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The subject of this article appeared in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. The subject of this article appeared in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. The subject of this article appeared in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 for the Nintendo DS. The subject of this article appeared in Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish. The subject of this article appears in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II The subject of this article appears in Call of Duty: Warzone 2 The subject of this article appears in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III The subject of this article appeared in Zombies mode The subject of this article appears in Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile
For other variants, see SCAR-H and HAMR.

The SCAR-L is an assault rifle that is featured in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Force Recon, Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Defiance, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2: Force Recon[]

The SCAR-L (or SCAR-Light) is the player's default weapon during most part of the campaign, and it cannot be traded out, except on some missions where it's replaced by a sniper rifle. Because of the Arcade nature of the game, the weapon is fairly weak, often taking almost one magazine to take out one enemy, but this is balanced by making the "reload" faster.

Find Makarov: Operation Kingfish[]

The SCAR-L is used by Simon "Ghost" Riley with an M68 sight and a foregrip.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3[]

"Accurate, mobile, and among the highest damage dealing assault rifles, the SCAR-L competes for the top spot in aggressive, mid-range combat. Its low rate of fire helps conserve ammo through sustained bursts, but can cause problems in close range skirmishes against rapid-fire weapons."
— Call of Duty: Elite description

Campaign[]

The SCAR-L makes a campaign appearance in the mission "Bag and Drag" with an ACOG Scope, along with an USP .45 and rarely used by Delta Force and U.S. Army Rangers in the mission "Goalpost". It can also be seen inside Makarov's fortress where it can be picked up from the Ultanationalist and Inner Circle enemies.

Multiplayer[]

The SCAR-L is unlocked at level 6.

The SCAR-L is a low damage-per-bullet Assault Rifle. Before the damage dropoff, three hit kills can be achieved. But almost as soon as damage starts to drop off, it will become a four hit kill, and then the minimum damage becomes a five hit kill. The range of the SCAR-L is rather decent, retaining three hit kills until about 25 meters. The ROF is a moderate 759 RPM. While it won't be the weapon's defining feature, the damage output of the SCAR-L is acceptable.

Accuracy of the SCAR-L is very good. The iron sights are very clear, and recoil is a mild upwards pull. This more or less obviates the need for optical attachments or the Kick proficiency.

Handling traits of the SCAR-L are relatively moderate. Mobility is on par with other Assault Rifles (barring the FAD), the hip-fire cone is somewhat large, and the reload time is very swift if reload cancelling is done correctly. The SCAR-L has a 30 round magazine, and does not deplete it at a high rate, but is faster than the slower-firing Assault Rifles.

Due to this weapon's strengths, classes should be made to take advantage of them. For example, since the SCAR-L reload cancels so effectively, Sleight of Hand is not needed, allowing for another Blue perk to be chosen. As well, the recoil is minimal, so Kick isn't as effective, and allows another proficiency to be taken in its place. The SCAR-L's precise iron sights nullify usefulness from optical attachments, so players can opt out for a modification, such as a Silencer or Extended Mags.

In conclusion, the SCAR-L is a forgiving weapon that won't be taken down easily. However, its strengths aren't as apparent compared to other Assault Rifles, but the SCAR-L's main strength is that it has next to no weaknesses, barring a lower than average damage per bullet. A player with an accurate shot may not prefer this weapon over one that has more lethality, whereas a player that would want extra accuracy would gladly welcome the SCAR-L into their arsenal.

Due to early unlock times, the SCAR-L is commonly compared to the M4A1 for which Assault Rifle to start off with. The SCAR-L has advantages due to its clearer iron sights, more predictable recoil, a slightly faster reload time, and a longer three-hit kill range. The M4A1 has an advantage due to it dealing higher damage at close range due to higher bullet damage and a slightly higher ROF, and only having slightly more recoil, and only a slightly slower reload time. Thus, the M4A1 is better suited to close range encounters, while the SCAR-L makes for a good general-purpose weapon for use at all ranges.

Special Ops[]

The SCAR-L is available for both Survival and Mission modes.

Mission Mode[]

The SCAR-L is used by the player providing overwatch in the Mission Mode challenge Invisible Threat, and a starting weapon in the missions Little Bros, Server Crash, and Light 'Em Up (with Extended Mags in the latter). It is also found in mission Vertigo and is an alternate weapon in Fatal Extraction. It is also used by the Inner Circle in Light 'Em Up.

Survival Mode[]

The SCAR-L is available in Survival Mode at level 5 and costs $3000.

The SCAR-L is a popular choice for early and later stages of gameplay, due to its moderate damage, clear iron sights, and low recoil. Stopping power and ammunition may be a problem in later waves, though, especially because it is not carried by any enemy type, which prevents the scavenging of free ammunition from fallen foes.

