As someone with over 800 hours across COD titles and currently ranked in the top 5000 MW2 players on Tracker.gg, I live and breathe assault rifles. The versatility of ARs enables adapting to the pace of multiplayer matches by providing well-rounded offensive capabilities for standard engagement ranges. I‘ve extensively tested every assault rifle in private matches to determine optimal setups for winning gunfights.
In this 3000 word guide, I‘ll be breaking down the top 8 assault rifles in MW2 based on hard stats and personal experience in public matches. You‘ll see tangible comparisons across critical attributes like flinch resistance, damage dropoff, handling speeds, and recoil values. I‘ll provide my competitive insight into which ARs best fit different styles of play. Finally, I‘ll recommend the best attachment combinations to amplify the strengths of each rifle.
Let‘s start by briefing some key terms and stats that affect assault rifle lethality:
Assault Rifle Attribute Glossary
Damage Profile – The amount of damage a rifle deals based on hit locations, expressed as chest/stomach/limbs/head damage. Higher damage means faster killing.
Shots to Kill (STK) – The number of bullets required to kill a full armored opponent. Lower STK equals better killing potential.
Time to Kill (TTK) – The theoretical fastest time to kill an enemy based on shots landing. Quicker TTK is superior as it gives opponents less time to react.
Rounds Per Minute (RPM) – The frequency that bullets discharge from the weapon per minute of continuous fire. Higher RPM enables faster killing but harder recoil control.
Damage Per Second (DPS) – A combined rating of the damage profile and fire rate. Provides a sense of killing speed against wounded targets.
Centerspeed – The speed which the weapon‘s crosshairs return to their original placement after firing. Faster centerspeed enables quicker follow up shots.
Flinch Resistance – Reduction in aim punch from being hit by enemy fire. Higher flinch resistance keeps sights steadier for return fire.
Bullet Velocity – Speed that fired projectiles travel toward targets. Higher velocity improves damage at range due to less bullet drop.
Handling – Generic term for weapon performance relating to mobility, aim down sight (ADS) speed, and sprint-to-fire delays.
Now that you know what stats make assault rifles lethal, let‘s overview the top base game options by examining their gunsmith weapon statistics.
Detailed Assault Rifle Statistical Breakdowns
I‘ll be assessing rifles based on their baseline configuration without any attachments equipped. This represents the true potential of the weapon platform when starting fresh.
Kastov 762
The Kastov 762 brings unmatched close quarters damage with the ability to 3-shot kill fully armored enemies. It has the fastest base ADS & sprint-to-fire speeds among assault rifles as well. However, significant horizontal recoil kicks make staying on target at range difficult.
Summary: Extreme CQB Damage, Fastest Base ADS Speed
Ideal Engagement Range: Close to Medium Range
M4
Serving as the quintessential jack-of-all-trades assault rifle, the M4 brings respectable damage and range in a controllable platform. With only vertical recoil, moderate fire rate, and reliable 4 shot killing power – it‘s effective at most distances an AR would be used.
Summary: Reliable Medium Range Versatility
Ideal Engagement Range: Medium Range
STB 556 (AUG)
The STB 556 excels past 50 meters where most other assault rifles taper off. With the highest bullet velocity, easiest to control recoil, and improved damage dropoff – it‘s built to lock down long lanes. The tradeoff is having the slowest movement speeds among ARs.
Summary: Long Range Laser Beam
Ideal Engagement Range: Long Range
Kastov-74U
This assault rifle/SMG hybrid brings outstanding handling and ADS attributes for aggressively pushing objectives. Its damage dropoff is steep past 40 meters however, making winning longer range duels unlikely. Mobility and close quarters damage output are king here.
Summary: Extreme Mobility Rusher
Ideal Engagement Range: Close Quarters Only
Lachmann 556
While the Lachmann lacks outstanding qualities, it brings easy to control recoil combined with solid ADS & sprint out speeds. This makes it forgiving for newer players while retaining sidegrade viability compared to top options. I‘ve found it effective when used as a versatile support weapon.
Summary: Jack of All Trades Compromise
Ideal Engagement Range: Medium Range
Kastov 545
Sharing the agile profile of the 74u but with recoil directed strictly vertically, the Kastov 545 allows reliable hits even during full auto spray. The tradeoff comes in unremarkable damage and middling fire rate. It brings flexibility but fails to excel in any one area.
Summary: Balanced Mobility
Ideal Engagement Range: Medium Range
M16
The burst fire M16 exchanges raw stopping power for unrivaled recoil control even during sustained bursts. When tap firing it has laser-like precision across extreme distances. The lackluster fire rate requires landing accurate shots to compensate however.
Summary: Long Range Support
Ideal Engagement Range: Long Range
TAQ-56
With average stats across the board, the TAQ-56 doesn‘t stand out in any particular category. It brings acceptable damage range, recoil, and handling attributes without excelling at anything. This relegates it to a jack-of-all-trades backup option when primary weapons are restricted.
Summary: Underwhelming But Usable
Ideal Engagement Range: Medium Range
Now that you understand the core stats of each rifle, let‘s visually compare their recoil plots when firing full auto.
Comparing Recoil Plots
The following graphs visualize the recoil patterns when firing assault rifles without attachments. The plots begin where the initial sight picture was placed, with successive shots straying away from the origin point.
Key things to note:
- The Kastov 762 kicks wildly left and right, making it hard to re-center during continuous fire.
- The M4 demonstrates textbook vertical climb that is easy to counter by pulling down on the mouse.
- The AUG showcases minimal horizontal bounce, enabling precise chained hits.
