Top 21 META Close Range Weapons in Warzone Ranked (Season 3 Reloaded)

Warzone's Season 3 Reloaded meta has seen a significant shift in weapon preferences, particularly in Ranked play. Close-range engagements are more crucial than ever, demanding optimized weapon choices for those intense, confined skirmishes. This guide focuses on the top 21 close-range weapons currently dominating Warzone Ranked, providing a detailed Tier-based ranking to help players fine-tune their loadouts.

SMGs, shotguns, and pistols are pivotal in securing victories within the close-quarters combat scenarios that define much of Warzone's gameplay. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each weapon is critical for maximizing your effectiveness.

The rankings presented here are based on a comprehensive analysis of weapon statistics, player usage data, and in-game performance observations. This analysis ensures an objective assessment of each weapon's viability in the current meta.

#1: Vaznev-9k

The Vaznev-9K is a Meta-tier SMG in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded, known for its effectiveness in close-quarters combat. Its primary strength lies in its fast time-to-kill (TTK), allowing players to quickly eliminate opponents in close-range engagements. The weapon's manageable recoil pattern further enhances its usability, making it easier to stay on target during rapid fire.

While the Vaznev-9K excels in close-quarters, its performance drops off at longer distances due to damage falloff and increased recoil. This limitation makes it less versatile in open areas or when engaging targets beyond its optimal range. Despite this, its close-range dominance secures its place as a top-tier choice for aggressive players who prioritize fast-paced, close-quarters combat.

#2: ISO 45

The ISO 45 SMG stands out as a Meta-tier weapon in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded, characterized by its exceptional fire rate and high mobility. This combination allows for aggressive playstyles and quick engagements, making it a formidable choice in close-quarters combat. Its rapid fire rate translates to a very fast time-to-kill (TTK) when used accurately.

However, the ISO 45 is not without its drawbacks. The weapon can be challenging to control due to its high rate of fire, requiring skilled recoil management to maintain accuracy. Despite the high skill ceiling, mastering the ISO 45 can make it an extremely deadly weapon in the right hands, rewarding skilled players with its high damage output and agility.

#3: MX Guardian

The MX Guardian is a Meta-tier shotgun in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded.

#4: VEL 46

The VEL 46 is an A-Tier SMG recognized for its user-friendly handling and consistent performance in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. Its high fire rate contributes to a competitive time-to-kill (TTK), making it effective in close-quarters engagements. The weapon's low recoil enhances its accessibility, allowing players to maintain accuracy even during sustained fire.

While the VEL 46 is easy to control, it may not possess the outright dominance of Meta-tier weapons in specific scenarios. Its damage output and range are balanced, making it a reliable choice for various situations. This balance makes the VEL 46 a solid option for players seeking a dependable and easy-to-use SMG.

#5: Lachmann Sub

The Lachmann Sub is an A-Tier SMG known for its significant damage output in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It excels in close-quarters combat, where its high fire rate and substantial damage combine to quickly eliminate enemies. This weapon is particularly effective for aggressive players who prioritize fast engagements.

While the Lachmann Sub is powerful, its recoil can be challenging to manage, especially during sustained fire. This requires players to have good recoil control skills to maintain accuracy. Despite this, its high damage potential makes it a strong choice for players confident in their ability to control its recoil.

#6: PDSW 528

The PDSW 528 is an A-Tier SMG distinguished by its exceptional mobility in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. Its high fire rate contributes to a respectable time-to-kill (TTK), making it a viable option in close-quarters engagements. The weapon's mobility allows for quick maneuvers and aggressive plays.

However, the PDSW 528 has drawbacks, including iron sights that are not favored by all players. This can affect accuracy and target acquisition, potentially hindering its effectiveness. Despite this, its mobility and rate of fire make it a strong choice for players who value agility and speed in their gameplay.

#7: FSS Hurricane

The FSS Hurricane is an A-Tier SMG celebrated for its versatility in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It is effective in both close-quarters and medium-range engagements, offering a balanced performance across different combat scenarios. The weapon's high bullet velocity enhances its accuracy at longer distances, while its competitive TTK makes it viable up close.

The FSS Hurricane's adaptability makes it a strong sniper support weapon, capable of engaging targets at various ranges. Its balanced characteristics make it a reliable choice for players who prefer a flexible weapon that can handle diverse combat situations.

#8: MX9

The MX9 is a B-Tier SMG known for its high damage output and fast time-to-kill (TTK) in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It is a powerful option for quickly eliminating opponents in close-quarters combat. However, its effectiveness is limited by its small 32-round magazine.

This magazine capacity makes the MX9 best suited for solo play, where engagements are typically one-on-one. In team modes, the limited ammunition can be a significant disadvantage. Despite its high damage potential, the MX9's small magazine restricts its overall viability in squad-based modes.

#9: Minibak

The Minibak SMG is a B-Tier weapon recognized for its high damage output at close range and manageable recoil in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. Its large magazine capacity makes it a reliable choice for sustained engagements and sniper support roles. The weapon's low recoil allows for easier target acquisition and tracking.

However, the Minibak is not the most powerful SMG available, and its time-to-kill (TTK) may not be as competitive as higher-tier options. Despite this, its ease of use and large magazine make it a viable choice for players who prioritize stability and sustained fire over raw damage output.

