Warzone Ranked Close Range Tier List (March 2025) - *NEW* META

This tier list ranks the best close-range weapons in Warzone Ranked for March 2025. Weapons are categorized into tiers ranging from META to D, reflecting their effectiveness and viability in the current game environment.

• META: The absolute best weapons dominating the current meta.
• A: Excellent weapons that are just shy of meta status.
• B: Strong weapons that are very viable in most situations.
• C: Good weapons with some limitations or specific use cases.
• D: Average weapons that can be used but are outclassed by others.

The current Warzone meta favors weapons with high damage output, manageable recoil, and good mobility. This tier list is based on statistical analysis, community feedback, and practical testing. The criteria used for ranking include time-to-kill (TTK), recoil control, mobility, and ease of use. Recent game updates and patches have been considered to ensure the rankings reflect the most current weapon balance.

META Tier

META tier weapons are the absolute best choices in Warzone, dominating the current meta. These weapons typically have the fastest time-to-kill, manageable recoil, and are effective in a variety of combat scenarios.

Vaznev-9k

The Vaznev-9k is a META-tier SMG in Warzone due to its exceptional close-quarters performance. Its key strengths include a rapid time-to-kill and manageable recoil, making it easy to control in intense firefights. Statistically, the Vaznev-9k boasts a competitive TTK, allowing players to quickly eliminate opponents. While it excels in close-range engagements, its effectiveness drops off at longer distances.

ISO 45

The ISO 45 secures its META status in Warzone due to its blistering fire rate and high mobility. This SMG is statistically impressive, offering a very competitive time-to-kill when wielded accurately. Its strengths lie in aggressive, close-quarters combat, where its rapid fire can quickly overwhelm opponents. However, the ISO 45 can be challenging to control due to its recoil, and its effectiveness diminishes at longer ranges.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian is a META-tier shotgun in Warzone because of its devastating close-range capabilities.

A Tier

A-tier weapons in Warzone are excellent choices, falling just short of the META. These weapons are highly competitive and can challenge META weapons in the right hands. They may have minor disadvantages in specific stats or situations.

VEL 46

The VEL 46 is an A-tier SMG in Warzone, known for its ease of use and reliable performance. It features a high fire rate, contributing to a favorable time-to-kill in close engagements. The VEL 46's low recoil makes it easy to control, even for less experienced players. While it may not have the absolute fastest TTK compared to META weapons, its consistency and user-friendliness make it a strong choice.

Lachmann Sub

The Lachmann Sub is an A-tier SMG in Warzone, recognized for its power in close-quarters combat. Its high fire rate and significant damage output enable players to quickly eliminate enemies. This weapon excels in aggressive playstyles, allowing for rapid takedowns in confined spaces. While it may not be as versatile as some META options, the Lachmann Sub's raw power makes it a formidable weapon in skilled hands.

PDSW 528

The PDSW 528 is an A-tier SMG in Warzone, distinguished by its exceptional mobility and high fire rate. It offers the best mobility in its class, allowing for rapid maneuvers and quick engagements. The PDSW 528 provides a competitive time-to-kill, making it effective in close-quarters combat. Its iron sights are a common point of contention among players, but this can be addressed with attachments.

FSS Hurricane

The FSS Hurricane is an A-tier SMG in Warzone, noted for its versatility in both close-quarters and mid-range engagements. It boasts a high bullet velocity and a solid TTK at short to medium distances, making it a reliable choice in various combat scenarios. The FSS Hurricane serves well as a sniper support weapon, offering the flexibility to engage enemies at different ranges.

B Tier

B-tier weapons in Warzone are strong and viable in most situations, offering a balance of performance and versatility. While they may not dominate like META weapons, they can be effective with skilled use and strategic play. These weapons often have noticeable disadvantages compared to higher-tier options.

MX9

The MX9 is a B-tier SMG in Warzone, known for its high damage output and fast TTK. Its primary limitation is its smaller 32-round magazine, which requires careful ammo management. The MX9 is best suited for solo play, where engagements are typically shorter and less frequent.

Minibak

The Minibak is a B-tier SMG in Warzone, offering a balance of damage, recoil control, and magazine capacity. It delivers high damage at close range and features manageable recoil, making it relatively easy to control. Its large magazine makes it a suitable choice for sniper support, allowing for sustained fire. While not the most powerful SMG, the Minibak's well-rounded attributes make it a viable option.

X12

The X12 in Akimbo configuration is a B-tier pistol in Warzone, excelling in close-quarter combat. It features no recoil and a high magazine capacity, making it ideal for aggressive engagements. The X12 offers tremendous mobility, allowing players to navigate the battlefield quickly.

Cronen Squall

The Cronen Squall is a B-tier battle rifle in Warzone, distinguished by its high damage output and rapid fire rate. Designed for long-range engagements, it boasts the highest range in its class.

