Harness the potency of the Rival-9 up close with this Warzone loadout that has been optimized with the best attachments and perks to maximize its effectiveness.
The Skorpion Evo returned to Call of Duty as the Rival-9, yet again offering a deadly close-quarters weapon that excels thanks to its high rate of fire and competitive time to kill.
Its characteristics and strengths fit what players have come to expect from a top-tier SMG, so it’s no surprise that the Rival-9 has managed to remain a meta contender since its release.
To get the most out of this powerful SMG, you’ll need the best loadout possible, and we’ve got you covered. Here’s the best Rival-9 build to use in Warzone and dominate games with ease.
Best Warzone Rival-9 loadout
- Muzzle: Quartermaster Suppressor
- Barrel: Rival-C Cleanshot Barrel
- Underbarrel: Paracord Grip
- Ammunition: 9mm High Grain Rounds
- Magazine: 50 Round Drum
To make the Rival-9 as effective as possible, you need to improve its recoil control. The best attachments to do this are the Quartermaster Suppressor and Paracord Grip, which provide a combined 38% improvement to horizontal recoil. This makes recoil much more predictable and easy to control, extending the effective range of this gun.
You can further boost damage range by using the Rival-C Clearshot Barrel and 9mm High Grain Rounds. With these attachments equipped, the Rival-9’s max damage range is boosted to 20 meters, which is incredible for a submachine gun. This helps it duel assault rifles and battle rifles, providing a level of versatility that most other SMGs don’t have.
Finally, the 50 Round Drum is the largest extended magazine available on the Rival-9. Using this attachment lets you carry around more ammunition and reduces how often you have to reload. This makes it easier to down multiple enemies in one magazine, which is incredibly important in squad modes like Trios and Quads.
Best Rival-9 class: Perks and equipment
- Perk 1: Mountaineer
- Perk 2: Double Time
- Perk 3: Tempered
- Perk 4: Resolute
- Lethal: Frag Grenade
- Tactical: Smoke Grenade
Mountaineer is going to help you keep moving around the battle, since it will help reduce fall damage and open up more paths for you to take. Likewise, Double Time is another mobility enhancing perk that doubles Tactical Sprint Duration, which is fantastic for playing fast and pushing other teams.
For Perk 3, Tempered is a great choice with SMGs like the Rival-9, as it fully heals you using two armor plates instead of three. This not only saves resources for when they matter most but speeds up the healing process, letting you get back into battle as fast as possible.
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Resolute rounds out our recommended Perk package, giving you a burst of speed when you are hit with an enemy shot. This improves your mobility further by giving you a chance to get out of sticky situations much quicker.
For equipment, the classic Frag Grenade is a solid choice, as the ability to cook it and have it explode at just the right moment will leave enemies vulnerable. Meanwhile, a Smoke Grenade stands out as the best tactical, as it can be used to obscure open areas and safely revive teammates not in cover.
Rival-9 pros and cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Very fast rate of fire | Average TTK |
| Great damage range | Mediocre handling for an SMG |
| Good recoil control | Slow reload speed |
Where is the Rival-9 in the Warzone meta?
While not a top-tier weapon, the Rival-9 is among Warzone’s better submachine guns. It doesn’t quite match up to the Static-HV or Striker, but beyond that, there’s an argument to be had that it’s the next best SMG in the game. It’s a close call between this and the Superi, with both being excellent options.
The main advantage the Rival-9 has is its extremely fast rate of fire, which makes it more forgiving up close than almost any other gun. Missing a few shots isn’t going to be too costly with this SMG at all. This makes it a good choice for those less confident in their skill or newcomers looking for a gun to kickstart their Warzone journey.
However, if you want to rack up as many kills as possible, there’s better options. Unfortunately, the Rival-9 has mediocre handling stats for an SMG, limiting its potential as a weapon to rush with. Also, it has an average TTK that is far from exceptional. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but it does raise the question of why you would use the Rival-9 over the Striker, which offers more range and better recoil control.
How to unlock the Rival-9
To get the Rival-9 in Warzone, you’ll need to unlock it through the armory by completing 5 daily challenges or earning points by surviving for long enough in matches.
Warzone Rival-9 alternatives
The Rival-9 has a lot in common with the Striker, another versatile SMG that deals decent damage up close but really excels in medium-range gunfights. Both are meta contenders that will be competitive options regardless of what lobby you end up in.
For more great options, check out the current Warzone meta, as well as these loadouts for the WSP-9, Superi 46, Static-HV, and RAM-9.