When used in conjunction with the Sleight of Hand perk, which is unlocked at level 50, reloading becomes almost instantaneous. This makes the weapon particularly useful in later waves when the player can be easily swarmed by dogs, heavy commandos, etc.

Attachments[]

Proficiency[]

  • Kick - Unlocked at weapon level 4.
  • Impact - Unlocked at weapon level 9.
  • Attachments - Unlocked at weapon level 12.
  • Focus - Unlocked at weapon level 16.
  • Breath - Unlocked at weapon level 22.
  • Stability - Unlocked at weapon level 28.

Gallery[]

For attachment images, see SCAR-L/Attachments.
For camouflage images, see SCAR-L/Camouflage.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Defiance[]

The SCAR-L is featured in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3: Defiance as the "SCAR". It has a standard 30 round magazine with 150 rounds to carry, with decent iron sights and fire rate. It is also permanently equipped with an arctic camouflage and can only be found leaning on vehicles, walls and ammo crates; it is never seen used by enemy forces

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II & Modern Warfare III[]

"With a high fire rate and combat flexibility, the TAQ-56 is a full-auto rifle chambered in 5.56x45mm."
— In-game description

The SCAR-L returns in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II as the TAQ-56.

The TAQ-56 is also available in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III as part of the Modern Warfare II content carryover.

Overview[]

Campaign[]

The TAQ-56 is one of the two main assault rifles used by Shadow Company alongside the M4. It appears in the campaign as the starting weapon in "Violence and Timing" and "Ghost Team" for Soap's loadout.

Zombies[]

In Modern Warfare III, the TAQ-56 can be brought into Operation Deadbolt via Create-A-Class, at Common rarity and can be found at any rarity via the Mystery Box for 950 Essence. When upgraded via the Pack-a-Punch Machine or with Aetherium Crystals, it becomes the TAQ-QY.

Attachments[]

Muzzle[]

  • Corvus Slash Gen. 2
  • Cronen MAW-86
  • Dark KX30
  • VLK Koloss Flash Hider
  • Broadhead-3DP
  • Silentfire XG6
  • Echoline GS-X
  • ZULU-60
  • Harbinger D20
  • Echoless-80
  • FSS Covert V
  • Gauge-9 Mono
  • RF Crown 50
  • Komodo Heavy
  • XTEN Ported 290
  • FJX Fulcrum Pro
  • Cronen OP44
  • FTAC Castle Comp
  • XTEN Havoc
  • Sakin Tread 90
  • C400 Door Knocker
  • JCZ-390 Muzzle Device

Barrel[]

  • 12" Tacshort Barrel
  • 17.5" Tundra Pro Barrel

Laser[]

  • SZ 1mW PEQ
  • Schlager PEQ BOX IV
  • Corio LAZ-44 V3
  • FSS OLE-V Laser
  • Canted Vibro-Dot 7
  • 1mW Laser Box
  • STOVL DR Laser Box
  • Corvus PEQ Beam-5
  • FRAC Grimline Laser
  • Luminate-44
  • DXS Flash 90

Optic[]

  • Slimline Pro
  • SZ Mini
  • Cronen Mini Dot
  • Cronen Mini Pro
  • SZ Sigma-IV Optic
  • SZ Minitac-40
  • XRK On-Point Optic
  • AIM OP-V4
  • DF105 Reflex Sight
  • Monocle CT90
  • Corvus SOL-76
  • SZ Recharge DX
  • SZ SRO-7
  • Corio RE-X Pro
  • Corio Enforcer Optic
  • SZ Lonewolf Optic
  • Kazan-Holo
  • SZ Battle Optic
  • Corvus Downrange-00
  • SZ Holotherm
  • XTEN Angel-40
  • VLK 4.0 Optic
  • Schlager 3.4x
  • Forge Tac Delta 4
  • Cronen Zero-P Optic
  • SZ Bullseye Optic
  • SZ Aggressor-IR Optic
  • Schlager Night View
  • Teplo OP3 Scope
  • DR582 Hybrid Sight
  • Hybrid Firepoint
  • SZ Vortex-90
  • BPZ40 Hybrid
  • SZ Oscar-9
  • Thermo-Optic X9
  • Teplo Clear Shot
  • FTAC Charlie7
  • HMW-20 Optic
  • Luca Bandera Scope
  • DS Farsight 11
  • 3x RFL-Optic
  • Drexsom Prime-90
  • ARES Clear Shot
  • Vigilant-30 C-Iron

Stock[]

  • TV LPX-434
  • Tactique Brute Stock
  • TV XLINE Pro
  • TV Cardinal Stock

Underbarrel[]

