What Are Loadout Slots in Call of Duty?
Loadout slots are pre-configured class setups you create before a match. Each slot stores your chosen primary weapon, secondary weapon, perks, equipment, and field upgrades. Understanding how to use these slots effectively is one of the first major skills any new player should develop.
In most modern Call of Duty titles, you're given multiple loadout slots — often five or more — letting you tailor a different class for different situations, maps, or game modes.
How Many Loadout Slots Do You Get?
The number of loadout slots available depends on the game:
- Call of Duty: Warzone – You can access custom loadouts via loadout drops mid-match, with slots managed in the pre-game lobby.
- Modern Warfare / MW2 / MW3 – Typically 10 custom class slots available from the start.
- Black Ops series – Usually starts with 5 slots and can expand via the Pick 10 / Pick 13 system.
Setting Up Your First Loadout: A Step-by-Step Approach
- Choose your role: Are you rushing, holding angles, or providing long-range support? Decide before picking a gun.
- Pick your primary weapon: For beginners, assault rifles like the M4 or STB 556 offer a great balance of range, control, and damage.
- Select a secondary: A pistol or shotgun works well as a backup for close quarters.
- Assign perks: Start with reliable perks like Double Time (longer tactical sprint), Overkill (carry two primaries), and Fast Hands (faster weapon swapping).
- Pick your equipment: Frag grenades or Semtex for lethal; Stun grenades or Flashbangs for tactical.
Recommended Beginner Loadout Slot Layout
| Slot | Purpose | Suggested Primary |
|---|---|---|
| Slot 1 | All-rounder | Assault Rifle (e.g., M4) |
| Slot 2 | Close-range aggressor | SMG (e.g., Lachmann Sub) |
| Slot 3 | Long-range / Sniper support | Marksman or Sniper Rifle |
| Slot 4 | Objective play | LMG or AR with suppressor |
| Slot 5 | Experimental / Testing new weapons | Anything you're levelling up |
Tips for Managing Your Loadout Slots
- Name your slots clearly (e.g., "Rush," "Sniper," "Ranked") so you can switch fast in the lobby.
- Don't overcomplicate it early on. Two or three solid loadouts beat five half-finished ones.
- Adjust after every few sessions. As you learn maps and modes, your optimal loadouts will change.
- Copy meta builds as a starting point, then tweak attachments to suit your personal playstyle.
Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid
Many new players fill every slot with the same weapon type, leaving them unprepared for specific situations. Others ignore perks entirely, missing out on significant gameplay advantages. Make sure each loadout slot has a distinct purpose — variety is your biggest tactical asset.
With practice and experimentation, you'll soon find the loadout configurations that click with your playstyle. The loadout system is one of the most rewarding parts of Call of Duty to master.