At Tier 15, a free Battle Pass tier, sits the Holger-26 - the fifth Light Machine Gun in Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®.
Whether you have spent the time since Season One launch to earn this weapon today, or purchased the Battle Pass Bundle to skip right to unlocking it, but have it sitting in your arsenal untouched, the Holger-26 is an underrated – and unexpected – addition to the LMG category.
In our first ever Weapon Detail, we make the case for why the Holger-26 should be in at least one of your loadouts, especially when it comes to its Gilded Weapon Blueprint.
Holger-26 Overview
The Holger-26, in a sentence, is a hybrid weapon that sits between an LMG and an Assault Rifle. It categorizes itself as an LMG thanks to its default 100-round high capacity magazine. However, the magazine is the 5.56 NATO cartridge, the least powerful ammunition type within the LMG category.
Despite its limited stopping power – it will most likely only take four or five shots to down an enemy with the Holger-26 – its small size allows for a high fire rate, a manageable recoil, and some of the best mobility compared to other weapons in this class.
Furthermore, it’s a common ammo type in the game; if your enemy drops a Kilo 141, for example, you can run over it and grab those magazines for your reserves without needing the Scavenger perk.
While the base Holger-26 is already a unique weapon among the LMG pack, its attachments truly make it shine as a hybrid weapon. Unlike any other LMG, its lone ammunition attachment, unlocked at Weapon Level 25, downgrades its ammo count from 100 rounds per mag to just 30. Doing this significantly cuts down its aim down sight speed and boosts your Operator’s movement speed drastically, as your Operator doesn’t have to deal with lugging around a massive mag around the map. It also shortens the reload time.
Paired with its two-barrel attachments, which both reduce its length, the 30-Round Magazine attachment transforms the Holger-26 into a quasi-Assault Rifle, able to hold its own against that class of weapon thanks to its reliable damage output at any range. In fact, this weapon has a similar fire rate to the fast-cycling M13 – which also fires the 5.56 NATO ammo – but has significantly better range.
In essence, the Holger-26 is a weapon that may not show its best side at a low weapon level, but can turn into a versatile threat as you gain more attachments.
Blueprint Review
Of course, you can skip a few steps to unlocking some of the Holger-26’s most unique attachments by getting its weapon blueprint.
Available at Tier 85 in the Battle Pass, the Gilded Legendary Blueprint wraps this LMG in some swank brown print with gold and white accents. The fresh coat of paint is not only stylish, it’s also effective; the four attachments combine to be a boon towards your hip fire accuracy, aim down sight speed, movement speed, and even recoil control.
Plus, the Fully Loaded Perk ensures that there will be extra 30-round mags on your Operator without the need to pick up more around the map.
Top-5 Loadout Ideas
1. The ‘Gilded’ Blueprint
These reasons make it reasonable to recommend the Gilded blueprint as one of the five loadouts to try for the Holger-26.
The ‘Gilded’ allows the Holger-26 to play well within its hybrid role, providing the damage distance needed to match other LMGs while covering its shortcomings for being in that class. And, as you level the Holger-26 up, you can edit this ‘Gilded’ blueprint to maximize its strengths towards your playstyle.
This isn’t the only way to play with the Holger-26, however; here are four other ideas to make the most of this weapon’s versatility:
2. Distance and Killstreak Denial
Although it won’t rip a Killstreak to shreds like the MG34 or other LMGs do, the Holger-26 can still knock down a few support streaks with one clip, or deal enough damage to an assault Killstreak for a launcher to finish the job.
FMJ is specifically tailored towards equipment and Killstreak denial, bolstering the 5.56 NATO rounds’ stopping power for ruining enemy technology.
With this weapon perk, you may want to pair it with loadout perks Spotter to see – and call out – enemy equipment and Killstreaks, as well as Cold-Blooded, which aids in you not get eviscerated by assault Killstreaks while trying to take them out.
As for the other attachments, Monolithic Suppressor boosts the weapon’s generous four shot kill range, while the Ranger Foregrip and Rubberized Grip Tape aid in recoil control.
Last, but certainly not least, the Thermal Hybrid allows you to spot Killstreaks and warm-blooded enemies with an enhanced zoom and sight picture, but also offers a clearer 1x precision sight for when the enemy goes Cold-Blooded.
3. Assault Rival
Although it may be better to just edit the ‘Gilded’ blueprint, levelling the Holger-26 up naturally can reward you with a solid quasi-Assault Rifle setup like the above.
The XRK Axis Stock, XRK Ultralight Barrel, and 30 Round Mags all cut down on the weapon’s aim down sight speed, bringing it closer to what you would get with a standard assault rifle. The Tactical Laser also aids with this while giving some aiming stability; this cuts down horizontal recoil and makes its pattern a bit more vertical than diagonal.
As for the FSS Integral Reflex, it adds a bit of flair to the weapon and gives you a clearer sight picture than its iron sights. However, if you grow comfortable with those iron sights, you can swap out the optic for an attachment that can help with vertical recoil control, such as a Compensator or Operator Foregrip.
4. Ground War General
Light Machine Guns can be more commonly found in Ground War matches, and even 10v10 maps, compared to 6v6 fare. The size of these maps give more opportunities for long-range weapons to shine, and with the benefit of the LMG’s near-limitless range, the Holger-26 can be a solid mid-to-long-range weapon in any Ground War Loadout.
The Muzzle Brake and Ranger Foregrip help with recoil stabilization and control, with the latter also providing aiming stability. Better stability is also provided by the FSS Ranger, whose benefits are slightly cancelled out by the drawbacks of the Stippled Grip Tape.
However, this Grip Tape cuts down on aim down sight speed and sprint to fire speed, two important traits to have when rushing from cover-to-cover.
