Let's accept it: Zombies is a unique mode. The mode requires you to embark on a journey, slaying zombies, collecting loot, and surviving the next 60 minutes. All of that is only possible when you have the best weapons.
Instead of experimenting with weapons, go through the list below to know the best weapons for MW3 zombies. After reviewing the list and accompanying guide, you won't have a problem slaying those zombies.
1. Ray Gun
Ray gun is a wonder weapon you obtain through the mystery boxes in zombie mode. The reason why it's such a good choice is because of its one-shot kill ability. With an ammo capacity of 160, it can last a long time. Each magazine can carry 20. However, you can increase this capacity to 56 using Pack-A-Punch.
Since it causes splash damage, it can hit multiple zombies at once. It causes direct damage of 1000, whereas splash damage can range from 300 to 1500. Till round 22, it is highly potent and can kill zombies in one shot. After that, it damages them enough to convert them to crawlers.
It has a learning curve because it takes time for the bullets to reach their target. Keep in mind that if the user doesn't handle the gun well, the splash can damage the user itself. Reload does take time, so ensure you take cover during reload.
Despite its shortcomings, it's the best weapon because of its one-shot kill capability.
Need help with unlocking the Ray Gun? Head over to our MWZ Schematics service and we'll help you get it.
2. Crossbow
Are you surprised to find this weapon on this list?
An ordinary crossbow won't help you much in Zombies mode. Combine it with explosive bolts, and suddenly, you have a formidable weapon. A single such bolt can eliminate a zombie. You can also cause significant damage to bosses using the explosive bolts. You can make it even more powerful with Pack-a-Punch. Once you do that, it's a good weapon for any threat zone.
Since the loading time is almost negligible, it can help you quickly eliminate a horde of zombies. So, with the right modifications and ammo, it's indeed a good option in the Zombies mode.
3. RGL-80
Simply put, RGL-80 is great for controlling crowds. If you have played the Zombies mode, you would know that such crowds are common in high and medium-threat zones. The functioning of this weapon is very similar to that of a Ray gun since you can fire the grenades over a considerable distance.
As with most other weapons throwing explosives, the grenades that are thrown explode when they come in contact with anything or anyone. Besides inflicting damage to the zombie in contact, they also damage others surrounding them.
The shortcoming of this weapon is the high reload time. It means you must use it strategically so that zombies don't swamp you when reloading. Also, immediately after firing, it generates smoke, which impacts your visibility for a few seconds.
All in all, the damage it causes helps you forge your way through the Zombies mode, and that's why this weapon is on my list.
The Wunderwaffe DG-2 is not an easy weapon to get. As for its functioning, it shocks zombies, halting them and inflicting damage. Even in the high threat zone, it can inflict significant damage on zombies, which allows you to take them down easily.
To get this weapon, you must obtain the Wunderwaffe DG-2 Schematic and then successfully Exfil. The schematic is found only in the mid and high-threat zones. It's best to take up Eliminate Bounty Target Contracts as it's common to get this schematic after eliminating the Mega Abomination.
If, after accepting the Elimination contracts, you realize it's not the Mega Abomination one, cancel the contract and repeat until you get that contract.
However, the limitation of Wunderwaffe DG-2 is that it comes with a cooldown period of 48 hours when you want to craft a new one. Also, it's useless against the bosses, so keep that in mind. A reload time of 6 seconds might be large, but it doesn't hurt much since the magazine size is 3 charges and not 1. Magazine size can be further increased to 6 using Pack-A-Punch.
The damage it causes makes it a good weapon for this mode.
If you need help with unlocking the Wunderwaffe, head over to our MW3 Unlock service and get it.
5. Holger 556
Holger 556 offers a good range, high accuracy, and reliability. While it isn't great in the campaign and other modes, it's a good option in the Zombies mode. The low recoil means achieving those kills and gaining XP isn't a problem. Fast time to kill helps you get that streak of kills.
When you compare its performance to other assault rifles on parameters like range, there are very few that would beat it. The magazine's capacity of 30 and reserve capacity of 90 provide you with plenty of ammo. Keep in mind that it uses heavy ammo; therefore, if you have reasonable accuracy, the ammo needed to slay a horde is lesser than that of other guns.
With such attributes, it doesn't matter whether you use it for close, mid, or long-range encounters; it aces in all types of combat.
