Best MCW build in MW3: Attachments, loadout, and perks
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Best MCW build in MW3: Attachments, loadout, and perks

What's the best build for MCW in MW3?

The MCW is a superb Assault Rifle with a manageable rate of fire and a punchy damage profile. This gun also has predictable Recoil, making it deadly at any range. If you want to take this weapon for a spin, let me show you the best MCW build in MW3: Attachments, loadout, and perks.

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Best MCW attachments in MW3

Best MCW build in MW3: Attachments, loadout, and perks
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I wasn’t kidding about the MCW’s predictable Recoil. With the right Attachments, the MCW kicks straight up with virtually no horizontal movement. Sprinkle in a few buffs to ADS speed, and you have an absolute monster on your hands. Here’s the build:

  • Optic: MK. 3 Reflector
  • Muzzle: Shadowstrike Suppressor
  • Barrel: 16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel
  • Stock: RB Regal Heavy Stock
  • Underbarrel: XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop

MK. 3 Reflector

I feel like a broken record recommending this Optic so often, but it really is fantastic. The MK. 3 Reflector has zero penalties and offers a clear sight picture, free from clutter.

Optics are a personal preference, and if you prefer some magnification, the KR Marauder 9 Riser could be right up your alley. I’ve used the MK. 3 Reflector on many guns in MW3. It’s versatile and perfect for most multiplayer situations.

Shadowstrike Suppressor

Another attachment I seem to recommend a lot in MW3 is the Shadowstrike Suppressor. This attachment keeps us off the radar without inflicting any penalties. Every other Suppressor has downsides that negatively impact the MCW, making the Shadowstrike the best choice.

16.5″ MCW Cyclone Long Barrel

The name of this barrel attachment rolls right off the tongue and provides massive buffs to our Bullet Velocity and Range. We also gain decent bonuses to Idle Sway and Firing Aim Stability, which makes the build feel consistent.

This attachment is one of the key pieces in making the MCWs’ Recoil so manageable, and it’s worth the Hipfire penalties.

RB Regal Heavy Stock

The RB Regal Heavy Stock grants decent buffs to our Recoil and Gun Kick control. 

This stock negatively impacts our Sprint to Fire and ADS speed, but the penalty is slight and isn’t too noticeable. The good outweighs the bad, but the RB Claw-PSL Grip is a fine alternative if you’re not a fan of the ADS speed penalty. The downside with the Rear Grip is there’s more Recoil to deal with, and you’ll feel it at longer ranges.

XTEN Phantom-5 Handstop

The XTEN is a superb Underbarrel Attachment that greatly boosts ADS and Sprint to Fire speed. We also gain bonuses to Vertical Recoil and Gun Kick control.

Our Hipfire effectiveness takes a hit with this attachment, but it’s not something we will be doing often anyway.

This combination of attachments makes the Recoil incredibly easy to manage, and if you slightly aim down as you hold the trigger, the MCW shoots like a laser beam. I urge you to try this build in the Firing Range, as once you’ve mastered the recoil pattern, you’re a threat no matter where your targets are.

Best secondary, tactical, lethal, and field equipment for MCW build

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  • Secondary: COR-45
  • Tactical: Flash Grenade x2
  • Field Upgrade: Comm Scrambler

There are plenty of good secondary options in MW3. The Renetti is my go-to, but the COR-45 is fantastic for securing kills. We don’t run an extended magazine with the MCW, so having a reliable sidearm is essential.

I’m usually a mobile player, but the MCW is great, even if you’re more static. For this reason, I’m recommending the Comm Scrambler, although I urge you to pick your favorites here.

Best gloves, boots, gear, and vest for MCW build

Gloves: Quick-Grip Gloves
Boots: Covert Sneakers
Gear: Ghost T/V Camo
Gear: Bone Conduction Headset
Vest: Engineer Vest

As we will eventually need to swap to our pistol to secure kills, I’ve recommended the Quick-Grip Gloves as they excel in this situation.

The Covert Sneakers and Headset are key pieces of a standard audio-focused combo, and Ghost T/V Camo is the best counter to an onslaught of UAVs. Finally, the Vest allows us to run double tactical grenades and protects us from enemy equipment.

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Noah Nelson
From his early days of blog-style music, movie, and game reviews to working as the Esports Writer at Coastline Community College, Noah Nelson now works fulltime as a Staff Writer for Attack of the Fanboy and PC Invasion. He has been helping gamers everywhere with Destiny 2 god rolls, Warzone 2 DMZ missions, and collectibles in any indie game for over a year and a half. His Bachelor's Degree in English Rhetoric and Composition with a minor in Journalism from CSULB has shaped him to be a strong writer and editor. His fondest gaming memory is playing Sly Cooper 2 after begging his mom (for hours) to play it before his birthday and he still cries myself to sleep remembering the time he accidentally saved over his 99% completion save file in Kingdom Hearts 2.
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Anthony Yates
Anthony is a freelance writer for PC Invasion and has worked in the industry for four years. He's furiously competitive and is always looking for the next big multiplayer hit. Anthony thrives in high-stakes games like Escape From Tarkov and Sea of Thieves. He is also passionate about speedrunning and always looks forward to the next GDQ and ESA events. When he's not grinding leaderboards, Anthony enjoys visiting Arcades, retro gaming, and horror movies.