Since its inception, Call of Duty has been renowned for its fast-paced, engaging combat, and at the heart of that experience lies its weapons and attachments. Over the years, the COD franchise has continuously evolved its weapon systems, introducing new ways for players to customize their loadouts and enhance their performance on the battlefield. From simple iron sights in the early games to complex Gunsmith systems today, weapon customization has become a central pillar of COD gameplay.
1. The Early Days: Pre-set Loadouts and Limited Customization
In the early Call of Duty titles, particularly in the World War II era games like COD 1 and COD 2, the concept of weapon customization was nearly non-existent. Players chose from pre-set loadouts based on classic WWII firearms, and any form of customization was limited to selecting a few basic weapons for different classes. For example, you had access to iconic guns like the M1 Garand, Thompson, or Kar98k, but players couldn’t alter their performance or appearance.
This simplicity kept the focus on skill and map knowledge, but as gaming technology advanced, so did players’ expectations for deeper customization options.
2. Modern Warfare 4 and the Birth of Attachments
The major turning point came with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare in 2007, which introduced a revolutionary class customization system through its “Create-a-Class” feature. Here, players could equip a primary weapon, secondary weapon, grenades, and perks, alongside choosing specific attachments for their guns.
Attachments like red dot sights, ACOG scopes, suppressors, and foregrips became game-changers. They allowed players to tailor their weapons to their preferred playstyle—whether it was long-range sniping, stealth, or run-and-gun tactics. This system not only added depth to gameplay but also gave players a sense of ownership over their loadouts.
3. The Rise of Perks and Weapon Proficiency
As the franchise expanded, so did the level of weapon customization. Titles like Modern Warfare 2 and Black Ops further expanded the range of attachments, adding under-barrel grenade launchers, dual-wield pistols, extended magazines, and more. But perhaps just as significant was the introduction of perks and weapon proficiency systems. These added layers to gunplay, allowing players to modify not just the gun but their overall effectiveness with it.
For example, perks like Sleight of Hand increased reload speeds, while Steady Aim improved hip-fire accuracy. These perks allowed players to optimize their gameplay based on their preferences, while the increasing variety of attachments helped players fine-tune how their guns performed in specific scenarios.
4. Black Ops II and the Pick 10 System
Call of Duty: Black Ops II pushed customization even further with the “Pick 10” system, which allowed players to fully customize their loadouts by choosing 10 items from a pool that included weapons, attachments, perks, and grenades. This introduced a new level of strategic decision-making, as players had to carefully balance their choices to build the most effective loadout for their playstyle.
The attachment system in Black Ops II also saw the introduction of hybrid optics and laser sights, further expanding how players could tweak their weapons for precision, speed, or versatility.
5. Advanced Warfare and the Future of Weapon Customization
The release of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare in 2014 marked a major shift toward futuristic weaponry and attachments. With the introduction of energy-based weapons, players were no longer limited to traditional ballistics. Advanced attachments like tracking drones, target enhancers, and heat scopes added a new level of sci-fi intensity to the series, requiring players to adapt to new gameplay mechanics.
Additionally, Advanced Warfare introduced “Supply Drops” and loot-based systems, allowing players to unlock unique weapon variants with different stats and aesthetics. This system created a more dynamic experience, where players were rewarded for grinding and opening drops with special guns and attachments not readily available to everyone.
6. The Gunsmith System: Modern Warfare (2019)
Perhaps the most significant leap in weapon customization came with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019), which introduced the groundbreaking Gunsmith system. This allowed players to customize nearly every aspect of their weapon—from barrels, optics, and stocks to muzzles, underbarrel grips, and even different ammunition types. The Gunsmith system gave players unprecedented control over how their weapons performed, and with over 50 attachments available for some guns, the combinations were nearly endless.
Players could build their weapon for close-quarters combat with a shorter barrel and laser sight, or opt for long-range precision with an extended barrel, high-zoom optic, and stability-enhancing grip. The depth of customization allowed for experimentation and encouraged players to constantly tweak their loadouts to adapt to different game modes and maps.
7. Cold War, Vanguard, and the Future of Customization
Cold War and Vanguard continued to build on the Gunsmith system, adding their own flavor of attachments and customization options. These titles introduced even more unique attachment combinations, like dual magazines, different ammunition types, and special grips that change a weapon’s handling.
As Call of Duty continues to evolve, we can expect even more customization options in future titles. Whether through new attachments, further advancements in weapon systems, or entirely new guns, customization will remain a core part of the COD experience.
Conclusion
Weapon and attachment evolution in Call of Duty has come a long way from the days of static loadouts. Players now have the freedom to fine-tune their weapons down to the smallest detail, allowing for personalized gameplay that suits any situation. As the franchise continues to grow, we can only expect the system to get even more complex and rewarding, giving players even more control over how they dominate the battlefield. Whether you’re a fan of quick, agile SMGs or prefer the slow precision of a sniper rifle, the evolution of weapons and attachments ensures there’s always a loadout for you.