Warzone Ranked Domination: Season 3 Close Range Tier List!

In Warzone Ranked, selecting the right close-range weapon is crucial for success. This tier list evaluates weapons based on their performance in Season 3, considering factors like Time-to-Kill (TTK), recoil control, mobility, and effective damage range. Weapons are categorized into tiers ranging from META to D, reflecting their overall effectiveness and viability in the current game environment.

META tier weapons represent the absolute best choices, dominating the current meta due to their statistical advantages. A-tier weapons are excellent alternatives, highly competitive and capable of challenging META weapons. B-tier weapons are viable options that require more skill to use effectively. C-tier weapons are average, suitable for specific scenarios but less effective overall. D-tier weapons are below average, possessing significant disadvantages.

This ranking is based on extensive testing and analysis, considering recent game updates and patch notes that may have impacted weapon performance.

META Tier

META-tier weapons represent the absolute best choices in the current meta. These weapons offer statistical advantages over other options and are commonly favored by top players.

Vaznev-9k

The Vaznev-9k is a META-tier SMG due to its exceptional close-quarters performance in Warzone. It boasts a rapid time-to-kill (TTK) and manageable recoil, making it easy to control during intense firefights. While its effective range is limited, the Vaznev-9k excels in tight spaces and close-range engagements, allowing players to quickly eliminate opponents. Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, making it a top choice for aggressive players.

ISO 45

The ISO 45 secures its META-tier position with a blistering fire rate and high mobility, making it a force to be reckoned with in close-quarters combat. While it may require a steady hand due to its recoil, skilled players can harness its immense damage output to quickly eliminate enemies. The ISO 45 excels in aggressive, fast-paced engagements, but its effectiveness drops off at longer ranges.

MX Guardian

As a META-tier shotgun, the MX Guardian excels in extremely close-quarters combat.

A Tier

A-tier weapons are excellent choices that fall just short of meta status. These weapons are highly competitive and can still contend with meta weapons in the right hands.

VEL 46

The VEL 46 is an A-tier SMG known for its ease of use and consistent performance. Its high fire rate and manageable recoil make it accessible to players of all skill levels. While its TTK may not be the fastest in the SMG category, the VEL 46's reliability and accuracy make it a solid choice for close-quarters engagements.

Lachmann Sub

The Lachmann Sub is an A-tier SMG renowned for its effectiveness in close-quarters combat. It features a high fire rate and significant damage output, enabling quick takedowns of opponents. While recoil control can be challenging, skilled players can mitigate this with attachments and practice. The Lachmann Sub excels in aggressive playstyles, making it a strong choice for dominating close-range engagements.

PDSW 528

The PDSW 528 earns its A-tier status due to its exceptional mobility and high fire rate, making it ideal for aggressive players. While its iron sights may not appeal to everyone, the PDSW 528 boasts a competitive TTK and allows for rapid movement around the map. This SMG excels in fast-paced engagements, allowing players to quickly close the distance and eliminate opponents.

FSS Hurricane

The FSS Hurricane is an A-tier SMG celebrated for its versatility in both close-quarters and mid-range engagements. Its high bullet velocity and balanced TTK make it a reliable choice for various combat scenarios. The FSS Hurricane functions well as a sniper support weapon, offering effective damage at short and medium ranges.

B Tier

B-tier weapons are strong and remain viable in most situations. While not as dominant as Meta or A-tier options, they can still be effective with the right strategy and skill.

MX9

The MX9 is a B-tier SMG known for its considerable power and fast TTK, but its limited 32-round magazine is a significant drawback. This makes it best suited for Solos, where engagements are typically shorter. The MX9 excels in quickly eliminating single targets, but its limited ammo capacity can be a disadvantage in sustained firefights.

Minibak

The Minibak is a B-tier SMG that offers a balance of damage, low recoil, and a large magazine. It has high damage at close range, making it effective in tight spaces. Its large magazine capacity makes it a good choice for sniper support, allowing players to engage multiple targets without frequent reloads. However, it is not the most powerful SMG available, so it is important to use it strategically.

X12

The X12, when used akimbo, is a B-tier pistol that excels in close-quarters combat. Its lack of recoil and high magazine capacity make it ideal for aggressive engagements. The X12's exceptional mobility allows players to quickly navigate the battlefield, making it a viable option for those who prefer a run-and-gun playstyle.

Cronen Squall

The Cronen Squall is a B-tier battle rifle distinguished by its high damage output and rapid fire rate. Designed primarily for long-range engagements, it offers the highest range within its class. While effective at a distance, its performance in close-quarters combat is less optimal.

C Tier

C-tier weapons are good but come with limitations or excel only in specific use cases. These weapons can be effective in the right hands but often struggle against higher-tier options in general gameplay.

BAS-P

The BAS-P is a C-tier SMG characterized by its high fire rate, manageable recoil, and excellent mobility. It boasts a fast time-to-kill (TTK) in close range, complemented by the highest damage range within its class. The BAS-P can function effectively as a sniper support weapon, providing a versatile option for various combat scenarios.

