Ready to dominate the close-quarters chaos of Modern Warfare 3? The Striker SMG stands out as the ultimate weapon for aggressive, high-speed combat, boasting exceptional damage, handling, and range for an SMG. Whether you’re storming tight maps or supporting snipers, mastering the best Striker loadout and class build can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Dive into our expert guide to unlock the perfect attachments, perks, and tactics that make the Striker a relentless force on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
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
To unlock the Striker in Modern Warfare 3, you need to reach player level 4. This can be achieved by playing multiplayer matches and earning XP through kills, completing objectives, and other in-game activities. Once you hit level 4, the Striker becomes available to equip in your loadouts, allowing you to start leveling it up and unlocking its various attachment slots for customization. This process typically takes about an hour of gameplay, but can be accelerated by using double XP tokens if available.
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
The best Striker loadout in Modern Warfare 3 focuses on maximizing mobility, accuracy, and damage to dominate close to medium-range engagements. Key attachments include the Elite long barrel for increased range and recoil control, the Lockman Mark II light stock to boost movement and sprint speed, and the Tactical Grip rear grip to enhance sprint-to-fire speed, enabling faster reaction times in gunfights. A 48-round magazine is recommended for sustained combat without frequent reloads, complemented by high-velocity ammunition and a suppressor like the Quartermaster to reduce recoil and maintain stealth. This setup turns the Striker into a versatile, run-and-gun SMG capable of quick kills and fluid movement, making it ideal for aggressive playstyles and small, fast-paced maps 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
The Striker class in Modern Warfare 3 stands out as the best SMG choice, especially for players who favor a fast-paced, run-and-gun playstyle. It offers an excellent balance of power, control, and mobility, making it highly effective in close to mid-range combat. With the right attachments-such as the Colossus Suppressor for recoil control and stealth, the Striker Recon Long Barrel to extend damage range and bullet velocity, and mobility-enhancing options like the VLK LZR 7MW laser and Xten Phantom-5 Handstop-the Striker becomes a versatile and deadly weapon capable of dominating chaotic multiplayer maps. Its quick aim-down-sight speed and manageable recoil allow players to swiftly engage enemies and maintain high kill streaks, solidifying its status as the top 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.
What makes this Striker build the top choice in Modern Warfare 3
The Striker build stands out as the top choice in Modern Warfare 3 due to its exceptional balance of power, control, and mobility, making it highly effective in both close-quarters and mid-range combat. Its low recoil and impressive damage allow for a reliable time-to-kill, while attachments like the Colossus Suppressor and Striker Recon Long Barrel boost recoil control, damage range, and bullet velocity, enhancing its versatility beyond typical SMG limits. Additionally, the build emphasizes fast aim-down-sight speed and sprint-to-fire speed, enabling aggressive run-and-gun playstyles that keep players constantly on the move and lethal. Tactical gear choices such as the Gunner Vest further improve ammo capacity and reload speed, ensuring sustained combat effectiveness. This combination of attributes makes the Striker a dominant weapon for players seeking both precision and speed on chaotic multiplayer maps across PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
How does the Striker’s balance of handling and DPS make it reliable
The Striker’s balance of handling and damage per second (DPS) makes it a reliable weapon in Modern Warfare 3 by combining ease of use with effective lethality. It is not the fastest-firing or highest-damage SMG, but it strikes an optimal balance between speed, recoil control, and damage output, allowing players to confidently engage enemies at close to mid-range without sacrificing mobility or accuracy. This balance enables the Striker to excel in fast-paced, chaotic multiplayer maps where quick movement and rapid target acquisition are crucial. Its handling characteristics let players swiftly aim and fire while maintaining control during sustained engagements, making it especially effective for aggressive run-and-gun playstyles. As a result, the Striker reliably delivers consistent kills while keeping players agile and alive in intense combat scenarios.
