The Kar98k has returned to Warzone, reintroducing the most iconic marksman rifle in Call of Duty history and shaking up the meta forever, with this sniper being incredibly powerful.
Back in Season 4, two new weapons were added to Warzone’s arsenal: the Superi 46 and the Kar98k. It didn’t take long for both to take over, with both guns still among the best weapons you can use to this day.
This isn’t the first time the Kar98k has dominated either. The German sniper dominated back in Verdansk thanks to its fast handling and infinite one-shot potential. It isn’t quite as strong anymore, but it is still very much a meta weapon that a lot of people are using.
To get the most out of the Kar98k, you’ll need the best loadout possible. Here are all of the attachments, perks, and equipment you should pair with this incredibly powerful marksman rifle.
Best Kar98k Warzone loadout
- Muzzle: Sonic Suppressor L
- Barrel: Prazisionsgewehr 762 Long Barrel
- Optic: Range Caller v3.4 Optic
- Rear Grip: Recon Sling
- Ammunition: 7.92 High Grain Rounds
You’ll want to use the Prazisionsgewehr 762 Long Barrel, Sonic Suppressor, and 7.92 High Grain Rounds. This specific combination of attachments greatly boosts damage range, letting the sniper one-shot enemies out to around 70 meters, which is more than enough to dominate on Resurgence maps.
These meta attachments come with some secondary benefits too. Naturally, the suppressor silences outgoing shots, making it harder for enemies to track down your location. Also, the barrel boosts bullet velocity, making it easier to land headshots from further away.
The Range Caller v3.4 Optic is the best sight on the Kar98k, closely resembling the classic scope that once reigned supreme in Verdansk. Other great alternatives include the Forge Tac Delta 4 and SZ Vortex-90, which offer less zoom but suffer from fewer handling penalties.
Finally, the Recon Sling comes with a big boost to accuracy, helping you hit your shots and take down enemies, which can be especially useful if your opponent is a long way away.
Best Kar98k Warzone class: Perks and equipment
- Perk 1: Double Time
- Perk 2: Focus
- Perk 3: Cold-Blooded
- Perk 4: Birdseye
- Lethal: Throwing Knife
- Tactical: Smoke Grenade
The best Kar98k class needs to use perks that enable a fast-paced playstyle. Using both Double Time and Focus does just that, with the former letting you move around the map quickly, and the latter making it easier to land decisive headshots when they matter most.
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Cold-Blooded is another perk that is fantastic for sniping, as it cancels out High Alert and conceals you from pesky thermal optics. This meta perk countering High Alert is huge, as it prevents enemy players from jumping around every time you aim in their direction, making it easier to land shots.
For Perk 4, Birdseye is the perfect perk for aggressive sniping. When equipped, it empowers UAVs to show the direction of enemies, just like an Advanced UAV. It can even detect other players using Ghost, so enemies have no way to hide from you.
The equipment meta in Warzone has long since settled, with the Throwing Knife cementing itself as the best option when playing aggressively, as it allows you to kill off downed enemies immediately. Equally, a Smoke Grenade is the best tactical equipment, as it can cover open areas.
Kar98k pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very effective at long-range | Not good at close-range |
| Strong damage output | Slow rate of fire |
| Good accuracy | Slow reload time |
Where is the Kar98k in the Warzone meta?
The Kar98k is Warzone’s best sniper and has firmly established itself in the game’s meta, with a 4.4% pick rate among players. For context, the KATT-AMR is the second most popular sniper rifle in the game, but can only muster a 0.83% pick rate, with the MORS just behind it at 0.82%.
Clearly, there isn’t much competition in this regard at all, and if you’re not using the Kar98k, you’re putting yourself at a disadvantage.
How to unlock the Kar98k
The Kar98k is unlocked through the Armory by completing three daily challenges or winning three games. It was previously available from the Season 4 Battle Pass, but this option was removed when Season 5 started.
Best Kar98k alternative in Warzone
The XRK Stalker is the only other fast-handling sniper rifle that can one shot down in Warzone. It has better damage range than the Kar98k, but slower handling and mobility. This makes it a more well-rounded option for those who prefer a traditional sniper rifle.
For more ideas on what snipers to use in Warzone, check out these loadouts for the MORS and KATT-AMR. Alternatively, see how Warzone’s one-shot snipers rank against each other, or even what the current assault rifle and SMG metas look like.