CLEAVER Warzone: Best Weapons to Pair With to Dominate Season 1

The CLEAVER assault rifle holds a significant position within the Warzone Season 1 meta, recognized for its potent damage output at short to medium ranges. While formidable on its own, maximizing the CLEAVER's potential in the diverse combat environments of Haven's Hollow and Verdansk requires strategic weapon pairing. The selection of a secondary weapon is not merely about personal preference; it is a critical decision that dictates a player's effectiveness across various engagement distances and tactical situations. An optimal pairing covers the CLEAVER's limitations, enhances its strengths, and provides a versatile loadout capable of adapting to any challenge. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the best weapons to pair with the CLEAVER, detailing how each combination creates unique tactical advantages. Understanding these optimal loadouts will equip players with the knowledge to dominate firefights, control objectives, and secure victories in Warzone. Mastering these strategic weapon combinations offers a distinct edge on the battlefield.

Overview of the CLEAVER

The CLEAVER is an assault rifle characterized by its robust damage profile and effective performance at short to medium ranges. While its description notes a one-hit kill capability in Multiplayer, in Warzone, its strength lies in a competitive time-to-kill within its optimal engagement envelope. Its medium attack speed contributes to a manageable recoil pattern, allowing for consistent accuracy in sustained fire. The CLEAVER excels in aggressive pushes and holding tight angles where its damage can be fully leveraged.

However, the CLEAVER's primary weakness becomes apparent in long-range engagements, where damage drop-off and bullet velocity limitations can put players at a disadvantage against dedicated long-range options. Its medium attack speed, while controllable, may also be outpaced by some high-fire-rate SMGs in extreme close-quarters. Strategic weapon pairings are essential to mitigate these limitations. By combining the CLEAVER with a weapon that excels at extended ranges or provides superior close-range mobility, players can create a balanced loadout capable of addressing any combat scenario, thereby enhancing the CLEAVER's overall battlefield effectiveness.

Best Guns to use with the CLEAVER

The following recommended weapons were carefully selected to complement the CLEAVER's strengths and address its inherent limitations. Each pairing offers distinct tactical advantages, either extending the CLEAVER's effective range, bolstering its close-quarters dominance, or providing versatile utility. These combinations are designed to create balanced loadouts, ensuring players are prepared for diverse combat scenarios across Warzone's maps.

#1 MXR-17

The MXR-17, a full-auto assault rifle known for its excellent accuracy and range, forms a highly effective pairing with the CLEAVER. While the CLEAVER excels in short to medium-range engagements, the MXR-17 extends the loadout's lethality to long distances, effectively covering the CLEAVER's primary weakness. The MXR-17's superior bullet velocity and minimal recoil allow players to engage targets beyond 50 meters with precision, securing eliminations that the CLEAVER would struggle to achieve. This synergy creates a versatile loadout capable of dominating all engagement ranges.

Tactical advantages include the ability to hold down long sightlines with the MXR-17, providing suppressive fire or picking off distant enemies, while the CLEAVER remains ready for any immediate close-quarters threats or aggressive pushes. This combination is particularly strong in open-map areas like Verdansk's Signal Station or for covering teammates pushing objectives.

Recommended loadout for the CLEAVER includes attachments focused on improving sprint-to-fire time and aim-down-sight speed, such as a lightweight stock and a short barrel, to maximize its close-range readiness. For the MXR-17, a long-range optic, a heavy barrel for increased bullet velocity, and a recoil-stabilizing stock are recommended to enhance its long-range accuracy and control.

This pairing excels in Battle Royale modes on larger maps where varied engagement distances are common. It allows players to adapt seamlessly from long-range sniping positions to aggressive building clearings. A potential limitation is the slower mobility and rate of fire of the MXR-17, which means switching to the CLEAVER quickly is crucial if an enemy closes the distance unexpectedly. Both weapons being assault rifles can also mean a slight overlap in their effective ranges, but their distinct strengths ensure a complementary relationship.

#2 MPC-25

The MPC-25, a full-auto submachine gun, offers a dynamic and aggressive pairing with the CLEAVER, creating a loadout optimized for rapid engagements and superior mobility. The CLEAVER handles short to medium-range threats with its reliable damage, but the MPC-25 takes over in extreme close-quarters combat where its very high damage, excellent mobility, and handling become paramount. This SMG compensates for the CLEAVER's slightly slower handling characteristics, allowing players to sprint, slide, and engage enemies with exceptional quickness, especially with Omnimovement now active in Warzone Season 1.

The synergy benefits of this pairing are evident in its ability to dominate fast-paced, close-range gunfights. Players can use the CLEAVER for initial engagements or mid-range suppression, then quickly switch to the MPC-25 for aggressive pushes into buildings or clearing tight spaces. This tactical advantage is crucial in Resurgence modes on maps like Haven's Hollow, particularly within the vertical combat zones of the Manor and Janus Towers.

