The best Ranked Play loadout and class setup in MW3

Grab the squad, hop online, get in party chat, and get ready to grind: Modern Warfare 3 Ranked Play is here.

It’s time to prove your worth and mettle in Call of Duty after dominating public lobbies for the first few months after launch. Ranked Play is where scores are settled, rivalries are born, rewards are unlocked, and bragging rights are earned forever.

Ranked Play in MW3 uses the same rules as the Call of Duty League, but a bit different. The CoD pros have a “gentleman’s agreement” or GA to not use certain items that are legally allowed, such as different weapon attachments. Luckily for all of us, there are no gentleman’s agreements when it comes to grinding ranks.

Here are our picks for the best Ranked loadouts in MW3.

Best Ranked Play classes in MW3

The best loadout in MW3’s Ranked Play depends on what weapon you’re most comfortable with. In competitive CoD, players are split between assault rifles and SMGs. We’ve got you covered with the best of both, including the MCW for AR players, the Rival-9 for SMG players, and the Renetti for the secondary weapon slot.

Best MCW ranked loadout in MW3

Months later, the king still reigns. MW3’s best loadout for multiplayer is the MCW. Here are the best attachments:

• Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
• Optic: MK. 3 Reflector or Slate Reflector
• Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop
• Ammunition: 5.56 NATO High Grain Rounds
• Rear Grip: RB Claw-PSL Grip

This MCW loadout focuses on buffing the AR’s Damage, Range, Recoil Control, and Handling, so you’re able to get from objective to objective quickly and fire accurately at oncoming enemies.

Although it’s GA’d by pros, you’re free to use the 5.56 NATO High Grain Rounds in Ranked Play for a nice boost to Bullet Velocity and Damage Range since the MCW doesn’t have much recoil to speak of otherwise.

The only change to make here is to use a different Optic depending on preference or to play like the pros do and remove the 5.56 NATO High Grain Rounds for the T15R Billeted Brake or L4R Flash Hider in the Muzzle slot.

Best Rival-9 ranked loadout in MW3

The best SMG for MW3 Ranked Play is the Rival-9. Here are the best attachments:

• Muzzle: Purifier Muzzle Brake S
• Barrel: Rival-C Clearshot Barrel
• Stock: MTZ Marauder Stock
• Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
• Magazine: 40 Round Mag

SMG players are all about speed and close-range damage, and this setup turns the Rival-9 into the best SMG when it comes to sweating it up in Ranked Play. These attachments help to shore up the Rival-9’s weaknesses by adding Damage, Recoil Control, and Handling, while negating some Mobility, which is fine because its base speed is already quite high.

Alternatively, I sometimes also swap out the 40 Round Mag for 9mm High Grain Rounds ammunition for a bit of a boost to Bullet Velocity and Damage Range, but with a strong negative effect on Recoil Control.

Best Renetti ranked loadout in MW3

The best pistol in MW3 Ranked Play is the Renetti. Use these best attachments:

• Muzzle: DZS Open Comp
• Barrel: MK2 Renetti Long Barrel
• Optic: Cronen Mini Pro
• Ammunition: 9mm High Grain Rounds
• Rear Grip: EXF Eclipsor Grip

The Renetti is the best pistol in MW3, and it shines here as a weapon to swap to if you run out of ammo and don’t have time to reload. I especially love that it holds its own at mid-range, and this loadout buffs its Damage, Range, Accuracy, Recoil Control, and Handling, making it the best of the best.

On Aprli 16, MW3 Ranked Play began a Weapon Evaluation Test period for several new guns. Here are our best loadout choices for some of the new guns being tested, including the RAM-9, BP50, Holger 556, and more.

Best BP50 ranked loadout in MW3

• Barrel: Lore-9 Heavy Barrel
• Optic: Mk. 3 Reflector
• Stock: Forbearer Heavy Stock
• Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
• Rear Grip: TRST-IV Grip Tape

Best Holger 556 ranked loadout in MW3

• Muzzle: Casus Brake
• Barrel: Chrios-6 Match
• Optic: Mk. 3 Reflector
• Stock: RB Addle Assault Stock
• Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop

Best MTZ-556 ranked loadout in MW3

• Muzzle: Casus Brake
• Barrel: MTZ Clinch Pro Barrel
• Optic: Mk. 3 Reflector
• Stock: MTZ Marauder Stock
• Rear Grip: Bruen TR-24 Assault Grip

Best RAM-9 ranked loadout in MW3

• Muzzle: Purifier Muzzle Brake S
• Stock: HVS 3.4 Pad
• Underbarrel: DR-6 Handstop
• Rear Grip: Retort 90 Grip tape
• Comb: Recon Comb

Best HRM-9 ranked loadout in MW3

• Muzzle: ZEHMN35 Compensated Flash Hider
• Barrel: Princeps Long Barrel
• Stock: Folding Stock
• Underbarrel: FTAC MSP-98 Handstop
• Rear Grip: PCS-90 Assault Grip

Best MW3 Ranked Play class setup

Use this class setup in MW3 Ranked Play for easy Ws.

Best MW3 Ranked Play perks and equipment

• Tactical: Stun Grenade
• Lethal: Frag Grenade or Semtex
• Field Upgrade: Trophy System
• Gloves: Quick-Grip Gloves
• Boots: Covert Sneakers
• Gear: EOD Padding

Many tacticals and lethals are banned, so options are limited. We believe the Stun Grenade is the best of what’s left, but a choice can be made for Frag Grenade or Semtex, depending on preference. I prefer Frags for cooking them and throwing longer distances.

In the CDL, pros have a GA that means only two players can use a Trophy System. Don’t worry about that here. Use yours to protect your teammates and the objective from incoming throwables and keep them safe on the hill while they carry you to a victory as you slay out the enemy squad.

Quick-Grip Gloves give a much-needed buff to the speed of weapon swaps, Covert Sneakers keep the enemy from hearing your approach, and EOD Padding will help you survive an explosion that sneaks past any Trophy System.