Best Warzone 2 SMG class loadouts: Attachments, Setup, Perks

A new Warzone season has arrived bringing with it a fresh meta for players to discover. To help you figure out which gun to use we’ve put together this list of the best SMG class and loadouts in Warzone 2 Season 5.

The fifth season of Warzone 2 is here and it has made some sweeping changes to the state of gun balance. Given their prevalence in Warzone, it’s no surprise that submachine guns got caught in these changes.

In general, the balance changes in Season 5 have seen the SMG meta become much more diverse with several guns now having a place. Even so, it goes without saying that there are some standouts that will generally outperform their competitors.

To figure out what these standouts are we’ve ranked the best SMGs in Warzone 2 with recommended loadouts for each included.

10. Minibak

Best Minibak Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: FTAC Castle Comp
• Barrel: BAK-9 279MM
• Stock: Otrezat Stock
• Ammunition: 9mm Armor Piercing
• Rear Grip: True-Tac Grip

On paper, the Minibak looks like it should be excellent in Warzone. Its unique helical magazine lets it hold an impressive 64 rounds, perfect for downing multiple enemies without having to reload. Plus it offers great mobility for getting around the map quickly.

Unfortunately, the Minibak lacks badly in the damage department. Not only is its time to kill not competitive but it also has arguably the worst effective range of any SMG in Warzone. This SMG’s lack of damage makes it difficult to justify ever using.

9. MX9

Best MX9 Warzone 2 Loadout

• Laser: 1mW Quick Fire Laser
• Optic: Cronen Mini Pro
• Stock: Bruen STB 556 Stock
• Magazine: 32 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip

The MX9’s problem is that it doesn’t have a single outstanding trait. Its iron sights are awkward to use, its bullet velocity is very low, and perhaps worst of all its magazine is capped at just 32 rounds.

It edges out the Minibak simply because it has a much more competitive time to kill but this is a hard sell with just about every other SMG – and even some assault rifles – doing the MX9’s job better than it ever could.

8. Fennec 45

Best Fennec 45 Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: Bruen Cubic Comp
• Optic: Cronen Mini Pro
• Stock: Agile Assault-7 Stock
• Magazine: Fennec Mag 45
• Rear Grip: Fennec Stippled Grip

The Fennec dominated Warzone 2’s first season, but it was hit with a hefty and unsurprising nerf in the Season 2 patch. It no longer hits as hard or boasts a nearly as impactful headshot multiplier.

It was nerfed again in the February 24 update, with its long-range damage and damage against armor both reduced. These nerfs have left the Fennec 45 no longer strong enough to justify putting up with its difficult handling characteristics and lack of range. Though it can still get work done up close.

7. FSS Hurricane

Best FSS Hurricane Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: FTAC Castle Comp
• Barrel: FSS Cannonade 16″
• Laser: Schlager PEQ Box IV
• Stock: Demo Quicksilver Stock
• Rear Grip: Phantom Grip

The FSS Hurricane is the first SMG on this list that we can recommend giving a try. It offers a fun combination of low recoil, fantastic bullet velocity, and excellent handling. Our recommended build has an almost unmatched sprint-to-fire time of just 88 ms, making it feel super snappy.

The downside is that the Hurricane isn’t the most powerful SMG by any means. Its time to kill is nothing special and will often leave it outgunned by the more meta alternatives. Even so, it’s not a bad choice and some players will love using it.

6. BAS-P

Best BAS-P Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: Spiral V3.5 Flash Hider
• Laser: Accu-Shot 5mW Laser
• Stock: Bruyen Flash V4 Stock
• Magazine: 50 Round Drum
• Rear Grip: D37 Grip

Once a joke of an SMG, the BAS-P has received countless buffs and has now managed to become viable. It still struggles in the damage department at certain ranges but it hits hard enough to consider giving it a try, especially up close.

The main advantages to the BAS-P are that it has a very high fire rate, a fast reload relative to its magazine size, and it’s easy to build for mobility without affecting accuracy much at all. These pros make it a fairly forgiving SMG suitable for players looking for a straightforward gun to use.

5. PDSW 528

Best PDSW 528 Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: FTAC Castle Comp
• Stock: CQB Stock
• Rail: GR33 Light Rail
• Rear Grip: Stip-40 Grip
• Comb: TV Taccomb

The PDSW 528 excels in three areas: magazine size, bullet velocity, and mobility. This trio of strengths make for a fantastic sniper support and arguably the best option for players looking to play extremely aggressively.

A big downside to using the PDSW is that its recoil isn’t as forgiving as other entries on this list. That limits its range potential in the hands of most players, hence why it only ranks in fifth place. Regardless, this is a great SMG that is definitely worth giving a go.

4. Vaznev-9K

Best Vaznev-9K Warzone 2 Loadout

• Barrel: KAS-1 254mm
• Lazer: Schlager PEQ Box IV
• Stock: Otrezat Stock
• Magazine: 45 Round Mag
• Rear Grip: Demo-X2 Grip

Whilst still dominant in multiplayer, the Vaznev-9K no longer reigns king amongst Warzone’s SMGs. A series of nerfs weakened its raw killing power, seeing its competitors become more popular than it.

Despite several nerfs the Vaznev-9K is still a great gun thanks to its spectacular accuracy and low recoil. It offers an exceptional level of versatility rarely seen in SMGs. In many ways, this gun inherits the strengths of the FSS Hurricane while not giving up nearly as much DPS.

3. VEL 46

Best VEL 46 Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: Bruen Cubic Comp
• Stock: VEL A-568 Collapsed
• Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
• Rear Grip: ZLR Combat Grip
• Magazine: 50 Round Mag

The VEL 46 has always been a good choice in Warzone 2 but buffs in Season 5 have elevated it to top-tier. It still has its fantastic handling and easy-to-control recoil, but now it also has the damage to compete against the very best Warzone has to offer.

It’s especially strong if you have the mechanical skill to aim and keep on enemy players’ heads. With enough headshots mixed in the VEL’s TTK becomes practically unmatched although that won’t be an option for most players.

2. Lachmann Sub

Best Lachmann Sub Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: Spiral V3.5 Flash Hider
• Laser: 1mW Quick Fire Laser
• Stock: FT Mobile Stock
• Magazine: 50 Round Drum
• Rear Grip: Lachmann TCG-10

To the surprise of nobody, the Lachmann Sub remains a superb meta option and arguably even the best SMG. Although it falls short of the DPS of our number one entry, the Lachmann’s overall feel and consistency make it a wonderful choice to take into most gunfights.

You can’t go wrong with using the Lachmann Sub because it has no real weakness. This MP5-inspired SMG has good range, good recoil, good mobility, good everything. It’s a jack-of-all-trades option that never feels out of place.

1. ISO 45

Best ISO 45 Warzone 2 Loadout

• Muzzle: Lockshot KT85
• Optic: Cronen Mini Pro
• Stock: SK-3 Cheetah
• Magazine: 45 Round Drum
• Rear Grip: A30 Stout

Its arrival in Season 4 saw the ISO 45 immediately rise to the top, establishing itself as the best close-range gun and SMG in Warzone 2. Unsurprisingly, it was nerfed soon after bringing it more in line with its competitors.

Even after the nerf though the ISO 45 remains the best SMG thanks to its spectacular time to kill up close. It isn’t as versatile as the Lachmann Sub or VEL 46 but that doesn’t matter when you can outgun them more often than not.

That rounds off the best SMGs in Warzone 2 right now. Be sure to check back in the future because as the meta shifts, so will this list.