Warzone Ranked Close Range Tier List: META Domination!

This tier list ranks the best close-range weapons in Warzone Ranked, providing a comprehensive guide to the Season 3 Reloaded meta. Weapons are categorized into tiers—Meta, A, B, C, and D—based on their performance, versatility, and overall effectiveness in the current game environment.

The Meta tier represents the absolute best weapons, often dominating professional play. A-tier weapons are excellent and competitive, while B-tier options are viable with some trade-offs. C-tier weapons are average, suitable for specific scenarios, and D-tier weapons are below average, generally outclassed by better options.

Rankings are determined through rigorous testing, considering factors such as time-to-kill (TTK), recoil control, mobility, and ease of use. This analysis aims to provide players with data-driven insights to optimize their loadouts and improve their performance in Warzone Ranked.

META Tier

META tier weapons represent the pinnacle of performance in Warzone. These weapons consistently outperform others, offering statistical advantages in time-to-kill, recoil control, or mobility. Their dominance makes them popular choices among top players seeking every possible edge.

Vaznev-9k

The Vaznev-9k is a META-tier SMG due to its exceptional close-quarters combat capabilities in Warzone. 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 competitive TTK values, allowing players to quickly eliminate opponents. While it excels in close-range engagements, its effectiveness drops off at longer distances, making it less suitable for open areas.

ISO 45

The ISO 45 secures its META-tier status through a combination of rapid fire rate and exceptional mobility. This SMG allows for aggressive plays and quick repositioning, making it ideal for skilled players who can manage its recoil. While not the easiest weapon to master, the ISO 45's high damage output and agility make it a formidable choice in close-quarters combat. Its performance is strongest in fast-paced engagements where mobility and a high fire rate are crucial.

MX Guardian

The MX Guardian's META tier placement is due to its devastating close-range damage output. This shotgun is capable of quickly eliminating opponents in tight spaces, making it highly effective in building engagements and confined areas. Its strengths lie in its burst damage potential, allowing for rapid takedowns. However, its limited range and slower handling require strategic positioning and awareness.

A Tier

A-tier weapons are excellent choices that come close to matching the performance of META weapons. They are highly competitive and can still secure victories in the right hands, but they often have slight disadvantages in certain stats or situations. These weapons provide a strong balance of attributes, making them reliable options for various playstyles.

VEL 46

The VEL 46 is an A-tier SMG known for its ease of use and reliable performance. It features a high fire rate, contributing to a favorable time-to-kill, and low recoil, making it easy to control during sustained fire. These attributes make the VEL 46 a strong choice for players of all skill levels. While it may not dominate as much as META weapons, its consistent performance and user-friendly design make it a solid option in Warzone.

Lachmann Sub

The Lachmann Sub is an A-tier SMG recognized for its high damage output and effectiveness in close-quarters combat. It excels in quickly eliminating enemies due to its high fire rate and significant damage per bullet. Its strengths make it an ideal weapon for aggressive players who favor fast-paced engagements. While it may require more recoil control compared to some other SMGs, its raw power and rapid time-to-kill make it a competitive choice in Warzone.

PDSW 528

The PDSW 528 earns its A-tier designation through its high fire rate and exceptional mobility, the highest in the SMG category. This SMG allows players to move quickly around the map and engage enemies with agility. It offers a competitive time-to-kill, but some players find its iron sights less appealing. Despite this, the PDSW 528 remains a strong choice for those prioritizing speed and maneuverability in their close-range engagements.

FSS Hurricane

The FSS Hurricane is an A-tier SMG celebrated for its versatility in both close-quarters and mid-range engagements. It boasts a high bullet velocity and a favorable time-to-kill at short and medium distances, making it a reliable sniper support weapon. Its ability to perform well in various combat scenarios makes it a valuable asset for players who prefer a flexible loadout. While it may not excel in any single area, its well-rounded performance secures its place in the A tier.

B Tier

B-tier weapons are strong and viable in most situations, offering a good balance of performance. However, they often require more skill or specific setups to effectively compete against META and A-tier options. These weapons usually have noticeable disadvantages, such as higher recoil or slower handling, but can still be effective in the right hands.

MX9

The MX9 is a B-tier SMG known for its powerful time-to-kill, but it is limited by its smaller 32-round magazine. This limitation makes it best suited for solo play, where engagements are typically one-on-one. While its fast TTK can quickly eliminate opponents, the need for frequent reloads in team modes makes it less versatile. The MX9 remains a strong choice for skilled players who can manage its magazine capacity effectively.

Minibak

The Minibak is a B-tier SMG that offers a combination of high close-range damage and low recoil, making it a user-friendly option in Warzone. Its large magazine capacity is particularly beneficial for sniper support, allowing for sustained fire without frequent reloads. While it may not be the most powerful SMG, its ease of use and generous magazine size make it a solid choice for players seeking a reliable weapon.

X12

The X12, when used in Akimbo, is a B-tier pistol known for its effectiveness in close-quarter combat. With no recoil and a high magazine capacity, it excels in quickly eliminating enemies at very close range. Its tremendous mobility allows players to move around the battlefield with ease. The X12 Akimbo is ideal for aggressive players who prioritize speed and close-quarters dominance.

Cronen Squall

The Cronen Squall is a B-tier battle rifle characterized by its high damage and fast fire rate. Designed for long-range engagements, it offers the highest range in its class. While its strengths lie in its ability to deal significant damage at a distance, its performance may be less effective in close-quarters combat. The Cronen Squall is a viable option for players who prefer to engage enemies from afar.

