Best Weapon Loadouts - Battlefield 2042 Guide - IGN (2024)

This section of our IGN Battlefield 2042 Wiki guide discusses the best weapons loadouts for each category. There are currently 22 weapons in the game and, as such, it's imperative that we prioritize those that can truly stay competitive in the meta. After all, we need to prioritize armaments for Mastery leveling to earn new attachments.

To jump to a particular section by clicking on the corresponding links below:

• Best Assault Rifle
• Best Secondary/Sidearm
• Best Submachine Gun
• Best Marksman Rifle
• Best Sniper Rifle
• Best Utility Weapon/Shotgun
• Best Light Machine Gun

For additional information about other weapon categories and gear items in Battlefield 2042, you can check our other guides:

• Secondary Weapons - Sidearms
• Submachine Guns (SMGs)
• Assault Rifles
• Light Machine Guns
• Marksman Rifles
• Sniper Rifles
• Utility Weapons and Shotguns
• Gear - Throwable Items and Grenades
• Gear - Gadgets

The Best Weapons in Battlefield 2042

Best Assault Rifle: M5A3

The M5A3 is available by default, but don't let that fool you. It can actually last you for the entirety of the game's lifespan (as long as ARs don't get a massive nerf). These are our suggestions for attachments:

• Sight: Fusion Holo or anything with up to 2x/2.5x zoom
• Ammunition: Standard Issue - Extended Mag or Close Combat
• Underbarrel: BCG Light Grip or Rattlesnake Light Grip
• Barrel: Extended Barrel or Shortened Barrel

Fusion Holo, Close Combat, and Shortened Barrel are primarily for short-range engagements. However, you can opt for other options, such as Standard Issue - Extended Mag, Extended Barrel, or a sight with up to 2.5X zoom for medium-range firefights. As for the underbarrels, these are primarily to improve our accuracy while moving.

Best Secondary/Sidearm: M44

Given the high-caliber rounds that it fires and the fast time-to-kill (TTK), the M44 outclasses all other pistols in the game. Here are our suggestions for its attachments:

• Sight: Raven 4X
• Ammunition: Armor Piercing

There aren't a lot of options when it comes to the M44's attachments. Still, the reason why you're choosing this weapon is that it's a magnum that can have a 4X scope attached to it. This makes the M44 viable for medium-range combat, akin to a mini-sniper of sorts.

Best Submachine Gun: PP-29

Although the PP-29 was hit by a recent nerf (i.e., its vertical recoil was increased), it still remains a viable contender thanks to its ridiculous magazine size. Here are our suggestions for its attachments:

• Sight: Fusion Holo
• Ammunition: Standard Issue
• Barrel: Extended Barrel

As per usual, SMGs are meant for close-quarters combat. The PP-29 used to excel at a range of up to 30 meters due to its damage falloff stat. But, the change in vertical recoil will mess with your aim when fighting at that distance. While the Arcom Tactical Muzzle Brake or Champion Muzzle Brake might help, the Extended Barrel still provides better bonuses.

Best Marksman Rifle: SVK

The SVK isn't just the best marksman rifle in Battlefield 2042. It might just be the best weapon in the game, period. This is primarily due to its high base damage, as it can easily kill in two body shots. Here are our suggestions for its attachments:

• Sight: M11 6X or BKS 8X
• Ammunition: Standard Issue - Extended Mag
• Underbarrel: ADR Bipod or Cobra Grip/LWG Grip
• Barrel: Champion Muzzle Brake

The sight options are for medium or long-range engagements. The underbarrel and barrel options are for additional stability while aiming. If you don't want the ADR Bipod (i.e., you prefer to be more mobile), then the Cobra Grip or LWG Grip is a viable alternative. As for the ammo type, Standard Issue - Extended Mag makes a world of difference as it increases your mag size to 15 instead of the default five bullets.

Best Sniper Rifle: NTW-50

Designed as a high-caliber anti-materiel sniper rifle, the NTW-50 is essentially a tank killer (and, yes, it's great against other vehicles and infantry as well). In fact, you probably won't need to equip an MD5 Rocket Launcher anymore when you have this, as it has more bullets that can penetrate armored targets. Here are our suggestions for its attachments:

• Sight: M11 6X or BKS 8X
• Ammunition: Anti-Materiel High-Power

We're mostly looking at scopes here for medium or long-range engagements. Still, it's the Anti-Materiel High-Power ammo that definitely makes this weapon shine.

Best Utility Weapon/Shotgun: GVT 45-70

Let's not mince words here: there's really no place for shotguns in Battlefield 2042's current meta. With sprawling maps where you'd get easily discovered and automatic weapons with fast TTK, there's almost no reason to bring a shotgun that requires you to get really close to an enemy. Still, if you do need to pick one, then there's the GVT 45-70, which comes with its own scope. Here are our suggestions:

• Sight: 8R Holo or Maul Hybrid
• Ammunition: High Power
• Underbarrel: BCG Light Grip or Rattlesnake Light Grip
• Barrel: Tactical Compensator

Sight options are for short or medium-range bouts. As for the High Power ammo type, it slightly bolsters the weapon's damage. The Tactical Compensator, meanwhile, helps with recoil. Finally, the underbarrel options are to improve accuracy while moving (and you definitely want to stay on the move when using shotguns).

Best Light Machine Gun: LCMG

There are only two light machine guns in Battlefield 2042 and you get the LCMG earlier. It manages to trounce its counterpart with ease. Here are our suggestions for its attachments:

• Sight: Maul Hybrid or Bravo 3X
• Ammunition: Standard Issue - Extended Mag or Armor-Piercing
• Underbarrel: ADR Bipod or Cobra Grip/LWG Grip
• Barrel: Extended Barrel

Sight options are primarily for short or medium-range combat. Meanwhile, the Extended Barrel is to improve range and accuracy in general. For the underbarrel options, the ADR Bipod is great if you want to remain stationary, though the Cobra Grip or LWG Grip can be used if you don't want to be completely immobilized when the ADR Bipod is deployed. Lastly, the Standard Issue - Extended Mag ammo is just to churn out more rounds. However, you can switch to Armor-Piercing once you see that several vehicles are advancing toward your position.

You can return to our Weapons and Gear hub to see other armaments. Likewise, we encourage you to check our Specialists hub to find out which characters work well with particular weapon types and gadgets. Lastly, you can jump back to the main page of our wiki guide for more Battlefield 2042 tips.