Warzone Sniper tier list - Every sniper rifle and marksman 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 Sniper Rifle weapons class received minor adjustments to only two weapons: the popular Swiss K31 and ZRG 20mm. Raven Software noted that their latest balance changes were aimed at better scaling weapons in accordance with the skill required to wield them. Without further adieu, here's our updated list of the best sniper rifles to use in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded, ranked from best to worst.

Warzone Season 5 Reloaded Sniper Rifle tier list

Sniper or marksman rifles are long-range weapons that can and will destroy opponents, should you pick the best ones. Not sure which ones are right for the job? Don't worry - that's where our sniper and marksman rifle tier list for Warzone Season 5 Reloaded comes in!

Description of the tiers

• S-Tier: The best of the best for lovers of long-range engagements. These sniper or marksman rifles don't even need all the best attachments to make their bullets sing.
• 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: Useful in certain situations with the perfect loadout, these sniper rifles aren't all that great.
• D-Tier: The trash tier. Don't pick up these weapons, even if there aren't other options. 

Sniper Rifle tier list

There are 16 sniper rifles in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded. Keep in mind that these tier lists aren't an exact science.

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

Let's kick things off with the best-of-the-best sniper and marksman rifles at the start of Warzone Season 5 Reloaded.

S-Tier

• Kar98k
• K31 Swiss

The K31 Swiss and Kar98k remain the best sniper rifles to use in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded. Interestingly, the Kar98k goes unscathed whilst the K31 Swiss receives an improvement to its firing recoil behaviour.

Raven Software expects that the change will go largely unnoticed as it doesn't have much measurable impact on the weapon's effectiveness but should "improve its overall feel."

A-Tier

• HDR
• SP-R 208
• ZRG 20mm

The latest patch update appears to have buffed the recoil control on the ZRG 20mm. Raven Software was rather nebulous in not providing details but noted: "Much like the Swiss K31, the ZRG 20mm has received some changes to its firing Recoil behaviour to ensure that it looks, sounds, and most importantly feels like one of the baddest Sniper Rifles in Verdansk."

B-Tier

• LW3 Tundra 

The LW3 Tundra has proven to be quite a popular weapon in the previous season. Perhaps not as powerful as the S- and A-Tier weapons, we expect the LW3 Tundra to continue being picked up. Ensure you pair it with the right attachments to match your loadout or playstyle.

C-Tier

• Pelington 703
• AX-50
• M82
• Crossbow

We've rearranged our B- and C-Tier lists slightly to better represent these weapons' performance over the last season. We feel like the weapons in this tier are not complete trash and that there are certainly better choices to use this season.

D-Tier

• Dragunov
• Rytec AMR
• EBR-14
• MK2 Carbine
• R1 Shadowhunter
• SKS

Don't get baited by cool weapon names, like the Dragunov or R1 Shadowhunter. These sniper rifles, just like the rest of the weapons in this tier, are literal trash. Avoid them at all costs in Warzone Season 5 Reloaded.

So there you have it, our tier list of all Snipers at the start of Warzone Season 5 Reloaded, ranked from best to worst. Disagree with our list? We don't care. If you're looking for more disappointment then be sure to check out our Assault Rifle, SMG, Shotgun, LMG and Tactical Rifle tier lists.

• Read more: Best weapons in Vanguard beta: The strongest and most broken guns

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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