Before the classes
Perks are split into three categories, and only some names are confirmed before launch: Fast Hands, Battle Hardened, Lethal Reach, Ghost and Overkill. If a perk you want is not listed here, it may still exist in the full game; check the in-game Create-a-Class list on October 23.
The Riot Shield is a Field Upgrade now, not a weapon. It is destructible. The Bomb Glider is a new piece of equipment that lets you approach from unexpected angles. Both change how objective pushes work.
1. Close-range rush — ISO Nightshade
| Slot | Choice |
|---|---|
| Primary | ISO Nightshade |
| Attachments | Sprint-out stock, ADS-speed rear grip, recoil muzzle, extended magazine |
| Secondary | Krait P68 |
| Perks | Fast Hands, Battle Hardened, Lethal Reach |
| Lethal / tactical | Frag, Flash |
| Field upgrade | Riot Shield or Bomb Glider |
| Best modes | TDM, Kill Confirmed, Hardpoint |
Play this on Lotus, Cachette and Mumbai's interior routes. The Nightshade wins fights inside 15 metres; do not challenge a Kastov across a lane. Use the pistol to move without exposing your primary's reload.
2. All-round — M4
| Slot | Choice |
|---|---|
| Primary | M4 |
| Attachments | Recoil muzzle, bullet-velocity barrel, ADS rear grip, extended magazine |
| Secondary | Krait P68 |
| Perks | Fast Hands, Battle Hardened, Ghost |
| Lethal / tactical | Frag, Smoke |
| Field upgrade | Riot Shield |
| Best modes | Domination, Hardpoint, Frontline |
The M4 is the default answer to "I do not know the map yet." Build it for recoil and velocity, not pure mobility. Smoke is for crossing the open lanes on Coal and Transit 213.
3. Damage anchor — Kastov 762
| Slot | Choice |
|---|---|
| Primary | Kastov 762 |
| Attachments | Vertical-recoil muzzle, control underbarrel, stability stock, 30-round magazine |
| Apex | Kastov Arc if you want anti-vehicle utility |
| Secondary | Krait P68 |
| Perks | Battle Hardened, Fast Hands, Ghost |
| Lethal / tactical | Frag, Flash |
| Field upgrade | Riot Shield |
| Best modes | Domination, Ground War: Combat Outpost |
The Kastov is for players who hold lanes and pre-aim. It kicks hard; control the first three bullets and the rest follow. The Kastov Arc turns it into a utility weapon against vehicles and equipment, which is valuable in Combat Outpost.
4. Sniper support — KG-7 Vulcan
| Slot | Choice |
|---|---|
| Primary | KG-7 Vulcan |
| Attachments | ADS-speed stock, flinch-resistance rear grip, quick-cycling bolt, variable optic |
| Secondary | ISO Nightshade |
| Perks | Ghost, Battle Hardened, Fast Hands |
| Lethal / tactical | Stim, Smoke |
| Field upgrade | Riot Shield |
| Best modes | Ground War, Frontline |
Do not run a sniper with a pistol on a 6v6 map. The ISO Nightshade secondary lets you rotate through buildings without being defenceless. Stim keeps you in the fight after a long-range trade.
5. Lane holder — Finn LMG
| Slot | Choice |
|---|---|
| Primary | Finn LMG |
| Attachments | Recoil muzzle, heavy barrel, extended belt, stability stock |
| Secondary | Krait P68 |
| Perks | Battle Hardened, Fast Hands, Lethal Reach |
| Lethal / tactical | Frag, Smoke |
| Field upgrade | Riot Shield |
| Best modes | Domination, Kill Confirmed, Combat Outpost |
The Finn is slow and stable. Set up on a lane with cover, pre-fire the common push routes, and move only when the objective flips. It is the best gun for holding a Headpoint or a Domination flag from range.
6. Collateral economy — pistol start
| Round | Buy |
|---|---|
| 1 | Armor Vest, Stim |
| 2 | Silenced Pistol or Revolver, Flash |
| 3 | Silenced SMG or Shotgun |
| 4+ | Tier 1 rifle, Ghost, UAV |
Collateral is 5v5 Search & Destroy with cash. Everyone starts with a pistol, kills and objective play earn money, and you lose your loadout when you die. Respawns, killstreaks, health regeneration and custom loadouts are disabled. Buy armour early, buy a real gun by round three, and save for a Tier 1 rifle when the enemy team starts stacking.
The buy menu includes Armor Vest, Battle Hardened, Lethal Reach, Fast Hands, Ghost, Flash, Molotov, Frag, Stim, Smoke Wall, Riot Shield, four pistol types, shotgun, LMG, marksman rifle, silenced SMG, agile SMG, five Tier 1 rifles and a team UAV. Money carries between rounds; loadouts do not.
DMZ adjustments
DMZ uses the same weapons but a different economy. You can carry two primaries, two secondaries, or one of each, and weapon levels are shared with multiplayer. Bring a suppressed weapon for the Stealth Meter, and do not take a Vault blueprint you cannot afford to lose. The DMZ guide covers the stash and insurance systems.
What not to do
- Do not copy a Warzone loadout into 6v6. Range and recoil behave differently without plates and 150 health.
- Do not run Overkill unless you actually use both primaries. It costs you a pistol and a perk slot.
- Do not build the Kastov for hipfire. It is a mid-range gun.
- Do not ignore the movement course. A good mantle slide wins more fights than a 5% recoil attachment.
FAQ
What is the best loadout for beginners?
M4 with recoil and velocity attachments, a Krait P68 backup, Fast Hands, Battle Hardened and Ghost. It is effective on every map and does not depend on a specific playstyle.
What is the best SMG loadout?
ISO Nightshade with sprint-out and ADS-speed attachments, a pistol backup, Fast Hands and Lethal Reach. Use it on Lotus, Cachette and Mumbai interiors.
How does Collateral's economy work?
Everyone starts with a pistol. Kills and objective play earn cash, which you spend between rounds on armour, perks, equipment and better weapons. Dying loses your loadout but keeps your money.
Can I use these loadouts in DMZ?
Yes, but DMZ adds weapon condition, a stash and extraction risk. Bring a suppressed gun and avoid taking your best blueprint until you have insurance.