Warzone 2 follows the first entry in letting players bring custom built weapons into the battlefield. Among the most popular are submachine guns, generally lethal at close-quarters. These are the best SMGs in Warzone 2 Season 3.
Warzone 2 Season 3 Reloaded tweaked a large number of SMGs, as have subsequent patches released by the devs. With Season 4 firmly in view and a host of changes promised, we’re reevaluating the best SMGs in Warzone.
The SMGs that don’t make this list miss out do so by virtue of not being as viable as the five detailed below.
5) FSS Hurricane
For the first time, the FSS Hurricane makes this top five rankings list. It’s a jack-of-all-trades but has long been too average in every department to feature prominently in the game’s meta.
Nerfs elsewhere have opened the door for the Hurricane, which boasts large magazines, strong damage and decent range for a SMG. We’ll have to wait and see whether Season 4’s changes are conducive to an even bigger role moving forwards.
- Muzzle: Bruen Pendulum
- Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
- Underbarrel: Schlager Tango
- Stock: Demo Quicksilver Stock
- Rear Grip: XTEN Grip
4) PDSW 528
The PDSW 528’s biggest plus is its magazines, giving 50 rounds to players and allowing them to ignore extended magazines when they’re choosing attachments.
It also boasts a strong fire-rate and handling, meaning it thrives at those competitive close-ranges. Don’t be afraid to fly at opponents and let its fire-rate and number of bullets do the talking, especially as it will struggle at medium ranges:
- Muzzle: Bruen Pendulum
- Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
- Stock: CQB Stock
- Comb: TV TACCOMB
- Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip
3) VEL 46
The VEL 46 struggled to retain a real viability prior to its Season Two Reloaded buff. However, since then, its damage and close-range performance have been improved so much that it’s a top three SMG in the entire battle royale.
Its damage drop off still inhibits it from dominating mid-ranges or outperforming its class but, provided you choose your gunfights wisely and opt for close combat, the VEL 46 will reward you accordingly. A headshot damage nerf with Season 3 hasn’t stopped it from staying in the top five best SMGs in Warzone 2. Our favorite loadout is detailed below:
- Barrel: Lachmann Dart 165mm
- Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
- Rear Grip: ZLR Combat Grip
- Magazine: 50 Round Mag
- Underbarrel: Edge
2) Vaznev-9K
Nerfs to the Vaznev-9K – specifically targeting its damage – mean we’ve pushed it down to second place. In our opinion, it’s just slightly worse off than the Lachmann because of those damage nerfs. It doesn’t quite feel as lethal as before; even if it does still kill very efficiently.
In spite of the nerfs, our chosen loadout remains the same, combining overall efficiency and accuracy:
- Muzzle: XTEN RR-40
- Underbarrel: Lockgrip Precision-40
- Magazine: 45 Round Mag
- Rear Grip: True-Tac Grip
- Ammunition: 9mm Overpressured
1) Lachmann Sub
During Season 2, the Lachmann Sub became the meta SMG. A nerf with Season 3 – targeting its headshot damage – ever-so-slightly lessened its viability. There’s also more recoil than a lot of its SMG counterparts, but its pure damage output up close makes it a true standout SMG. It’s defied expectations by continuing to thrive in Warzone 2.
A nerf could be in the offing when Season 4 arrives, but until then we’ve bumped it up to top spot and crowned it the best SMG in Warzone 2 right now. Players can fly at enemies, knowing they’ve got the best close-range gun imaginable:
- Muzzle: XTEN RR-40
- Magazine: 40 Round Mags
- Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
- Underbarrel: Lockgrip Precision-40
- Rear Grip: Lachmann TCG-10
That’s all you need to know about the best SMGs in Warzone 2 Season 3. Check out our related Call of Duty content below to find out more tips and tricks, such as the best ARs, best sniper rifles, and best overall weapons in Warzone 2.
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