This tier list is based on the weapons that can be unlocked and placed in the Insured Slot, or crafted with Schematics to be used in the match.
MW3 Zombies S Tier Weapons
[S Tier] Lockwood 680
Weapon Type
Shotgun
How to Unlock
Level 4
Best Loadout / Class Setup
Barrel
Lockwood Defender Heavy Long Barrel
Srock
Sword Off Mod
Bolt
Express Light Bolt
Guard
Matuzek Xray Skeletonized Guard
Ammunition
12 Gauge Slug
If you use the 12 Gauge Slug ammunition, the weapon only shoots a single round but in return provides great range and damage. This alone won't make it all that powerful, but once you Pack-a-Punch the weapon it will shoot multiple rounds, making it much more powerful and versatile. So you'll need to Pack-a-Punch this weapon at least once if you want to use it.
The damage output of the ADS is very high, making it useful against bosses. On the other hand, the wide hip fire spread can be used against a swarm of zombies, making it very versatile. Switch between the ADS and hipfire when using this weapon.
You can treat this weapon like a Shotgun by equipping the Snake Shot ammunition and at the same time being able to dual wield this weapon makes it even more powerful. The game has been updated to decrease the damage output when you equip Akimbo, but it is still powerful.
The downside is that even if you Pack-a-Punch it you only have 5 rounds for each pistol, the range is short, and you cannot use ADS. But once you get used to it, it is very effective against both bosses and zombies. It is especially powerful against bosses. When you shoot the boss's weak point simultaneously with both guns, the damage output is unmatched.
Once you Pack-a-Punch the weapon you will have 200 rounds for each one, making 400 rounds total for both. The damage output of each round isn't very high, but this loadout with the large magazine and quick reload speed will enable you to attack continuously.
Because you will almost never run out of bullets, it won't be difficult to get rid of a swarm of zombies while attacking the boss at the same time. It's safe to say that this provides everything a solo player needs. It also has good range and accuracy, and can even be used against Aether Worms since it can accurately damage its weak point.
Get 50 Longshot Kills using Marksman Rifles (After reaching level 55)
Best Loadout / Class Setup
Arms
SO Momenti
Laser
VLK LZR 7MW
Stock
Speedtrak Echo
Bolts
Blastcap 20" Bolts
Underbarrel
XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
This build provides a high damage output with the Blastcap 20" Bolts. We don't recommend using this weapon on its own since it's not great at defeating large number of enemies at once, but it is a great weapon to use against bosses.
The bolts are explosive and can hurt you if you shoot enemies close by, so using the PHD Flopper to negate the damage from the explosion is a must. Also, you can only load 1 arrow at a time until you Pack-a-Punch the weapon, so you may want to bring an Aether Crystal to upgrade it as fast as possible.
LMGs are always the top choices in MW3 Zombies due to the high ammo capacity, which enables uninterrupted damage against zombies. The Holger 26 is perfect for taking out multiple zombies in quick succession while dealing sustained high damage to tougher enemies. However, it has a long reload time, which leaves you vulnerable to enemy attacks.
The Holger 556 is widely regarded as the most efficient weapon in MW 3, thanks to its impressive range and remarkable accuracy. Once upgraded with Pack-a-Punch and customized with a suitable loadout, the extended ammo and heightened mobility make it easier to use in Zombies mode and more reliable in most situations.
Get 75 Operator Kills with SMGs while Moving (After reaching level 55)
Best Loadout / Class Setup
Barrel
FTAC Series IX 14.5"
Optic
Any
Stock
Hollow Extended Stock
Rail
GR33 Light Rail
After being Pack-a-Punched once, PDSW 528 can hold up to 400 rounds, making it one of the highest-capacity weapons in MW3. With it, you won't have to worry about reloading frequently, and you can easily move around due to its outstanding mobility and handling.
This build gives you 400 rounds once you Pack-a-Punch it. The damage output is high but reloading is slow and can be dangerous if you get surrounded by zombies, so equip the Conversion Kit to make it agile as an Assault Rifle. If you still find it hard to use, use a Speed Cola to increase the reloading speed.
This Assault Rifle has a very high fire rate and can be treated as if it were an SMG. The downside of the high firepower is the strong recoil, so this build uses attachments that can counter that. This weapon isn't great at long range, so this is recommended for players that like to fight close to mid range.
The RGL-80 is a powerful revolving grenade launcher that fires projectiles that detonate upon impact. This weapon boasts high damage and impressive range, allowing you to inflict significant harm on your enemies from a safe distance. Furthermore, it can damage all the foes in the surrounding area, making it perfect for taking out hordes of enemies or fortified locations after being Pack-a-Punched.
This build has high firepower, a long range and is very agile. So it's good enough to be more powerful than most other weapons wherever you may need it.
The biggest advantage is that this weapon fires the first two rounds nearly at the same time. The first round deals a lot of damage, so we recommend using only the first two rounds by tap firing with the weapon on full auto.
This weapon isn't flawless in any way, but we included this in the Tier List because there are specific situations where it can be very powerful. If you Pack-a-Punch it, it can destroy Special Zombies and HVTs with just a few rounds. It is also recommended for defeating the powerful enemy, Stormcaller, which you can find in the Aether Storms.
However we don't recommend using this weapon in the High Threat Zone. It does not do well against large number of enemies and if you get surrounded by the fast zombies in the Red Zone, there is a high chance you will die. Also, it won't do any more damage if not less than an average weapon against a Mega Abomination since its weak spot is too high up.
Your feedbacks will be checked by our staffs and will be attended to accordingly. Please be advised that we may not reply to every individual feedbacks.
Article Written by
MW3 Strategy Team
Reader Comments
Anonymous2
Since we're on season 3 doesn't look like this gets updated