- The M16 resets back to the original aim point even during bursts, producing sniper-like accuracy.
Now let‘s examine how these traits position certain ARs for different play styles and engagement distances using my personal recommendations.
Analyzing Assault Rifle Viability for Play Styles & Ranges
Based on the statistically compared attributes above combined with field usage against human opponents, I‘ve determined ideal pairings between assault rifle selection and player behavior.
Best Assault Rifle for Aggression – Kastov-74u
The Kastov-74u‘s blend of damage, speed, and CQB viability makes it unmatched for aggressively pushing objectives. Having an SMG-like rusher assault rifle enables flanking mobility to counter enemies posted across mediums lanes. I love pairing it with smoke grenades to rapidly reposition through narrow paths. The only shortcoming is its significant damage dropoff past 40 meters when enemies have the ranged advantage.
Best Assault Rifle for Speed – Kastov 762
Despite mobility stats being only average, the Kastov 762 feels agile and responsive compared to heavier assault rifles. I attribute this to the fast ADS & sprint-to-fire speeds which get shots downrange quicker. Combined with the fastest base damage profile, it‘s primed for aggressively challenging enemies at short distances. The handling allows pushes and flanks comparable to an SMG.
Best Assault Rifle for Range – STB 556 (AUG)
The AUG‘s precise accuracy under rapid fire enables winning fights even at extreme distances. The high bullet velocity keeps shots connecting downrange compared to alternatives. When other assault rifles lose potency past 60 meters, the AUG is still dishing out high caliber damage. It‘s optimal for holding power positions while picking apart teams at range.
Best Assault Rifle for Versatility – M4
While the M4 doesn‘t excel at any one task, it performs respectably across short, medium, and long-range engagements. This adaptability pairs well with support or passive playstyles where being able to take fights from multiple distances is beneficial. With a well-rounded stat profile, it‘s beginner friendly and forgiving to use.
Best Assault Rifle for Accuracy – M16
The minimal burst fire recoil pattern of the M16 allows reliably chaining headshots once the first bullet lands. When tapping the trigger, it effectively functions as a battle rifle while having assault rifle handling up close. The main tradeoff is raw fire rate, requiring accuracy to compensate. It rewards precision shooting across all ranges despite lower DPS on paper.
Now let‘s explore ideal attachments to alleviate statistical weaknesses of rifles to optimize their capabilities.
Recommended Attachment Combinations
Adding the right accessories tailors assault rifles to specialized roles where they otherwise falter. This enables covering weaknesses or doubling down on defined strengths. Here are my personal favorite combinations per rifle.
Build 1 – Ranged Kastov 762
The Kastov 762 dominates up close but has difficult to control recoil for distant engagements. This loadout improves stabilization for ranged viability:
Attachments:
- ZLR Talon 5 Muzzle
- FTAC Castle Comp Barrel
- FSS Sharkfin 90 Underbarrel
- Schlager 3.4X Optic
Summary: Reigns in horizontal recoil while improving stability. Greater precision across medium distances.
Build 2 – CQB M4
The M4 lends itself naturally to mid-range versatility. This alternative set amplifies its close quarters capabilities:
Attachments:
- FTAC Castle Comp Muzzle
- Tempus Hightower 20′′ Barrel
- FSS Sharkfin 90 Underbarrel
- SA CQB Stock
Summary: Boosts ADS & sprint-to-fire speeds for reactionary engagements inside 20 meters.
Build 3 – Quickscoping AUG
The AUG already excels from range. This radical configuration minimizes scope dwell time for aggressive sniping:
Attachments:
- XVIL-Precision Barrel
- FSS CQB Pad Rear Grip
- FSS OLE-V Laser Underbarrel
- Cronen Mini Red Dot
Summary: Allows rapidly attaining sight picture while strafing quickly after firing. Enables versatile quickscoping.
Build 4 – Recoil Control 74u
The Kastov 74u has passable vertical rise but unstable horizontal bounce when holding down the trigger. This tuning enhances stability for prolonged fire.
Attachments:
- Polarfire-S Muzzle
- FT Assault-60 Barrel
- FSS Sharkfin 90 Underbarrel
- Ivanov ST-70P Rear Grip
Summary: Makes recoiling pattern more predictable to counter during automatic shoots.
As you can see, attachments allow tailoring assault rifles to shore up shortcomings or enhance natural strengths. Let‘s recap key takeaways from this guide.
Summary & Recommendations
After extensively evaluating assault rifle performance in private testing and live matches, several guidelines emerge:
The Kastov 762 has the fastest killing CQB potential through extreme burst damage and handling. It dominates close range face-offs through raw TTK power alone.
The M4 offers balanced versatility for adaptably taking fights from any distance. It‘s well-rounded without major flaws or standout qualities.
The AUG provides unmatched ranged precision across long sightlines. When other ARs lose potency, the AUG maintains laser stability & damage.
The Kastov 74u owns unmatched aggression and mobility. With SMG movespeed and respectable AR damage, it flies through close spaces.
Attachment combos expand an ARs capabilities – whether boosting stability for ranged Kastov 762 kills or enabling quickscoping on the AUG.
For those starting Multiplayer, I suggest grinding weapon levels on the M4 first since it provides a consistent base to practice engagements from all distances. Once accustomed to maps, expand into more specialized ARs matched to preference of speed, power, range, or aggression. Leverage attachments to shore up weaknesses without sacrificing inherent strengths.
I hope this guide has provided tangible insights into succeeding with assault rifles using my extensive first-hand experience. Let me know which AR you want to master next via my YouTube channel!
