New Warzone 2 AR dominating meta following ISO Hemlock nerf

Warzone 2 player crouched behind barrier and Warzone 2 player holding gun
Credit: Activision

Warzone 2 player crouched behind barrier and Warzone 2 player holding gun
Credit: Activision

Thanks to regular doses of weapon balancing from Raven Software and Infinity Ward, the Warzone 2 meta is constantly evolving in a bid to keep Call of Duty’s battle royale weapon variety high. Despite their best efforts, there’s always one or two guns that manage to stand out from the crowd.

With the Season 3 Reloaded update moving into view, assault rifles (AR) continue to lead the charge at the very top of the list thanks to their excellent mid-range capabilities and limitless customisation options.

After weeks of the ISO Hemlock acting as the most popular assault rifle, a new contender has knocked it off the top spot.

Best Warzone 2 AR for Season 3

According to WZRanked, the once-dominant ISO Hemlock now features a pick rate of 4.1%, dropping from 19%. Taking its place at the top is the Kastov 762, an AR that heavily resembles the AK-47 from previous Call of Duty titles.

Screenshot showing Warzone 2 player holding Kastov 762
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Credit: Activision

The Kastov 762 possesses a pick rate of 26.3%, resulting in it becoming the most popular weapon in the entirety of Warzone 2. Its next closest competitor is the Vaznev 9K with a pick rate of 13.7%.

Season 3’s weapon balancing saw the developers nerf the ISO Hemlock which once featured a lethal damage output and a recoil pattern that was easy to control. Now, the Kastov 762’s mid-range prowess has caught the attention of those dropping into Al Mazrah and Ashika Island.

It’s unclear if the reign of the Kastov 762 will last. The mid-season update is just a few weeks away and there’s a high possibility of further buffs and nerfs affecting the arsenal once again. For now, make the most of the Kastov 762 before it’s hit with its own nerf and plummets in popularity. While it’s the meta, check out the best Warzone 2 Kastov 762 loadout for a closer look at the build making an impact.

For more Warzone 2, check out our other guides containing intel on the best LMG and all there is to know about the long-awaited ranked mode.