C Tier

C-tier weapons are good but come with limitations or are best suited for specific use cases. These weapons can be effective in the right hands and situations, but they often struggle against higher-tier options in general gameplay. Players may need to adjust their playstyle to maximize the potential of C-tier weapons.

BAS-P

The BAS-P is a C-tier SMG that stands out due to its high fire rate, manageable recoil, and great mobility. It boasts one of the fastest times to kill in close range, and its damage range is among the highest in its class. This makes it a viable sniper support weapon. However, its overall performance is somewhat limited compared to higher-tier options, requiring players to leverage its specific strengths to be effective.

D Tier

D-tier weapons are average and often outclassed by better options. While they can be used, they typically have significant disadvantages that make them difficult to use effectively in most situations. Players using D-tier weapons may find themselves at a disadvantage against those with higher-tier alternatives.

GS Magna

The GS Magna is a D-tier pistol known for being a fully automatic version of the .50 GS. It delivers very high damage. Despite its high damage output, its overall performance is hindered by other factors, making it a less optimal choice compared to other pistols and weapons in general.

FTAC Siege

The FTAC Siege is a D-tier machine pistol designed for compactness and maneuverability. It features a jaw-dropping fire rate and rapid swap speed, making it a trusted secondary weapon for up-close engagements. However, its effectiveness is limited by other factors, placing it in the lower tier.

.50gs

The .50 GS is a D-tier pistol known for its high damage output and fast time to kill. However, it suffers from high recoil, making it difficult to control. While its raw power can be effective in certain situations, the challenging recoil limits its overall usability, placing it in the lower tier.

FTAC Recon

The FTAC Recon is a D-tier battle rifle that offers a fast time to kill in semi-automatic mode. However, its recoil is hard to control at longer distances. While it can be switched to full auto, it is limited to a 15-round magazine. These limitations make it less effective compared to other rifles, placing it in the D tier.

X13 Auto

The X13 Auto, when used in Akimbo, is a D-tier automatic pistol that delivers high damage in close-quarter combats. Despite its potential for damage, its high recoil and hip-fire bullet spread make it difficult to use effectively. These challenges relegate it to the D tier, as more controllable options are generally preferred.

Fennec 45

The Fennec 45 is a D-tier SMG characterized by its high fire rate and great mobility. However, its recoil and low ammo capacity can be difficult to manage. These limitations make it less effective compared to other SMGs, placing it in the D tier.

P890

The P890, when used in Akimbo, is a D-tier pistol that offers 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 makes it less forgiving, placing it in the D tier.

TAQ-V

The TAQ-V is a D-tier battle rifle that deals a lot of damage but suffers from high recoil. This makes it difficult to use effectively, relegating it to the D tier. While its damage potential is notable, the challenging recoil limits its overall viability.

KV Broadside

The KV Broadside is a D-tier semi-auto shotgun that packs a powerful punch. It has a very fast time to kill but it has a slow mobilty and ADS speed.

Bryson 800

The Bryson 800 is a D-tier pump action shotgun. It is not powerful enough to compete against the meta weapons.

Basilisk

The Basilisk is a D-tier revolver with high damage and a fast time to kill, especially when equipped with Snakeshot ammunition. The Snakeshot rounds turn it into a mini-shotgun capable of downing an enemy with two shots. However, its limited 5-round capacity makes it less forgiving and harder to use effectively, placing it in the D tier.

SO-14

The SO-14 is a D-tier battle rifle that, while offering a fast time to kill, suffers from hard-to-control recoil at longer distances. It can be switched into full auto mode, which can turn it into a very strong close to mid range weapon. Ultimately, its recoil and semi-auto nature limit its effectiveness compared to other options, placing it in the D tier.

Expedite 12

The Expedite 12 is a D-tier semi-automatic shotgun with moderate damage and a very short damage range. Its limited range and moderate damage make it less effective compared to other shotguns, placing it in the D tier.

Lockwood 300

The Lockwood 300 is a D-tier double barrel shotgun that can kill in one shot with the trigger action attachment which allows for both barrels to be fired at once. It requires reloading after every shot.

Bryson 890

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

Lachmann-762

The Lachmann 762 is a D-tier battle rifle that offers a fast time to kill but suffers from recoil that is hard to control at longer distances. It can be switched into full auto mode, which can turn it into a very strong close range weapon.

Lachmann Shroud

The Lachmann Shroud is a D-tier SMG that is outclassed by other SMGs in the game.

9mm Daemon

The 9mm Daemon is a D-tier pistol that is outclassed by other pistols in the game.

Conclusion

Currently, the close-range meta in Warzone is diverse, with a blend of SMGs and shotguns populating the higher tiers. The distribution of weapons across the tiers indicates that the META and A tiers are densely packed, suggesting a competitive balance at the top. The D tier contains the most weapons, highlighting a range of underperforming options that struggle in the current environment.

Future meta shifts may occur based on recent patches and updates, particularly those affecting weapon balance and characteristics. These changes could elevate previously underused weapons or dethrone current meta contenders, influencing player choices and strategies.

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), weighted at 30%, recoil control (25%), mobility (20%), and ease of use (15%). Additional factors such as damage range and magazine capacity were considered with a 10% weighting.

Testing was conducted in both private matches and live Warzone games to simulate realistic combat scenarios. Weapons were assessed across various engagement distances, focusing on their effectiveness in typical close-range encounters. Higher tiers were reserved for weapons that excelled in TTK and recoil control, providing a clear advantage in head-to-head fights.