Unlike in casual play, Call of Duty esports almost always features a ruleset that restricts the use of weapon attachments that are deemed to be overpowered or offer an unfair advantage when used against an opponent.
The current metagame on Modern Warfare primarily features the use of one Assault Rifle (AR), the M4A1 and this is evident within the most recent CDL 2020 launch event.
Thanks to its strong output of damage, ease of control during long-range engagements and quick rate of fire, the M4A1 is the favoured AR to use in the current state of the game.
In this article, you'll find three different M4A1 class setups to cater for various styles of play at the top level.
1) Aggression
Optimised for more aggressive AR players, that can often play alongside the SMG players, this class offers great versatility in close to mid-range gunfights.
Attachments
- Compensator (Muzzle)
- FSS 14.5” Tac Lite (Barrel)
- G.I. Mini Reflex (Optic)
- No Stock (Stock)
- Commando Foregrip (Underbarrel)
This attachment combination is perfect for pushing Domination flags, where mid-range engagements are crucial, in order to secure the objective and secure control of the map.
The addition of No Stock also adds increased mobility, giving you a chance against an MP5 player at close quarters.
Perks
- E.O.D (Perk 1)
- Ghost (Perk 2)
- Battle Hardened (Perk 3)
EOD provides increased explosive resistance to explosives, perfect for staying alive when holding a Hardpoint hill.
With no option to not choose a second perk, Ghost is the go-to perk of choice as all other perks are restricted.
Selecting Battle Hardened as the third and final perk will reduce the strength of enemy flash and stun grenades.
Read More: Modern Warfare: M4A1 Setup And Best Attachments For Your Class In Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019
Grenades
- Semtex (Lethal)
- Flash Grenade (Tactical)
The ability to stick a Semtex grenade onto various things means it can be used in a number of ways, clear an objective by throwing it in the vicinity of a Domination flag or place it near a door to open it without barging through it at breakneck speed.
The flash is great for slowing down the SMG players, making them much easier to pick off with the M4A1.
Field Upgrades
- Dead Silence
Equip Dead Silence to move around the map without alerting the opposition to your location.
Ideal for making a sneaky flank or to ambush an enemy.
Killstreaks (Specialist)
All killstreaks are restricted in competitive play, so the best thing to do is activate Specialist to earn additional perks and eventually the Specialist bonus.
- Double Time (2 Kills)
- Tune Up (4 Kills)
- Scavenger (6 Kills)
Double time increases the length of YOUR tactical sprint, ideal for adding increased mobility.
Tune Up reduces the charge time for field upgrades, meaning you can earn Dead Silence and the Trophy System at a much faster speed.
Lastly, is Scavenger. Reduce the risk of running out of ammunition by resupplying ammo from fallen enemies.
2) Passive
This class is perfect for main AR players that are often holding down a particular area of the map, away from where a lot of the action is happening.
Attachments
- Compensator (Muzzle)
- Stock M16 Grenadier (Barrel)
- No Stock (Stock)
- Stippled Grip Tape (Rear Grip)
- Commando Foregrip (Underbarrel)
This set of attachments offers increased levels of damage, making it the favourable class to use to take down an enemy using a head glitch.
The stippled grip tape provides increased levels of recoil control, making it easy to take down enemies at longer ranges.
Perks
- Double Time (Perk 1)
- Ghost (Perk 2)
- Battle Hardened (Perk 3)
Swapping EOD for Double Time will allow you to get to a power position quickly and maybe before your opponent, giving you the upper handoff of the break.
In the current metagame, Battle Hardened is the perk of choice thanks to its ability to reduce the strength of flash and stun grenades.
Field Upgrades
- Trophy System
Use the trophy system to defend yourself from enemy projectiles that attempt to flush you out of your position.
Grenades
- Frag Grenade (Lethal)
- Smoke Grenade (Tactical)
Having the ability to cook a frag grenade means that it can land at the feet of an opponent with minimal time for them to react to it.
Having a smoke grenade as a tactical allows you to block off a line of sight and focus on another or it can be used as a cover for the more aggressive players looking to make a play on an objective.
Killstreaks (Specialist)
- EOD (2 Kills)
- Tune Up (4 Kills
- Scavenger (6 Kills)
Swapping EOD for Double Time is the only change for the Specialist perks that are frequently used in competitive play.
3) Hybrid
The third and final class is an ideal mixture for both aggressive and passive styles of play.
Attachments
- Muzzle Brake (Muzzle)
- Corvus Custom Marksman (Barrel)
- Singuard Arms Invader (Stock)
- Stippled Grip Tape (Rear Grip)
- Commando Foregrip (Underbarrel)
Selecting the Corvus Custom Marksman barrel is the perfect blend of strong damage at longer distances and additional recoil control.
The addition of the Singuard Arms Invader stock further increases control when aiming and moving at the same time.
Perks
- E.O.D (Perk 1)
- Ghost (Perk 2)
- Battle Hardened (Perk 3)
Selecting these perks is the norm in competitive play.
Increasing resistance to both lethal and tactical grenades can often be the difference between staying alive and capturing an objective, or even being taken out just as the objective is about to be secured.
Grenades
- Semtex (Lethal)
- Smoke Grenade (Tactical)
It is personal preference as to which lethal and tactical equipment that you wish to use.
All are extremely effective so it really depends on which you prefer!
Killstreaks (Specialist)
- Double Time (2 Kills)
- Tune Up (4 Kills)
- Scavenger (6 Kills)
Until there is some form of alternative perks that do become viable, these three perks along with EOD will be the perks most commonly used selected as specialist perks.