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The best weapons in Battlefield 5

Years after its launch, Battlefield V still maintains a dedicated player base. Over the course of its life, Battlefield V added multiple free expansions to the game, including maps, weapons, and factions inspired by the Pacific Campaign. Battlefield V never had the sort of weapon meta that a game like Call of Duty: Warzone boasts. However, there are obviously a handful of weapons that are just better than the rest. Here are the best weapons to still be using in Battlefield V multiplayer.

The following guide will be broken up into sub-sections based on each class is Battlefield V: Assault, Medic, Support, and Recon. We’ll then follow up with some helpful tips for melee weapons and break down the game’s best explosive equipment. These weapons are tiered towards standard multiplayer. Those lucky enough to even find an active Firestorm lobby will be equally lucky to find one of these weapons on the map.

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Best Assault class weapons

Battlefield V Assault Class
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The Ribeyrolles 1918

The Ribeyrolles 1918 or ‘Ribey’ is, by far, the best assault rifle in the game. The only gun that out-damages the Ribey is the Breda M1935. However, the Breda suffers from less accuracy, a slower RPM, and a smaller magazine. At 540 RPM (rounds per minute) and a 25 round clip, the Ribey outclasses every other assault rifle ten-fold. While the Ribey can be set to full-auto and single-shot fire modes, you’re best bet is to use it as a burst weapon at mid-long ranges and full-auto while up close. Quick 2-round bursts will land accurate shots over great distances. Don’t treat the Ribey like a sniper rifle, though; its range isn’t that good.

Equipping the medium-range 3x scope will give the Ribey a clear picture without any intrusion. As a bonus, the Ribey comes pre-attached with a bipod that will activate automatically.

Specializations

  • Quick Aim — ADS 33% faster
  • Custom Stock — Improved accuracy in aimed fire while moving
  • High-Velocity Bullets — 10% faster bullets makes it easier to hit distant/moving targets
  • Barrel Bedding — Improved Accuracy in aimed fire when stationary

The M1 Garand

The jury remains out on the best semi-auto rifles in Battlefield V. Most of them are in such close similarity, the only real differences come down to sights and magazine size. The M1 Garand is an iconic semi-auto rifle when it comes to World War II-themed games. With the highest in-class accuracy and decent damage output, the M1 Garand outshines guns like the Gewehr 43 and the AG M/42. At 360 RPM, the M1 Garand will land quick follow-up shots. This gun’s iron sights are easy to work with but benefit from adding the medium-range 3x zoom scope.

Specializations

  • Barrel Bedding
  • Custom Stock
  • Lightened Stock — Move 60% faster while aiming with your weapon
  • Heavy Load — Increase long-range damage at the cost of RPM (sets it to 300)

Players can opt for the grenade launcher instead of Heavy Load if they’d prefer the higher RPM.

The Karabin 1938M

Finishing as a close third and arguably interchangeable with the M1 Garand, the Karabin is more comfortable to control and comes with a better final perk selection. While the base RPM is only 300, the Karabin’s 10-round clip sets it apart from the other high-powered semi-autos. The Karabin edges out the M1 Garand in terms of control and allows for even more accurate follow-up shots. Like the Ribey and the M1, the Karabin benefits from the medium-range 3x scope. Call of Duty players are spoiled by the number of usable scopes they’re able to unlock. Battlefield V takes realism to a whole new level with dirty scopes and intrusive iron sights.

Specializations

  • High-Velocity Bullets
  • Custom Stock
  • Lightened Stock
  • Recoil Buffer — Weapon recoils less upward

Best Medic class weapons

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The EMP

With the best-in-class accuracy, the EMP outshines almost every other Medic class weapon. Its iron sights are pristine, and its recoil is manageable. Players may experience some stiffness when using SMGs in Battlefield V. Remember: You’re not supposed to be charging in and racking up the kills. Your purpose is to defend yourself and revive your teammates. The EMP’s 32 round clip gives it and the highest among other SMGs. You’re more than welcome to use a sight on the EMP, but they may prove more intrusive than the EMP’s stock iron sights.

Specializations

  • Quick Aim
  • Custom Stock
  • Lightened Stock
  • Recoil Buffer

The Type 100

The Type 100 makes the list because of its high RPM while maintaining accuracy. At 720 RPM, the Type 100 is deadly at close range. Its 30 round clip will fend off multiple enemies while you’re trying to revive your squad-mates. While it doesn’t boast as high stat-lines as the STEN, the Type 100 comes with a built-in bipod for more accurate shots while prone or mounted. The Type 100 and STEN can be interchanged based on playstyle. Are you a more aggressive Medic than you should be? If so, you may be better suited with the STEN.

Specializations

  • Quick Aim
  • Custom Stock
  • Lightened Stock
  • Recoil Buffer

The Commando Carbine

The Commando is situational but fun to use. Let’s pretend you’re acting as the Medic for a squad of snipers in Conquest mode. You’ll still want to aid your teammates in getting kills and defending flags while still being able to pick them up. An SMG will prove useless in this situation. Enter the Medic’s bolt-action arsenal and the Commando Carbine. With the best-in-class Control and RPM among the bolt-actions, the Commando will get well-placed kill shots on targets marked by your Recon class teammates. You’ll definitely want to attach the medium-range 3x scope to this one.

