The best Striker loadout in Modern Warfare 3 will see you using one of the best SMGs in the game, and it’ll also feel very familiar to anyone who played a lot of Modern Warfare 2 in 2009.
This is because the Striker is essentially just the UMP-45, which was arguably the best gun in the game back then. Lobbies were full of people using the SMG, since it was capable up close and at range. The Striker isn’t quite at the same level, but it is still an excellent gun in Modern Warfare 3, and you can get your hands on it extremely early.
How to unlock the Striker in MW3
Much like the SVA 545, all you need to do to unlock the Striker in Modern Warfare 3 is rank up to level four, as this is when you will unlock create-a-class. The Striker will be the first SMG you unlock, and available to start ranking up right away.
Best Striker loadout in MW3
Here is our pick for the best Striker loadout in Modern Warfare 3:
- Barrel: Striker Recon Long Barrel
- Underbarrel: Kimura RYN-03 Vertical Grip
- Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip
- Stock: RB Crotalus Assault Stock
- Optic: Slate Reflector
This Striker build is focused on competing at mid-range alongside close-quarters combat, because even though it’s an SMG, the lack of recoil and consistent damage make it a force to be reckoned with. The optic is solely personal preference: the Slate Reflector doesn’t obstruct much and has reasonable zoom, but if you can put up with the iron sights, there’s room for an extra stat-buffing attachment on your gun.
The other four attachments here assist with reducing the amount of recoil the Striker has, while maintaining damage at range. The opposite is a viable build, but it’s much less jack-of-all-trades and more specialized towards tight corridors and small rooms, whereas we’ve had much more success kitting it out to compete with assault rifles when necessary.
Best Striker class in MW3
Here is the best class to use alongside the Striker in Modern Warfare 3:
- Vest: Engineer Vest
- Primary: Tyr
- Tactical: 2x Stun Grenade
- Field Upgrade: ACS
- Gloves: Commando Gloves
- Boots: Covert Sneakers
- Gear: EOD Padding
- Gear: Tac Mask
For this class, make sure you have the Engineer Vest selected. This will remove your lethal equipment in favor of having two gear slots and two tactical equipment, which isn’t completely vital, but you’ll naturally be a little more mobile with an SMG as opposed to posting up and defending one location. However, the biggest perk of the Engineer Vest is the ability to spot enemy equipment through walls, such as Guardians, ACS, and those pesky comms interference devices that stop you from using killstreaks. Shoot those on sight, because they are a right pain.
Since you have a capable SMG in hand, you’ll want the Tyr for your secondary weapon, because this is essentially a hand cannon and can pick enemies off at range if needed. The two Stun Grenades will assist with clearing rooms, while the ACS can be thrown down on any objectives you need to capture — hardpoint zones and domination flags, for example. Commando Gloves permit reloading while sprinting, and Covert Sneakers muffle your footsteps, so you won’t fall at the hands of anyone trying to gain an advantage by listening for you running around. EOD Padding and Tac Mask are to keep you alive as long as possible, as they help protect against non-killstreak explosives and flash/stun effects respectively.
For more Modern Warfare 3 guides, see how to switch to Tactical Stance, and check our guides on the best SVA 545 loadout, best MCW loadout, and best AMR9 loadout.
If you’re jumping into the campaign, find all of the items and weapons in “Precious Cargo” and “Reactor,” see how to earn the Back in the Field trophy and the A Shot Blocked achievement, or check out our walkthrough for “Deep Cover.”