As for the downside, the Holger 556 isn't exactly known for its quick maneuvering.
6. Striker SMG
If you call Striker SMG the best SMG in MW3, very few would refute you. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that it's on this list.
Before I get into its firepower and other details, I would like to highlight that its lightweight design certainly aids mobility, which greatly helps in the Zombies mode. Limited recoil means you can be reasonably accurate and get those headshots, making eliminating zombies easier.
The high fire rate comes in handy while eliminating hordes of zombies. As for the range it's a good option for close to mid range combat.
The downside is that you can't expect exceptional performance against the bosses, which limits its usage capability. That's why it's not higher up on this list.
7. RPK
How about an LMG with a magazine capacity of 75?
That's surely going to help you slay many zombies, isn't it?
That's what RPK offers. Most LMGs do well in the Zombies mode because of the large magazine size. Mobility is another plus point of most SMGs. Whether you want to eliminate a zombie at a distance or up close and personal, it works well in both instances.
A 40-round mag with another 80 reserve ammo means you have plenty of rounds to fire. Its damage is one of the highest when it comes to LMGs. Couple that with a decent fire rate; you have the upper hand over the hordes.
In terms of cons, the horizontal recoil is on the higher side. That's why it takes time to get used to it.
8. PDSW 528
The high fire rate is the highlight of PDSW 528. When you are about to be overwhelmed by a horde of zombies, you need a weapon that can take them down briskly. This is where the PDSW 528 excels. Within SMGs, it provides the highest mobility. In a nutshell, you can take down zombies quickly and move quickly.
It's hard to match that in Zombies mode, right?
With a total capacity of 150 (50 mags & 100 reserves), you have enough rounds to take down multiple hordes.
You might wonder, if it's so good, why it's down the list?
The answer is the recoil. Couple that with the unusual design of the iron sights, and it's not that easy to master this weapon. In a nutshell, the difficult learning curve certainly poses a problem.
9. The Scorcher
Many weapons I have listed above are great for taking down zombies even in high-threat zones, but the list of suitable weapons becomes even shorter when it comes to bosses.
However, The Scorcher can handle that job well.
The scorcher is one of the 3 weapons in Zombies mode that can't be exfilled. The weapon offers a charge shot and a single tap shot. The charge shot works great for killing off the horde. The problem with charge shots is the shooting animation, which can take time. This is where the single tap shot helps. Even though it causes less damage, it saves time.
Almost instant regeneration of ammo makes it extremely efficient.
Apart from killing zombies, aim it towards the sky, and it will make you fly. That can result in an instant escape from a horde.
The firing rate leaves a lot to be desired. Mobility is another concern. It also struggles in close combat. All in all, the versatility of this wonder weapon makes it a good choice.
Reason why M4 is so down on this list is because it’s not a specialist weapon and can be considered as a jack of all trades. High firing rate is what makes it so effective. Apart from that a decent time to kill means taking down zombies shouldn’t be a problem as long as you have reasonable accuracy.
If you research more about this gun, two words you would come across are consistency and reliability. That’s because across different combat situations, it delivers a decent amount of damage which means there is no need to switch to another gun. At 811 rpm, the fire rate is one of the highest which allows you to take down zombies quickly.
With the right attachments, the assault rifle is suitable for mid and long range situations both. Unlike some other guns on this list, it doesn’t struggle a lot with recoil either. That’s why the learning curve associated with this gun is limited.
When it comes to limitations, it is expected that an assault rifle should have a better TTK than what this rifle offers.
All in all, it’s a versatile AR which you can ignore only at your own peril.
11. Pulemyot 762
It's hard to beat Pulemyot 762 when it comes to magazine and reserve ammo capacity. The magazine capacity is 100, and so is the reserve capacity. The range is another highlight of this weapon. While most LMGs do great in mid-range combat, Pulemyot 762 goes a step further and can also inflict significant damage in long-range combat.
The high fire rate of Pulemyot 762 means you can kill off zombies quickly with decent accuracy.
The reason why it's so down on my list is because it slows you down. When trying to move away from a horde of zombies in the high-threat zone, any weapon that slows you down can become a liability, especially for beginners. Apart from that, the slow reloading speed is another factor that works against it.
Nevertheless, you can capitalize on its pros once you get used to it.
