Black Ops 7: Best MPC-24 Loadout & Build Guide (MSMC Return)

The MPC-24 is Black Ops 7’s rebranded MSMC—a weapon that longtime franchise fans will remember as one of the most dominant SMGs in Black Ops 2’s competitive scene. After grinding to unlock it at Level 55 and testing various attachment combinations across dozens of matches, I’ve discovered that this SMG rewards precision aim more than any other weapon in its class. If you can consistently land headshots, the MPC-24 becomes borderline unfair.

This isn’t your spray-and-pray SMG. This is a precision instrument that punishes body shots but rewards accuracy with lightning-fast time-to-kill. Let me show you how to build the MPC-24 to maximize its unique strengths while minimizing its weaknesses.

Table of Contents

Understanding the MPC-24’s Identity

Weapon Class: Submachine Gun
Unlock Level: 55 (pre-Prestige)
Legacy Name: MSMC (Black Ops 2)
Optimal Range: Close to medium (0-23 meters)

What Makes the MPC-24 Special

Statistical highlights:

✅ Second-highest damage per shot among SMGs
✅ Best-in-class hipfire accuracy
✅ Exceptional mobility and handling
✅ Fast ADS speed rivaling the Peacekeeper MK1
✅ Strong damage retention beyond 23 meters (second-best in class)

The unique advantage:
While most SMGs rely on volume of fire to secure kills, the MPC-24 combines high per-shot damage with excellent handling. This creates a weapon that kills fast when aimed properly but doesn’t forgive sloppy accuracy.

Statistical Context

Fire rate: Middle of SMG pack (~800-850 RPM estimated)
Damage profile: High base damage with significant headshot multiplier
Damage falloff: Begins at ~23 meters (more aggressive than ARs but competitive for SMG class)
Mobility: Top-tier among SMGs—only beaten by ultra-lightweight options

The trade-off:
Compared to bullet-hose SMGs, the MPC-24 has a slightly slower fire rate. This means missed shots hurt your TTK more severely. Accuracy is paramount.

The Problem: Late Unlock & Unlock Token Decision

Unlock level: 55 (immediately before first Prestige)

This creates a dilemma for players:

Option 1: Wait until Level 55 every Prestige
Delays access to this powerful weapon significantly during each Prestige cycle.

Option 2: Use Permanent Unlock Token
Makes the MPC-24 immediately available at all Prestiges, but you sacrifice the token for other options.

My recommendation:
If you’re an aggressive SMG player who values headshot accuracy, the MPC-24 deserves a Permanent Unlock Token. The weapon’s power justifies the investment. Check our best Permanent Unlock Token choices guide for comprehensive analysis.

Alternative:
If you’re casual or exploring different weapon classes, wait until natural Level 55 unlock during your first run, test the weapon extensively, then decide if it warrants a token for subsequent Prestiges.

Best MPC-24 Loadout Build

Core 5-Attachment Setup

Muzzle: K&S Stalker 57-X
Barrel: 8.6” MFS Stratus-X Barrel
Underbarrel: Quickstep Foregrip
Magazine: Sustain-25 Extended Mag
Laser: EMT3 Agile Laser

Why These Attachments Transform the MPC-24

K&S Stalker 57-X (Muzzle)
Provides suppressor benefits without the crippling range penalties that typically accompany muzzle attachments. Since the MPC-24 already has decent range retention, losing minimal distance for radar invisibility is an excellent trade. Aggressive flankers absolutely need this—you’ll approach from unexpected angles constantly.

8.6” MFS Stratus-X Barrel (The Build-Defining Attachment)
This is where the MPC-24 build gets interesting. Normally, barrels that boost headshot damage come with severe recoil penalties that make them impractical. The Stratus-X Barrel breaks this rule entirely.

What it provides:

✅ Increased headshot multiplier (massive TTK reduction for accurate players)
✅ Reduced vertical recoil (counterintuitive but true)
✅ Reduced horizontal recoil (tightens bullet spread)
✅ Improved recoil stabilization (steadier sustained fire)

What it costs:

❌ Reduced body shot damage (you MUST hit heads to capitalize)
❌ Lower bullet velocity (minor impact at SMG engagement ranges)

Why this works:
Most headshot-boosting attachments increase recoil, making headshots harder to land consistently—a self-defeating design. The Stratus-X Barrel reduces recoil while boosting headshot damage, creating a synergistic effect where the weapon becomes easier to control while rewarding precision.

The catch: If you’re hitting body shots exclusively, this barrel actually hurts your TTK. You must commit to aiming upper chest/head to unlock the MPC-24’s true potential.

Quickstep Foregrip (Underbarrel)
Further recoil reduction stacked with the barrel’s benefits creates an incredibly stable SMG. The MPC-24 becomes laser-accurate even during strafing, making it easier to maintain headshot accuracy during movement-heavy gunfights.