  • Commando Foregrip
  • EDGE-47 Grip
  • DEMO Firm Grip
  • XTEN Gravedigger
  • FRAC Ripper
  • Demo Cleanshot 40
  • Demo IMP-44 Grip
  • FTAC Tiger Grip
  • FSS Sharkfin
  • Agent Grip
  • Bruen Sync Shot Grip
  • XTEN Drop Grip
  • XTEN Nexus Grip
  • Phase-3 Grip
  • Merc Foregrip
  • Lockgrip Precision-40
  • HEX-40 Grip
  • Schlager Tango
  • VX Pineapple
  • OP-X9 Foregrip
  • Operator Foregrip
  • TV Wrecker Grip
  • Bruen Tilt Grip
  • Cronen Grooveshot Grip
  • EXF Backdraft Grip
  • Bruen Warrior Grip
  • Bipod V9 Grip
  • Core BP2
  • Level Aim Bipod
  • Cornerstone Bipod
  • XTEN Stable Shot
  • Hellscream 40mm
  • Hellscream 40mm Drill
  • Corvus Masterkey
  • Corvus Torch (Get 15 Point-Blank Operator Kills with Underbarrel Shotguns)

Ammunition[]

  • 5.56 Frangible
  • 5.56 Hollowpoint
  • 5.56 Armor Piercing
  • 5.56 Overpressured
  • 5.56 High Velocity

Magazine[]

  • 40 Round Mag
  • 60 Round Mag

Rear Grip[]

  • XRK Response Grip
  • FSS Combat Grip
  • Demo Cleanshot Grip

Receiver[]

Blueprints[]

Blueprint Image How to Obtain
Anime Tango Anime Tango TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Tracer Pack: Anime Boogie Bundle
Bad Regime Bad Regime TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Bastille Day Pack Bundle
Call Out Call Out TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Battle Buddy: Chatter Pack Bundle
Caliburn Caliburn TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Battle Pass Season Five BlackCell Sector
Chill Out Chill Out TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Liquid Cooled Bundle
Coywolf Coywolf TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Scavenger Bundle
Excess Excess TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII VII: Gluttony Bundle
Exorcist Exorcist TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Yokai Bundle
Fiercest Fiercest TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Fashion Animal 2 Bundle
Frontal Impact Frontal Impact TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Reach level 30 during the Multiplayer Open Beta
La Justiciera La Justiciera TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII La Catrina Bundle
Life of Da Party Life of Da Party TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Tracer Pack: Snoop Dogg, Return Of The Shizzle Bundle
Marked Up Marked Up TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Marker Bomb Bundle
Prohibitor Prohibitor TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII D.E.A.D. Bundle
Pro Issue TAQ-56 Pro Issue TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Win 10 Ranked Play Matches in Multiplayer during Season Three.
Pro Re-Issue TAQ-56 Pro Re-Issue TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Win 10 Ranked Play Matches in Multiplayer during Season Five.
Séance Séance TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Tracer Pack: Dark Rituals II Bundle
Second Law Second Law TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Kinetic Bundle
Sticker Attack Sticker Attack TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Sticker Bomb Bundle
Striking Distance Striking Distance TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Season Three Combat Pack
Take Point Take Point TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Battle Pass Season Five Instant Sector
The Bandit The Bandit TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Gunslinger Ghost Pro Pack
The Champ The Champ TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Extract with the Weapon Case 7 times in Ashika Island in DMZ.
Unbroken Action Unbroken Action TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Battle Pass Season Two Sector B12
Vespula Vespula TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Yellow Jacket Bundle
Watermelon Gains Watermelon Gains TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII CDL Midseason Pack Bundle
Winged Beast Winged Beast TAQ-56 Blueprint MWII Griffin Pro Pack

Trivia[]

SCAR-L only appearance MP menu MW2

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2[]

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3[]

  • The Create-A-Class picture of the SCAR-L lacks the front sight and has the rear sight folded.
  • The icon for the Standard and Face Off Playlists shows a SCAR-L with an ACOG Scope and a Silencer.
  • The headshot multiplier is slightly higher at 1.5x than the usual 1.4x.
  • The SCAR-L's iron sights have the numbers 2-6 underneath them.
  • The SCAR-L in the Call of Duty ELITE description is claimed to be 'one of the highest damage' among the assault rifles, but in fact it has the second lowest, only in front of the FAD, as evidenced by the Modern Warfare 3 strategy guide.
  • The SCAR-L has differing reload animations depending on its attachments. If it has an ACOG, for example, the user slaps the left side after inserting another magazine; but if it has a grenade launcher, the user pulls back the bolt to chamber a fresh round.
  • "SCAR USA" is written on the side of the weapon.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II[]

  • The TAQ-56 that can be found on one of the weapon racks in the mission Prison Break lacks the front part of its barrel alongside its muzzle.
  • Before Season Three, The Champ blueprint was originally named "Fight Night"

Videos[]

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