For the CLEAVER, a loadout focusing on damage range and recoil control, such as a longer barrel and a vertical grip, allows it to maintain its mid-range effectiveness. The MPC-25 benefits from attachments that mitigate its very high recoil, such as a muzzle brake and an underbarrel grip, while also enhancing its already excellent aim-down-sight speed and sprint-to-fire time with a laser or lightweight stock.

This pairing excels in urban environments, objective-based modes, and situations requiring rapid repositioning and direct assaults. Its primary limitation is the MPC-25's very high recoil and limited range, making it almost unusable beyond close quarters. This necessitates precise weapon switching and an understanding of engagement distances to avoid being caught off guard by distant enemies. The combination prioritizes aggressive, fast-paced gameplay over long-range engagements.

#3 DS20 Mirage

The DS20 Mirage, a full-auto assault rifle with respectable damage and an integrated underbarrel grenade launcher, offers a balanced and versatile pairing for the CLEAVER. While the CLEAVER is effective at short to medium distances, the DS20 Mirage extends this range slightly with its consistent damage profile, bridging the gap to longer engagements without fully committing to a dedicated long-range weapon. The key synergy benefit comes from its integrated grenade launcher, providing invaluable utility for flushing out entrenched enemies or clearing objectives, a capability the CLEAVER lacks.

This pairing creates tactical advantages by allowing players to maintain pressure across various ranges and introduce an explosive element to their arsenal. The grenade launcher can be used to dislodge opponents from cover, force them into vulnerable positions, or deny access to certain areas, complementing the CLEAVER's direct damage output. This combination is particularly effective in scenarios where enemies are holding strong defensive positions or when pushing into buildings with multiple entry points.

For the CLEAVER, a loadout focused on improving its damage range and bullet velocity, such as a heavy barrel and a suppressor, helps it contest slightly longer engagements. The DS20 Mirage benefits from attachments that reduce its moderate recoil, like a vertical grip or a stock that aids in recoil control, ensuring its respectable damage can be consistently applied. Additionally, an optic suitable for medium-range engagements is beneficial.

This pairing excels in dynamic combat situations on maps like Haven's Hollow, where verticality and varied cover are prevalent, or in Verdansk's Factory, where enemies might be behind destructible cover. The primary limitation of the DS20 Mirage is its moderate recoil, mobility, and handling, which are not as optimized as dedicated close-quarters or long-range options. This means players must manage its recoil effectively and be mindful of its slightly slower feel compared to the CLEAVER when transitioning between engagements. The grenade launcher, while powerful, has limited ammunition and requires accurate placement.

Tactical Usage Tips

Effectively utilizing CLEAVER weapon combinations in Warzone demands strategic weapon switching and an understanding of each weapon's optimal range. When paired with a long-range option like the MXR-17, maintain the MXR-17 as the primary for open areas and distant threats. Swiftly switch to the CLEAVER when pushing into buildings or anticipating close-quarters engagements. This ensures the correct tool is always in hand for the immediate threat.

For aggressive pairings with an SMG like the MPC-25, the CLEAVER should be used for initial medium-range pokes or when covering wider angles. Transition to the MPC-25 for rapid assaults, clearing rooms, or when Omnimovement allows for quick flanks. Maximizing synergy involves understanding that the SMG covers the CLEAVER's handling speed in tight spaces.

With a versatile option like the DS20 Mirage, the CLEAVER handles direct short to medium-range firefights. The DS20 Mirage extends this range and, crucially, provides utility with its grenade launcher. Use the grenade launcher to soften up fortified positions before pushing with the CLEAVER or to disrupt enemy formations. Practice quick swaps and develop muscle memory for each weapon's unique feel. Mastering these transitions allows players to maintain constant pressure and adapt to any combat scenario, significantly improving overall effectiveness.

Conclusion

The CLEAVER, a formidable assault rifle in Warzone Season 1, truly shines when complemented by a strategic secondary weapon. The MXR-17 provides unmatched long-range precision, ideal for players who prefer to engage from a distance and control sightlines. For aggressive, close-quarters specialists, the MPC-25 offers unparalleled mobility and damage, transforming the loadout into a potent force in tight spaces. Meanwhile, the DS20 Mirage delivers a balanced approach, extending the CLEAVER's versatility with respectable damage and crucial utility from its integrated grenade launcher.

Choosing the best pairing ultimately depends on individual playstyle and the tactical demands of the map. Strategic weapon combinations are not merely an advantage; they are essential for adapting to Warzone's dynamic combat environments. Players are encouraged to experiment with these suggested pairings, fine-tune their loadouts, and discover the combination that best empowers them to dominate the battlefield. Mastery of these synergies will elevate gameplay and secure more victories.