Best SMGs in Warzone Season 5

If you want to dominate close-range fights, Warzone holds a ton of powerful SMGs to pick from. However, the inclusion of several buffs and nerfs in Season 5 has made selecting the best SMG more challenging.

So, to help you out, we’ve ranked all of the SMGs from best to worst, including an overview of the top 10 picks.

Best Warzone SMGs ranked

As of Season 5, the best SMGs are the Superi 46, Static-HV, and AMR9. Here’s how they compare to the other Submachine Guns.

Rank	SMG
1	Superi 46
2	Static-HV
3	AMR9
4	FJX Horus
5	Striker
6	VEL 46
7	WSP-9
8	Lachmann Shroud
9	Minibak
10	Vaznev-9k
11	RAM-9
12	HRM-9
13	Striker 9
14	Rival-9
15	WSP Swarm
16	Lachmann Sub
17	ISO 9mm
18	BAS-P
19	ISO 45
20	Fennec 45
21	MX9
22	FSS Hurricane
23	PDSW 528

Rankings explained

10. Vaznev-9k

Activision

• How to unlock: Get the Kastov 762 to Level 11, then the Kastov 545 to Level 13, and the Kastov-74u to Level 13
• Base Damage: 38 Headshot, 32 Upper Torso, 32 Lower Torso, 31 Upper Legs
• Range: 11.4m Effective Damage Range, 40.4m Minimum Damage Range, 540 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 779.2 rpm
• ADS Speed: 210 ms

In Season 5, several MW2 weapons received significant buffs, including the Vaznev-9k. After the update, this previously overlooked weapon regained its former popularity for close-range combat.

With low recoil, high damage, and excellent mobility, this SMG has become a popular choice among players. The best Vaznev-9k loadout showcases its substantial damage increase, which has made it a standout option in the game.

9. Minibak

• How to unlock: Get the Kastov 762 to Level 11, then the Kastov 545 to Level 13, and the Kastov-74u to Level 18
• Base Damage: 39 Headshot, 36 Upper Torso, 36 Lower Torso, 31 Upper Legs
• Range: 11.4m Effective Damage Range, 25.1m Minimum Damage Range, 300 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 652.2 rpm
• ADS Speed: 275 ms

Long-time players will remember the Minibak for its similarity to the fan-favorite Bullfrog from the original iteration of Warzone. Following a major buff to its damage, range, and modifiers in Season 5, this SMG has returned to the top 10.

Feeling just like its original version, it boasts excellent fire rate and mobility. This can be massively improved when equipping the best Minibak loadout featuring the optimal combination of attachments.

8. Lachmann Shroud

• How to unlock: Reach Level 55 and get 30 hipfire kills
• Base Damage: 47 Headshot, 40 Upper Torso, 34 Lower Torso, 34 Upper Legs
• Range: 10.7m Effective Damage Range, 43.3m Minimum Damage Range, 280.5 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 687 rpm
• ADS Speed: 259 ms

The Lachmann Shroud’s JAK Decimator Conversion Kit transforms the overlooked MW2 SMG into a formidable weapon, bringing it back to the close-range meta.

Although it was not a top-tier choice in previous seasons, the combination of its Aftermarket Part, impressive damage profile, and high fire rate when picking the best Lachmann Shroud loadout allows it to compete effectively with other SMGs.

7. WSP-9

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete three Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 54 Headshot, 46 Upper Torso, 42 Lower Torso, 37 Upper Legs
• Range: 15.5m Effective Damage Range, 33m Minimum Damage Range, 540 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 599.5 rpm
• ADS Speed: 220 ms

The WSP-9 has been a consistent presence on this list from Season 1 to Season 5, and it will continue to be a reliable option for players when equipped with its best attachments.

This weapon has a competitive damage output and amazing mobility. However, it has a slow fire rate that pushes it back a few places compared to its counterparts.

