How Call of Duty: Warzone’s meta changed over 2021
Call of Duty: Warzone has seen several metas come and go over 2021, with Cold War weapons such as the DMR, FFAR 1, and Krig 6 dominating certain seasons. Here’s how Warzone’s meta changed over the course of 2021.
Choosing the best weapon possible is extremely important to winning Call of Duty: Warzone, but what weapon is best never remains consistent. Warzone developers Raven Software have spent 2021 buffing and nerfing tons of weapons, which has shifted the meta every time.
Thanks to website WZ Ranked, we can what weapons entered and left the meta across 2021’s Black Ops Cold War Seasons.
Here’s a breakdown of the weapon meta from Black Ops Cold War’s first season to Warzone Pacific, based on their popularity.
- Warzone x Cold War Season 1 meta
- Warzone x Cold War Season 2 meta
- Warzone x Cold War Season 3 meta
- Warzone x Cold War Season 4 meta
- Warzone x Cold War Season 5 meta
- Warzone x Cold War Season 6 meta
- Warzone Pacific Season 1 meta
Warzone x Cold War Season 1 meta
Black Ops Cold War Season 1 brought all of Cold War’s weapons over to Warzone, where the DMR 14 almost immediately took over. The DMR had almost a 30% pick rate in the first quarter of Season 1 before it was nerfed to the ground on January 13.
During this time, the MAC-10 was the most popular SMG, consistently staying between a 15-20% pick rate. The MAC-10 then became the most popular weapon in Season 1, with Modern Warfare’s Kar98k regaining popularity after the DMR nerf.
Warzone x Cold War Season 2 meta
Cold War Season 2 saw the MAC-10 nerfed and the dreaded FFAR 1 meta arrive in Warzone. With an incredibly fast time-to-kill and minimal recoil, the FFAR had over a 20% pick rate and remained incredibly popular until the end of Season 2.
During this time, the Kar98k remained consistently popular (and does every single season), while the M16 saw a huge jump during the burst meta.
Warzone x Cold War Season 3 meta
Cold War Season 3 saw the original Warzone map nuked and Verdansk ’84 take over. This huge update nerfed several extremely popular weapons including the M16, making it one of the more balanced seasons of 2021.
The CR-56 AMAX saw a huge rise in popularity during this time, briefly hitting the same pick rate as the ever-popular Kar98k.
Warzone x Cold War Season 4 meta
Raven Software nerfed the CR-56 AMAX towards the end of Season 3, which was met with significant backlash. However, to make up for it, the FARA 83 received a huge buff which made it the most popular weapon by a longshot.
Then after the FARA was nerfed, it was the Krig 6’s time to shine. Its low recoil made it the most popular weapon by a country mile, and it remained that way well into Season 5.
Warzone x Cold War Season 5 meta
The Season 5 meta didn’t change much from Season 4, but weapons such as the Bullfrog and Cold War AK-47 became some of the most popular.
The Krig 6 received a strong nerf during Season 5, which brought Modern Warfare’s Kar98k back to the top spot.
Warzone x Cold War Season 6 meta
Warzone Season 6, the final season before Warzone Pacific, had the most balanced meta of any Cold War season.
After a full year of buffs, nerfs, and changes, it appeared that Raven Software had finally found the balance they were hoping to strike. The Swiss K31 dethroned the Kar98k to be the most popular weapon, and the OTs 9 and Cold War AK-47 became the most popular non-sniper weapons.
But, no weapon surpassed a 15% pick rate, so almost any weapon was viable during this time.
Warzone Pacific Season 1 meta
The Warzone Pacific Season 1 update saw a huge shift in the meta, as all 40 weapons from Vanguard’s multiplayer arrived.
The early days of this season saw all of Modern Warfare and Cold War’s weapons drop in popularity as Vanguard’s guns began to rise. Now, it’s the MP-40 and STG44 dominating the meta, while the Modern Warfare Kar98k kept its place as the most popular Sniper Rifle.
With the Warzone Pacific Season 1 Reloaded update coming soon, we expect this meta to shift again.
2021 saw many different weapons enter and leave the meta, while some fan-favorite picks remained there all the way through. Warzone Pacific’s seasons’ metas are likely to be equally as diverse, and we’re looking forward to seeing what guns come out on top.
You can also check out everything we know about Call of Duty 2022, which is expected to be a sequel to Modern Warfare (2019) and bring even more modern-day weapons to Warzone.
Image Credit: Activision