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The 556 Icarus is an incredible Light Machine Gun in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, and very likely the first of its kind that you’ll unlock.
Don’t think that means it’s weaker compared to others in its class though, the 556 Icarus is quite possibly the strongest LMG currently available in Modern Warfare 2 and is right up there with the Kastov when it comes to the best weapons in MW2.
READ MORE: These are the best Perks In Modern Warfare 2
The Icarus is an incredible tool that anyone looking for high rates of fire, damage, long-range performance, and area denial should heavily consider. If you liked the M4, the Icarus is a beefier but familar machine gun that could well suit your playstyle.
MW2 Best 556 Icarus Loadout
LMGs bring a familiar set of strengths to the table in Modern Warfare 2. Consistent damage and accuracy at most ranges, huge ammo capacity and clip size are all hallmarks of the category and are fully on display in the 556 Icarus.
If the Icarus has a stumbling block, it’s the weakness that will always plague LMGs; an abnormally lengthy reload time.
Thankfully, the Icarus compensates through its magazine size being fairly huge. But even that isn’t enough to stave off frustration when you have to spend precious seconds reloading in the middle of a firefight, at which point it’s almost always better to simply switch to a sidearm instead.
READ MORE: This is the best M4 loadout you can get in Modern Warfare 2
The 556 Icarus’ recoil is also tough to manage with sustained fire, but thankfully its damage potential means that it doesn’t take too many accurate hits to gun foes down.
When using the 556 Icarus in Modern Warfare 2, you’ll be best served by slow, methodical play. Advancing in a rush will get you shot down by close-range options that can deal maximum damage as the Icarus is winding up. Proceeding with caution and being ready to aim and fire will mitigate recoil and a slow start-up, turning you from an easy target to a devastating mobile turret, dealing out damage few can match.
MW2 best Icarus Attachments
The Icarus is a versatile weapon in Vanilla form, but lacks the damage and precision of the M4.
These attachments focus on adding recoil stability and compensation to the Icarus – while the Coldforge barrel helps bullet velocity and improves damage.
The Sakin Grip ensures you’ve got plenty of control.
- Muzzle: Forge-TAC Castle Compensator
- Barrel: FTAC Coldforge 16″ Barrel
- Underbarrel: VX Pineapple Vert Grip
- Stock: Demo Precision Elite Factory
- Rear Grip: Sakin VX Grip
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Perks to Equip With the 556 Icarus
| Recommended Perks | Alternatives |
|---|---|
| Fast Hands | Quick Fix |
| E.O.D | Ghost |
| Survivor |
Fast Hands
As previously mentioned, the Icarus’ primary weakness is its sluggish reload speed, often necessitating swapping to a subweapon until danger has passed. Fast Hands fixes this problem by halving your reload times, allowing the 556 Icarus to come back online that much quicker.
E.O.D.
As with many LMGs, the 556 Icarus allows you to set up in an incredible fortified position in Modern Warfare 2. The Icarus will especially excel at allowing you to capture and hold points, gunning down anyone that tries to approach.
In these scenarios, your biggest threat can often be explosive equipment hurled from afar. E.O.D will reduce the damage you take from these explosives, allowing you to reposition and strike back.
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Tactical Equipment to Use With The 556 Icarus
Drill Charge
An explosive option that will allow you to burrow through cover and vehicles, disrupting fortified enemies and breaking up their position.
Stun Grenade
Equally helpful for making an aggressive push and retreating under a difficult assault, the stun grenade will disorient opponents and leave them vulnerable, giving you the opportunity to reposition or close in for the kill.
Modern Warfare 2 – Best Weapons to Pair With the 556 Icarus
Signal 50 Sniper Rifle
While the 556 Icarus has a high rate of fire and huge damage potential, sustained accuracy is a must for finishing foes off. The Signal 50 on the other hand will deal devastating damage in a single shot, as is its specialty as Modern Warfare’s only current Sniper Rifle.
If you really want to focus on hunkering down, defending locations, and picking off enemies from afar, the Signal 50 pairs incredibly well with the 556 Icarus in Modern Warfare 2.
Expedite 12 Shotgun
If you want an option to help while going mobile, the Expedite 12 is well worth investing in the Overkill perk.
The 556 Icarus can be a tricky weapon to handle while maneuvering, doing its best work when settled or carefully scouting a position. It is often possible that opponents will gun you down unexpectedly in close quarters. The Expedite 12 allows you to play more aggressively, cutting down foes from close-up in a shot or two when advancing on a guarded spot.
556 Icarus FAQ
How To Unlock The 556 Icarus
Players must level up the M4 to level 18 to unlock the 556 Icarus.
Is the 556 Icarus real?
The 556 Icarus in Modern Warfare 2 is based on a real-life Fightlite MCR.
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