This tier list ranks all the best weapon loadouts for Ranked Play matches using CDL rules in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3). Learn about the best guns and attachments setups to use in ranked, as well as the best equipment and perks you can pair them with.

Best Ranked CDL Loadouts

Stay tuned as we update this list with more meta weapons during S1 Ranked Play!

Best MCW Loadout for Ranked

MCW Attachment Setup
Muzzle	L4R Flash Hider
Barrel	16.5" MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
Underbarrel	DR-6 Handstop
Stock	RB Regal Heavy Stock
Optic	Mk. 3 Reflector or Slate Reflector

The MCW is the go-to AR for pro players in the Call of Duty League (CDL) due to its fast TTK and easy-to-control recoil. When looking to play an AR in ranked, the MCW is your best option.

This MCW loadout offers amazing stopping power with almost zero recoil, all while giving you increased mobility due to the strafe speed buff of the DR-6 Handstop underbarrel attachment.

However, do note that when playing as the AR of your ranked squad, it will be best to play for mid-range duels. Opt to become the anchor during objective gameplay, sitting or defending the objective while your SMGs make the aggressive plays.

Best Rival-9 Loadout for Ranked

Rival-9 Attachment Setup
Muzzle	JAK BFB or Purifier Muzzle Brake S
Barrel	Rival-C Clearshot Barrel
Underbarrel	DR-6 Handstop
Rear Grip	Rival Vice Assault Grip
Stock	MTZ Marauder Stock

The Rival-9 is the king of SMGs in CDL due to its high fire rate that absolutely shreds enemy players at close range. This is the best SMG for Ranked Play, especially when built with mobility in mind as it allows you for quick and easy pushes against the objective.

Do note that the strong vertical recoil of the Rival-9 takes some getting used to. The loadout detailed above will equip the JAK BFB, Rival Vice Assault Grip, and MTZ Marauder Stock to greatly help with vertical recoil and gun kick control that the Rival-9 sorely needs.

However, it's the DR-6 Handstop that truly makes this loadout shine, as the increased strafe speed allows you to hit long to medium range shots with ease. Once you get used to the Rival-9's recoil, you can increase mobility even further by swapping out the JAK BFB muzzle for the Purifier Muzzle Brake S.

Best WSP-9 Loadout for Ranked

WSP-9 Attachment Setup
Muzzle	JAK BFB
Underbarrel	DR-6 Handstop
Ammunition	9mm High Velocity
Magazine	32 Round Mag
Stock	WSP Classics Factory Stock

Much like the Rival-9, the WSP-9 SMG will benefit from having good mobility and great recoil control especially since movement pays off a lot in MW3 (2023). This loadout boasts almost zero recoil and amazing strafe speed courtesy of the DR-6 Handstop underbarrel.

To alleviate the pain of having a low magazine capacity and fire rate (compared to the Rival-9), we equip the 32 Round Mag as well as 9mm High Velocity. The latter will make sure we can win duels confidently due to the lower damage threshold of this SMG.

Best Equipment and Perks for Ranked

Marksman or Ordnance Gloves

Players running Assault Rifle loadouts can opt to equip the Marksman Gloves since they increase your Flinch Resistance and reduce ADS sway - perfect when you're looking to take long to mid range duels in ranked.

However, if you're running an SMG loadout, it would probably be better to use Ordnance Gloves as they allow you to quickly deploy tacticals and lethals if you ever find yourself in a pinch during aggressive plays.

Covert Sneakers to Eliminate Footsteps

Without question the best Boots Perk you can equip in Ranked will be the Covert Sneakers since it eliminates footsteps entirely. This means you're under the radar for longer, making pushes, flanks, and rotations so much easier since the enemies will not be able to rely on sound alone to cut you off.

How to Use the Covert Sneakers

Trophy System to Defend Objectives

Since all game modes in Ranked are tied to holding down and defending objectives, to optimal choice would be to take the Trophy System for your field upgrade slot. When deployed, this prevents the enemies from spamming tacticals and lethals when they push the objective you're defending.

How to Use the Trophy System

EOD Padding to Reduce Explosive Damage

Similar to the Trophy System, EOD Padding is your best option for the gear perk slot simply because it allows you to survive and hold the objective without getting spammed down by enemy lethals.

How to Use EOD Padding

Semtex to Avoid Friendly Fire

Since Friendly Fire is on during Ranked Play, the Semtex lethal will be your best option since its timer is telegraphed by the beeps it sounds off upon throwing. Compare this to an uncooked Frag Grenade that your teammates could walk into if pushes are poorly timed.

How to Use Semtex

Stun Grenade for Better Pushing Utility

Since there are only two options for tacticals in Ranked Play, the Stun Grenade will be your best option since it allows you to push heavily defended objectives with your team. Smoke Grenades find no utility in ranked, simply because the most they'll do is turn easily winnable gunfights into 50/50s due to low visibility.

How to Use Stun Grenades

Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) Related Guides

List of All Guns and Weapons

All Guns and Weapon Guides

All Guns and Weapons by Type