The Cronen Squall is locked behind Player Level 55 in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, and that wait is intentional. This full-auto assault rifle hits harder than most ARs in its class, but its default 20-round magazine keeps it honest until you know what you're doing in the Gunsmith. Get the build right and it becomes one of the strongest mid-to-long-range primaries in the game.
Cronen Squall Gunsmith setup
What makes the Cronen Squall worth using?
The Cronen Squall's base stats lean toward raw damage output, but its default configuration holds it back in two ways: the 20-round magazine runs dry fast in sustained engagements, and the recoil pattern needs taming before the gun rewards you at range. Both problems are solvable with the right attachments. Once addressed, the Squall excels at the mid-to-long-range distances where most 6v6 maps have their decisive gunfights.
The weapon also supports an Apex attachment slot, which opens up a secondary fire mode in the form of a precision-guided missile that you steer through the weapon's infrared targeting laser while aiming down sights. That changes the playstyle significantly, so both a standard build and an Apex build are covered below.
Best Cronen Squall attachments for standard 6v6
The standard build prioritizes ADS recoil control and a larger magazine, with secondary improvements to ADS speed and sprint-to-fire time.
| Slot | Attachment | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Optic | Bruen THRM-60 (Holo) | 2.1x magnification, thermal target ID |
| Barrel | Bryson Longhorn 20' (Heavy Barrel) | Recoil control, gun kick reduction, muzzle velocity |
| Underbarrel | FSS Fireline Grip (Angled Grip) | ADS recoil control, sprint-to-fire speed |
| Magazine | 30 Round Mag | Increased ammo capacity over default 20-round |
| Laser | SZ Gen.6 PEQ (Bright ADS Laser) | Sprint-to-fire speed, ADS speed, ADS gun bob |
The Bryson Longhorn 20' barrel does most of the heavy lifting here. It improves recoil control, gun kick, and muzzle velocity at the cost of some ADS speed and movement, which the FSS Fireline Grip and SZ Gen.6 PEQ laser help offset. The 30 Round Mag is non-negotiable: the default 20-round capacity runs out mid-fight too often at this damage profile.
The Bruen THRM-60 optic provides 2.1x magnification with thermal identification, which suits the Squall's strength at range. If you prefer iron sights or a different optic, swapping it out for a longer barrel to extend damage range is a reasonable alternative.
30 Round Mag vs default 20-round
Best Cronen Squall Apex build
The Maelstrom Apex attachment replaces the laser, underbarrel, stock, and rear grip slots with a single secondary fire mode: a precision-guided missile that you steer via the weapon's infrared targeting laser while aiming down sights. Because those four slots are blocked, the build shifts its remaining attachment choices toward compensating for what's lost.
| Slot | Attachment | Primary Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Apex | Maelstrom | Precision-guided missile secondary fire |
| Optic | Bruen THRM-60 (Holo) | 2.1x magnification, thermal target ID |
| Muzzle | HET-S6 Comp (Balanced Comp) | ADS recoil control, ADS speed |
| Barrel | Bryson Longhorn 20' (Heavy Barrel) | Recoil control, gun kick, muzzle velocity |
| Magazine | 30 Round Mag | Increased ammo capacity |
| Comb | 3EXP FCO-44 (Heavy Comb) | Recoil control, ADS speed, sprint-to-fire speed |
With the laser and underbarrel slots unavailable, the HET-S6 Comp muzzle takes over ADS recoil control duties, and the 3EXP FCO-44 comb picks up sprint-to-fire and ADS speed. Recoil control remains the core focus, keeping the Squall competitive at range even without the angled grip.
What perks and equipment work best with the Cronen Squall?
The suggested perk setup pairs well with the Squall's mid-to-long-range role and its need to stay mobile between engagements.
| Slot | Perk / Item | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Perk 1 | High Alert | Vision pulses when spotted by an enemy outside your view |
| Perk 2 | Blood Rush | Enables Tactical Sprint; kills replenish stamina |
| Perk 3 | Scavenger | Enemies drop a retrievable ammo cache on death |
| Tactical | Stim | Immediately starts health regen and refreshes Tactical Sprint |
| Lethal | Semtex | Timed sticky grenade |
| Field Upgrade | Munitions Box | Deploys ammo and equipment for you and teammates |
High Alert is the standout perk for the Squall's playstyle. Because you're holding angles at range, knowing when someone outside your field of view has spotted you prevents the flanks that punish passive play. Blood Rush keeps your movement aggressive after kills, and Scavenger solves the ammo problem that the 30-round mag can create over a long match.
The Stim tactical is a strong pairing with Blood Rush since both abilities interact with health regeneration and sprint refreshes. Munitions Box as a field upgrade keeps the 30-round mag topped off in modes where ammo can run thin.
How to unlock the Cronen Squall
The Cronen Squall unlocks at Player Level 55 and has a maximum Gun Level of 66. It fires in full-auto, uses a default 20-round magazine with 100 rounds in reserve, and sits in the Assault Rifle class. For a full breakdown of every weapon and the level required to access it, the MW4 all weapons unlock guide covers all 32 launch guns.
Standard build vs. Apex build: which should you run?
The answer depends on how you want to play the Squall. The standard build gives you more attachment flexibility and a cleaner, more predictable AR experience. The Apex build trades four attachment slots for a situational missile secondary that rewards players who can use the infrared laser targeting effectively.
For most 6v6 multiplayer, the standard build is the better starting point. The Apex build suits players who have already mastered the Squall's recoil pattern and want a secondary option for specific engagements.
If you're working toward weapon mastery at the same time, the MW4 camos and mastery unlock guide covers every challenge from Gold through Orion Reforged, so you can plan your grind alongside building out the Squall. For everything else across the game, the full Modern Warfare 4 strategy guides collection has you covered.
