Ranked is launching for Modern Warfare 3. Here are the best loadouts, we've got the current meta Rival-9 build for SMGs, and our favorite MCW build for ARs.
Modern Warfare 3's Ranked mode is set to launch with the Season 1: Reloaded update on Wednesday, January 17 at 9AM PT (12PM ET / 5PM GMT / 6PM CET). In this mode you can play the competitive version of Call of Duty that the pros and challengers play, and (as you would expect) you can progress up an ELO ladder to reach higher ranks. There's not that much to say about how the specific ELO system in CoD's Ranked mode works because it's very simple: You gain or lose SR based on winning or losing matches, and how much you gain or lose is decided by your own personal performance.
Comp CoD is only 4v4, only Hardpoint, Control and Search, and it's only played on the more balanced maps (Terminal, Karachi, Invasion, Highrise, Sub Base, Skidrow). Also, a vast majority of weapons, attachments and perks are banned because they are deemed too powerful to be balanced.
From the remaining weapons we can use, it's best to follow the established meta for how a team should be structured in MW3: two people permanently on ARs (the MCW in this case), one flex that uses 50/50 AR and SMG (so MCW and Rival-9), and one player who is more consistently on the SMG. Now, usually you would just have one AR, one flex and two SMGs, but MW3 heavily favors the AR (long sight lines, very few "mixy" maps etc.).
Below, are the best loadouts for the AR/MCW and the SMG/Rival 9. These loadouts are based on a combination of what we've seen CDL pros adopt, and what has worked best for us in 8s. They all comply with the official MW3 competitive ruleset, although we don't need to follow GAs (thank god).
A GA, or Gentlemen's Agreement, is effectively a truce between the pros to not use a certain weapon or attachment if it's deemed too powerful for competitive play. These GAs play an essential role in the competitive scene, because the devs are usually slow to identify what should be banned for comp. Whereas, the pros are usually much quicker at sorting the balanced weapons from the broken. In Ranked, we have to follow the official competitive rules given to us by the devs, but we are under no obligation to follow the pro-player GAs.
Best Ranked Loadouts In MW3: Overview
Here are the best classes for ARs and SMGs in MW3 Ranked:
AR / MCW Class
| Primary Weapon | MCW | |
| Secondary Weapon | Knife | |
Tactical Equipment | Smokes | |
| Lethal Equipment | Semtex (Nades for SnD if you learn lineups | |
| Field Upgrade | Trophy System | |
Vest | Infantry Vest | |
| Gloves | Commando Gloves / Assault Gloves (If you jumpshot a lot) | |
| Boots | Covert Sneakers | |
| Gear | EOD Padding |
SMG / Rival-9 Class
| Primary Weapon | Rival-9 | |
| Secondary Weapon | Knife | |
Tactical Equipment | Smokes | |
| Lethal Equipment | Semtex (Nades for SnD if you learn lineups) | |
| Field Upgrade | Trophy System / Dead Silence (If using Tactical Pads over Covert Sneakers) | |
| Vest | Infantry Vest | |
| Gloves | Commando Gloves / Assault Gloves (If you jumpshot) | |
| Boots | Covert Sneakers / Tactical Pads (If you slide-cancel a lot) | |
| Gear | EOD Padding |
None of these choices will surprise you given how many perks, weapons and pieces of equipment have been banned, but you might be wondering about the knives and the smokes.
Knives are disgustingly strong this year, especially in the hands of players with good movement. This is simply because we have a long TTK for guns in MW3, at least compared to most CoD games, but an average TTK for melee weapons. So, when compared to the actual guns in the game, knives are better than usual.
And the smokes are simply a great piece of equipment we can use to block a cross (or throw at our feet and one-way). Stuns could be worth it if you're aggressive and like to be first in to break hills.
Best Ranked Loadouts In MW3: AR / MCW Attachments
Attachment Slot | Attachment |
| Muzzle | T51R Billeted Brake |
| Barrel | 16.5" MCW Cyclone Long Barrel |
| Optic | Slate Reflector |
| Stock | RB Regal Heavy Stock |
| Underbarrel | DR-6 Handstop |
This is Dashy's current AR build (probably the second-best AR in the league right now, after Cellium), and we love it. Some will swear by the Phantom underbarrel, but we find the DR-6 more reliable, especially at range.
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We're also hearing promising reports from those who have abandoned the muzzle break and are going for the Claw grip instead, but we're sticking with the more orthodox choice here.
Best Ranked Loadouts In MW3: SMG / Rival-9 Attachments
Attachment Slot | Attachment |
| Muzzle | Purifier Muzzle Break |
| Barrel | Rival-C Clearshot Barrel |
| Optic | MTZ Marauder Stock |
| Stock | Rival Vice Assault |
| Underbarrel | DR-6 Handstop |
Unlike the MCW, there's much less variation in Rival-9 builds. Pretty much everyone, including the best SMG in the game (Simp) is using this exact attachment setup.
Good luck grinding out Ranked, and we hope these loadouts help.
If you're enjoying Ranked play and want to dip your feet further into the world of competitive CoD, we highly recommend checking out the BPL. This is a privately ran league where you will find more committed players. Pretty much everyone in a BPL games is going to be mic'd up, and they will at least attempt to co-ordinate as a team.