Starter Weapons Ranked in WARDOGS

WARDOGS starter weapons overview

WARDOGS uses a detailed damage model. Caliber, hit location, armor, and range can change how quickly a target goes down. This means the most expensive weapon is not always the best choice for every fight.

This guide focuses on weapons available before higher-tier options such as the Galil. The comparisons use Tier 2 armor as the main reference because it is inexpensive and common in regular combat. Exact results can change with distance, hit placement, armor, and weapon setup.

Damage zones and armor basics

Weapons can hit the head, upper torso, lower torso, arms, hands, legs, feet, and pelvic area. These zones do not provide the same damage. Against an armored target, aim for the head when you can do so reliably. Otherwise, the upper torso is usually the most practical target.

• Head: Starter 5.56 rifles can eliminate a Tier 2 armored target with about three head hits in the tested conditions.
• Upper torso: This is the most reliable general target. Starter rifles needed about six hits in the tested example.
• Lower torso: Usually takes more hits than the upper torso.
• Arms and hands: These are poor targets because limb damage is reduced.
• Legs: More forgiving than hands or feet, but less efficient than chest shots.

Armor also changes the value of ammunition. The MP9, PP-19 Vityaz, and Glock 17 share a similar 9mm damage profile in the tested examples, but 9mm ammunition is not especially effective against armored enemies. The double-barreled shotgun has a similar problem when loaded with buckshot.

Quick starter weapon ranking

There is no single best weapon for every situation. The following order reflects general usefulness, handling, consistency, and practicality during early progression.

1. AK-74: The strongest all-round low-level rifle because of its accuracy and predictable handling.
2. Bushmaster M17S: The most comfortable default starter rifle because of its clean sight picture.
3. T-21: A useful automatic rifle with strong close-range output, but missed shots are costly.
4. MP9: A strong close-quarters option with fast aiming, useful hip fire, and quick reloads.
5. Double-barreled shotgun with slugs: Potentially powerful at close range, but highly dependent on positioning and ammunition.
6. SKS: A hard-hitting medium-range rifle that requires recoil control and patient shooting.
7. PP-19 Vityaz: Functional, but less practical than the MP9 because it costs more and offers no clear damage advantage.
8. Glock 17: A useful emergency secondary, especially alongside a slow primary weapon.
9. Scout: Easy to carry, but its low damage and slow break-action reload limit its combat value.

Starter rifles compared

The main starter rifles are the Bushmaster M17S, A-91, and KH2002. In the tested configuration, they are broadly similar in combat performance.

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

Which starter rifle has the best sight?

The biggest practical difference is the mechanical sight. The Bushmaster M17S has the cleanest sight picture of the three. The KH2002 is less comfortable by comparison, so consider replacing it when you find another starter rifle.

All three rifles can fire a three-shot burst. Semi-automatic fire is usually easier to control and makes missed shots less expensive. Use burst fire only if you can manage its fast sequence of rounds.

AK-74 and T-21

AK-74 review

The AK-74 costs approximately $1,600 in the tested setup. Despite its name, it does not use 7.62 ammunition in this game. Its damage is close to the 5.56 rifles, but its strong sights, accuracy, and predictable handling make it easier to use consistently.

The AK-74 has a slightly lower rate of fire than the T-21 and does not deliver the same damage profile as a traditional high-damage rifle. Its advantage is control. It works well at medium range and rewards players who place accurate shots instead of spraying.

T-21 review

The T-21 costs approximately $600 and uses a 20-round magazine by default. Larger magazines are available. Its main advantage over the starter rifles is automatic fire, which gives it better sustained close-range pressure.

The T-21 can deliver strong damage per second when your aim is steady. Its recoil is manageable, but automatic fire can quickly waste ammunition when several rounds miss. Choose it when you want an inexpensive automatic rifle and can control its recoil.

MP9 and PP-19 Vityaz

MP9 review

The B&T MP9 is one of the most practical early submachine guns for close-range fights. It aims quickly, performs well from the hip, and works around vehicles, tanks, and cover where short engagements are common.

In the tested example, the MP9 dealt approximately 27 damage to the head and required about seven upper-torso hits. Its damage falls off more quickly than that of the starter rifles, and its bullet velocity makes long-range fights difficult. It is also less effective against armor than larger-caliber options.

Magazine choice affects its inventory value:

• 20-round magazine: Uses one inventory slot and reloads quickly.
• 30-round magazine: Adds capacity but uses more space.
• 50-round drum: Supports sustained fire but takes two inventory slots.

