Call of Duty Wiki:Ask A Veteran/L86 LSW Guide

Callofduty4 created this as a guide to the L86 LSW

The L86 LSW is a LMG which debuted in Modern Warfare 2. It has a reputation of being a very clumsy and very hard-to-use weapon, but with the correct perks, attachments and tactics one can rack up many kills with what is technically the most powerful weapon of Modern Warfare 2

Specs
Damage - 40 (30 silenced) Rate of Fire - 750 RPM Recoil - High (Medium with grip)

Attachments
The L86 LSW has a wide variety of attachments, some of which are better suited to certain roles than others. I'll follow in the same style as A Lonely Nomad's MG4 guide and I'll list each attachment with a rating.


 * Grip (9/10) - The L86 suffers from a lot of recoil. The grip reduces this to a more manageable level, and is most useful for newer players who are unfamiliar with the L86's dynamics. Great when paired with Bling.


 * Red Dot Sight (8/10) - This provides the user with an easy to use optic which replaces the rather clumsy iron sights the L86 has. Works well with Bling and a grip


 * Silencer (5/10) - Not the best attachment, as silenced assault rifles and SMGs are much better off used as stealth weapons. Reduces recoil by a touch, but reduces damage a lot and eliminates one of the L86's greatest strongpoints - it's 2 shot kill with stopping power at any range.


 * ACOG Scope (6/10) - The ACOG scope on the L86 LSW is unique - no other weapon uses it. It has a centre-post as the reticule. The ACOG can be used very effectively in hardcore, where the L86 delivers 1-shot kills. In core modes, burst firing or single-shots must be used to maintain any accuracy whatsoever. Works better with a grip.


 * FMJ (6/10) - The L86 already has high penetration, but FMJ further improves this. However FMJ's main use is to unlock extended mags, and is rarely seen otherwise. Can be useful in Hardcore, where 1-shot kills through materials are made more likely.


 * Holographic Sight (8/10) - Same as with the red dot sight, choosing between this and the red dot is a matter of preference in all truth.


 * Heartbeat Sensor (9/10) - Gives the same benefits as any weapon with a heartbeat sensor, but with the added bonus of being completely visible when aiming down the sights. Great for any game mode, hardcore or core.


 * Thermal Scope (5/10) - The L86's recoil drastically lowers the thermal scope's effectiveness. A grip helps remedy this, but the recoil is still very noticeable.


 * Extended Magazines (8/10) - The L86's accuracy can mean a lot of wasted shots, and extended mags remedies this. Great for providing continuous covering fire.

Perks
The perks used can make a huge difference.

The recommended perks are:

Tier 1

 * Sleight of Hand - Quick reloads are useful, especially when providing covering fire.
 * Scavenger - Good for prolonged firefights/camping
 * One Man Army - Good for ammo/equipment refills when away from any action/camping.

Tier 2

 * Stopping Power - Turns the L86 into a 2-shot kill machine at any range. Incredibly useful.
 * Hardline - For getting killstreaks earlier. Works most effectively with lower killstreaks, though.
 * Cold Blooded - Can be useful when flanking the enemy, and keeping a defensive position. Pesky killstreak rewards wont put an end to your killstreaks, either.

Tier 3

 * Sitrep - Great for finding enemy camping spots or enemy snipers, as claymores will be likely be there protecting their position. L86's high wall penetration makes shooting equipment through walls easy.
 * Commando - Good if found out of ammo or suddenly coming across an enemy at point blank range.
 * Last Stand - A chance for a retribution kill, and annoying the enemy.

Tactics
As with all LMGs, the L86 should be used defensively to defend an objective or location. Find a good camping spot, and start firing. The L86 should not be used as an assault weapon, because one will find themselves outgunned by true assault weapons.

Classes
Choosing the correct class is all part of tactics.

Defender

 * L86 Attachment - Grip
 * Secondary - SPAS-12
 * Perk 1 - Scavenger
 * Perk 2 - Stopping Power
 * Perk 3 - Last Stand

Anti-Air

 * L86 Attachment - Red Dot Sight
 * Secondary - Stinger
 * Perk 1 - Scavenger
 * Perk 2 - Cold Blooded
 * Perk 3 - Sitrep

Support Gunner

 * L86 Attachment - Extended Magazines
 * '''Secondary - N/A
 * Perk 1 - One Man Army
 * Perk 2 - Stopping Power
 * Perk 3 - Commando

Long-Ranger

 * L86 Attachments - Grip + Holographic Sight
 * Secondary - M93 Raffica
 * Perk 1 - Bling
 * Perk 2 - Stopping Power
 * Perk 3 - Last Stand