Sustain-25 Extended Mag (Magazine)
The MPC-24’s fire rate and aggressive playstyle demands extended magazines. You’ll frequently engage 2-3 enemies before reloading—standard capacity leaves you vulnerable. Extended mags ensure you can capitalize on multi-kill opportunities without running dry mid-fight.

EMT3 Agile Laser (Laser)
Boosts sprint-to-fire and ADS speed, which are crucial for an aggressive SMG. The visible laser is a minor drawback, but the handling improvements outweigh occasional positional giveaways. Since you’re suppressed and flanking anyway, the laser rarely matters.

Gunfighter Wildcard Build (8 Attachments)

If running Gunfighter (sacrificing secondary weapon), add these three attachments:

Photonic Adaptive Grip (Rear Grip)
Further accelerates ADS speed and handling. Stacks with your existing mobility attachments for borderline instant target acquisition.

Viper Wire Stock (Stock)
Improves strafe speed during ADS, making you harder to hit while maintaining accuracy. Critical for winning face-to-face gunfights through movement.

Recoil Sync Unit (Fire Mods)
Additional recoil stabilization for even tighter bullet grouping. With all recoil reduction attachments combined, the MPC-24 becomes absurdly accurate for an SMG.

Gunfighter Decision Framework

Run Gunfighter if:

You exclusively use your primary weapon
Your playstyle rarely needs secondary backup
You want absolute maximum handling and accuracy
You’re playing small maps where sidearms are unnecessary

Skip Gunfighter if:

You value having a pistol for emergencies
You’re learning the weapon and want flexibility
The 5-attachment core already feels sufficient
You prefer equipment/perk variety

My take: The 5-attachment build is already extremely competitive. Gunfighter pushes the MPC-24 into “unfair” territory for skilled players, but isn’t mandatory for success.

Enhanced Performance Breakdown

With the recommended loadout, you’re achieving:

Stealth & Positioning

Suppressed fire – Flanking routes stay secret
No minimap detection – Maintain element of surprise

Recoil & Accuracy

Reduced vertical recoil – Easier headshot tracking
Reduced horizontal recoil – Tighter bullet grouping
Improved recoil stabilization – Steadier extended sprays
Increased aim walking speed – Accurate while moving

Lethality

Increased headshot multiplier – Fastest SMG TTK with precision
Competitive damage range – Effective to 23+ meters
Strong hipfire accuracy – Emergency close-quarters backup

Mobility & Handling

Fast ADS speed – Instant target acquisition
Improved sprint-to-fire – Challenge sprinters effectively
Enhanced slide/dive-to-fire – Aggressive movement options
Increased movement speed – Faster rotations and flanks
Better strafe speed – Win duels through movement

Sustainability

Extended magazine capacity – Multi-kill potential

Real-world impact:
You’re running an SMG that moves like a lightweight, aims like a tactical rifle, and kills like a precision weapon—all while staying off radar. The only requirement is landing headshots consistently.

Optimal Playstyle & Strategies

Headshot-Focused Aggression

The MPC-24 build revolves around precision aiming:

Pre-aim discipline:

Target upper chest – Natural recoil climb secures headshots
Flick to head level – Train muscle memory for head-height positioning
Track faces during strafing – Follow enemy movement patterns

Why this matters:
Body shots with the Stratus-X Barrel are less effective than standard builds. You’re deliberately trading body shot damage for headshot lethality. Commit to aiming high or use a different weapon entirely.

Close-Quarters Dominance

Best environments:

Indoor sections and buildings
Tight corridors and chokepoints
Objective points (Hardpoint hills, Control zones)
Small-to-medium maps (Babylon, Skyline, Protocol)

Engagement tactics:

Flank aggressively – Your suppressor and mobility enable surprise attacks
Pre-aim corners – Fast ADS allows reactive shooting, but pre-aiming is optimal
Abuse slide mechanics – Enhanced slide-to-fire speed makes you unpredictable
Strafe constantly – Your strafe speed advantage wins face-to-face duels

Medium-Range Adaptation

The MPC-24’s damage retention past 23 meters means you can compete at distances where most SMGs falter:

Medium-range tactics:

Burst fire – Short 3-5 round bursts maintain accuracy
Prioritize headshots – Even more critical at extended ranges
Use cover – Peek-shoot from protected positions
Disengage from long sightlines – Don’t challenge ARs past 30 meters

When to retreat:
If enemies are 35+ meters away, reposition to your effective range rather than forcing unfavorable fights.

What to Avoid

❌ Body shot spraying
The Stratus-X Barrel punishes poor aim. If you’re hitting legs/stomach exclusively, you’re better off with a different SMG build.

❌ Long-range duels
The MPC-24 competes at medium range but loses to Assault Rifles and Tactical Rifles beyond 30 meters.

