Best Modern Warfare 2 Ranked Play Loadouts: Guns, Attachments & Perks

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 players were clamoring for a proper Ranked mode as soon as the game launched and it’s now been finalized and released by seasoned developers Treyarch. As a result, players are eager to know the best Ranked Play loadouts for Modern Warfare 2.

Here, we’re running through the best classes for all play styles, as well as lending you a helping hand when choosing Perks, Field Upgrades and Equipment.

Vaznev-9K

For the majority of players, you’ll be choosing between an SMG or AR. If you’re going for the former, your best bet is the Vaznev-9K, which remains the professional SMG of choice in the Modern Warfare 2 CDL season. It boasts high-damage, impressive range and modest recoil. Specifically, players will want to run the following build:

• Muzzle – Bruen Pendulum
• Underbarrel – Commando Foregrip
• Stock – Otrezat Stock
• Rear Grip – True-Tac Grip

While that’s only four out of the possible five attachments, anymore will slow the Vaznev’s ADS to a degree you want to avoid in a weapon designed for aggressive play. This build gives you the perfect balance between speed, damage, range and efficiency.

Lachmann Sub

The Lachmann Sub is the perfect alternative to the Vaznev-9K if, for whatever reason, you don’t want to run the ‘meta’ option. It’s not quite as easy to control or powerful at medium ranges but, if you’re looking to fly at enemies in close-quarters, it will kill faster than almost any other weapon.

As a result, there’s more of a focus on controlling recoil and preserving accuracy — its damage and handling are so good they can more or less be left alone:

• Muzzle – XTEN Razor Comp
• Underbarrel – FSS Sharkfin 90
• Stock – FT Mobile Stock
• Rear Grip – Lachmann TCG-10

As previously mentioned, the Lachmann bounces slightly too much to be ultra-competitive at medium ranges, so you’ll want to make sure you’re on one of Ranked Play’s smaller maps, like Mercado Las Almas.

TAQ-56

If you’re opting for a slightly slower playstyle you’ll want an assault rifle as your primary weapon. While the M4 and ISO Hemlock have proved popular, both have since been restricted in Ranked Play. That’s pushed a large portion of the mode’s player base to the TAQ-56.

It’s essentially the Scar of past CoD titles and boasts the same damage and range veterans of the series will know and love. Again, there’s a reason it’s used across the board by professional CoD players. Your best build is detailed below:

• Barrel – 17.5″ Tundra Pro Barrel
• Muzzle – FTAC Castle Comp
• Underbarrel – Commando Foregrip
• Ammunition – 5.56 High Velocity
• Rear Grip – Demo Cleanshot Grip

It’s a balance between range, handling and damage, all of which are important for AR players posting up and holding those long lines-of-sight. Note that you’ll have to adjust your playstyle accordingly — the TAQ-56 is simply too slow to try and run-and-gun with.

Kastov 545

The Kastov 545 is an assault rifle that’s benefitted from the restrictions applied to the ISO Hemlock and M4. It’s strongest at medium ranges and, while not quite as strong as the TAQ-56, it flourishes on the basis of being an incredibly powerful all-round weapon.

Whether it can oust the TAQ-56 as the ‘meta’ AR for pros and Ranked is another matter, but it’s come closest following the Hemlock’s restriction. Our recommended build balances mobility, ADS and recoil, ensuring it’s the ideal AR for those slightly smaller maps:

• Muzzle – FTAC Castle Comp
• Underbarrel – Phase-3 Grip
• Ammunition – 5.45 High Velocity
• Stock – Kastov-Rama
• Rear Grip – True-Tac Grip

Don’t expect to outgun opponents at ultra long-distances but, right now, it’s the best alternative AR if you’re not getting on with the TAQ for whatever reason.

MCPR-300

There are a couple of different sniper rifles that are viable in MW2’s Ranked Play right now, but the strongest is undoubtedly the MCPR-300. Unless you consider yourself a candidate for FaZe Clan, you’ll probably be using this in Search and Destroy, so it’s aimed at consistency, holding angles and getting one-hit kills.

It packs a hefty punch, drawing reliable eliminations so long as enemies are hit from around the waist upwards. The best build for Ranked Play is outlined below:

• Muzzle – 17.5″ Orca Barrel
• Stock – Cronen LW-88 Stock
• Rear Grip – Cronen Cheetah Grip
• Magazine – 5 Round Mag
• Ammunition – .300 Mag High Velocity

The only real option is to swap out the barrel (which speeds up ADS slightly) for a different optic. That’s ultimately down to you and your opinion of the MCPR’s default scope.

SP-X 80

Our recommended alternative to the MCPR is the SP-X 80. It’s simply not as powerful as the aforementioned sniper but it’s far quicker, more forgiving and still delivers fairly reliable one-hit kills if you can hit players from the stomach up.

Our recommended build makes the most of an optic but players can certainly switch it out for one they prefer or the SP-X 80’s default scope:

• Optic – DXS Coriolis V4
• Stock – PVZ-890 Tac Stock
• Rear Grip – Schlager Match Grip
• Bolt – FSS ST87 Bolt
• Ammunition – .300 High Velocity

Again, we’re only recommending that you use a sniper in Search and Destroy. You may well be talented enough to use one in Ranked Play and, if you are, this is a great shout.

X12

The best secondary by some margin is the X12. That’s mainly because of its fire-rate, which allows players to dispense bullets rapidly so long as their trigger finger can keep up. It doesn’t do the most damage but players will still be able to drop enemies quickly with accurate shots.

On that, our build is designed for fire-rate and getting ADS as quickly as possible:

• Muzzle – Comp 905F Pistol
• Barrel – XRK LUC-9
• Trigger Action – XRK Lighting Fire
• Rear Grip – Cronen Lima-6

Despite waxing lyrical about its fire-rate, bear in mind that it is a secondary and should only be used accordingly. Taking on a TAQ-56 or Vaznev-9K head on is a one-way ticket to hindering your team.

Perks

In terms of Perks, you’ll find that your options are far more limited in Ranked Play than typical Multiplayer. Here, there’s no Ultimate Perk. Your Bonus Perk should almost certainly be Fast Hands, letting you swap weapons and use equipment much faster.

For your Base Perks, you’ll want to choose two of: Double Time, Bomb Squad and Battle Hardened.

Double Time massively increases the duration of your Tactical Sprint, the second improves your ability to withstand explosives, and the third reduces the effects of enemy tacticals. All are important and the final decision is down to you.

Equipment

This is more straightforward. A stun grenade is perfect to disorient opponents ahead of storming an objective, while both Frags and Semtex lethals have their uses. Our personal preference is a Semtex because they allow for more accuracy, but they can’t be ‘cooked’ like a Frag. Again then, it’s on you and your preference.

Field Upgrades

The final area of Ranked Play classes is Field Upgrades. For this, it’s between a Trophy System or Dead Silence.

Both are incredibly useful, but you’ll want to make your choice based on teammates and the mode. Dead Silence will be most useful in Search and Destroy, while Trophy Systems are perfect for making Hardpoint and Control points harder to break.

That’s not to discount Dead Silence in respawn modes though, as it can be great for a discreet flank in Hardpoint and catching enemies unaware.

That’s all there is to know about the best Modern Warfare 2 Ranked Play loadouts. Bear in mind this guide may change as new weapons and gear drops, so be sure to tune back in regularly to stay informed.

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