12. Lockwood 680
Not every player has the same playing style. Beginner players can often get swamped by even a few zombies. This is where this shotgun can come to your rescue. Simply put, this shotgun will halt the zombies in their place. It means it can save you from getting swamped.
As for the advantages of this weapon, it offers a one-shot kill ability. Needless to say, time to kill is great in close combat. Compared to other shotguns, it has a superior fire rate. Add the right attachments, and you can make it more lethal.
Of Course, since it's a shotgun, there are limitations. It can't do much over long range. You need to reload it after every shot, which means you are exposed to zombies during that time.
So, if you struggle with close-quarter combat, this is the weapon you should carry.
13. SVA 545
SVA 545 is a beginner's savior in the zombies mode. The reason is that it fires 2 bullets simultaneously. When you are new to this mode, your accuracy won't be something to write home about. During such times, a gun that helps you fire in burst mode by default can come in handy.
Such a gun helps you eliminate zombies even with limited accuracy.
High damage and mobility are other reasons to go with this weapon.
Of Course, there would be recoil with the burst mode firing mechanism. After a few attempts, it's easy to manage the recoil. Another problem is that it eats up the ammo quickly. If you aren't accurate, you will quickly run out of the magazine capacity of 30 and reserve of 90.
Nevertheless, if you are a beginner, don't ignore this gun.
14. Holger 26
Most LMGs are a good choice for Zombies mode. Therefore, it's not that easy to pick between them. No COD MW3 weapon Zombies discussion can be complete without covering Holger 26.
A magazine capacity of 60 and a fast fire rate means taking out multiple zombies quickly isn't a problem. A reserve capacity of 120 further helps take down zombies easily.
Moreover, the significant damage this LMG can cause in close and mid-range combat is another reason to go for it.
Even though you don't need to reload it that often, remember that the reload time is a tad higher. Add to that the recoil, and it's easy to understand why this LMG is lower down on this list.
I know you are wondering why a handgun is on this list?
It's because of the SMG-like features of this gun. In MW3, this gun's capacity and fire rate have significantly increased. With a magazine capacity of 32 rounds and a reserve capacity of 64, ammo shouldn't be a problem when using this handgun.
Another feature of this gun is that it doesn't hinder your mobility. That's why you can move around swiftly, killing zombies. However, if you need to use this gun in the high threat zone, you must upgrade it.
Mobility and large ammo capacity work in the favor of this handgun.
Tips to choose weapons for MW3 zombies
Which one to play?
1. Consider playing style
Each player has a different playing style. Assess the combat scenario over which you are weak and choose a gun accordingly. Most guns covered above mention whether they are suitable for close, mid, or long-range combat. Consider that while picking a gun.
2. Attachments can make or break a weapon
Stock weapons perform well, but to fully exploit a weapon, always use the right attachments or upgrade them using perks. That will help you in the high-threat zone.
3. Rarity matters
The rarity of the weapon has a direct impact on the damage it can cause. The rarer the weapon, the higher the bonus damage. Therefore, if you have a rare weapon in your arsenal, use that weapon.
FAQs
How many weapons are in MW3?
MW3 offers 36 new weapons, and 77 have been carried forward from MW2. That means you have over 100 different weapons to choose from.
What is a Wonder Weapon in CoD Zombies?
Wonder weapons are fictional weapons that can often be acquired by opening the mystery boxes in the game. Usually, such weapons are much more powerful than traditional weapons, and their ammo and firing mechanism is also different.
Is the Ray Gun a wonder weapon?
Yes, a Ray Gun is a wonder weapon. Its ability to kill in one shot till round 22 has made it popular among players. Not only that, it can eliminate multiple zombies in a single shot.
Is a handgun good for MW3 zombies?
No, handguns aren't a good choice for MW3 zombies. The exception to this rule is FTAC Siege because of its SMG-like features (covered above).
Can MW3 zombies swim?
No MW3 zombies can't swim, and once you get in the water, they will remain on the shore. Keep in mind that they will attempt to throw projectiles at you. So, if you are getting in the water, it's best to dive underwater or move away from the shore for safety.
Wrapping it up
Once you pick any of the weapons above in MW3 Zombies mode, eliminating them won't be a tall task. Of Course, your strategy also matters, but these are the Best weapons for MW3 zombies. Therefore, choosing any of these weapons does provide you an upper hand.
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