❌ Static camping
Your mobility and suppressor are wasted sitting in corners. Keep moving and flanking.

❌ Ignoring magazine management
Extended mags help, but you still need to reload strategically. Don’t enter fights with 10 rounds remaining.

Recommended Complete Loadout

Perks

Slot 1: Ghost or Ninja
Essential for aggressive flankers. Stay hidden from UAVs and reduce footstep audio while moving.

Slot 2: Fast Hands or Dexterity
Faster weapon swaps and equipment usage complement your high-tempo playstyle.

Slot 3: Gung-Ho or Double Time
Shoot while sprinting or extend tactical sprint duration for maximum aggression.

Equipment

Lethal: Semtex or Frag
Quick-throw lethals for objective clearing or finishing wounded enemies.

Tactical: Stun Grenades
Pre-throw into rooms before rushing for free kills on disoriented enemies.

Field Upgrade

War Cry – Movement speed boost for team pushes
Trophy System – Objective defense
Spring Mine – Flank route protection

Wildcard Options

Gunfighter: Maximum handling optimization (covered above)
Perk Greed: Additional tactical advantages
Overkill: Pair with long-range weapon for map coverage (less recommended—contradicts SMG identity)

Advanced Techniques

Headshot Aiming Drills

The MPC-24 demands precision. Practice these techniques:

Target dummy exercises:

Private match warm-up – Spend 5 minutes shooting bot heads before matches
Aim for nose/mouth – Center mass head targeting (forgiving if you’re slightly off)
Track strafing targets – Practice following left-right movement at head height

In-match discipline:

Pre-aim head height – Walk around corners aiming where heads will be
Flick upward from chest – Start lower, let recoil carry to head
Prioritize accuracy over fire rate – Better to fire slower and hit heads than spray body shots

Movement Optimization

Slide canceling:
Chain slides into ADS for unpredictable room entries. Your slide-to-fire speed makes this extremely effective.

Jump shotting:
Challenge headglitches and surprise enemies from unexpected vertical angles. Your jumping ADS speed supports this.

Tactical sprint management:
Use sprint bursts for flanking rotations, then ADS immediately upon arrival. Your sprint-to-fire speed handles the transition.

Recoil Control Mastery

Even with reduced recoil, some kick remains:

Close range (0-10m):
Full-auto sprays work fine. The recoil barely matters when TTK is this fast.

Medium range (10-23m):
Slight downward pull compensates for vertical climb. Let horizontal stability do the work.

Extended range (23m+):
Burst fire only. 3-5 round bursts maintain accuracy while preserving your damage advantage.

Weapon Comparisons: When to Choose MPC-24

vs. Other SMGs

MPC-24 advantages:

Higher per-shot damage (especially headshots)
Better damage retention at medium ranges
Superior hipfire accuracy
Competitive mobility

When other SMGs win:

Pure fire rate wars (bullet hoses beat you if both miss heads)
Players with poor headshot accuracy (body-shot-focused SMGs more forgiving)
Extreme close quarters where precision impossible (hipfire spray weapons)

Verdict: Choose MPC-24 if you have good aim and want an SMG that rewards skill. Choose spray-focused SMGs if accuracy is inconsistent.

vs. Peacekeeper MK1

Peacekeeper advantages:

Better effective range (AR classification)
More forgiving for body shots
Slightly better medium-range consistency

MPC-24 advantages:

Faster handling and mobility
Superior hipfire accuracy
Better close-quarters TTK with headshots
Smaller, more maneuverable profile

Verdict: Peacekeeper for AR-SMG hybrid versatility. MPC-24 for pure SMG aggression with precision.

vs. Traditional ARs

When ARs win:

Range beyond 25 meters
Mounted/positioned gameplay
Long sightline maps

When MPC-24 wins:

Close-quarters combat
Aggressive objective play
High-mobility flanking routes
Small map environments

Verdict: Complementary roles. Don’t force MPC-24 into AR scenarios.

Grinding Tips: Camo Challenges

Working toward weapon prestige and camos?

Headshots (Your easiest challenge):
The Stratus-X Barrel literally optimizes the MPC-24 for headshot farming. Aim upper chest, let recoil climb to head, profit. This will be your fastest camo grind.

Longshots (Your hardest challenge):
SMG longshots are painful, but the MPC-24’s damage retention helps. Post up on longer sightlines, burst fire only, and target wounded enemies. Check our longshot guide for map-specific locations.

Point Blanks:
The best hipfire accuracy in class makes point blanks relatively easy. Run small maps, remove laser to reduce giveaways, and aggressively push into enemy spawns.

Hipfire kills:
Don’t bother aiming. Play hardcore modes where damage doesn’t matter, run small maps, and spray from the hip. Your accuracy advantage makes this faster than most SMGs.

