Starter Weapons Ranked in WARDOGS

WARDOGS starter weapon overview

WARDOGS handles weapon damage differently from many shooters: caliber, hit location, armor, and range all matter. A cheap weapon is not automatically useless, while an expensive weapon may still require better positioning or accuracy to perform well.

This guide focuses on the low-level firearms available before you unlock high-tier options such as the Galil. The testing standard is mainly Tier 2 armor, since that protection is inexpensive and common in regular combat. Against armored targets, aim for the head or upper torso rather than relying on limb shots.

Damage zones and armor basics

WARDOGS has several hit zones, similar to the detailed damage model found in PUBG. The same weapon can produce very different results depending on whether you hit the head, chest, abdomen, arms, hands, feet, or legs.

• Head: The best target for the starter 5.56 rifles. At close range, they can eliminate a Tier 2 armored target with approximately three head hits.
• Upper torso: The most reliable general target. The starter rifles take about six hits to the upper torso under the tested conditions.
• Lower torso: Usually requires around seven hits with the starter rifles.
• Arms and hands: Poor targets because small limbs receive reduced damage.
• Legs: More forgiving than hands or feet, but still less efficient than the chest.
• Pelvic area: Can sometimes produce useful damage, but deliberately aiming for it is less consistent than shooting the chest.

Armor also changes the value of each weapon. The MP9, PP-19 Vityaz, and Glock 17 all deal roughly 27 damage to the head in the examples tested, but their 9mm ammunition is not especially effective against armored enemies. The double-barreled shotgun has a similar problem when loaded with buckshot.

Quick ranked verdict

There is no single best firearm for every engagement, but the following order reflects general usefulness, consistency, and practicality for early progression.

1. AK-74: The best low-level rifle for reliable accuracy and controllable performance.
2. Bushmaster M17S: The strongest default starter rifle mainly because its sight picture is clean and comfortable.
3. T-21: A capable automatic rifle with strong close-range damage output, but it costs money and punishes missed shots.
4. MP9: Excellent for close-quarters fights, hot drops, vehicles, and fast reloads with the 20-round magazine.
5. Double-barreled shotgun with slugs: Potentially devastating at close range, although inconsistent and highly dependent on ammunition choice.
6. SKS: Strong medium-range damage, but its recoil and slow reload limit its usefulness for inexperienced players.
7. PP-19 Vityaz: Functional, but less attractive than the MP9 because it costs more, takes more inventory space, and has heavier recoil while using the same 9mm damage profile.
8. Glock 17: A useful emergency secondary, especially beside a sniper rifle, but not a weapon to choose for sustained fights when better options are available.
9. Scout: Easy to carry and magazine-free, but its low damage and slow break-action reload make it a weak combat choice.

Starter rifles compared

Each team receives a different starting rifle: the Bushmaster M17S, A-91, or KH2002. Despite their different names and appearances, they are functionally very similar in the tested configuration.

• All use 5.56 ammunition.
• All normally use a 20-round STANAG magazine.
• Larger magazines can be found.
• They offer semi-automatic and burst firing modes.
• Their damage against Tier 2 armor is broadly the same.

Best starter rifle sight

The main practical difference is the mechanical sight. The Bushmaster M17S has the cleanest and most comfortable sight picture of the three. The KH2002 has the least appealing sight in comparison, so consider swapping weapons when you find a different starter rifle on the ground.

All three can fire a three-shot burst, but semi-automatic fire is usually the safer choice. The burst mode has very little delay between shots and can be entertaining, yet it sends multiple rounds quickly and makes missed shots costly. If you struggle to control it, use semi-auto or move to an automatic weapon.

T-21 and AK-74

T-21 review

The T-21 costs approximately $600 and uses a 20-round magazine by default, with larger magazines available. Its damage is comparable to the starter rifles, but it provides automatic fire, effectively giving you the sustained fire mode that the starter rifles lack.

The T-21 performs well at close range and can deliver excellent damage per second when you are accurate. Its recoil is manageable rather than perfect, and the main weakness is practical: in a real fight, it is easy to miss several rounds while trying to maintain automatic fire.

• Choose it when: You want automatic fire without moving to a more expensive rifle.
• Avoid relying on it when: You have difficulty controlling recoil or conserving ammunition.

AK-74 review

The AK-74 costs approximately $1,600. Despite its name, it does not use 7.62 ammunition in this game; its effectiveness is close to the 5.56 rifles. Its rate of fire is slightly lower than the T-21, but it compensates with excellent reliability and accuracy even without modifications.

The AK-74 also has strong sights and predictable handling. It is particularly effective when you can maintain accurate shots at medium range or punish enemies exposed in the open. Its drawbacks are the lower rate of fire and slightly reduced damage compared with the 5.56 weapons, but its consistency makes it the best all-round low-level rifle.

MP9 and PP-19 Vityaz SMGs

MP9 review

The B&T MP9 is the most practical early submachine gun for close-quarters combat. It uses 9mm ammunition, has useful hip-fire performance, and aims faster than a typical rifle. It is especially effective when fighting around vehicles, tanks, or other cover where you can quickly appear, fire, reload, and reposition.

The MP9 deals approximately 27 damage to the head and requires about seven hits to the upper torso in the tested conditions. Its damage drops off more quickly with range than the starter rifles, and its bullet velocity makes long-distance fights difficult. It also performs poorly against armor compared with larger-caliber options.

