Best BAL-27 loadout, class build in Modern Warfare 3

Fancy using an assault rifle that is equally adept up close and at range? Look no further than the best BAL-27 loadout in Modern Warfare 3. Introduced with Season 3 Reloaded, long-time Call of Duty players may remember this monster from the futuristic Advanced Warfare, where it was widely considered to be one of the best guns in the game.

On its debut in MW3 that appears to the case — debuting in 10th in our best guns list — but thanks to its versatility and the quite frankly impeccable iron sights, removing the need for an optical sight.

Our BAL-27 build ensures it stays as adaptable as possible for all situations, whether you’re up close and personal indoors or trying to pick enemies off from slightly further afar.

How to unlock the BAL-27 in Modern Warfare 3

To unlock the BAL-27 in Modern Warfare 3 Season 3 Reloaded, you must complete Sector 23 in the battle pass. While you’d expect to find that right at the end, being the final tier and all, Sector 23 is actually near the middle, between Sectors 6 and 13.

If you’re only just starting with your progress in the battle pass, the quickest route from the start is through Sectors 1, 2, 6, and then into 23. As is the case with all weapons via the battle pass, it’s completely free to unlock provided you have enough tokens.

Best BAL-27 loadout in Modern Warfare 3

Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via Polygon

Here is the best BAL-27 loadout in Modern Warfare 3:

• Barrel: Prowl-IV Barrel
• Underbarrel: Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip
• Laser: STOVL DR Laser Box
• Rear Grip: Hammer Grip
• Stock: Clarent Light Stock

As explained above, the goal with this BAL-27 build in Modern Warfare 3 is to ensure it is flexible, meaning it needs to be capable at both long range and short. While it is definitely slightly better suited to closer engagements, the enormous bullet velocity and range buff that comes with the Prowl-IV Barrel make it capable of dealing some serious damage to distant foes, even though there is a little kick with the recoil.

The Prowl-IV has the added benefit of making you undetectable by radar when firing, which enhances the ‘prowling’ nature of this build, as you look to get as close as possible to enemies. Using the Bruen Pivot Vertical Grip, though not particularly exciting, helps alleviate the slight recoil and kick, while trading for a slight increase to the ADS and sprint to fire speeds.

Meanwhile, the Clarent Light Stock is an excellent choice to assist your running and gunning since it focuses entirely on various speeds, as does the Hammer Grip, with both of them chipping away at the recoil. Then, as a slightly unorthodox pick, we’ve gone for the STOVL DR Laser Box which massively buffs the hipfire recoil control and spread, with no drawback whatsoever.

Best BAL-27 class in Modern Warfare 3

Image: Sledgehammer Games/Activision via Polygon

Here is the best class to use alongside the BAL-27 in Modern Warfare 3:

• Vest: Modular Assault Rig
• Handgun: Renetti
• Tactical: Stun Grenade
• Lethal: Breacher Drone
• Field Upgrade: Trophy System
• Gloves: Marksman Gloves
• Boots: Stalker Boots
• Gear: Tac Mask

One of the most exciting additions to Modern Warfare 3 Season 3 wasn’t a gun at all. Instead, it was the Modular Assault Rig, which is arguably the most powerful vest in the game, because it allows you to have equipment in every slot, and grants you two tactical and lethal grenades. It also means you spawn with max ammo every time — something that will be very handy with the fast fire rate of the BAL-27 — and you can resupply grenades from dead players.

With that in mind, the secondary we’ve gone for is the obvious choice once again, as the Renetti is still the best pistol in the game. We’re opting for Stun Grenades in the tactical slot since they’re a solid all rounder, and Breacher Drones are excellent at finish off opponents from afar that the slightly shaky recoil caused you to almost finish off but not quite.

In the Field Upgrade slot, the Trophy System is a godsend for protecting you on objectives and in anchor positions, while the Marksman Gloves are a big help for landing your shots at range. Alternatively, you could go for the Assault Gloves here if you’re finding the ADS speed to be a tad slow.

As is always the case, you could practically choose from any of the boots available, but we’ve gone for the Stalker Boots thanks to the increased strafe and ADS movement speed. The Covert Sneakers are a great choice if you’re finding you keep getting compromised due to footstep sounds, while the All-Terrain Boots grant a huge boost in speed. Finally, the Tac Mask will protect you from tactical grenade effects, or you could opt for EOD Padding if lethal grenades are more of a nuisance.

For more Modern Warfare 3 guides, see how to switch to Tactical Stance, and check our guides on the best TAQ Evolvere loadout, best Striker loadout, best SVS 545 loadout, best XRK Stalker loadout, best MCW loadout, and best AMR9 loadout.

If you’re jumping into the campaign, find all of the items and weapons in “Precious Cargo” and “Reactor,” see how to earn the Back in the Field trophy and the A Shot Blocked achievement, or check out our walkthrough for “Deep Cover.”