The best gun in WARDOGS is not necessarily the most expensive one. Because weapons are purchased through the game’s economy, a useful loadout needs to balance combat performance, replacement cost, and the unlocks required to assemble it. Spending heavily on a rifle does not automatically make it the right choice for every deployment.
Our starting recommendations are the M4 for general-purpose fighting, T-21 for budget deployments, FAL for a premium rifle build, and Super-45 for close-range combat. Each fills a different role, and their listed prices and specifications explain why.
Below, you will find the documented weapon roster, reported unlock requirements, and recommended attachment builds.
How Weapon Unlocks Work in WARDOGS
Many weapons require both a particular progression level and a one-time unlock payment. After unlocking a weapon, you still pay its separate purchase price when buying it. Assault, Medic, Support, and Recon are individual progression tracks; Career refers to overall progression.
In the tables, “Assault 20 + $100,000” means reaching Assault level 20 and paying the listed unlock fee. “Initial” means the database shows no paid progression gate.
All prices below are in-game list prices, not real-world money. Discounts can change the amount displayed in the vendor. Specifications are recorded database values; they should not be mistaken for independently measured live-server performance.
All Assault Rifles
The starter rifles use burst-capable fire modes, while the purchasable rifles provide different combinations of automatic fire, weight, ammunition, and cost.
| Weapon | Ammunition | Listed fire rate | Weight | Purchase price | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bushmaster M17S | 5.56×45mm | 700 RPM within bursts | 3.17 kg | Free | Faction starter |
| A-91 | 5.56×45mm | 700 RPM within bursts | 3.17 kg | Free | Faction starter |
| KH-2002 | 5.56×45mm | 700 RPM within bursts | 3.17 kg | Free | Faction starter |
| T-21 | 5.56×45mm | 750 RPM | 3.27 kg | $600 | Initial |
| AK74 | 5.45×39mm | 650 RPM | 3.00 kg | $1,600 | Assault 3 + $10,000 |
| Galil | 5.56×45mm | 650 RPM | 3.95 kg | $2,200 | Assault 10 + $35,000 |
| M4 | 5.56×45mm | 800 RPM | 2.92 kg | $2,800 | Assault 20 + $100,000 |
| FAL | .308 Winchester | 650 RPM | 4.25 kg | $6,500 | Assault 35 + $200,000 |
The rifle specifications and progression requirements come from the assault-rifle catalogs. Burst-cycle figures do not represent continuous automatic fire.
All Submachine Guns
| Weapon | Ammunition | Listed fire rate | Weight | Purchase price | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AMP-9 | 9×19mm | 900 RPM | 1.40 kg | $900 | Initial |
| PP-19 Vityaz | 9×19mm | 800 RPM | 2.90 kg | $1,200 | Medic 4 + $25,000 |
| MP5 | 9×19mm | 800 RPM | 2.54 kg | $1,500 | Medic 15 + $75,000 |
| Super-45 | .45 ACP | 1,200 RPM | 3.00 kg | $2,600 | Medic 35 + $150,000 |
The Super-45 has the highest listed firing rate in this group, but the AMP-9 offers a much cheaper entry point and a lighter base weapon.
All Shotguns and Light Machine Guns
| Weapon | Type | Ammunition | Firing specification | Weight | Purchase price | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MP43 | Shotgun | 12 gauge | Double-barrel, break-action | 3.20 kg | $400 | Initial |
| M500 | Shotgun | 12 gauge | 120 RPM listed | 3.52 kg | $1,200 | Support 10 + $50,000 |
| M249 SAW | Light machine gun | 5.56×45mm | 850 RPM | 7.50 kg | $3,200 | Support 15 + $100,000 |
| PKM | Light machine gun | 7.62×54mm | 600 RPM | 7.50 kg | $4,500 | Support 30 + $150,000 |
The MP43’s two-shot operation is more informative than an internal firing-interval number: it cannot maintain that interval through repeated reloads. The LMGs trade substantially greater weight for their support-oriented role.