The 20-round magazine is often the most efficient option. It leaves more space for ammunition and other equipment while still supporting quick reloads.

PP-19 Vityaz review

The PP-19 Vityaz shares the MP9’s 9mm damage profile in the tested examples. Its available magazines include 10, 30, and 50 rounds, with the largest option taking two inventory slots.

The Vityaz is usable when it is the weapon available, but the MP9 is usually the better choice between the two. The Vityaz costs more, has more noticeable recoil, and does not provide a clear damage improvement.

Double-barreled shotgun

The double-barreled shotgun costs approximately $400 in the tested setup and can be dangerous at very close range. Its weakness is consistency. Buckshot spreads randomly, so two shots from a similar distance can produce different results.

Against Tier 2 armor, buckshot can fail to deliver the damage needed for a quick finish. It is more effective against unarmored targets, but low-level armor is common because it is inexpensive.

Buckshot or slugs?

Slugs are the stronger option when armored enemies are likely. A slug is one large projectile with higher bullet velocity. The tested example dealt approximately 54 damage at the demonstrated distance, and close-range head or upper-body hits could make a two-shot kill possible.

• Use buckshot: At extremely close range when broad pellet coverage is useful.
• Use slugs: When you need more consistent damage and better reach against armor.

The shotgun works best as a prepared ambush weapon. It is much less dependable in open fights where distance and random spread become bigger problems.

SKS marksman rifle

The SKS is a low-level 7.62×39 marksman rifle with much higher individual-hit damage than the 5.56 rifles. The tested figures were approximately 63 damage to the head, 36 to the chest, and 32 to the lower chest.

These numbers do not mean every armored target will fall after one shot. Depending on hit location and armor interaction, the tested setup generally required several accurate hits.

The SKS has noticeable recoil, especially when fired too quickly. Treat it as a marksman rifle rather than an automatic weapon. Pause between shots, reacquire the target, and fire again. It is effective at medium range when used with patience.

Reloading is another limitation. The tested setup did not offer a faster detachable magazine option, so missed shots can leave you exposed while the weapon is being reloaded.

Scout rifle and Glock 17

Scout rifle review

The Scout is a 5.56 break-action rifle that does not require a magazine. This makes it simple to carry, but its combat performance is weak for its tested price of approximately $53.

It does not reliably eliminate a helmeted enemy with one shot. Body hits require follow-up shots, and the break-action reload is slow. The Scout can be enjoyable for target shooting, but it is difficult to recommend when faster weapons are available.

Glock 17 review

The Glock 17 is a 9mm sidearm with approximately 27 damage in the tested example. It therefore needs several accurate hits against armored targets.

Its main value is as a backup weapon. It pairs well with a slow primary such as the Scout and can help when your main weapon is empty or unsuitable. It is not the best choice for a prolonged fight when a stronger primary weapon is available.

Practical early-game loadout advice

1. Use your starting rifle first. The Bushmaster M17S, A-91, and KH2002 have broadly similar performance.
2. Check the sight picture. The Bushmaster M17S is the most comfortable option in the tested comparison.
3. Aim for the upper torso. Headshots are more efficient, but chest shots are easier to maintain under pressure.
4. Use automatic fire carefully. The T-21 is useful at close range, but missed rounds quickly reduce its advantage.
5. Choose the MP9 for close fights. Fast aiming, hip fire, and quick reloads suit aggressive play around cover.
6. Load slugs when armor is expected. Buckshot is less dependable against protected targets.
7. Slow down with the SKS. Measured shots are more effective than trying to use it like an automatic rifle.
8. Watch inventory space. Large SMG magazines can take two slots, while the MP9 20-round magazine offers a useful compromise.
9. Do not judge only by caliber. The AK-74 is valuable because of its handling and accuracy, not because its name guarantees higher damage.

Final starter weapon recommendations

For most players, the AK-74 is the strongest low-level purchase because it combines accuracy, good sights, and predictable handling. Before obtaining it, use the starter rifle with the most comfortable sight, with the Bushmaster M17S being the preferred option in this comparison.

Choose the T-21 when you want automatic fire and can control recoil. Pick the MP9 for close-range aggression, fast reloads, and fights around vehicles or cover. The double-barreled shotgun can work well with slugs in a prepared ambush, while the SKS suits players who prefer careful medium-range shots.

The Vityaz, Scout, and Glock 17 are more specialized. The Vityaz offers no clear advantage over the MP9, the Scout gives up too much combat speed, and the Glock is best kept as a backup. Whatever you carry, respect armor, aim for useful hit zones, and choose ammunition and magazine size around the fight you expect to take.