The 556 Icarus, otherwise known as the M249 SAW, is back in MW2. This is your allied standard issue LMG, and it fulfils the role of the big ammo belt batterer, as you would expect in the game. While the LMGS are certainly not meta weapons, these slow monsters can chug through enemies while you hold devastating angles, and wrack up kills with the right setup and strategy. Here are the best 556 Icarus Loadout in MW2 and the best 556 Icarus class setup and perks in MW2 that flatter the weapon’s strengths and weaknesses.

Read More: MW2 Tier List

Best 556 Icarus Loadout in MW2¶

As with all LMGS, these weapons spit out rounds at decent rates of fire, while having solid damage and range. However, they are slow and have an awful recoil. So, it’s time towrite those wrongs. Here are the attachments you need to create the best 556 Icarus loadout in MW2:

• Barrel: FTAC Coldforge 16“ Barrel
• Muzzle: Force-TAC Castle Comp
• Underbarrel: FSS Sharkfin 90
• Stock: Demo Precision Elite Factory
• Option 5: XTEN Rear Grip or an Optic of your choice

The Barrel choice is easily the Coldforge 16“, as that increases your bullet velocity, damage range, and grants better long-range control. It is at the cost of movement and ADS speed, but LMGs are slow, so what does it matter anyway?

Meanwhile, the Force-TAC Castle Comp and Demo Precision Elite Stock will help your ability to control the recoil in all situations. These are massive buffs to steadying your aim, and are completely necessary when you hold that fire trigger down. However, these again weaken your sprint to fire and ADS speeds, so be warned this is the weakness of turning your 556 Icarus into a lazer beam of bullets.

The other option for better control of your weapon is the FSS Sharkfin 90 underbarrel. This adds better stability while you’re in ADS. This will help you not flinch as much and keep your accuracy more akin to a bullet hose rather than skewing off-center.

As for option 5, you have two decent options, depending on your playstyle, map and game mode. You will either want a decent scope, or you will want an ADS-improving rear grip. The ADS-improving XTEN Rear Grip is a great choice, since lots of your attachments make ADS worse. However, if you prefer to set up your LMG in cover, and cover objectives, then a better sight, such as mini for closer range sites, or something like the Holographic or the hybrid work for longer angles. More magnified sites are also great choices for battle maps.

Therefore, this 556 Icarus loadout in MW2 will allow you to easily control your recoil and make your weapon more deadly. Just be warned you are slow, and your ADS speeds will mean you likely won’t contend with SMG or hybrid weapons when it comes to close-range fights.

Best 556 Icarus Class in MW2¶

Now you need to make a class to support your 556 Icarus loadout in MW2. Considering the obvious pitfalls of LMGs in CoD, the best 556 Icarus class setup in MW2 requires the following:

• Secondary: Expedite-12 or X13 auto
• Tactical: Flash or Stun Grenades
• Lethal: Proximity Mine or Semtex
• Field Upgrade: Ammo Box, Deployable Cover, or Portable Radar

The secondary is the X13 auto pistol for those without Overkill, and the Expedite 12 if you do. The auto pistol will grant you the hip fire close-range tool you need to contest closer-range enemies. Your 556 Icarus build cannot contend hipfire targets, so this will do the job. On the other hand, the Expedite-12 is a great point-blank hip fire one-shot weapon, so that is a perfect weapon to switch to in those moments.

As for the tactical, whatever you prefer is fine. The common choices are Flash Grenades since they are generally helpful for close and long-range. Meanwhile, Stun Grenades are good, especially if you’re in a panic and need to spare a moment to whip out your secondary and contend SMG rushers.

You lethal largely depends on your playstyle. The Proximity Mines (or Claymores when you unlock them) are great, as they can cover your flank if you’re playing long angles. Meanwhile, Semtex is a very reliable thrown explosive, ideal if someone is covered or you’re about to flush an objective.

Finally, the Field Upgrade of choice is either Portable Radar, Ammo Box or a Deployable Cover. Deployable Cover is great for those who like hunkering down at a better angle and setting your LMG up against it. However, Portable Radar offers better visibility in key areas of the map. You can pre-aim your slower ADS and get the advantage on enemies it detects. If you really are doing well-covering angles with the LMG, ammo box is good as you will churn through ammo, and your position means Scavenger is not a great perk. It is more of a playstyle preference than anything, but it supports the 556 as a whole, helping to make any of the three a good fit in the best 556 Icarus class in MW2.

Best 556 Icarus Perks in MW2¶

As an LMG player, you are slow, and, therefore more susceptible to enemy lethals and tacticals. Moreso, players will that an LMG class has other weaknesses it needs covering. The best 556 Icarus perks in MW2 will rectify those complaints.

• Basic Perk 1: Overkill or EOD
• Basic Perk 2: Scavenger if you move around more, or Battle Hardened
• Bonus Perk: Fast Hands
• Ultimate Perk: Ghost

One basic perk combo is the EOD and Battle Hardened combo. The reason why is that these two perks reduce the effectiveness of enemy tactical and lethal explosions. LMG players who like hunkering down will feel the benefits of these perks when enemies figure out where they are holding and try to take your using their class’ equipment.

Meanwhile, other general great-use perks are the Overkill and Scavenger perks. If you prefer to relocate, the Scavenger can address your dwindling ammo count, as long as you don’t use the Ammo Box field upgrade. Overkill is also handy for the Expedite-12 shotgun secondary to eliminate enemies coming in close. Feel free to use a mixture of these four, depending on how you like to play your LMGs.

Moving on, the only Bonus Perk you will need is the Fast Hands perk. This improves your reload speed, which is needed on the 556 Icarus. LMG reloads are notoriously slow, and so, this gets you back into the action quicker. It also accelerates your weapon swap speed, handy for those secondary, close-range hip fire moments. It is by far the best 556 Icarus perk in MW2, and is necessary to make the best 556 Icarus loadout in MW2.

As for your Ultimate, Ghost seems the best choice. Becoming undetectable to UAVS is good, since UAVs are very common in MW2. Being able to maneuver your sluggish 556 Icarus around without detection will make your overall gaming experience better. It is also handier if you do decide to set up in a location and don’t want your immobile body pinged every few seconds.

All in all, these attachments, perks, and other gadgets and gizmos make up the best 556 Icarus loadout in MW2. There’s some room for playstyle adaptation, but the bulk of the recommendations are absolutely undeniable at unlocking the M16 efficiently and for those who like LMG gameplay.