Warzone players have voiced their frustration with the longstanding close-range meta dominated by SMGs, leaving no room for Shotgun viability.

Warzone’s Season 4 Reloaded update brought several buffs and nerfs to the battle royale, but while it altered the long-range meta dominated by the NZ-41, it did very little to impact the close-range meta.

For some time now, Vanguard SMGs have completely commanded the close-range meta with other viable options few and far between. Not only does this limit the opportunity to use Modern Warfare and Cold War SMGs, but it also limits the viability of Shotguns in Warzone.

Vanguard SMGs like the Armaguerra 43, Marco 5, Type 100, and even the recently nerfed H4 Blixen are amongst Warzone’s top weapons in terms of popularity and K/D.

Even Warzone expert JGOD’s recent video highlighting Warzone Season 4 Reloaded close-range meta is almost exclusively dominated by Vanguard SMGs.

Players have picked up on this trend and voiced their frustration with Warzone’s close-range meta. The question many players seem to be asking is: why has there not been a consistent Shotgun in Warzone’s close-range meta for months on end?

As this Reddit post explains, the entire shotgun class seems to continuously get neglected in favor of increasingly broken Vanguard SMGs.

Why do they make shotguns so bad? from CODWarzone

The comments showcase a healthy debate between players discussing the state of Shotguns in Warzone. The most convincing of the bunch summarizes a possible reason behind the notable absence: “Shotguns are always either totally broken or useless they are a plague to balance.”

They weren’t the only player to share a similar opinion: “Shotguns are impossible to balance well since they’re only useful if they can basically one-shot at close range, otherwise an SMG is pretty much always better.”

Players seem to believe that the degree of difficulty involved in balancing Shotguns is what’s holding the weapon class back. It would be tough to justify a one-shot kill weapon capable of downing a player with a maximum health of 300.

Alternatively, one player gives the ideal example of what a balanced Shotgun felt like: “I would normally agree but the VLK pre-buff is a great example of a shotgun that was actually kinda decent but not OP.”

While it seems like some players believe a middle ground is achievable, the majority of players are wary of repeating past mistakes: “Dude, you must’ve not been here during the whole doof-doof crisis, plus the JAK-12 and the Streetsweeper.”

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For more, check out how Warzone players are also frustrated with skydiving gunfights and how they want a Modern Warfare exclusive LTM before Modern Warfare 2.

Image Credit: Activision

Warzone devs Raven Software released a patch on August 8 that fixes a common Dev Error as well as provides a movement speed nerf for the H4 Blixen in Season 4 Reloaded.

Season 4 Reloaded has been a breath of fresh air for players as Warzone’s meta is the most varied and balanced it’s been in a long time. While minor nerfs to some Modern Warfare weapons on August 3 slightly dampened the excitement, most would agree that the meta is still in an excellent state when it comes to variety.

Unfortunately, since the start of Season 4 Reloaded, several players were encountering a Dev Error that would prevent them from enjoying the new meta. Now, Raven Software have taken the appropriate steps to fix the Dev Error issue plaguing the Warzone experience.

Dev Error 5476 fix & H4 Blixen nerf

Dev Error 5476 was preventing players from joining matches after the Season 4 Reloaded update. While there were a few DIY fixes for the Dev Error, this should no longer impact players trying to enjoy Warzone as the devs have fixed the issue with the August 8 update.

Furthermore, the devs have reverted an unwanted change from the August 3 update that was supposed to nerf the H4 Blixen‘s 7.62 Gorenko 54 Round Mag attachment.

When the update went live on August 3 it accidentally buffed the attachment. This unwanted change has been corrected with the August 8 update and the attachment’s movement speed has been decreased by 2%. In addition, the popular SMG also had its max damage reduced to 38 from 39.

Warzone August 8 update patch notes

BUG FIXES

• Fixed an issue causing Players to encounter Dev Error 5476 which caused the game client to crash.
• Fixed an issue causing the H4 Blixen’s (VG) 7.62 Gorenko 54 Round Mag to increase movement speed by 2% rather than decrease it as intended.

WEAPONS

Weapon Adjustments

» Submachine Guns «

H4 Blixen (VG)

• Max Damage reduced to 38, down from 39

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For more, check out our ranking of the best guns in Warzone Season 4 Reloaded.

Source: Raven Software

Image Credit: Activision

Using the best Call of Duty: Warzone weapons is key to picking up victories in the popular battle royale. We’ve put together a list of the most powerful guns in Warzone Pacific Season 4 Reloaded and ranked the weapons from best to worst.

In Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific Season 4 Reloaded, there are well over 150 weapons to choose from. Guns, knives, and explosives from Modern Warfare, Black Ops Cold War, and Vanguard are available to take into Caldera, Rebirth Island, and Fortune’s Keep, offering a ton of choice.

Warzone Pacific Season 4 Reloaded delivered the new Vargo-S Assault Rifle so there’s even more choice for players. Plus, the meta changed considerably following all of the buffs and nerfs.

While you want to optimize your graphics settings and controller settings in Warzone, everyone wants to know the best weapon to use. We’ve ranked all 130 primary weapons in the game and counted down the top 10.

• Best guns in Call of Duty: Warzone ranked list
• Best guns in Warzone Pacific

Best guns in Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific ranked list

Before we count down the top 10 weapons in Warzone, we’re ranking every single primary weapon available in the game. Some weapons clearly shine above the rest and some should be avoided at all costs.

Here’s every primary weapon in Warzone Pacific Season 4 Reloaded ranked from best to worst.

1. KG M40
2. Armaguerra 43
3. H4 Blixen
4. UGM-8
5. Marco 5
6. NZ-41
7. 3-Line Rifle
8. Cooper Carbine
9. Whitley
10. Volk
11. Type 100
12. Vargo 52
13. STG44
14. HDR
15. M13
16. Owen Gun
17. Welgun
18. ITRA Burst
19. MG 82
20. FARA 83
21. MP40
22. AX-50
23. Nikita AVT
24. Automaton
25. ZRG 20mm
26. BAR
27. LAPA
28. EM2
29. Kilo 141
30. AK-47 (Cold War)
31. Grau 5.56
32. XM4
33. VLK Rogue
34. M4A1
35. MAC-10
36. Vargo-S
37. Bruen Mk9
38. Milano 821
39. Pelington 703
40. PPSh-41 (Cold War)
41. OTs 9
42. PP19 Bizon
43. Bullfrog
44. JAK-12
45. RAM-7
46. Grav
47. Bren
48. Kar98k (Modern Warfare)
49. Swiss K31
50. Krig 6
51. MP5 (MW)
52. MP7
53. Crossbow
54. SPR-208
55. MP5 (Cold War)
56. CR-56 AMAX
57. MG42
58. M16
59. PPSh-41 (Vanguard)
60. AUG (MW)
61. M1928 Thompson
62. AS44
63. Kar98k (Vanguard)
64. LC10
65. DP27
66. QBZ-83
67. Sten
68. FFAR 1
69. AS VAL
70. Oden
71. Stoner 63
72. Riot Shield
73. Fennec
74. Gallo SA12
75. PKM
76. Type 11
77. Type 99
78. RAAL MG
79. TEC-9
80. Nail Gun
81. CX-9
82. M1916
83. DMR 14
84. LW3 – Tundra
85. Einhorn Revolving
86. Combat Shotgun
87. FAL
88. AK-74u
89. Gracey Auto
90. Origin 12
91. Groza
92. Streetsweeper
93. SA87
94. M1 Garand
95. SVT-40
96. FN SCAR 17
97. M82
98. AUG (Cold War)
99. FiNN LMG
100. G-43
101. Uzi
102. P90
103. RPD
104. Holger-26
105. AN-94
106. CARV.2
107. R-90
108. Combat Shield
109. Double Barrel
110. Marshal
111. M60
112. MG34
113. Hauer 77
114. ISO
115. Striker 45
116. 410 Ironhide
117. M91
118. Type 63
119. FR 5.56
120. Dragunov
121. Rytec AMR
122. EBR-14
123. KSP 45
124. SKS
125. Gorenko Anti-Tank Rifle
126. MK2 Carbine
127. R1 Shadowhunter 
128. AK-47 (MW)
129. Model 680
130. 725

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Best guns in Warzone Pacific Season 4 Reloaded

10. Volk

The Volk is technically an Assault Rifle but it is best utilized as a close-range weapon in Warzone. Thanks to buffs it received in the Season 4 Reloaded update, the Volk’s bullet velocity is truly impressive.

It’s this blistering bullet velocity and lightweight maneuverability that makes this Assault Rifle a menace in close quarters. Of course, it still performs incredibly at medium-range, which makes it the ultimate Sniper support weapon.