All Marksman and Sniper Rifles
| Weapon | Type | Ammunition | Listed fire rate | Weight | Purchase price | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SKS | Marksman rifle | 7.62×39mm | 420 RPM | 3.85 kg | $2,400 | Recon 5 + $25,000 |
| SVD | Marksman rifle | 7.62×54mm | 480 RPM | 5.30 kg | $4,800 | Recon 12 + $50,000 |
| BMR308 | Marksman rifle | .308 Winchester | 450 RPM | 3.90 kg | $6,000 | Recon 30 + $125,000 |
| Scout Rifle TD | Single-shot rifle | 5.56×45mm | 46 RPM | 2.95 kg | $1,100 | Initial |
| Mosin Nagant | Bolt-action sniper | 7.62×54mm | 46 RPM | 4.10 kg | $4,500 | Recon 10 + $50,000 |
| SV98 | Bolt-action sniper | 7.62×54mm | 46 RPM | 5.80 kg | $5,200 | Recon 19 + $100,000 |
| MK22 | Bolt-action sniper | .308 Winchester | 46 RPM | 6.30 kg | $6,400 | Recon 25 + $150,000 |
| AMR 50 | Heavy sniper rifle | .50 caliber | 41.5 RPM | 12.50 kg | $8,800 | Recon 35 + $200,000 |
Semi-automatic fire-rate figures describe the listed firing limit, not a promise that every player will maintain that rate accurately. The AMR 50 also carries a particularly large weight and purchase-cost commitment.
All Sidearms
| Weapon | Ammunition | Listed fire rate | Purchase price | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGX17 | 9×19mm | 600 RPM | $200 | Career 1 + $5,000 |
| Judge | .45 Colt | 200 RPM | $250 | Career 18 + $15,000 |
| M1911 | .45 ACP | 430 RPM | $300 | Career 40 + $25,000 |
| GGX18 | 9×19mm | 1,200 RPM; automatic-capable | $800 | Career 70 + $50,000 |
| Deagle | .50 AE | 267 RPM | $900 | Career 85 + $75,000 |
The Deagle’s level requirement is particularly important: the Season 1 patch moved it from Career 90 to Career 85, so older progression lists may be wrong.
All Launchers, Bows, and Default Melee
| Weapon | Ammunition or operation | Main role | Purchase price | How to unlock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RPG-7 | 93mm rocket; reusable launcher | Anti-vehicle attacks | $2,000 | Support 5 + $30,000 |
| MAAWS | 84mm ammunition; reusable launcher | Anti-vehicle attacks | $2,600 | Support 20 + $125,000 |
| MGL-40 | 40mm grenades; six-shot launcher | Explosive fire support | $6,000 | Support 35 + $200,000 |
| 9K333 Verba* | 72mm guided missile; single-use | Lock-on anti-aircraft weapon | $800 reported | Support 16 + $50,000 reported |
| Compound Bow* | Standard or broadhead arrows | Bow-based ranged combat | $800 | Recon 17; unlock fee disputed |
| Fists | Unarmed melee | Default melee option | Free | Default |
Launcher and bow records are available, but not every entry has equally strong vendor verification. The Verba is documented in extracted data; its live availability should be checked before treating it as a guaranteed shop purchase. The Compound Bow’s unlock fee is reported as $75,000 in one catalog and $125,000 in another.
Best Guns in WARDOGS
Best General-Purpose Rifle: M4
The M4 is our general-purpose recommendation, combining an 800 RPM firing rate, a listed 910 m/s muzzle velocity, and a relatively light 2.92 kg base weight. Its $2,800 purchase price also leaves a much smaller replacement bill than the FAL’s $6,500.
That combination makes it a sensible foundation for an adaptable rifle loadout rather than a specialized build. Our recommendation is to prioritize recoil control and a modest-magnification optic.
The drawback is progression: Assault 20 and a $100,000 unlock payment make it a medium-term goal, not a weapon to plan around immediately after starting.
Best Budget Automatic Rifle: T-21
The T-21 costs $600, offers automatic fire, and has a listed 750 RPM firing rate without a paid progression gate. Those features make it our preferred inexpensive automatic rifle.
Its strongest argument is financial flexibility. A low replacement cost lets you keep deploying while saving toward more expensive unlocks.
For a budget build, we recommend resisting the urge to fill every attachment slot. Buy an optic only when it meaningfully improves your aim, and keep the rest of the loadout affordable.
Best Premium Rifle: FAL
The FAL is our premium, damage-focused rifle pick. Its .308 ammunition and recorded damage model distinguish it from the lighter 5.56mm rifles, while its listed effective-range field extends to 800 meters.
It is not a straight upgrade for every player. The rifle weighs 4.25 kg, fires at 650 RPM, and costs $6,500 before additional equipment. Our recommendation is to choose it when you value deliberate, accurate rifle fire and can comfortably replace the loadout.