D Tier

D-tier weapons are considered average but are often outclassed by other options. While they can be used, they generally have significant disadvantages that make them less effective in most situations.

GS Magna

The GS Magna is a D-tier pistol, known as the fully automatic version of the .50 GS. While it boasts very high damage, its recoil and accuracy issues hold it back.

FTAC Siege

The FTAC Siege is a D-tier machine pistol, designed for compact maneuverability and boasting a jaw-dropping fire rate and rapid swap speed. While it can be a trusted secondary for up-close engagements, its effectiveness is limited by its high recoil and bullet spread.

.50gs

The .50 GS is a D-tier pistol recognized for its substantial damage and fast time-to-kill. However, its high recoil makes it challenging to control, especially in sustained firefights. While it can be effective in skilled hands, the .50 GS is generally outclassed by other, more controllable options.

FTAC Recon

The FTAC Recon is a D-tier battle rifle that delivers a fast time-to-kill but suffers from difficult-to-control recoil at longer distances. While it can be switched to full auto for strong close-to-mid range performance, it is limited by a small 15-round magazine. This makes it less versatile compared to other assault rifles and battle rifles.

X13 Auto

The X13 Auto, when used akimbo, is a D-tier 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, limiting its overall effectiveness. While it can be a powerful weapon in specific situations, the X13 Auto is generally outclassed by other, more accurate options.

Fennec 45

The Fennec 45 is a D-tier SMG known for its high fire rate and great mobility. However, its significant recoil and low ammo capacity make it difficult to manage effectively. While it can be deadly in close quarters, its limitations make it a less reliable choice compared to other SMGs.

P890

The P890, when used Akimbo, is a D-tier pistol with one of the fastest time to kill in close range. Its low hip-fire spread and manageable recoil make it easier to hit targets. However, its limited ammunition capacity necessitates careful shot placement.

TAQ-V

The TAQ-V is a D-tier battle rifle that inflicts substantial damage but is hampered by significant recoil. This makes it challenging to control, particularly during sustained fire. While skilled players may manage the recoil, the TAQ-V is generally considered less effective than other battle rifles in its class.

KV Broadside

The KV Broadside is a D-tier semi-auto shotgun that delivers a powerful punch. It has a very fast time to kill but suffers from slow mobility and ADS speed, limiting its effectiveness in fast-paced engagements.

Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 is a D-tier pump-action shotgun. Its damage output is insufficient to compete effectively against meta weapons, rendering it a less desirable option in most combat scenarios.

Basilisk

The Basilisk is a D-tier revolver that can be transformed into a mini-shotgun with Snakeshot ammunition, enabling it to down enemies with two shots. However, its limited 5-round capacity demands precise shot placement, making it less forgiving than other weapons.

SO-14

The SO-14 is a D-tier semi-automatic battle rifle with a fast time to kill but difficult-to-control recoil at longer distances. While it can switch to full auto for strong close-to-mid range performance, its recoil remains a significant challenge.

Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 is a D-tier semi-automatic shotgun with moderate damage output. Its limited damage range restricts its effectiveness to very close-quarters engagements, making it less versatile than other shotguns.

Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 is a D-tier double barrel shotgun that is capable of a one-shot kill with the trigger action attachment, which allows for both barrels to be fired at once. However, it requires reloading after every shot, making it a slow weapon.

Bryson 890

The Bryson 890 is a D-tier pump-action shotgun. Its damage output is insufficient to compete effectively against meta weapons, rendering it a less desirable option in most combat scenarios.

Lachmann-762

The Lachmann-762 is a D-tier semi-automatic battle rifle with a fast time to kill but difficult-to-control recoil at longer distances. While it can be switched to full auto for strong close-range performance, its recoil remains a significant challenge.

Lachmann Shroud

The Lachmann Shroud is a D-tier SMG.

9mm Daemon

The 9mm Daemon is a D-tier Pistol.

Conclusion

Currently, the close-range meta in Warzone Season 3 is dominated by a few META-tier weapons, with a significant number of viable options in the A and B tiers. The C and D tiers contain weapons that can be effective in niche situations but generally underperform compared to higher-ranked options. Based on recent updates, potential meta shifts may occur as players adapt to weapon tuning changes and discover new optimal loadouts. Continued analysis and adaptation will be crucial for maintaining a competitive edge.

Methodology

The methodology for this tier list involved a comprehensive evaluation of each weapon's performance in Warzone. Key criteria included Time-to-Kill (TTK), recoil control, mobility, effective damage range, and ease of use. TTK was weighted most heavily (30%), as it directly impacts a weapon's lethality. Recoil control (25%) was also a significant factor, affecting accuracy and sustained fire effectiveness. Mobility (20%) was considered for its impact on maneuverability and engagement speed. Damage range (15%) determined a weapon's versatility across different combat distances. Ease of use (10%) accounted for the learning curve and accessibility for players of varying skill levels. Weapons were tested in both private matches and public lobbies to simulate real-game scenarios.