Game Mode Recommendations

Best Modes for MPC-24

Hardpoint ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Perfect. Constant close-quarters objective fighting rewards your mobility and precision. Rotate early, hold hills aggressively.

Control ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Attack and defense both involve tight objective zones. Your flanking ability and suppressor dominate this mode.

Domination ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Flag captures happen in predictable locations. Control these zones with your precision and mobility.

Team Deathmatch ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Solid performance on small-to-medium maps. Stick to close-quarters sections and avoid long lanes.

Search & Destroy ⭐⭐⭐
Your mobility enables fast rotations and flanks, but the one-life nature reduces the value of aggressive plays. Still viable with disciplined positioning.

Worst Modes for MPC-24

Ground War ⭐⭐
Large-scale combat with extended ranges doesn’t suit SMG strengths. Use an AR instead.

Any mode on large, open maps ⭐⭐
Self-explanatory. You need close-quarters combat to thrive.

Ranked Play Viability

Competitive assessment: Top-tier SMG choice if headshot accuracy is strong

Ranked strengths:

Suppressed fire for strategic positioning
Fast rotations between objectives
Strong in organized hill/point control
Competitive TTK with precision aim

Ranked weaknesses:

Requires consistent headshot accuracy (competitive players punish mistakes)
Limited range compared to AR-heavy metas
Late unlock level (Level 55) delays access unless token used

Recommendation:
If you’re a naturally accurate player, the MPC-24 competes with meta SMGs in ranked. If your accuracy is inconsistent, consider more forgiving options. Use a Permanent Unlock Token if this becomes your ranked main.

Settings Optimization

Sensitivity considerations:
The MPC-24 rewards precision, so don’t run excessively high sensitivity. Find a balance where you can track heads accurately while maintaining flick-shot capability.

Aim assist settings:
Standard or Precision aim assist works well. The weapon’s stability means you don’t need aggressive slowdown.

FOV recommendations:
Higher FOV (100-110) helps with peripheral awareness during aggressive flanks and objective play.

For comprehensive optimization, see our complete settings guide.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Aiming for body shots exclusively
The Stratus-X Barrel punishes this. Aim upper chest minimum, preferably head.

❌ Challenging long-range fights
Disengage from 30+ meter fights immediately. Reposition to your effective range.

❌ Running standard magazines
Extended mags aren’t optional. You need the extra capacity for multi-kills.

❌ Ignoring the suppressor advantage
Use flanking routes aggressively. You’re invisible on radar—exploit it.

❌ Playing passively
The MPC-24’s mobility and handling are wasted on static defense. Keep moving.

❌ Forgetting weapon unlock level
Plan your Permanent Unlock Token usage if you want MPC-24 available early each Prestige.

Alternative Build: Body Shot Optimization

If you struggle with headshot consistency, consider this alternative:

Remove: 8.6” MFS Stratus-X Barrel (headshot-focused)
Add: Range-extending barrel or handling-focused stock

Why this exists:
Some players prefer body-shot-friendly SMGs. If that’s you, the MPC-24 can work without the Stratus-X Barrel, though it loses its unique advantage. You’d essentially have a mobility-focused SMG with good damage—still competitive, just not exceptional.

My take: If you’re removing the Stratus-X Barrel, you might be better served by different SMGs entirely. The barrel is what makes the MPC-24 special.

Final Verdict

The MPC-24 (MSMC) returns as one of Black Ops 7’s most skill-rewarding SMGs. The Stratus-X Barrel creates a unique build that punishes poor aim but rewards precision with top-tier TTK. This isn’t a forgiving weapon—it demands accuracy and commitment to headshot-focused gameplay.

This loadout is ideal for:

Players with strong headshot accuracy
Aggressive flankers who value mobility
SMG specialists comfortable with precision aiming
Competitive players seeking skill-based weapons

You should look elsewhere if:

Your headshot accuracy is inconsistent
You prefer spray-focused, forgiving SMGs
You primarily play large maps with long ranges
You’re not comfortable with high-skill-ceiling weapons

The bottom line:
Master headshot aiming, embrace aggressive flanking, and the MPC-24 becomes one of the deadliest SMGs in Black Ops 7. Miss those headshots, and you’ll wish you’d picked a different weapon. The choice is yours.

Level Up Your Multiplayer Game

SMG & Aggressive Loadouts:

AR Alternatives:

Progression:

Skill Development:

Perks & Optimization:

Zombies Content:

Join the Black Ops 7 community on Reddit or Discord to share your MPC-24 builds and headshot clips.

For official updates, visit the Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 website or check the Wikipedia page.

Final tip: The MPC-24’s Stratus-X Barrel is counterintuitive—most headshot damage barrels ruin recoil control. This one improves it. Trust the build, commit to aiming high, and you’ll understand why this returning MSMC is dominating the SMG meta for skilled players.