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9. Whitley

Much like the Volk, the Whitley was on the receiving end of some pretty hefty buffs in Season 4 Reloaded. It was always a powerful option, but with buffs increasing its recoil control, the Whitley has become a great long-range LMG.

In addition, the weapon was also buffed in an August 3 update which further boosted its damage range. With excellent range, damage, and control, it has become the ideal weapon of choice for players who enjoy Caldera.

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8. Cooper Carbine

The Cooper Carbine is an Assault Rifle known for its versatility since it entered the battle royale all the way back in Season 1. Players build it for various engagements including medium-range on Fortune’s Keep or long-range on Caldera.

This Assault Rifle doesn’t always pack the hardest punch, but it is supremely easy to control as a low-recoil weapon. If you’re looking to land your shots and improve your aim, then the Cooper Carbine is the way to go.

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7. 3-Line Rifle – Best Sniper Rifle in Warzone

The Warzone Season 3 update drastically changed how Snipers perform in the battle royale. Only a select few Snipers could still one-shot kill with a headshot at any distance. Luckily, the 3-Line Rifle not only maintained its one-shot kill potential, but it also received a buff to ADS speed.

Some Warzone players have expressed their displeasure with the Sniper changes, but it does not look as though they will get reverted. If you’re looking to come to terms with Sniping in Warzone, the 3-Line Rifle is your best bet.

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6. NZ-41

The once dominant NZ-41 was on the receiving end of several significant nerfs, which have led to its slight downfall. It may not be the laser beam it once was, but it is still accurate and strong enough to claim the sixth spot on this list.

It took some time but it seems the NZ-41 has finally achieved a balanced state after truly being in a league of its own for months on end. While it should be off Raven’s radar, one more nerf would likely see it drop out of the top ten.

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5. Marco 5

The Marco 5 maintains its spot on the top ten list since joining the weapon pool in Season 4. Although its unique Akimbo Perk allows for players to dual wield the weapon, it’s best to use one at a time and take advantage of the quick ADS speed.

The relatively new SMG makes for an excellent Sniper support SMG as well thanks to its fantastic damage range. The Marco 5 doesn’t have what it takes to challenge the top SMGs just yet, but it’s a close step behind.

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4. UGM-8 – Best Warzone LMG

With the KG M40 and NZ-41 receiving nerfs throughout Season 4 Reloaded, the UGM-8 is patiently waiting to claim the title of best long-range weapon in Warzone. The UGM-8 is unique in that its burst fire loadout is just as viable as its fully automatic loadout, so it’s up to the player to decide which version they prefer.

Due to the fact that LMGs are less popular than ARs, the UGM-8 produces a great discrepancy between its popularity and K/D. If more players come to understand how powerful the LMG is, this could change quickly.

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3. H4 Blixen

The H4 Blixen was Season 3 Reloaded’s new weapon, and it didn’t take long to have an impact on the Warzone meta. In half a season the H4 Blixen established itself as the best SMG in Warzone, but it got knocked down slightly following a recent nerf.

As of August 8, the H4 Blixen still maintains the best overall K/D in Warzone at 1.39. However, once an accidental buff is reverted, a nerf to movement speed could see it fall off slightly. Nonetheless, we expect it to remain in the top ten.

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2. Armaguerra 43 – Best Warzone SMG

Despite the abundance of top SMG options, it’s hard to go wrong with the Armaguerra 43 in Warzone Season 4 Reloaded. JGOD has proclaimed it the best close-range weapon in Warzone at the moment and we agree.

The weapon is one of the easiest SMGs to master thanks to its lack of recoil. While it has the speed to finesse enemies up close, it’s also great at medium-range making the weapon incredibly versatile.

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1. KG M40 – Best Warzone gun right now

At the start of Season 4, the KG M40 seemingly came out of nowhere to mark its place on this list. However, due to an incredibly balanced and varied meta, the KG M40 is powerful enough to claim the top spot in Season 4 Reloaded.

Despite recent nerfs, the KG M40 is still a laser beam in Warzone and it continues to be the best long-range weapon in the game. It’s currently the most popular weapon in Warzone and the weapon with the best win ratio at 4.44. If it could avoid consecutive nerfs, it should maintain the top spot heading into Season 5.

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Those are the top 10 weapons you should be using in Warzone Pacific. Expect this list to keep on changing as weapons are buffed and nerfed. If classic multiplayer is more your cup of tea, you can check out the top 10 Vanguard weapons.

Image Credits: Activision / Raven Software / Sledgehammer Games