6. VEL 46

• How to unlock: Reach Level 4
• Base Damage: 35 Headshot, 27 Upper Torso, 27 Lower Torso, 24 Upper Legs
• Range: 13.0m Effective Damage Range, 40.9m Minimum Damage Range, 540 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 952.4 rpm
• ADS Speed: 216 ms

The VEL 46 is Warzone’s version of the MP7, one of the most iconic weapons in Call of Duty. Following its major damage buff in Season 5, equipping the best VEL 46 loadout proves highly effective at close range. Its great fire rate, ease of use, and mobility make it a popular choice for killing nearby enemies.

5. Striker

• How to unlock: Reach Level 4
• Base Damage: 46 Headshot, 39 Upper Torso, 39 Lower Torso, 36 Upper Legs
• Range: 12.7m Effective Damage Range, 35.6m Minimum Damage Range, 570 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 645.2 rpm
• ADS Speed: 204 ms

The classic Striker secures a spot in Warzone’s top five SMG rankings. Its user-friendly design and competitive damage have kept it a popular choice. When equipped with the meta attachments, this SMG becomes extremely powerful at close range.

However, given the impressive potential of the top picks, and despite maintaining a great fire rate and mobility, this gun still underperforms in the damage department which ultimately lands it the fifth spot.

4. FJX Horus

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete 5 Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 33 Headshot, 28 Upper Torso, 28 Lower Torso, 28 Upper Legs
• Range: 8.6m Effective Damage Range, 25.9m Minimum Damage Range, 480 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 983.6 rpm
• ADS Speed: 170 ms

Following a massive damage range nerf, the FJX Horus was pushed down a few spots in the rankings. Still, this SMG is a well-rounded option for close-range combat featuring competitive mobility, fire rate, and damage range, which can be further improved by equipping the best attachments.

3. AMR9

• How to unlock: Reach Level 55
• Base Damage: 37 Headshot, 31 Upper Torso, 29 Lower Torso, 29 Upper Legs
• Range: 12.7m Effective Damage Range, 34.3m Minimum Damage Range, 625 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 633.3 rpm
• ADS Speed: 240 ms

The AMR9 has surged in the rankings to reestablish itself as one of the top SMGs in the game. The gun received a substantial damage range buff, which combined with its exceptional fire rate and mobility in the best AMR9 loadout, allows it to compete against nearly any rival.

2. Static-HV

• How to unlock: Complete Sector 6 of the Season 5 Battle Pass
• Base Damage: 42 Headshot, 33 Upper Torso, 33 Lower Torso, 30 Upper Legs
• Range: 16.0m Effective Damage Range, 40.6m Minimum Damage Range, 600 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 821.9 rpm
• ADS Speed: 200 ms

The latest SMG addition has quickly emerged as one of the top picks in the game given its extremely fast TTK and exceptional mobility, which we maximize in our best Static-HV loadout.

This weapon is reminiscent of the iconic PDW-57 from Black Ops 2, boasting a substantial base magazine size of 50 rounds. This allows you to take on multiple enemies without needing to reload while freeing up an attachment slot.

1. Superi 46 – Best SMG in Warzone

• How to unlock: Activate its Armory Unlock and complete five Daily Challenges
• Base Damage: 48 Headshot, 41 Upper Torso, 35 Lower Torso, 32 Upper Legs
• Range: 14m Effective Damage Range, 34.3m Minimum Damage Range, 630 m/s Bullet Velocity
• Rate of Fire: 666.7 rpm
• ADS Speed: 200 ms

Despite a massive movement nerf in Season 5, the Superi 46 claims the title of best SMG in Warzone. You can’t go wrong with this SMG, thanks to its top-tier damage range and speedy handling.

Additionally, it feels incredibly easy to use, so we suggest wielding our best Superi 46 loadout as your go-to close-range weapon.

No matter which SMG you pick, be sure to use the best controller, audio, and FOV settings, allowing you to take care of any close-range threats in the battle royale.