C Tier

C-tier weapons in Warzone are good, but come with limitations or excel only in specific use cases. They can be effective if used strategically, but often struggle against higher-tier weapons in general gameplay.

BAS-P

The BAS-P is a C-tier SMG in Warzone, characterized by its high fire rate, manageable recoil, and great mobility. It boasts one of the fastest times to kill in close range and the highest damage range in its class. The BAS-P can be an excellent sniper support weapon due to its versatility.

D Tier

D-tier weapons in Warzone are average and can be used, but are generally outclassed by better options. They often have significant disadvantages that make them difficult to use effectively in most situations.

GS Magna

The GS Magna is a D-tier pistol in Warzone, functioning as a fully automatic version of the .50 GS. It delivers very high damage, but its overall performance is lacking compared to other options.

FTAC Siege

The FTAC Siege is a D-tier pistol in Warzone, designed for compact maneuverability and a high fire rate. This machine pistol offers rapid swap speed, making it a decent secondary weapon for close-up engagements.

.50gs

The .50 GS is a D-tier pistol in Warzone, known for its high damage output and fast time to kill. However, it suffers from significant recoil, making it difficult to control.

FTAC Recon

The FTAC Recon is a D-tier assault rifle in Warzone, functioning as a powerful semi-automatic battle rifle. It has a fast time to kill, but its recoil is hard to control at longer distances. Switching to full auto mode can make it a strong close-to-mid range weapon, but its limited 15-round magazine is a significant drawback.

X13 Auto

The X13 Auto, when used in Akimbo configuration, is a D-tier pistol in Warzone. It delivers huge damage in close-quarter combats due to its high-powered automatic fire. While it can be a very powerful weapon, the X13 is tough to use because of its high recoil and hip-fire bullet spread.

Fennec 45

The Fennec 45 is a D-tier SMG in Warzone, recognized for its high fire rate and great mobility. However, its recoil and low ammo capacity make it difficult to manage effectively.

P890

The P890, when used in Akimbo configuration, is a D-tier pistol in Warzone. It has one of the fastest time-to-kill in close range. It has low hip-fire spread, making it easier to hit targets, and its recoil is manageable. However, its limited ammunition supply requires careful usage.

TAQ-V

The TAQ-V is a D-tier assault rifle in Warzone characterized by its high recoil and substantial damage output. Its recoil makes it challenging to control, but it can be very powerful if mastered.

KV Broadside

The KV Broadside is a D-tier semi-auto shotgun in Warzone that delivers a powerful punch. It has a very fast time to kill but is hampered by slow mobility and ADS speed.

Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 is a D-tier pump-action shotgun in Warzone. It lacks the power necessary to compete against the meta weapons.

Basilisk

The Basilisk is a D-tier revolver in Warzone, known for its high damage potential. It can be turned into a mini shotgun with Snakeshot ammunition, capable of downing an enemy with two shots. However, it is limited to only five rounds, requiring precise shot placement.

SO-14

The SO-14 is a D-tier semi-automatic battle rifle in Warzone. It has a fast time to kill, but its recoil is difficult to manage at longer distances. Switching to full auto mode turns it into a very strong close-to-mid range weapon.

Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 is a D-tier semi-automatic shotgun in Warzone with moderate damage. It has a very short damage range.

Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 is a D-tier double barrel shotgun in Warzone. It can achieve a one-shot kill with the trigger action attachment, which allows both barrels to be fired simultaneously, but requires reloading after every shot.

Bryson 890

The Bryson 890 is a D-tier pump-action shotgun in Warzone. It is not powerful enough to compete against the meta weapons.

Lachmann-762

The Lachmann-762 is a D-tier semi-automatic battle rifle in Warzone. It has a fast time to kill, but its recoil is hard to control at longer distances. Switching to full auto mode can turn it into a very strong close-range weapon.

Lachmann Shroud

The Lachmann Shroud is a D-tier SMG in Warzone.

9mm Daemon

The 9mm Daemon is a D-tier pistol in Warzone.

Conclusion

In March 2025, the close-range meta in Warzone is dominated by SMGs and shotguns, with the Vaznev-9k, ISO 45, and MX Guardian leading the charge. The distribution of weapons across tiers reveals a concentration in the A and B tiers, indicating a relatively balanced selection of viable options. D-tier weapons are the most numerous, highlighting a range of underperforming options that struggle in the current meta. Future meta shifts may be influenced by upcoming patches, which could adjust weapon stats, attachment benefits, or introduce new content.

Methodology

The methodology for this tier list involves a comprehensive evaluation of each weapon's performance in Warzone. Key criteria include time-to-kill (TTK), recoil control, mobility, damage range, and ease of use. TTK is weighted most heavily, followed by recoil control and mobility, as these factors significantly impact weapon effectiveness in engagements. Testing was conducted in both private matches and public lobbies to simulate real-game scenarios. Higher tiers prioritize weapons with the fastest TTK, manageable recoil, and good mobility, enabling players to engage and eliminate enemies quickly and efficiently.