Do not buy it simply because it is more expensive than the M4.
Best Close-Range Gun: Super-45
The Super-45 is our close-range specialist, with a listed 1,200 RPM firing rate and a database effective-range field of 50 meters. That profile favors tight objective fights rather than long-distance rifle duels.
Magazine capacity deserves special attention. The weapon supports 13-, 30-, and 40-round magazines; the smallest option gives relatively little ammunition for such a high firing rate.
Choose it for an intentionally close-range loadout. For mixed terrain and uncertain engagement distances, our default recommendation remains the M4.
Other Strong Role-Specific Picks
| Role | Recommended weapon | Why we recommend it | Main tradeoff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level marksman | SKS | Lower purchase price and earlier Recon unlock than the other listed marksman rifles | A specialist choice rather than an automatic-rifle substitute |
| Support gunner | M249 SAW | Earlier unlock and lower purchase price than the PKM, with an 850 RPM listed firing rate | Heavy at 7.5 kg |
| Practical high-tier sniper | MK22 | Lower weight and purchase price than the AMR 50 | Still expensive and specialized |
| Low-cost backup | GGX17 | The cheapest listed purchasable handgun | A backup, not a reason to neglect the primary weapon |
These are recommendations based on the recorded cost, progression, and weapon specifications—not a claim that each wins every possible damage comparison.
Best General-Purpose M4 Loadout
Our recommended M4 build emphasizes manageable recoil and a useful sight picture without committing to a heavy long-range setup.
| Slot | Recommended attachment | Reported purchase price | Reported unlock | Relevant specifications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optic | CQ-2x Prism Combat Scope | $640 | Assault 17 + $15,000 | 2× magnification; 100–300 m zeroing; recorded +5% aim time |
| Muzzle | Hexagon Brake | $350 | Assault 2 + $5,000 | −22% horizontal recoil, −1% vertical recoil, −4% spread; +5% aim time |
| Grip | Rubberized Ergonomic Foregrip | $540 | Assault 11 + $7,500 | −18% vertical recoil, −7% horizontal recoil, −16% spread; +2% aim time |
| Magazine | STANAG 30 RND Magazine, Assault-level-6 entry | $55 | Assault 6 + $10,000 | 30 rounds; standard listed reload multiplier |
The attachment statistics and unlock records are documented individually. The magazine entry is specified because the database contains similarly named variants.
Why this build: the brake addresses horizontal recoil, while the grip contributes more vertical recoil reduction. The 2× optic provides modest magnification instead of pushing the rifle toward a dedicated sniper role. These benefits come with recorded aim-time penalties, so this is a control-focused build rather than the fastest possible aiming setup.
The listed rifle and four attachments total $4,385, excluding ammunition, additional magazines, armor, medical supplies, and the one-time unlock fees.
Do not add the recoil percentages together and assume that is the final weapon result; the individual modifier records do not, by themselves, establish the complete stacking calculation.
Recommended Super-45 Close-Range Loadout
| Slot | Recommended attachment | Reported purchase price | Why it belongs in this build |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optic | Compact T-2 Red Dot | $340 | 1.2× magnification and a recorded 10% reduction in aim time |
| Muzzle | Ghost LITE Muzzle Brake | $970 | Recorded −22% vertical recoil and −12% horizontal recoil, with a +4% aim-time penalty |
| Grip | Rubberized Ergonomic Foregrip | $540 | Additional recoil and spread control |
| Magazine | Super-45 40 RND Drum Magazine | $280 | More ammunition between reloads; recorded weight of 1.59 kg |
The Super-45 compatibility list includes these attachments. Their individual records document the modifiers and drum capacity.
Our reasoning is straightforward: modest magnification suits the intended engagement distance, recoil-control attachments support rapid fire, and the drum gives more room for sustained engagements.
The drawback is cost and weight. This is a developed specialist build, not the most economical starting loadout. The 40-round drum also has a reported level-50 progression requirement, so a compatible 30-round magazine is the practical interim choice.
Which Weapon Should You Unlock First?
Our suggested approach is to start with an affordable weapon you can replace repeatedly, then pursue the upgrade that supports your preferred role.
For general rifle play, that means using the T-21 or a starter rifle while working toward the M4. Close-range players can pursue the Medic-track SMGs, while Support and Recon players should budget around their specialist equipment.
A complete, replaceable loadout is a better progression target than an expensive gun you are reluctant to risk.