That drop to aim down sight speed is only hindered minimally by the Solozero K498 4.0x Integral Optic, which provides a fantastic zoom level that can be used to scope out enemies at a distance.
This loadout can be great for those chasing longshots and mounted kills for the Splinter and Topo camos respectively; whether you are trying to counter-snipe defenders or aggressively push a point, you can bounce from mount point to mount point and pick off enemies at range.
5. Pure Mobility
This last loadout throws the idea of an LMG out the window; your range and control drops significantly in exchange for the best mobility one can find in an LMG. With these attachments the Holger begins to compete with SMGs and shows the true versatility of this weapon.
Start by throwing on the FTAC 8.98” Spitfire Barrel, throw out the base Stock, slap on 30 Round Mags, then finish it off with the 5mW Laser and Merc Foregrip for better hip fire accuracy.
While this weapon won’t outgun a submachine gun in a CQB brawl, it does provide a unique compliment to the Holger-26’s fast-firing and more compact design.
If a Daily Challenge, Officer Rank Challenge, or Mission asks you to get LMG Kills or Headshots, and you just don’t want to stray too far away from an SMG or Assault Rifle, try this loadout out and see where it takes you.
Holger-26 Progression (Attachment and Camo Unlocks)
For those who like to see the exact progression track you’ll be on for the Holger-26, here’s a detailed breakdown of everything you’ll unlock for it, along with some notes for milestone unlocks:
Level 2:Spray Paint Camo / Breacher Device (Muzzle)
Level 3:Cronen LP945 Mini Reflex (Optic)
The first optical attachment is a milestone for those who don’t appreciate the weapon’s iron sights.
Level 4:Commando Foregrip (Underbarrel)
Level 5:Heavy Hitter (Perk)
Level 6:Corp Combat Holo Sight (Optic)
Level 7:Flash Guard (Muzzle)
Level 8:Aim-Op Reflex Sight (Optic)
Level 9:Woodland Camo / XRK Ultralight (Barrel)
This level grants the first appearance-changing attachment, as the XRK Ultralight shortens the Holger-26 barrel for faster aim down sight speed.
Level 10:Recon (Perk)
Level 11:Viper Reflex Sight (Optic)
Level 12: FMJ (Perk)
Because the 5.56 cartridge has little penetration power, this weapon level allows you to significantly up its damage to vehicles and equipment through FMJ.
Level 13:Granulated Grip Tape (Rear Grip)
Level 14:Muzzle Brake (Muzzle)
Level 15:VLK 3.0x Optic
The first magnified optic attachment for the Holger-26 will help those who want to use this for longshots, or on larger maps (read: Ground War) where seeing better at a distance is advantageous to survival.
Level 16:Digital Camo / Slight of Hand (Perk)
Level 17:APX5 Holographic Sight (Optic)
Level 18: Merc Foregrip (Underbarrel)
Level 19:1mW Laser
Level 20:Lightweight Suppressor (Muzzle)
Level 21:FSS Ranger (Stock)
Level 22:Dragon Camo / Frangible – Wounding (Perk)
Level 23:Operator Reflex Sight (Optic)
Level 24:Solozero NVG Enhanced (Optic)
This thermal scope is the first that can be unlocked, providing a great alternative to a laser in nighttime engagements along with other magnification scopes for long-range shootouts. Remember to take off your NVG’s before aiming down sights in order to get the benefits of this thermal scope.
Level 25:30-Round Magazine
Level 26:Integral Hybrid (Optic)
Level 27:Tactical Suppressor (Muzzle)
Level 28:FSS Infantry (Stock)
Level 29:Splinter Camo / Scout Combat Optic
Level 30: Tactical Foregrip (Underbarrel)
Level 31:Stippled Grip Tape (Rear Grip)
Level 32:Solozero Optics Mini Reflex (Optic)
Level 33:Fast Melee (Perk)
Level 34:Topo Camo / FSS Integral Reflex (Optic)
This unique attachment provides a more natural scope for the Holger-26, which could be great for weapon aficionados who want their weapon to both perform well and look cool.
Level 35: 5mW Laser
Level 36:Sniper Scope (Optic)
Level 37: Fully Loaded (Perk)
With only two 100-round magazines coming standard on the Holger-26, this is definitely not a bad weapon perk to consider.
Level 38: Compensator (Muzzle)
Level 39:FTAC 8.99” Spitfire
Level 40:4.0x Flip Hybrid (Optic)
Level 41: Tiger Camo /Mo’ Money (Perk)
Level 42:Merc Thermal Optic
Level 43: Ranger Foregrip (Underbarrel)
Level 44:G.I. Mini Reflex (Optic)
Level 45:Rubberized Grip Tape (Rear Grip)
Level 46:PBX Holo 7 Sight (Optic)
Level 47:Stripes Camo / No Stock
Level 48:Canted Hybrid (Optic)
Level 49: Tac Laser
Level 50:Monocle Reflex Sight (Optic)
Level 51: Monolithic Suppressor (Muzzle)
Level 52:Cronen C480 Pro Optic
Level 53: Reptile Camo / Operator Foregrip (Underbarrel)
Level 54:Thermal Hybrid
Level 55:XRK Axis (Stock)
Level 56:Solozero K948 4.0x Integral (Optic)
The last physical attachment unlock is like the other integral optic; it is a natural fit for the Holger-26, but also provides a fantastic amount of zoom.
Level 57: Skulls Camo / Frangible – Disabling (Perk)
No matter if you decide to test out the ‘Gilded’ weapon blueprint or are convinced to turn this weapon Gold, we hope you enjoy the first of the two free weapons as part of the Season One Battle Pass system.
We’ll see you online. Stay frosty.
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