Smart use of your Lethal equipment can lead to easy kills in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's multiplayer modes. Place Claymores to get easy kills on flankers, or make smart of Frag Grenades to get some easy kills around corners. No matter your playstyle, there's a Lethal that will suit your needs.

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Modern Warfare 2 features nine Lethal items, most of which have returned from MW2019. Classics like Thermite and Proximity Mines have returned, along with a surprisingly strong new addition for this year's installment. Today, we'll be ranking all nine Lethals from worst to best, showcasing their pros and cons for 6v6 modes and large-scale playlists.

Rankings are for MW2 multiplayer modes. Warzone and DMZ are not considered for our rankings.

9 Thermite

Modern-Warfare-2-2022-Thermite-1

Thermite: Explosive incendiary device that sticks to all surfaces.

Thermite grenades stick to surfaces and emit a constant plume of sparks for a few seconds, dealing constant ticks of damage twice per second. While powerful against vehicles, Thermite grenades deal pitiful damage and are outclassed by Molotovs in 6v6 modes.

The issue with the Thermite grenade is how little damage it dishes out. Sticking a target is the only way to get consistent kills in most playlists. With how strong Drill Charges and Semtex grenades can be, the Thermite grenade is simply outclassed in terms of lethality. And if you just want a good area denial tool, the Molotov Cocktail has the Thermite grenade beat.

8 Molotov Cocktail

Modern Warfare 2 2022 Molotov Cocktail

Molotov Cocktail: Improvised incendiary device that explodes on impact.

A Molotov Cocktail explodes on impact, coating the blast radius in lingering flames for a few seconds. Enemies inside the flames will take rapid damage that escalates with subsequent ticks, making the Molotov quite deadly for objective playlists.

As strong as that sounds, the Molotov takes its sweet time eliminating threats. If you need an immediate solution to clearing out a room, the Molotov isn't for you. This Lethal equipment is best used for defensive play or anchor-heavy playstyles. If you want to flush out campers, you're better off using grenades or a Drill Charge.

7 C4

Modern Warfare 2 2022 C4

C4: Large explosive that sticks to surfaces and can be detonated remotely when the equipment is depleted.

A brick of C4 needs to be thrown before it can be detonated, but when it explodes, anything remotely near the blast radius is toast. The damage output of C4 is a marvel to behold, capable of destroying ground killstreaks and even vehicles in Ground War.

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So why isn't C4 at the top of the list? Simply put, C4 is somewhat clunky to use and outclassed by Drill Charges in most cases. You need to throw a heavy brick of C4, get clear of the blast radius, then remotely detonate it. A Drill Charge just needs to breach a surface, and it can deal with enemies around walls and even kill vehicle pilots. C4 is a powerful item for Ground War but outclassed by other Lethals in 6v6 modes.

6 Claymore

Modern Warfare 2 2022 Claymore

Claymore: Proximity-activated explosive mine.

Claymores are fantastic for countering flankers and locking down chokepoints. Enemies that run past the Claymore will explode and drop dead if they aren't running the Bomb Squad perk. Claymores are easy to use and provide free kills, yet they're slightly less effective than Proximity Mines.

The main issue with the Claymore is that Proximity Mines exist. They effectively do the same thing—kill anyone that runs by them—but can also damage vehicles and float above water. Claymores are easier to use in 6v6 modes and fantastic against infantry, but players looking for a more universal Lethal should consider using the Proximity Mine.

5 Proximity Mine

Modern Warfare 2 2022 Proximity Mine

Proximity Mine: Proximity-triggered explosive that launches in the air, and deals heavy damage to the surrounding area.

Proximity Mines return from MW2019 and better than ever. Deploying a Proximity Mine will arm it, causing the disk to launch into the air when an enemy gets close. Proximity Mines deal great damage, deal small damage to vehicles, and have minimal counters.

Those counters are the Bomb Squad perk and laying down prone before it detonates. The former takes a perk slot, and the latter requires you to start laying down immediately after the mine triggers—something that requires excellent reflexes or good situational awareness. If you're someone who frequently anchors or wants the occasional free kill, look no further than the Proximity Mine.

4 Frag Grenade

Modern Warfare 2 2022 Frag Grenade

Frag Grenade: Cookable fragmentation grenade.

We shouldn't need to explain how a Frag Grenade works in a Call of Duty game, but most players truly underestimate what a Frag is capable of. Since Frag Grenades can bounce off surfaces, they are fantastic for flushing enemies out of cover.

Is someone holding an angle in a hallway perpendicular to you? Chuck a grenade toward the wall and let it roll down the hall. Want some easy kills? Cook the grenade and throw it across a small-scale map. Get used to cooking and rebounding grenades, and you'll quickly realize just how powerful Frag Grenades can be in all game types.

3 Throwing Knife

Modern Warfare 2 2022 Throwing Knife

Throwing Knife: Retrievable knife that is lethal on impact.

A Throwing Knife is much more useful than you'd expect. Using your Throwing Knife is nigh-instant and one-taps anywhere on the body. It's also a Lethal item you can reclaim from slain enemies, allowing you to chain the Throwing Knife multiple times in one life.

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Arguably more important than the item itself is the upgraded melee you get. Having a Throwing Knife equipped upgrades your melee to a one-hit kill. If you're struggling to level a weapon, use your melee with a Throwing Knife equipped for easy XP. Once you get used to throwing it, a Throwing Knife is a fantastic tool for aggressive players.

2 Semtex

Modern Warfare 2 2022 Semtex

Semtex: Timed sticky grenade.

You can't top the usability of a Semtex grenade. Semtex is a Frag Grenade that sticks to surfaces and is much easier to use. You don't have to worry about cooking the grenade too long or having it roll away from the enemy. If your aim is true, the Semtex is going to kill someone. They're powerful, easy to use, and deal great damage. It's difficult to top something that consistent.

1 Drill Charge

Modern Warfare 2 2022 Drill Charge

Drill Charge: Charge with a thermal lance that can burrow into surfaces before exploding.

If you hate campers with a passion, the Drill Charge was made for you. Drill Charges pierce walls and release a grenade on the other side. Unless you have Bomb Squad active, this explosion is going to kill you, making this the ultimate counter to campers and more passive playstyles.

You're not restricted to vertical walls, either. You can drill through floors, rooftops, deployable cover, entire vehicles, and even other players. And if you stick an enemy vehicle, the Drill Charge will kill anyone piloting the vehicle. Drill Charges are good for every situation and stand as MW2's best Lethal equipment.

Next: The Best Weapons In Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2