Best Warzone 2 M16 loadout: The best M16 class setup and attachments
Can we make the M16 a meta gun choice in Warzone 2 with this loadout?
Looking for the best M16 loadout in Warzone 2? It's no secret that the M16 hasn't had a great time of things in the Call of Duty landscape this year. Its signature three-shot burst isn't quite as powerful as one might hope, and as a result you're forced to work extra hard to score a victory royale in Warzone 2 using the M16. It's far from impossible though, particularly if you follow the advice in this guide.
Below we'll explain how to turn this burst rifle into an almost unrecognisably strong primary weapon option with our best M16 build in Warzone 2 right now. We'll explain the best M16 attachments in detail, before delving into the ideal secondary weapons, perks, and equipment to use alongside the M16 to create a well-rounded, well-balanced loadout setup.
Best M16 loadout in Warzone 2
Here's the best M16 loadout in Warzone 2:
- Muzzle: Harbinger D20 (unlock at STB 556 lvl 18)
- Ammunition: 5.56 High Velocity (unlock at STB 556 lvl 7)
- Stock: Corio Precio Factory (unlock at M4 lvl 7)
- Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip (unlock at M4 lvl 8)
- Optic: SZ Holotherm (unlock at PDSW 528 lvl 12)
The M16 by default needs a fair bit of work before it becomes truly effective, and the bulk of that work centres around its recoil control. If you can control that three-shot burst well enough, the M16 can become a deadly laser capable of bursting down enemies' health with surprising speed.
That's where our M16 build shines, extending the gun's range and stabilising the recoil as much as possible with the best M16 attachments, so you can inflict maximum damage at mid-range.
The Harbinger D20 is the heaviest attachment you need to add on the M16, but it's worth the weight for the added boost to range and recoil control. We've supplemented this attachment with the highly effective 5.56 High Velocity rounds, which dramatically boost bullet velocity and make it much easier to land triple-headshots with the M16.
The Corio Precio Factory Stock adds a bit of extra weight in order to reduce the recoil and idle sway further, and the Sakin ZX Grip adds even more recoil control on top of that. The idea is to make the gun as precise as humanly possible so that those vital three shots in each burst go exactly where they need to go.
To that end, we've saved the final attachment slot to ameliorate the M16's poor ironsights. We've chosen to add the SZ Holotherm, a nice clean 2x scope that is perfect for mid-range encounters; but feel free to substitute this sight for any of your preferred Warzone 2 Optics.
While these attachments together slow down the handling and mobility of the M16 by a fair bit, the added precision and effective range you gain is the most valuable thing that you can give this burst rifle. If you're convinced that the M16 is the worst gun in the game, then give this loadout a try and you might realise that it does at least do the job well under the right circumstances.
Best M16 loadout secondary weapon
To say the M16 excels at mid-range is perhaps putting it a little too strongly, but that's certainly the range at which you'll feel most comfortable handling this weapon. At close range, the M16 suffers. So your secondary weapon should focus on close-quarters combat to provide a well-rounded build for any situation in Warzone 2.
We'd recommend picking up the FSS Hurricane alongside the M16. It's the best SMG in Warzone 2 right now in our opinion; not only is it much more effective at close-range than the M16, but it's also incredibly accurate, allowing you to use it at times when your M16 fails to completely secure the kill.
Another option is to opt for full damage and take the Expedite 12 into battle alongside the M16. This punchy Shotgun is the best Shotgun in Warzone 2 right now, and more than capable of deleting an enemy in a single shot if they get too close.
Best M16 class setup: Perks and Equipment
If you want to win a Warzone 2 match, then you should probably get a loadout drop with the Specter perk package (Ghost, Double Time, Tracker, Spotter) equipped. Since you can't customise your own perk package in Warzone 2, we'd recommend using Specter for its top-notch perks that are sure to give you the advantage over your enemies.
The best of the bunch is Ghost, which lets you hide from enemy UAVs. This has been a standard tactic for those aiming to survive into the late-game throughout Warzone history, and the ability to keep this up in Warzone 2 immediately sets Specter apart from the other packages.
Of course, remaining undetected doesn't mean you need to sit around camping, and Tracker will help you make more aggressive pushes by finding and following enemy footprints. With Double Time increasing your tactical sprint duration, you can even do so at full speed for longer. This is where Spotter comes in handy, as it'll highlight enemy equipment through walls, helping you avoid enemy claymores while darting into buildings after an opponent.
With the right equipment, you might not even need to enter a building. The Heartbeat Sensor tactical lets you scan the nearby area for any enemy pings, ensuring that you always know the odds before charging into a room. If there are more enemies than expected, simply throw in a C4 to bag some easy kills and a lovely team wipe.
Warzone 2 M16 alternatives
The above guide turns the M16 into a far more effective weapon, but we understand if you find the three-shot-burst to be a little awkward for your tastes. If you want a similar weapon that fits much more comfortably into the current meta, then check out the STB 556 - a laser-precise rifle that's our pick for the best Assault Rifle in Warzone 2, full stop.
You can also choose to sacrifice a little bit of mobility in order to upgrade the damage and range from AR to Battle Rifle levels. The FTAC Recon is a great Battle Rifle to choose, with high stopping power and accuracy that can cause enemies a lot of problems at similar ranges to the M16.
That's just about everything we have to share on the subject of creating the best M16 loadout in Warzone 2.0 right now. If you want to gain a greater understanding of the current gun meta and the M16's (rather unfortunate) place within it, then look no further than our Warzone 2 best guns tier list. You can also dive into damage values and ADS speeds with our dedicated Warzone 2 weapon stats guide.
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