Looking for the best Riot Shield loadout in Modern Warfare 3? You're in luck, as in this guide, we'll be breaking down all be best equipment and perks to bring alongside the Riot Shield, to maximise its effect in-game. Additionally, we'll also be giving our verdict on whether the Riot Shield is worth using in Modern Warfare 3's current meta.
A frustrating weapon for many players, the Riot Shield is one of the most divisive in Modern Warfare 3. With its ability to completely negate the damage of incoming bullets, the Riot Shield is as strong as ever.
Before we take a look at the best Riot Shield loadout, why not check out our guide on Modern Warfare 3's ranked system or our breakdown of Modern Warfare 3's day-one patch notes? You can find these and many more guides in our dedicated Modern Warfare 3 walkthrough hub.
What is the best Modern Warfare 3 Riot Shield loadout?
In Modern Warfare 2, the Riot Shield cannot be modified with any attachments, and this remains the case for Modern Warfare 3. Instead, your loadout is decided exclusively by which weapon and equipment you choose to pair with the Riot Shield.
We’ll be updating this guide with our thoughts on the best loadout to use with the Riot Shield as soon as we've had a chance to play Modern Warfare 3 and experiment with some of the game's other weapons. Make sure to check back here later to get our complete thoughts.
Best Modern Warfare 3 Riot Shield attachments
In Modern Warfare 3, players have the freedom to significantly alter how their weapon behaves and looks by using the Gunsmith. However, as highlighted earlier in this guide, you cannot equip attachments to the Riot Shield in Modern Warfare 3. Instead, you'll have to use the shield as is.
If the status of the Riot Shield’s attachments changes at all, we'll be updating this section with the top attachments for the weapon.
Best Modern Warfare 3 Riot Shield perks and equipment
Below, we’ve got the best perks and equipment to help you get the most out of the Riot Shield in Modern Warfare 3.
Perks
- Vest: Overkill
- Gloves: Ordnance
- Boots: Covert Sneakers
- Gear: Bone Conduction Headset
As with all melee weapons, we think that the overkill vest works best. This is largely thanks to its boost to your mobility, as well as allowing you to quickly swap to your secondary to take ranged fights with. Also, the ordnance gloves will improve the throwing distance of your tactical and lethal equipment, giving you another potential avenue of attack.
For the boots, the covert sneakers are widely considered to be the best in Modern Warfare 3, and that claim is upheld regarding the Riot Shield. These boots muffle all of your character's sound, meaning you can run around the map stabbing enemies without them knowing you're there. Lastly, these shoes pair well with the Bone Conduction Headset, which will increase the volume of enemy movements.
Equipment
- Lethal: Frag Grenade
- Tactical: Flash Grenade
The frag grenade is the most versatile, yet simple, option to pick for your lethal equipment. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to master the timing and the range of your frag grenade throws. Additionally, with the ordnance gloves, you can get even more range out of your frag grenade throws.
On the other hand, flashbangs are a classic yet dynamic piece of utility for you to bring alongside your Riot Shield. You can use these to ambush enemies, before brutally bashing them to the floor while they're blinded.
Is the Modern Warfare 3 Riot Shield meta?
Given that players have already called for the Riot Shield's removal from custom loadouts, it's safe to say that the weapon has a role in the game's meta. Although you may not be able to shoot back with the Riot Shield, its protective layer, even when on your back, offers a huge boost to your survivability. The Riot Shield previously experienced periods of dominance in Modern Warfare 2, and we expect this to remain the case in the series' latest entry.
That’s all there is to know about the Riot Shield and its best loadout. For more Modern Warfare 3 content like this, why not check out our guide on how to unlock the game's Burger King rewards, or perhaps our deep-dive into whether Modern Warfare 3 has split-screen multiplayer? We’ve also got a complete list of all the guns and weapons in Modern Warfare 3, to help you design your next loadout.