Best Rival 9 loadout, attachments, and perks in MW3

If you’re wondering what the best Rival 9 loadout in MW3 looks like, then you’ve come to the right place. You shouldn’t let this SMG’s relatively diminutive stature fool you; its fast rate of fire and respectable damage output can still terrorize matches consistently, and it only gets better when you equip it with the right accessories. With the official launch of MW3 now imminent, it’s best you prepare yourself with the most powerful firearms.

Of course, if you prefer using weapons with more stopping power, you can always take a look at our best BAS-B loadout, best MTZ-762 loadout, and best MTZ-556 loadout instead. But if you want to find out what the optimal Rival 9 build looks like to rack up kills quickly, we’ve got you covered here.

Best Rival 9 loadout and attachment in MW3

• Stock: Bruen Flash V4 Stock
• Barrel: Rival-38E Fire Starter Barrel
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Rear Grip: Rival Vice Assault Grip
• Optic: Caucasus Reflex Sight

The Rival 9 suffers from heavy recoil when you’re holding down the trigger. Fortunately, the XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop and Rival Vice Assault Grip help in mellowing out its erratic spray pattern, as the former decreases horizontal recoil. At the same time, the latter provides you with more recoil control. Naturally, good Aim Down Sight Speed is essential to any loadout, and the Bruen Flash V4 Stock and Rival-38E Fire Starter Barrel help improve just that.

Lastly, you can equip the Caucasus Reflex Sight with the Rival 9 for better target acquisition. However, if you feel like your weapon lacks ammo capacity, you can opt for the 40-round Mag attachment instead.

Best Rival 9 perks and equipment in MW3

• Vest: Infantry Vest
• Tactical: Flash Grenade
• Lethal: Frag Grenade
• Field Equipment: Trophy System / Comm Scrambler
• Gloves: Quick-Grip Gloves
• Boots: Tactical Pads
• Gear: EOD Padding

Even though the Gunner Vest enables you to carry two Primary Weapons simultaneously, it prevents you from using the essential Tactical Pads item. And since good movement is more valuable than carrying two bulky weapons, we recommend equipping the Infantry Vest with this loadout. In addition, you’ll want to have the ability to reload quickly while on the move, which is where the Commando Gloves come into play.

As mentioned, Tactical Pads are necessary for almost all MW3 loadouts, and our recommended Rival 9 build is no different. Finally, EOD Padding is an underrated yet equally crucial piece of this combination since it gives you that extra bit of survivability on the battlefield. The Tactical and Lethal combination of Flash and Frag Grenades is also a mainstay along with the Trophy System. However, you can swap it out for the Comm Scrambler, depending on the mode you’re playing in.

How to unlock Rival 9 in MW3

During the MW3 beta, you could unlock the Rival 9 reaching level 14 in the game. As soon as you do, you’ll also unlock the fast-firing SMG and the Sam Turret killstreak, which launches a targeted missile strike against air vehicles. This is especially valuable if you want to take down prolonged aircraft killstreaks that constantly patrol the map, like the Overwatch Helo or the Chopper Gunner.

That covers all you need to know about the best Rival 9 loadout in MW3. For more, check out our guides on the best MCW loadout in MW3, and the best Holger loadout in MW3 before the game launches next month. For more guides, take a look at our MW3 Ranked Play or go over our expected MW3 Season 2 release date as well.

Rival 9 FAQs

Is Rival 9 good in MW3?

Yes it is. The weapon is a high-damage pistol with a slow fire rate and good recoil control.

What is the best way to use the Rival 9?

The Rival 9 is best used at medium to long range. It is a high-damage pistol that can take down enemies with a few well-placed shots. However, it is important to be aware of the slow fire rate and make sure each shot counts.

What are the best attachments for the Rival 9?

The best attachments for the Rival 9 depend on your playstyle. However, we suggest using:

• Stock: Bruen Flash V4 Stock
• Barrel: Rival-38E Fire Starter Barrel
• Underbarrel: XRK Edge BW-4 Handstop
• Rear Grip: Rival Vice Assault Grip
• Optic: Caucasus Reflex Sight