Choose a kit you can afford to replace
The Free Loadout in Ready Up is available as an entry point when your Stash is thin. You can also equip stored weapons, use a weapon you brought back from Hajin, or buy and build weapons after opening the Gunsmith at DMZ level 10.
The three builds below are suggested roles. Set your budget around what you can lose on this run, then keep replacement gear in the Stash.
- Recovery run: use the Free Loadout or an inexpensive spare weapon. Check for armor, a backpack, and wound treatment. Extract with replacements before spending on attachments.
- Mixed terrain: take a controllable assault rifle for streets and longer approaches. If available, prioritize a clear optic and a recoil-control attachment, then test both at the FOB firing range.
- Indoor objectives: consider an SMG for short sightlines, with smoke for an exposed crossing if you have it. Ask a squadmate to cover longer approaches with a rifle.
Spend on upgrades after testing the base weapon
The FOB guide uses the M4 assault rifle as an example of a purchasable base weapon. Extract a Weapon Manual to open the corresponding purchase option. The Gunsmith can also modify weapons you extract, and attachment availability depends on the weapon’s progression and unlocks.
Suggested upgrade order: test the base weapon first, change the one attachment that solves your biggest handling problem, and check the total cost before adding anything else. Damaged loot weapons can behave differently, so inspect what you picked up before making it your primary.
Check DMZ weapon tuning before copying a build
Call of Duty documents separate weapon tuning for Multiplayer and DMZ. Check the DMZ portion of the patch notes when judging a build, especially after a balance update.
At the firing range, try your optic up close and at distance and check whether you can keep a short burst on target. Take the inexpensive version on a run before risking a fully built copy.