As an avid Call of Duty player who has sunk over 12d playtime using LMGs across Warzone and Modern Warfare titles, I live and breathe these big beastly guns – especially in Battle Royale modes like Warzone where their high ammo capacity and stopping power let you mow down entire teams.
So if you want to step up your LMG game, you’ve come to the right place. Below I reveal my tier list and in-depth analysis on all 6 LMGs currently available in Warzone 2.0 to help you pick the right tool for victory.
My Credentials
Before we dive in, let me introduce myself so you know my perspectives come from direct LMG experience.
I’m Max, a passionate gamer who has hit Diamond rank in multiple COD multiplayer seasons. I also achieve consistent top 5% finishes in Warzone thanks to smart positioning and squad play.
While I’m confident playing aggressive with SMGs/ARs, my true love is LMGs – I just enjoy the playstyle they enable. There’s nothing more satisfying than suppressing enemies out in the open while my teammates push up to finish them.
So far in Warzone 2.0, I’ve:
- Unlocked Atomic camo on 3 LMGs already
- Dropped multiple 20 kills games with the RAAL MG
- Levelled every LMG to Max tier for all attachments
- Tested each LMG extensively in Private Matches to benchmark TTK/recoil between builds
- Played over 50 BR trios/quads matches using different LMGs
This first-hand experience has given me intricate knowledge of LMGs – their recoil patterns, handling attributes, situational strengths/weaknesses, and how to build them effectively.
Now let’s analyze them in detail…
LMG Benchmark Stats
To compare apples to apples, I did some objective tests on key LMG performance criteria:
Time-To-Kill (TTK)
This shows how quickly an LMG can down enemies at various ranges when shots are accurate. Lower = better.
Recoil Plots
Illustrates the recoil pattern when full-auto spraying. Easier control = better accuracy during sustained fire.
ADS & Sprint-Out Times
How quickly you can aim down sights and begin firing out of sprint. Faster = better reaction time.
So those are some objective stats – now let’s get into subjective assessments of each LMG from my personal gameplay.
#1 RAAL MG
Hands down the best all-around LMG – the RAAL MG absolutely shreds up close and dominates at range. Enemies stand little chance against its destructive firepower.
I’ve had multiple squad wipes spraying down teams out in the open – the flinch from its high-caliber rounds makes it nearly impossible for enemies to return accurate fire.
It does have some handling drawbacks thanks to its bulk and weight, but slap on the right mobility attachments and the RAAL becomes an unstoppable force across all kinds of engagements.
Some of my favourite highlights using this big boy:
- Shredding a Bertha driving straight at me like Swiss cheese
- Getting a team wipe spraying through a thin wall after sensing their position on heartbeat sensor
- Beaming snipers off desert rooftops before they could land a shot
The RAAL MG makes you feel utterly dominant on Al Mazrah’s wide open spaces. Find a good position or vehicle to post up on and just hose teams down.
Make sure you have teammates that can watch flanks and reposition you when needed – playing as a lone wolf with this LMG gets risky due to slower movement.
Best RAAL MG Loadout
Based on my gameplay testing, here is the ultimate RAAL MG build for quads:
Muzzle: Cronen DM338
Optic: Cronen Mini Pro
Ammunition: .338 Mag High Velocity
Stock: Demo Nimble Stock
Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip Wrap
This setup maximizes bullet velocity and accuracy while giving a much needed mobility boost to strafe quickly when shot at in open areas. The optics provide precision at range without slowing ADS.
Adjustments for Trios:
Swap Demo Stock → FT Mobile Stock for even faster strafing
Consider Scavenger to offset faster ammo burn
#2 556 Icarus
My go-to squad wiper LMG for when I’m feeling slick and speedy. The 556 Icarus absolutely melts up close, and has manageable recoil even at range thanks to its lightweight design.
I love using this gun for aggressively pushing buildings to clear campers. The fast strafe and ADS speed lets me zip between cover to close distances, then hose people down John Wick style once I’m in their face.
Despite the smaller magazine, you can wipe trios no problem if your shots are on point. Only watch out for quads – you may need to switch to your secondary or get repositioned to safely finish off 4 enemies.
Some memorable plays where this mobile LMG put in work:
- Slid cancelling into a room for a triple kill hipfire spray
- Beaming snipers off a crane before they could land a second shot
- Using the bed of a parked Tac Rover for cover while shredding pursuers
Overall an excellent versatile LMG that suits an aggressive playstyle. The high skill ceiling does require strong centering and recoil control – but mastery pays off big when you can shred at all ranges.
Best 556 Icarus Loadout
Here’s what I run in quads to maximize CQB potency while having enough ammo/accuracy for ranged fights:
Muzzle: Broadhead-3DP
Barrel: 16” Bruen Silver Series
Rear Grip: XTEN Grip
Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip
Magazine: 75 Round Belts
For Trios, consider:
Swap XTEN → STIP-40 for better recoil control
Use Light Mag or No Stock to build ultimate CQB speed
#3 RPK
A unique LMG option as it’s built on an AR platform – making the RPK extremely accurate with faster handling than traditional LMGs.
I like using the RPK as a mid-long range anchor watching flank routes and picking off enemies trying to cross open areas. The clean iron sights and minimal recoil make it easier to chain headshots compared to other kickier LMGs.
Just be mindful of the RPK’s downsides – slower time-to-kill, heavier ammunition consumption, and delay getting back into ADS if caught sprinting.