Specializations

  • Quick Aim
  • High-Velocity Bullets
  • Machined Bolt — Cycle the weapon quicker to allow for a higher rate of fire
  • Extended Magazine — increases the Commando’s mag size to 11 (was eight)

Best Support class weapon

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The Lewis Gun

You’ll rarely see anybody using the Support class in today’s Battlefield V meta. While they provide valuable ammo re-fills and suppressive fire for their teammates, the Support class gets bogged down by weapons that must be mounted. The Lewis Gun is the most viable Support class weapon if you’re looking to land accurate shots without being prone. There are two schools of thought when playing the Lewis Gun. players can either treat it more like an assault rifle and play aggressively, or take the defensive approach, mount up, and guard your objectives from incoming enemies.

Specializations

  • Quick Aim
  • Ported Barrel — Reduces weapon’s horizontal recoil.
  • Barrel Bedding
  • Recoil Buffer

The only other alternative to the Lewis Gun is the KE7. You’ll find the KE7 usable as you increase your Support class to rank 10 to unlock the Lewis Gun. Otherwise, mounted weapons and shotguns are you’re only other options. Close quarters game modes may render shotguns useful, but the sheer scale of most Battlefield V doesn’t make them very viable. For now, the Lewis Gun will be the end-all-be-all for the Support class.

Best Recon class weapons

Battlefield 5 Recon Class
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The Gewehr M95/30

It’s now time to turn to everyone’s favorite Battlefield V activity — sniping. While the Recon class has five different classifications of weapons to choose from, we’ll be focusing on classic bolt-action snipers and one semi-auto worth noting. The Gewehr takes the cake for best-in-class damage on par with the Type 99 Arisaka. These two sniper rifles share identical stats, with the Gewehr edging out the Arisaka in RPM. When it comes to an equally matched long-range sniper duel, the better RPM will win the day. While Battlefield V can be ‘headshot or bust,’ the Gewehr will kill any enemy that’s taken even the smallest sliver of prior damage. Of course, Battlefield V snipers should always be going for headshots.

Specializations

  • Quick Aim
  • Slings and Swivels — Switch weapons 15% faster and shoot sooner after sprinting
  • Machined Bolt
  • Variable Zeroing — Allows changing the zeroing of the weapon for long-range sniping.

The ZH-29

As mentioned, sniping in Battlefield V can be headshot or bust. While the ZH-29 isn’t ideal for long-range battles, it’s perfect on smaller maps and condensed game modes like team deathmatch. The ZH is a consistent 2-shot kill to the chest and up. Its quick RPM makes for immediate follow-up shots. Your target will only have a fraction of a second to move before you place your next shot.  What makes the ZH even more impressive is the full 6-round magazine reload. Where most other semi-auto guns in Battlefield V force you to reload single bullets or five rounds at a time, the ZH will dump its current magazine in exchange for a brand new one. This, of course, stems from equipping the right specializations.

Specializations

  • High-Velocity Bullets
  • Detachable Magazines — Use the weapon with detachable magazines for shorter and consistent reload times.
  • Barrel Bedding
  • Recoil Buffer

Best sidearmsBattlefield 5 Pistol

The M1911

There is no other sidearm. The M1911 is the best all-around pistol in the game and will save your life in a pinch. It’s great for finishing off weak enemies and easy to switch to when you run out of ammo. It’ll be a sniper’s best friend other than their spawn beacon. You’re more than welcome to use MK VI Revolver if you’re looking to taunt your opponent. Every other pistol in the game falls short. If you’re looking to play more stealthily, go ahead and buy the silenced M1911 for 300 Company Points. However, a silenced pistol isn’t going to make much difference in the grand scheme of things.

Best explosives

Battlefield 5 Explosives
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The ideal tank-buster will be equipped with anti-tank grenades, sticky dynamite, and either the PIAT anti-vehicle launcher or the Panzerfaust. Both launchers will pack a serious punch against armored cars and tanks. The PIAT does have a slightly faster reload time, giving it a small edge. Both weapons are perfectly viable. Dynamite will be your best friend when taking down tanks. You can throw it a considerable distance, so make sure you’re far away from the blast radius when you detonate. Dynamite does not work like C4 in Call of Duty or past Battlefield games. You will have to pull out the detonator and blow it manually.

Best melee weapons

Battlefield Machete
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Battlefield V has a huge assortment of different melee weapons to unlock and equip. Most of these can be acquired by completing various in-game challenges and are purely cosmetic. Equipping legendary melee weapons is only meant to flaunt your character as you assassinate someone from behind. You should only be using melee weapons to one-shot enemies you’ve successfully snuck upon. Otherwise, it will always require two melee hits to kill an enemy at full health. You’re better off hip-firing whatever weapon you’re carrying or switching to your pistol if playing Recon.

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Mike Colucci
Michael Colucci is a lifelong video game fan based out of the greater Boston area. He's the one insistent on searching every…
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