Warzone SMG tier list - Every submachine gun ranked from best to worst for Season 5 Reloaded

The Call of Duty: Warzone Season 5 Reloaded update is finally here! Raven Software has released its content roadmap, which includes the start of the enigmatic limited-time event called "The Numbers", later this month. There are also several new additions, including new Warzone game modes: Iron Trials '84 and Clash, a new Operator, new melee weapon, Judge Dredd skin, bug fixes, and of course, weapon balance changes.

The Submachine Gun (SMG) weapons class receives nerfs or buffs to three weapons, namely the OTs 9, PPSh-41 and MP5 (MW). Raven Software noted that these changes were critical to ensuring the health of the game and that the effectiveness of each weapon "scaled appropriately with the skill required to wield them." With that said, here's our updated list of the best SMGs to use in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded, ranked from best to worst.

Warzone Season 5 Reloaded SMG tier list

Submachine guns are the kings of close-quarters combat, offering great mobility, rapid-firing rates and decent damage output. Some SMGs may be kitted out with attachments that help improve their effective range, making them more akin to an assault rifle. Other SMGs shine just fine on their own.

Description of the tiers

• S-Tier: Meta picks for Warzone Season 5. Reloaded. With the right attachments, these SMGs could be considered overpowered.
• A-Tier: While perhaps not considered the best, these weapons absolutely shred enemies to pieces and are incredibly strong and viable choices to use in Verdansk, Rebirth or Pacific Island.
• B-Tier: These weapons require the perfect loadout to compete with players wielding S- or A-tier weapons.
• C-Tier: These SMGs shouldn't be your primary weapon and should be used circumstantially with another weapon. 
• D-Tier: Don't pick these up even if there aren't other options.

SMG gun tier list

There are 21 submachine guns in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded, including the TEC-9 SMG that was introduced to Warzone last season. Each SMG has its own inherent pros and cons, with some being natural, standalone "meta" weapons, whilst others require customized loadouts to unlock their full potential.

We endeavour to always have our tier lists as accurate as possible. The developers may, however, choose to either nerf or buff weapons throughout the season as well. When this occurs, we will update this list.

We've listed all 21 SMGs in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded, ranked from best to worst.

S-Tier:

• MAC-10
• OTs 9
• TEC-9

The MAC-10 and TEC-9 remain some of the strongest SMGs in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded. We feel that both weapons are relatively well balanced, which is arguably why they evaded significant nerfs in the latest patch.

The OTs 9 could steal the spot of being the "most broken" SMG in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded after receiving a significant 6.2% buff to Maximum Damage Range. Raven Software notes that the OTs 9 "might be a bit stronger than [they] would like" and will closely monitor its performance this season (and so will we).

A-Tier:

• PPSh-41
• Milano 821
• MP5 (CW)
• Bullfrog
• LC10

The PPSh-41 received a rather subtle change, with adjustments to the Weapon Kick and ADS Sway. Despite the subtle change, Raven Software notes that it will "have a significant impact on the ability [for players] to reliably line up shots." We expect to see the PPSh-41 become more popular this season, which may see it even see it move up to the S-Tier later on.

B-Tier:

• MP5 (MW)
• Nail Gun
• CX-9
• MP7
• AK-74u

MP5 MW (or Submachine Gun Charlie) drops to our B-Tier after having its Maximum Damage nerfed from 34 to 31. Raven Software notes that this change mirrors the adjustment to the base MP5 (MW) made earlier this season.

C-Tier:

• Fennec
• AUG (CW)
• Uzi
• P90

We feel rather unsettled putting weapons like the Fennec, AUG and Uzi in our C-Tier list given their remarkable performance in previous seasons. Considering the buffs to the OTs 9 and PPSh-41, there are simply better weapons to use in Season 5 Reloaded.

D-Tier:

• PP19 Bizon
• ISO
• Striker 45
• KSP-45

While the PP19 Bizon, ISO and Striker 45 are generally ineffective weapons, they could still be fun to try out just for sh*ts. We would, however, encourage all players to avoid the KSP-45 at all costs.

So there you have it, all the SMGs ranked from best to worst at the start of Warzone Season 5 Reloaded. Disagree with our list? We don't care. Want to be more disappointed? Check out our Assault Rifle, Shotgun, LMG, Sniper and Tactical Rifle tier lists.

• Read more: Warzone Iron Trials '84 mode: How it works and all rewards detailed

For everything else Call of Duty players might desire, check out our dedicated section filled to the brim with gun guides, news, leaks and much more.

Header image via Activision.

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