulldog-9
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Bomb Squad
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
Type 73 (Objective support)
The Type 73 has a high fire rate of 821 RPM, compared with the FiNN LMG's 587 RPM. That allows it to fire more rounds in less time, although a higher fire rate doesn't automatically mean more damage per shot. Its 60-round magazine is smaller than the FiNN's, but still gives you plenty of ammunition for sustained firefights. On the downside, its aiming speed and reload time can leave you at a disadvantage against faster, more mobile weapons. As long as you can keep your shots on target, though, it can be a formidable choice.
Attachments
- Apex Attachment: Type 73 Assault
- Laser: XRK Clutch-LS
- Muzzle: Ivanov QR600
- Optic: ZLR Type C
- Rear grip: Assault-L5 Grip
- Stock: FTAC RZR0 Stock
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Bomb Squad
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
APOC-338 (Heavy support)
The APOC-338 is a hard-hitting LMG with a reported bullet velocity of 730 m/s, making it a solid option for engaging enemies across longer sightlines. Its slower fire rate of 554 RPM means it fires fewer rounds than the Type 73, but its damage potential makes it worth considering. It also has a 50-round magazine, which is respectable for an LMG, although it's smaller than the FiNN's. The main drawbacks are its strong recoil, slower handling and limited mobility, so you'll want to choose your positions carefully.
Attachments
- Laser: SA LAZ-500
- Muzzle: EXP 450 RTL
- Optic: ZLR Type C
- Rear grip: FSS TCB-1 Grip
- Stock: EXP Arc-7 Stock
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Scavenger
Marksman rifles
Oris 8.6 (Versatile precision)
This lightweight bolt-action marksman rifle has excellent potential for one-shot kills, with reported damage of up to 95. That makes it a strong choice for medium-to-long-range combat, particularly if you can consistently land accurate shots. It's also relatively mobile for a bolt-action rifle, and its subsonic ammunition can help conceal your position by preventing skull markers from appearing over enemies you eliminate. However, follow-up shots are slow, so accuracy is essential. Miss your first shot at close range, and you could find yourself in trouble.
Attachments
- Apex Attachment: Oris 8.6 Razor
- Barrel: EXP Crosstac 22
- Laser: XRK Clutch-LS
- Muzzle: EXP Undertow Gen. 2
- Optic: Cronen R808
- Rear grip: Bruen R7-TC Grip
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
MAR-9 (Faster engagements)
While it doesn't hit as hard per shot as the Oris 8.6, the MAR-9 deals a reported 50 damage and has a faster fire rate of 315 RPM. Its controllable recoil and generous 20-round magazine make it a solid option for players who prefer a semi-automatic marksman rifle. With the Auto Apex attachment, it can also be converted to fully automatic fire for a more aggressive playstyle. However, its effective damage range was reduced during beta balancing, and it doesn't offer the same one-shot potential as the Oris 8.6.
Attachments
- Apex Attachment: MAR-9 Auto
- Barrel: Bruen Reaper-X
- Laser: SZ Gen.6 PEQ
- Magazine: 30 Round Mag
- Rear grip: Hanbit AGRS-1 Pro
- Stock: LM Scout VX-9
Perks
- Perk 1: Quick Fix
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Tracker
Mosin-Nagant (Range-focused)
This old-school bolt-action rifle hits hard and has excellent long-range potential, making it a strong choice for players who prefer precision over a high fire rate. Its damage can make follow-up shots less necessary when you land a lethal hit, while the Mosin Harpoon Apex attachment adds a ballistic bayonet that can be launched at enemies and retrieved for reuse. So, if you miss your shot at closer range, you might still have another trick up your sleeve. However, its slow fire rate and five-round magazine mean accuracy is essential.
Attachments
- Barrel: 762 Dozor Barrel
- Laser: XRK Clutch-LS
- Muzzle: 330TC2 Gridlock
- Stock: Lockwood Eagle Stock
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Ninja
- Perk 3: Cold-Blooded
Sniper rifles
KG-7 Vulcan (Dedicated sniping)
A weapon of choice for sniper enthusiasts, the KG-7 Vulcan combines a bullet velocity of 740 m/s with a fire rate of 41 RPM. Its 10-round magazine, with another 20 rounds in reserve, gives you more opportunities to land your shots before reloading than some competing sniper rifles. However, its slow aiming speed and lengthy rechambering time can leave you vulnerable after a missed shot. It's also not particularly mobile, so you'll want to prioritise positioning and accuracy rather than rushing into fights.
Attachments
- Apex Attachment: KG-7 Drillcharge
- Barrel: TT Baem 12
- Laser: Schlager VISIV-5
- Muzzle: Ivanov QR600
- Optic: Schlager 7x
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Ninja
- Perk 3: Cold-Blooded
Signal 50 (Follow-up shots)
The Signal 50 is a hard-hitting sniper rifle, with reported damage of up to 102. It also has a relatively fast follow-up shot rate of 111 RPM compared with the KG-7 Vulcan's 41 RPM. Its .50-calibre rounds and reported bullet velocity of 600 m/s make it a solid option for controlling distant sightlines, while its seven-round magazine gives you a reasonable amount of ammunition between reloads. However, its slow aim-down-sights speed makes it less suitable for quick-scoping, and its heavy handling limits mobility.
Attachments
- Laser: XRK Clutch-LS
- Muzzle: FSS DES-Tac70
- Optic: Cronen R808
- Rear grip: GL Zero Drop 6
- Stock: Cronen SN-Pad50
Perks
- Perk 1: Ghost
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
Astaroth .57 (Alternative sniper)
With reported damage of around 90 per shot, strong long-range potential and high-velocity ammunition, the Astaroth .57 is a formidable sniper rifle. It's particularly suited to players who prefer holding their ground and picking off enemies from a distance. Its Infiltrator Apex attachment also uses sonar and radio-wave pulses to help detect enemies through walls and cover, potentially giving you an advantage when anticipating enemy movements. Unfortunately, its three-round magazine, with another nine rounds in reserve, means every shot matters. It also has a very slow fire rate and lengthy reload, so make sure your aim is on point.
Attachments
- Barrel: FTAC Crosswind 30"
- Laser: Schlager VISIV-5
- Muzzle: FSS Moodkiller
- Optic: Schlager 7x
- Rear grip: FJX S-TAC Grip
- Stock: Usenko V8-LKR
Perks
- Perk 1: Overkill
- Perk 2: Fast Hands
- Perk 3: Battle Hardened
Topics: Call Of Duty, Call Of Duty Modern Warfare, Activision, PlayStation, Xbox