Some RPK moments that worked well:
- Picking off nearly a whole squad trying to cross an open street between downtown buildings
- Supporting my sniper buddy counter-sniping enemies trying to third party us
- Absolutely ruining an enemies’ push up a hill – the accuracy let me constantly headglitch and avoid return fire
Overall the RPK fits best as mid-long range fire support – use cover to post up and pick off enemies your squad has softened up already. Leave the main pushing to SMGs/ARs.
Best RPK Loadout
Here is what I run on the RPK for competitive TTK and manageable recoil over range:
Muzzle: Harbinger D20
Barrel: TAC 597 Barrel
Optic: VLK 4.0x Optic
Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip
Ammunition: 7.62mm High Velocity
Consider swapping the optic to something like Cronen Mini Pro and pushing up with ARs for trios.
I don’t recommend the RPK as a solo quad LMG – you need teammates screening flanks.
#4 Sakin MG38
The MG38 suits a very specific stationary mid-range role – hunkering down and hosing people with its huge 100 round belt.
Recoil and handling are subpar, but find a nice piece of cover and you can lock down lanes effectively. The tracer rounds also help walk fire onto targets.
Just don’t expect to reposition quickly – you’ll get caught sprinting by faster SMG/ARs. Playing with the MG38 rewards a passive playstyle where you post up and make enemies push through your stream of bullets.
Some good MG38 moments:
- Shredding two members of a squad pushing our building then reloading safely behind cover
- Destroying an SUV trying to run me and a buddy over – thanks 100 round belt!
- Controlling the mid lanes on Quarry combined with trophy systems and deployable cover
Overall the MG38 occupies a unique niche for squad support fire. Pair it with an SMG/AR rusher and sniper to lock down medium ranges. Just don’t expect to play flexible on the move.
Best Sakin MG38 Loadout
Here is how I build the MG38 for accuracy/ammo to really play that stationary turret role:
Muzzle: Polarfire-S
Barrel: 16” Bruen Silver Series
Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip
Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip Wrap
Consider the default 100 round belt or swap Laser to an optic for trios.
#5 HCR 56
A specialized CQB LMG thanks to above average mobility and very fast handling/ADS attributes.
Up close spraying with the HCR 56 absolutely deletes people. But damage and accuracy drop off hard past 20 meters making it difficult to win longer range engagements.
I like pairing an HCR 56 with an SMG or very mobile AR build to play very aggressive flanking and room clearing roles. The fast swap and ADS speed lets you react quickly when pushing buildings and corners.
Just know the limitations and avoid taking long range fights – this isn’t a gun for anchoring or supporting.
Some great HCR 56 plays:
- Blitzing a full quad holding second story buildings and hipfire shredding them
- Clearing out Riverbed houses room to room like a breacher
- Using an ATV for fast flank while teammate ARs pinned them – melted their backs
So in summary – a specialized CQB bulldozer that requires coordination with longer-ranged squadmates to really enable its aggressive role.
Best HCR 56 Loadout
To double down on the aggressive flanker role, here is my ideal build:
Muzzle: XTEN Ported 290
Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
Underbarrel: Lockgrip Precision-40
Rear Grip: Bruen Q900 Grip Wrap
Magazine: 50 Round Drum
I optimize this HCR 56 purely for CQB handling and ammo capacity with some recoil control. Avoid range unless you have zero other options.
#6 RAPP H
A flawed but fun quad wipe machine. Enemies have little chance reaction firing against the RAPP H’s high caliber rounds staggering them with visual/physical flinch.
But it balances that fear factor with tricky to manage recoil and sluggish mobility thanks to its sheer size and weight.
This isn’t an LMG for taking long range fights or repositioning aggressively due to slow handling. Instead find a good power position to post up on overwatch and let ‘er rip on targets called out by squadmates.
I like pairing the RAPP H with scout snipers and ARs to hold down areas while they take precision picks and aggressive map control.
Some fun moments blanketing areas with RAPP H firepower:
- Absolutely ruining two teams pinch fighting in fields near Airfield
- Denying nearly 180 degrees of approaches onto Police Station rooftop
- Squad wipe thirsting downed enemies through floors/thin cover
Overall the RAPP H fits a niche high damage suppression role. Just know the limitations with recoil, ammo capacity, and mobility – you can’t quickly reposition or react like other LMGs allow.
Best RAPP H Loadout
To make the unwieldy RAPP H usable, here is my build:
Muzzle: Polarfire S
Laser: FSS OLE-V Laser
Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip
Rear Grip: XTEN Grip
Magazine: 75 Round Belts
I stack as much recoil control as possible here while using a laser for better sprint out and hip fire accuracy to defend close ranges when pinned down.
The magazine gives needed ammo – though you typically die reloading this LMG more than others.
LMG Squad Compositions
LMGs pair great with snipers and very mobile SMG/AR builds. The hybrid firepower and watching each other‘s flanks/approaches makes squads extremely hard to push.
In trios, I love running AR/LMG/Sniper to lock down large areas and easily team fire singled out enemies. The mobility and ranged power makes you tough to counter.
For quads, you can double down on power positions with Sniper/LMG/LMG/AR or add an SMG/shotgun rusher to flush enemies into your nest.
I don‘t recommend quad LMGs – the lack of mobility will make it far too easy for teams to interrupt rotations and flank wide around at least one of you.
Closing Thoughts
And there you have it – everything you could want to know about LMGs in the current Warzone 2.0 meta.
While the RAAL MG reigns supreme, each LMG fills a niche depending on your squad needs and personal playstyle. Master their unique recoil patterns and handling attributes and you’ll rack up squad wipes in no time.
I’m happy to answer any other LMG questions – so ask away in the comments! Now get out there and feed some LMGs!
