Is the TAQ-V the SCAR?
Hey friend! If you‘re a fan of Call of Duty, you may have noticed the TAQ-V battle rifle causing shockwaves in Modern Warfare 2. This hard-hitting beast feels awfully familiar, doesn‘t it? Well let me tell you after extensive hands-on testing – the TAQ-V is without a doubt the return of the iconic SCAR-H.
A Nostalgic Blast From the Past
The SCAR-H holds a special place in the hearts of many Call of Duty players. This rifle entered service with US special forces in 2009, and we got to wield its firepower for the first time in MW2. The SCAR-H became a fan-favorite as the perfect weapon when you needed to dish out high damage at range.
It‘s been 8 years since the SCAR-H appeared in 2019‘s Modern Warfare reboot. But now in 2022, the TAQ-V gives us its long-awaited successor. When I first fired up MW2 and unlocked the TAQ-V, the similarities were clear. The visual design, dominating damage profile, and fully-automatic fire screamed SCAR-H. This new battle rifle fills the exact same role, it just has a slick new name.
Let‘s dive deeper into the stats and gameplay to break down why veterans feel right at home with the TAQ-V, and why it‘s become a top dog in MW2‘s meta.
TAQ-V Breakdown – SCAR-H Reborn
At its core, the TAQ-V is a 7.62 battle rifle with a 20 round magazine. This means it packs a serious punch downrange compared to 5.56 assault rifles. The damage profile shows where the TAQ-V clearly takes after its spiritual predecessor:
| Damage Profile |
|-|-|
| Head | 112 |
| Chest | 68 |
| Stomach | 56 |
| Limbs | 48 |
Those chest and headshot values guarantee extremely fast kills if you can land your shots. The TAQ-V can drop enemies in just 2-3 bullets with this high damage. Combined with its fully automatic firing, this creates a very forgiving time-to-kill.
The tradeoff comes in its handling stats:
| Handling Stats |
|-|-|
| Rate of Fire | ~600 RPM |
| Reload Speed | 2.5 sec |
| Aiming Walk Speed | 3.33 m/s |
It‘s on the slower side for fire rate and handling compared to assault rifles. This is the balance to offset its raw power. Mastering the TAQ-V means playing a little more strategically to play into its strengths.
Ideal Loadouts to Dominate With the TAQ-V
Through many hours of playtesting, I‘ve landed on the perfect loadout to really make the TAQ-V shine:
Barrel: 17.5′′ Tundra Pro Barrel
Optic: VLK 4.0 Optic
Magazine: 45 Round Mag
Rear Grip: XTEN Grip
Underbarrel: FSS Sharkfin 90
The longer Tundra Pro barrel maximizes bullet velocity and damage range. This accentuates the TAQ-V‘s ability to wipe enemies out at medium to long distances.
The VLK 4.0 optic provides clean sights for distant engagements. 45 rounds gives us extra capacity to take advantage of the full-auto firing. And the rear/underbarrel attachments keep recoil in check for accurate follow-up shots.
Pair the TAQ-V with a speedy SMG like the Fennec 45 or Vaznev-9K to handle close quarters. This loadout allows you to excel at any range.
How the TAQ-V Compares to Other Top MW2 Guns
The TAQ-V carves out a very specific niche for itself among MW2‘s armory. Let‘s see how it stacks up to some other top guns:
M4: The M4 has less recoil and is more well-rounded. But the TAQ-V‘s raw damage output surpasses the M4 at mid-long range.
TAQ-56: The TAQ-56 has a faster fire rate, but lower damage per shot. The TAQ-V‘s automatic fire makes it superior past close quarters.
FTAC Recon: This semi-auto battle rifle has similar damage, but fire rate cap at ~260 RPM. The TAQ-V is better for mid-range thanks to full auto.
ISO Hemlock: Very similar damage profile as the TAQ-V. The ISO has less recoil, but slower fire rate. Another solid long range option.
Signal 50: This semi-auto sniper rifle can one shot kill, but the TAQ-V has more room for error at range thanks to full-auto fire.
So while other guns can compete at various ranges, none quite match the TAQ-V‘s unique niche of combining 7.62 damage, full auto fire rate, and medium range versatility.
Why the Pros Love the TAQ-V
The TAQ-V has become hugely popular in competitive Call of Duty, especially after the M4 assault rifle was restricted. Professional players have shared why they‘ve embraced this battle rifle:
"The TAQ-V is super consistent and versatile. It has the best range in the auto rifle category." – Shotzzy, OpTic Texas
"Its damage output combined with manageable recoil makes it really reliable. The fully automatic fire gives it a leg up on the other battle rifles." – Scump, OpTic Chicago
"I love that it‘s so forgiving. The fire rate and high damage means you don‘t need perfect accuracy to get kills." – Attach, NYSL
Competitive players demand weapons that can slay enemies quickly and consistently. The TAQ-V certainly delivers in that regard.
My Take: Welcome Back, Old Friend
As someone who grinded with the SCAR-H religiously back in the day, the nostalgiarush of using the TAQ-V was real. The second I picked it up, memories came flooding back of going on ruthless killstreaks with its overwhelming firepower.
This gun just feels so similar to wield. It takes me back to my early Call of Duty days. That familiar kick on each shot, the beloved reload animation, the almost therapeutic rattling as you fire relentlessly at enemies.
Yet it‘s not simply nostalgia. The TAQ-V slaps hard in MW2 thanks to its unique niche in the current meta. This new generation of players is quickly learning what us SCAR vets have known all along – this family of battle rifles offers an intoxicating blend of high damage, great iron sights, and just enough stability to stay on target.
So if you have a soft spot for the SCAR, or want to try out a new gun with serious killing power, look no further than the TAQ-V. MW2 has given new life to this iconic rifle.
The Verdict on the TAQ-V as MW2‘s New SCAR
After extensive testing, the evidence is clear:
✔️ Hard-hitting 7.62x51mm battle rifle
✔️ Fully automatic fire rate
✔️ Excellent damage range
✔️ High damage per shot
This gun ticks all the boxes that made us fall in love with the SCAR-H. The TAQ-V proudly carries this torch forward into a new era. It‘s performing beautifully in MW2 thanks to its highly competitive damage profile.
So for SCAR enthusiasts wondering if we‘d ever see its return to glory – yes, our beloved battle rifle is back! The TAQ-V flawlessly captures the SCAR‘s spirit with some fresh style mixed in.
Welcome back, old friend. We‘ve missed you dearly. It‘s time to let the legend live on.