Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play offers players a taste of competitive CoD, but jumping in unprepared is a bad idea. Here are the best MW3 Ranked Play loadouts so you know the best guns, Perks, and Equipment to make it through each Skill Division quickly.
Given the level of competition as you work your way through each Skill Division, using the best loadouts in Modern Warfare 3 is key to winning. The Ranked Play meta has been established by the CDL’s top players. With Ranked Play following the bans and restrictions of the league, you’ll want to know which weapons to use.
The meta MW3 Ranked Play primary weapons are the MCW and Rival-9, but some players also use the Striker-9 following buffs to the SMG. While pro players briefly tested both the BP50 and RAM-9, the weapons are restricted in Ranked Play.
To make things easier, here are the best Primary weapons for Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play.
Best MCW class MW3 Ranked Play
Activision
The MCW is MW3 Ranked Play’s top Assault Rifle choice.
Muzzle: L4R Flash Hider
Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
Optic: Slate Reflector or Mk. 3 Reflector
Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop or DR-6 Handstop
Rear Grip: RB Claw-PSL Grip
Or
Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
Optic: Slate Reflector or Mk. 3 Reflector
Rear Grip: RB Claw-PSL Grip
Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
Stock: RB Precision Heavy
Despite nerfs in the Season 2 update, the MCW is still Modern Warfare 3’s best Assault Rifle for Ranked Play. We’ve provided two recommended MCW loadouts for players to try, so feel free to test them out and decide which one is best for you.
There are a few variations you can pick from when it comes to the attachments. For starters, the Mk.3 Reflector or Slate Reflector comes down to personal preference. Then, the DR-6 Handstop offers more mobility, while the XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop offers more recoil control.
In addition, players can also pick between the use of a Muzzle like the L4R Flash Hider or T51R Billeted Brake or for a build that foregoes a Muzzle in favor of the RB Precision Heavy Stock.
Best Rival-9 class MW3 Ranked Play
Activision
The Rival-9 shreds in close quarters.
Muzzle: Purifier Muzzle Brake S
Barrel: Rival-C Clearshot Barrel
Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
Stock: MTZ Marauder Stock
Rear Grip: Rival Vice Assault Grip
Compared to the MCW, the best Rival-9 loadout for MW3 Ranked Play offers less variety when it comes to the ideal choice of attachments.
While the Rival-9 is all about speed and dominating close-range fights, attachments like the Rival Vice Assault Grip, Purifier Muzzle Brake S, and Rival-C Clearshot Barrel will help keep the weapon’s recoil under control and boost its range.
However, we don’t want the SMG to become too sluggish, so the DR-6 Handstop and MTZ Marauder Stock will bring a vital boost to speed and mobility.
Best Striker-9 class MW3 Ranked Play
Activision
The Striker-9 offers excellent damage range for an SMG.
Muzzle: L4R Flash Hider
Barrel: Striker Recon Long Barrel
Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
Stock: RB Crotalus Assault Stock
Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip
The Striker-9 received a significant buff on February 13, making it a viable weapon in MW3 Ranked Play, for players looking to utilize a Rival-9 alternative.
The RB Crotalus Assault Stock is a unique attachment as it sacrifices sprint to fire speed to boost both recoil control and ADS speed. With this, the SMG can maintain its quick ADS speed and become easy to control at the same time.
The Striker Recon Long Barrel, Sakin ZX Grip, and L4R Flash Hider combine to further increase recoil control, making the Striker-9 an excellent medium-range weapon. However, we don’t want to lose too much mobility and speed, so the DR-6 Handstop will help balance things out in this area.
Best Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play Secondary weapons
Modern Warfare 3 players have two viable options when it comes to the best Secondary weapons to use in Ranked Play matches, so let’s check them out below.
Best Renetti MW3 Ranked Play class
Activision
Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
Barrel: MLX Short Competition Barrel
Optic: Slate Reflector (optional)
Rear Grip: EXF Eclipsor Grip
The Renetti is the optimal choice for MW3 Ranked Play matches, as the Secondary weapon can be devastating in close quarters.
CDL pros have banned the use of certain mobility-boosting attachments when it comes to the Renetti, and some of those restrictions have appeared in MW3 Ranked Play. At the moment, the MLX Short Competition Barrel, EXF Eclipsor Grip, and ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider are the best choices for this Renetti loadout.
MW3 Ranked Play Gutter Knife or Karambit?
While the Gutter Knife or Karambit can be an excellent option in MW3 Ranked Play, these weapons have fallen under CDL players’ Gentleman’s Agreement, meaning players have enforced their own ban on the weapon.
Nonetheless, the devs have decided to keep them in the game after nerfing their damage in Ranked Play. Melee weapons will require two hits to kill enemies in MW3 Ranked Play. You can still use the Gutter Knife or Karambit to reach key Search and Destroy power positions faster when a round starts.
MW3 Ranked Play players have two options for Lethals and Tacticals, respectively, when it comes to creating the best loadouts.
Both the Frag Grenade and Semtex are viable options in Ranked Play. The Frag Grenade will appeal to players who know the best nade spots on each competitive map. Meanwhile, the benefit of the Semtex is that it can stick to enemy players, guaranteeing a kill.
Next, we have the Stun Grenade and Smoke Grenade. The Stun Grenade will slow down players as a key piece of utility, while the Smoke Grenade is key for blocking crosses on Search and Destroy maps like Terminal, Invasion, and Karachi. Keep in mind that the Smoke Greande is banned in Control and Hardpoint.
Best MW3 Ranked Play Perks
Activision
Picking the ideal combination of Perks is vital to Ranked Play success.
Unlike the best weapons in the game, the best Perks to use in MW3 Ranked Play offer players more wiggle room to experiment. At the moment CDL players are using a combination of the following:
Infantry Vest
Assault Gloves or Marksman Gloves
Lightweight Boots or Covert Sneakers
EOD Padding
Feel free to decide what works best for your playstyle after getting through a few matches in MW3 Ranked Play. You’ll want to opt for Covert Sneakers over Lightweight Boots in Search and Destroy matches, as silent movement is vital in the mode.
Best MW3 Ranked Play Field Upgrades
When it comes to the best Field Upgrades in MW3 Ranked Play, you’ll want to choose between the Trophy System and Dead Silence.
The Trophy System is sure to be a popular pick, but striking a balance and including some Dead Silence picks within your team composition is always a great idea. This will allow you to cover both objective-based modes with the former and with the latter protect yourself from being fought in Search and Destroy.
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