#10: X12

The X12 pistol, when used in Akimbo configuration, is a B-Tier weapon known for its effectiveness in close-quarters combat in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. Its lack of recoil and high magazine capacity make it ideal for aggressive engagements. The weapon's exceptional mobility allows for quick maneuvers and rapid repositioning.

While the X12 excels in close-quarters, its limited range makes it less effective in open areas or at longer distances. Despite this, its close-range dominance and high mobility make it a strong choice for players who favor an aggressive, fast-paced playstyle.

#11: Cronen Squall

The Cronen Squall is a B-Tier battle rifle that stands out due to its high damage output and rapid fire rate in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. Designed primarily for long-range engagements, it boasts the highest range within its weapon class.

However, the Cronen Squall is limited to burst fire, which may not be ideal for all combat situations. Despite this limitation, its high damage potential and long-range capabilities make it a viable option for players who excel in long-distance engagements and can manage its unique firing mechanism.

#12: BAS-P

The BAS-P is a C-Tier SMG known for its high fire rate, manageable recoil, and excellent mobility in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It offers one of the fastest time-to-kill (TTK) values in close range, making it a viable option for aggressive players. Its damage range is also the highest in its class, enhancing its versatility as a sniper support weapon.

Despite these strengths, the BAS-P's overall performance is outclassed by higher-tier SMGs, limiting its effectiveness in highly competitive matches. While it can perform well in specific scenarios, it may not be the most reliable choice for consistent success.

#13: GS Magna

The GS Magna is a D-Tier pistol in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It is a fully automatic version of the .50 GS pistol known for its very high damage output.

However, its overall performance is outclassed by higher-tier weapons, limiting its effectiveness in competitive matches.

#14: FTAC Siege

The FTAC Siege is a D-Tier machine pistol designed for compact maneuverability and a high fire rate in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. Its rapid swap speed makes it a reliable secondary weapon for up-close engagements.

However, its overall performance is outclassed by higher-tier weapons, limiting its effectiveness in competitive matches.

#15: .50gs

The .50 GS is a D-Tier pistol known for its high damage output and fast time-to-kill (TTK) in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. However, it is also characterized by its significant recoil, which can make it challenging to control.

Despite its high damage potential, the .50 GS's recoil makes it difficult to use effectively, especially in fast-paced engagements. This limits its overall viability compared to more controllable and versatile weapons.

#16: FTAC Recon

The FTAC Recon is a D-Tier battle rifle in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It delivers considerable damage with a rapid time-to-kill but suffers from substantial recoil, particularly at longer distances. While it can be switched to full auto mode, this is limited by a small 15-round magazine.

While the FTAC Recon can be a potent close-to-mid-range weapon in full auto, its limited magazine capacity and difficult recoil diminish its overall utility. These drawbacks make it a less favorable option compared to more balanced and controllable weapons.

#17: X13 Auto

The X13 Auto, when used in Akimbo configuration, is a D-Tier pistol in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It is a high-powered automatic pistol that delivers significant damage in close-quarters combat. However, its high recoil and wide hip-fire bullet spread make it difficult to control.

While the X13 Auto has the potential to inflict considerable damage, its challenging handling and accuracy issues limit its overall effectiveness. These drawbacks make it a less reliable choice compared to more controllable and accurate weapons.

#18: Fennec 45

The Fennec 45 is a D-Tier SMG characterized by its high fire rate and excellent mobility in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. However, its performance is significantly hampered by its substantial recoil and low ammunition capacity.

While its fire rate and mobility offer some advantages, the Fennec 45's recoil and limited ammo make it difficult to use effectively in sustained engagements. These limitations make it a less favorable option compared to more balanced and controllable SMGs.

#19: P890

The P890 pistol, when used in Akimbo configuration, is a D-Tier weapon in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It boasts one of the fastest time-to-kill (TTK) values in close range, coupled with a low hip-fire spread for enhanced accuracy. Its manageable recoil further contributes to its ease of use.

However, the P890's effectiveness is limited by its small ammunition capacity, requiring careful shot placement and tactical reloading. This limitation makes it a situational weapon best suited for highly skilled players who can maximize its potential while mitigating its drawbacks.

#20: TAQ-V

The TAQ-V is a D-Tier assault rifle that delivers significant damage but is hampered by substantial recoil in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. Its high recoil makes it challenging to control, limiting its effectiveness in sustained engagements.

While the TAQ-V's damage potential is notable, its difficult handling makes it a less favorable option compared to more controllable and versatile assault rifles. Players must possess excellent recoil control skills to effectively utilize this weapon.

#21: KV Broadside

The KV Broadside is a D-Tier semi-automatic shotgun in Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded. It delivers a powerful punch and boasts a very fast time-to-kill (TTK). However, it is hindered by slow mobility and aim-down-sight (ADS) speed.

While the KV Broadside's damage output is impressive, its poor handling characteristics make it a situational weapon best suited for very close-quarters engagements. Its lack of mobility and slow ADS speed make it less effective in dynamic combat scenarios.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the close-range meta of Warzone Ranked Season 3 Reloaded offers a diverse range of weapon choices, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. The Tier ranking provides a clear assessment of their performance, guiding players toward optimal loadout selections.

The Vaznev-9K stands out for its fast TTK and manageable recoil, making it ideal for aggressive, close-quarters combat. The ISO 45 excels with its rapid fire rate and high mobility, rewarding skilled players with its deadly potential. Lastly, the MX Guardian delivers devastating damage in tight spaces, offering a potent option for those who prefer a more deliberate, close-range playstyle.