The MTZ-556 is a fantastic weapon that remains one of the strongest options in MW3 to this day. However, to get the most out of the assault rifle, you’ll need a meta loadout.
With all the new guns added in newer seasons, it’s easy to forget how good some of MW3’s launch weapons are. That is very much the case with the MTZ-556, which has seen a decline in usage despite still being very competitive.
In fact, the addition of several new attachments has made this AR-SMG hybrid stronger now ever before. It even received a few unexpected buffs that have seen to rise up the meta rankings to become one of the most underrated guns in the game.
Here’s the best MTZ-556 build to use in MW3 multiplayer to take over lobbies and outgun both SMGs and assault rifles alike.
Best MW3 MTZ-556 loadout
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: MTZ Clinch Pro Barrel
- Optic: JAK Glassless Optic
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
- Rear Grip: Rival Ace Grip
The MTZ-556 has a lot of recoil, so equipping attachments to improve this is a must. A combination of the Quartermaster Suppressor and Paracord Grip do this by reducing vertical recoil by 24% and horionztal recoil by 38%. This makes this assault rifle much more accurate and easier to use, while also suppressing any outgoing fire to keep you hidden.
Another weakness of this gun is that it can struggle to compete at medium range due to its lower damage range. This can’t be completely fixed, but using the MTZ Clinch Pro Barrel helps a lot and is well worth it to make the MTZ-556 more versatile.
Stacking attachments that improve recoil and range is all well and good, but this is supposed to be an AR-SMG hybrid with great mobility and handling. To avoid losing that, use the Rival Ace Grip, a rear grip that boosts several key stats in these areas, including ADS Speed, sprint to fire speed, and movement speed.
Last but not least, the JAK Glassless Optic is still the best close to medium-range sight in Modern Warfare 3, making it an obvious choice on this build. It not only provides a clear view for tracking enemies but also improves firing aim stability, reducing the MTZ-556’s visual recoil.
Best MTZ-556 class: Perks and equipment
- Vest: Infantry Vest
- Gloves: Assault Gloves
- Boots: Stalker Boots
- Gear 1: EOD Padding
- Gear 2: Ghost T/V Camo
- Lethal: Sticky Grenade
- Tactical: Stun Grenade
- Field Upgrade: Trophy System
The Infantry Vest increases your Tac Sprint duration and reduces its refresh time. This lets you run-and-gun more effectively, which works well given the MTZ-556’s impressive mobility. Similarly, the Assault Gloves improve accuracy while jumping and boost hipfire accuracy, which helps you win more gunfights up close.
The Stalker Boots are another great option, as they increase strafe speed, giving you more options to win duels. As for EOD Padding, this perk reduces all damage taken from explosives. Given how prevalent grenades are in MW3, this is an essential perk if you want to survive.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on Esports, Gaming and more.
Use Ghost TV/Camo in the other gear slot to block enemy UAVs and radar sources. This perk keeps you hidden and lets you flank more easily without being noticed. Just be sure to stay on the move, as MW3’s version of Ghost does not work when stationary.
For Lethal, you should use a Sticky Grenade for the most effective option. Partner that with a Stun Grenade to immobilize enemies and leave them unable to fight back, giving you a huge advantage. Finally, a Trophy System can be a useful Field Upgrade for countering enemy equipment, which makes you extremely tanky when partnered with EOD Padding.
MTZ-556 pros and cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Competitive TTK | High recoil |
| Fast rate of fire | Not very versatile |
| Fantastic handling for an AR | Struggles beyond 30m |
| Hipfire is very accurate | Has suffered from powercreep |
Where is the MTZ-556 in MW3’s meta?
The MTZ-556 is a upper-meta weapon and a highly competitive assault rifle. Among ARs, it doesn’t quite match up to top tier options like SVA 545 and STG44, but can compete with and usually beat any other gun in its class.
Where it excels is its fantastic handling and fast rate of fire, which allow it it thrive as an AR-SMG hybrid of sorts. Therefore, it’s a great choice if you want a weapon that offers superior range to a submachine gun while still feeling fast and mobile.
However, its low damage range and high recoil make it a poor choice for long distance gunfights, and even some at medium range. Due to this, it lacks the versatility of other strong assault rifles, only being effective out to around 30 meters. You can build it to be more accurate and work from further away, but at that point you may as well just use a different gun.
How to unlock the MTZ-556
You can unlock the MTZ-555 in MW3 by reaching Level 12. This is an easy enough task that should only take you a few games at most. However, you’ll still need to progress through all 26 gun levels to get access to all of the gun’s attachments.
MW3 MTZ-556 alternatives
The MTZ-556 is a powerful close-range assault rifle, much like the BP50. This alternative can be made even more mobile with the JAK Revenger conversion kit equipped, which transforms the meta assault rifle into an SMG that can hold its own with the very best.
That’s all for the best MTZ-556 loadout, but you’ll also want to check out the best MW3 guns to see what else is dominating the meta, as well as the best MW3 Assault Rifles to see how this gun’s competition stacks up. Outside of loadouts, make sure you are using the best controller settings and best PC Settings to have the smoothest experience possible.