The best loadout for the 556 Icarus light machine gun in MW2 turns it into an easily controlled beast of a weapon.

The 556 Icarus is a light machine gun that could very well be considered number one in its category. This Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 weapon is surprisingly mobile, has great recoil and will take enemies down in just a few shots. Its massive reserve of ammunition, along with its best loadout, will make it easy to wipe entire squads without the Icarus needing a reload in MW2.

Inspecting the 556 Icarus LMG will shows its high ammo capacity (Image via esports.gg)
Inspecting the 556 Icarus LMG will shows its high ammo capacity (Image via esports.gg)

Once you've unlocked the 556 Icarus, you can add it to a class and immediately give it some action. Like every other gun in the game, you'll need to rack up some kills with it to increase its level. This unlocks attachments that make it nearly unstoppable.

How to unlock the 556 Icarus

This class shows the 556 Icarus with a secondary, equipment and perks that are up to the user (Image via esports.gg)
This class shows the 556 Icarus with a secondary, equipment and perks that are up to the user (Image via esports.gg)

Modern Warfare 2 has implemented a weapon progression system. Weapons are part of a family tree of sorts that require you to unlock certain ones to move through the branching paths. The 556 Icarus is part of the M4 platform and obtainable by doing the following:

  1. Reach Military Rank 4 to unlock the ability to create custom loadouts for multiplayer
  2. Create a class with the M4 assault rifle
  3. Use the M4 assault rifle in multiplayer and get to level 15

If you purchased the Vault Edition of MW2, you can start working on the best 556 Icarus loadout immediately. The special edition version of the game comes with the entire M4 weapon platform unlocked from the start.

The best MW2 loadout for the 556 Icarus light machine gun

Five simple and easy to unlock attachments make for a very deadly LMG in MW2 (Image via esports.gg)
Five simple and easy to unlock attachments make for a very deadly LMG in MW2 (Image via esports.gg)

It shouldn't take you long to gather all of the attachments needed for the best 556 Icarus loadout in MW2. Utilize any Double Weapon XP Tokens and jump into a game of Invasion to net a ton of kills and level up the weapon quickly. You'll only need to reach level 11 with the LMG to access its best attachments.

  • Muzzle: Echoline GS-X
  • Barrel: FTAC Coldforge 16" Barrel
  • Laser: 1MW Laser Box
  • Optic: SZ Lonewolf Optic
  • Rear Grip: Sakin ZX Grip

The focus of this loadout is on landing your shots and mowing down the opposition. Overall, you'll see an increase to Damage, Range, Accuracy and Recoil Control, though Handling does take a slight hit. You'll be able to move throughout the map without any hindrance, decimate the other team with an onslaught of bullets and hip fire for kills when another player surprises you around a corner.

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