Notorious Warzone 2 SMG is “back to being the best” after major buffs in Season 5

Nathan Warby
Warzone 2 Operator with Fennec 45

The SMG category is extremely competitive in Warzone 2, as there are plenty of options that can dominate at close range. But CoD guru Metaphor has revealed the buffed SMG that is back on top after previously taking over the meta in the early days of Al Mazrah.

The Warzone 2 meta is constantly shifting and evolving, as the arrival of new weapons and balancing changes keep things feeling fresh. With each major update, players flock to the strongest guns to try and gain the upper hand on their opponents.

In recent months, the SMG category has been particularly competitive, with the likes of the ISO 45 and Lachmann Sub establishing themselves as deadly close-range options.

However, Warzone 2 expert Metaphor has revealed the forgotten SMG that could make a comeback following a substantial buff in Season 5.

In his August 21 video, the YouTuber claimed that the Fennec 45 is “back to being the best SMG” in Warzone 2. The notorious weapon dominated the meta in the early days of Warzone 2, but was hit by heavy nerfs that caused it to fall out of favor with the community.

But after a major buff to its maximum damage in Season 5 and again in the August 16 update, Metaphor explained that the Fennec is “insane” again thanks to its impressive fire rate and mobility, which make it extremely “forgiving” in tight gunfights.

As more players catch wind that this SMG is back to its best, don’t be surprised to see its modest 0.6% pick rate on WZ Ranked grow at a rapid rate. Check out Metaphor’s best Fennec 45 loadout for Warzone 2 Season 5 below.

Metaphor’s best Fennec 45 loadout for Warzone 2 Season 5

  • Muzzle: Bruen Pendulum
  • Rear Grip: Fennec Stippled Grip
  • Laser: VLK LZR 7MW
  • Magazine: Fennec Mag 45
  • Ammunition: .45 Auto Hollowpoint

Metaphor began his best Fennec 45 loadout in Warzone 2 with the Bruen Pendulum and Fennec Stippled Grip, buffing the SMG’s recoil control to keep it on target at mid-range. He also went for the VLK LZR 7MW for faster ADS speeds, ensuring you always get the first shot in.

Next, he added the .45 Auto Hollowpoint rounds, as these inflict a crippling effect on enemies that slows them down and makes them easier to finish off. Finally. he picked the Fennec Mag 45 to increase the ammo capacity and remove the need to reload after every kill.

With this setup, Metaphor believes the Fennec 45 has the potential to retake its crown as the best SMG in Warzone 2 once again.

For more on Warzone 2, check out our other guides:

Best Warzone 2 controller settings | Best Warzone 2 PC settings | How to ping enemies in Warzone 2 | How to use Proximity Chat in Warzone 2 | How to get a nuke in Warzone 2 | Best Assault Rifles in Warzone 2 | Does Warzone 2 have crossplay?

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About The Author

Nathan is a Senior Writer at CharlieIntel. He’s an expert in EA Sports FC, Call of Duty, and Overwatch, as well as superhero games, including Marvel’s Spider-Man. With a master's degree in Magazine Journalism from Nottingham Trent University, he worked as a Trainee Reporter for Derbyshire Live before moving into games media, with bylines at Dexerto, Cultured Vultures, and more. You can contact Nathan by email at [email protected].