Magazine choice is one of its biggest advantages:

• 20-round magazine: Uses only one inventory slot and allows fast reloads.
• 30-round magazine: Provides more capacity but takes additional space.
• 50-round drum: Useful for sustained close-range fire, but occupies two inventory slots.

The 20-round magazine is surprisingly practical because it lets you carry more ammunition in the same space. It also supports a fast rhythm of eliminating one opponent, reloading, and immediately re-engaging another.

PP-19 Vityaz review

The PP-19 Vityaz shares the MP9’s 9mm damage profile, including approximately 27 damage to the head. Its available magazines include 10, 30, and 50 rounds. The 10-round option is particularly impractical, while the 50-round magazine occupies two inventory slots.

Although the Vityaz has appealing weapon animations, it is difficult to recommend over the MP9. It costs more, consumes more space through its ammunition options, has more noticeable recoil, and does not compensate with higher damage. Use it if it is the weapon available, but prefer the MP9 when choosing between the two.

Double-barreled shotgun

The double-barreled shotgun costs approximately $400 and can be dangerous at very close range. Its biggest issue is inconsistency: buckshot spreads randomly, so two shots from a similar distance can produce noticeably different damage.

Against Tier 2 armor, buckshot is unreliable and often fails to deliver the expected finishing damage. The shotgun is much more effective against unarmored targets, but armor is common because even low-level protection is inexpensive.

Choose the right ammunition

Slugs are the better option when you expect armored opponents. A slug is one large projectile with high bullet velocity, and the tested example dealt approximately 54 damage at the demonstrated distance. Slugs can also produce very high head and upper-body damage, making a two-shot kill possible at close range.

• Use buckshot when: You are fighting at extremely close range and need broad pellet coverage.
• Use slugs when: You want more consistent damage, better reach, and a stronger answer to armor.
• Remember: You can change the ammunition back if the situation changes.

The shotgun is a situational ambush weapon rather than a dependable primary. It rewards patience and close positioning, but random spread makes it a poor choice for open fights.

SKS marksman rifle

The SKS is the first low-level 7.62×39 marksman rifle in this selection. Its damage is much higher than the 5.56 rifles in individual hits: the tested figures were approximately 63 to the head, 36 to the chest, and 32 to the lower chest.

Despite those numbers, it is not an instant-kill weapon against a geared target. You should expect several accurate follow-up shots, with the source testing generally requiring around four hits depending on the hit locations and armor interaction.

The SKS has considerable recoil, especially when fired too quickly. Treat it as a designated marksman rifle: pause between shots, reacquire the target, and fire again. It can tear through enemies at medium range when used patiently.

Its main handling weakness is the lack of a faster detachable magazine option in the tested setup. Reloading is therefore slower than many players expect, and missing shots can leave you vulnerable.

Scout rifle and Glock 17

Scout rifle

The Scout is a 5.56 break-action rifle that does not need a magazine. That makes it simple to carry and easy to maintain, but its combat performance is weak for its price, which is approximately $53 in the tested setup.

Its damage is not high enough to reliably eliminate a helmeted enemy with one shot. Body hits also require follow-up shots, while the break-action reload is slow. The rifle can be enjoyable for target shooting, but it is difficult to justify in an active combat zone when faster weapons are available.

Glock 17

The Glock 17 is a 9mm sidearm that deals approximately 27 damage in the tested example, matching the general damage profile of the 9mm submachine guns. It therefore requires a series of accurate shots against armored enemies.

As a backup weapon for the Scout or another slow primary, the Glock is useful. It can also be a worthwhile weapon to pick up from an enemy when your current secondary is empty or ineffective. It should not be your first choice for a prolonged fight, but it is a functional emergency sidearm.

Practical early-game loadout advice

1. Start with the rifle you receive. The Bushmaster M17S, A-91, and KH2002 have nearly identical combat performance.
2. Compare sights when looting. Prioritize the Bushmaster’s cleaner sight picture, and consider replacing the KH2002 if you dislike its mechanical sight.
3. Aim for the upper torso. Headshots are efficient, but chest shots are easier to maintain under pressure.
4. Use automatic fire only when you can control it. The T-21 is powerful at close range, but missed shots quickly reduce its advantage.
5. Keep the MP9 for aggressive close-range play. Its fast aiming, hip fire, and quick 20-round reloads suit hot areas and vehicle-based attacks.
6. Load slugs into the double barrel against armor. Buckshot is much less dependable when every opponent is protected.
7. Slow down with the SKS. Fire measured shots instead of trying to use it like an automatic rifle.
8. Do not overvalue caliber alone. The AK-74 is accurate and reliable, but its damage is close to the 5.56 rifles rather than a true 7.62 rifle.
9. Manage inventory space. Large SMG magazines may consume two slots, while the MP9’s 20-round magazine provides an efficient compromise.

Final recommendations

For most players, the AK-74 is the strongest low-level purchase because it combines dependable accuracy, good sights, and consistent handling. If you have not unlocked it, use whichever starter rifle has the most comfortable sight, with the Bushmaster M17S being the preferred option.

Choose the T-21 when you need automatic fire and are confident in your aim. Pick the MP9 for close-range aggression, fast reloads, and vehicle or hot-zone fights. The shotgun can be excellent with slugs in a prepared ambush, while the SKS is the better choice for disciplined medium-range players.

The Vityaz, Scout, and Glock 17 are usable but more specialized. The Vityaz offers no clear damage advantage over the MP9, the Scout gives up too much combat speed, and the Glock is best reserved as a backup. Above all, target the head or upper torso, respect armor, and choose your ammunition and magazine size around the fight you expect to take.