It’s finally here! Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches today, and we already have the intel you’ll need for all the modes, maps, and strategies to survive and win! I’m sure this weekend we’ll see all-out battles take place on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. I’ll have to watch in envy as I wait to acquire my copy of the FPS game.
For now, here are the games modes and maps that will be in COD: Modern Warfare 2 from the launch today. I’ll also add some tips based on my Call of Duty experience, which carries over several years. My hard drives on the PS4 and PC are full of Activision’s FPS titles, so I think I’m more than qualified to offer some strategic advice.
Modern Warfare 2 gaming modes
COD: Modern Warfare 2 offers players two main types of gameplay map modes: Core and Battle. The former is the main type of gameplay for most stages, while the latter focuses on specific maps with strategic points. You’ll recognize a few of them if you’ve played other multiplayer games in the series.
Core Map modes
The main aspect of the Core Map mode is that it sets six players against another team of six (6v6). These are smaller maps where the battles are intense, calling for your team to work together at all times. There are also a few solo arenas, such as free-for-all, but I don’t see any mention of Gun Game as yet. That will probably arrive at a later stage.
A few familiar modes for COD veterans include Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Headquarters, Control, and Search & Destroy. I won’t spend too much time explaining what each one is about, which beginners can do on the official blog post.
What I do want to mention are some core map modes I haven’t seen before. Well, not in recent Call of Duty gaming history, anyway. Modern Warfare 2 will include Prisoner Rescue and Knock Out at the launch. With the first one, one team needs to extract hostages while the other team stops them. The second one involves fighting over a cache of cash until the round ends or all opponent team members are eliminated. I think I may have seen something similar in COD: Vanguard last weekend.
Battle Map modes
These modes have larger maps with more players with teams of up to 32 (32v32). At the moment, Modern Warfare 2 will have only Ground War and Ground War Invasion. Perhaps Activision will add more in the future.
With Ground War, two teams face off to take possession of the map, much like in Hardpoint. However, you’ll need to claim the core areas before the time runs out or a team reaches a score of 250 points. You’ll have ground vehicles to assist you, but the enemy will also have powerful weapons to take them out.
Ground War Invasion has a similar premise, but with 2,000 points to gain and plenty more weapons and vehicles at your disposal. While I don’t usually play these modes, Modern Warfare 2 is bound to have hundreds of players aiming for them. They’re intense and last for an incredibly long time.
Types of gameplay
Not all games in Modern Warfare 2 are created equally. There are modes where you need to focus on the time, while others have the points as a basis to win. If there’s a timer, the team with the most points at the end of the clock will be victorious.
There are also different playlists available at launch:
- Featured: These hold the core games that are new and will change over time. Whenever Activision wants to show off a new map or mode, it will show here with old ones removed.
- Quick Play: This playlist is based on a filter where you select your favorite Modern Warfare 2 core and battle modes. Once done, clicking on Quick Play will randomly place you in a lobby within one of the filtered selections.
- Tier 1: With maps that support this feature, you’ll have a more challenging playlist. Your operator won’t have as much health, and there are fewer HUD elements. Basically, it’s like the realistic mode that we saw before in COD: MW1.
- Third-Person Mode: Some maps and modes will let you play in third-person instead of first-person. With the camera looking over your shoulder, you’ll have a better view of your immediate surroundings.
Tips for engaging in these gaming modes
The best advice I can give you for starting COD: Modern Warfare 2 is to try every map and mode to see in which ones you are the most successful. Even if you struggled with similar modes in past Call of Duty games, I’d say try them in MWII. You might have better success, especially in these early stages.
For beginners, play the multiplayer modes and stick with your team. You’ll learn a lot from them, especially when encountering new maps for the first time. Remember, everybody is a noob (newbie/new player) at this stage of the game. That means you’ll be on equal footing with your opponents.
Once you know which Modern Warfare 2 maps and modes you excel in, use them to level up your operator and weapons as quickly as possible. Also, see if there are any daily or weekly quests you can complete for extra experience. The quicker you level up, the better you’ll be on the battlefield.
Core and Battle maps
As with the Modern Warfare 2 game modes, the maps are also split into Core and Battle. There are three main categories for the maps, namely, Las Almas, Al Mazrah, and Other Locales. The Core Maps allow the 6v6 game modes, while the Battle Maps are designed for 32v32 battles.
There are several locations in each category, depending on the game mode you select. You will also fight in surrounding areas, but they mostly fall into one of those three main sections. It’s also worth noting that the categories are available for all game modes.
Tips for winning on various maps
I recommend you start memorizing maps and find the best spots for you based on your COD skills and operator. If you’re going for long-distance sniping, make sure you find a high, secure location where it’s hard to see you. Speed-runners who like to mow down enemies with a submachine gun (SMG) will do better with open spaces and tight corners.
Don’t become disgruntled if you die often. Everyone needs to learn the outline of the new maps and modes. The more time you spend on specific Modern Warfare 2 maps, the more you’ll master them.
Modern Warfare 2 Perk packages
Perks as special abilities your operators can use in battle. It’s not the first time we’ve seen them in a COD title, and Modern Warfare 2 brings a few old ones back. In essence, your operator can hold a maximum of four perks. Two are base abilities, one is a bonus perk, and the final one is your ultimate.
Here’s the list of perks available at the launch of Modern Warfare 2:
- Base: Double Time, Overkill, Scavenger, Strong Arm, Battle Hardened, Tracker, Bomb Squad, and Extra Tactical.
- Bonus: Resupply, Cold-Blooded, Spotter, Hardline, Fast Hands, and Focus
- Ultimate: High Alert, Quick Fix, Ghost, Survivor, Overclock, and Bird’s Eye
Field upgrades and Killstreaks
There are two last components to discuss with the Modern Warfare 2 launch. The first is the field upgrade, which is quite literally an upgrade you can place on the battlefield. It recharges over time, so you’ll need to use it strategically. Some of the items available include the tactical camera, inflatable decoy, deployable cover, trophy system, and more.
Killstreaks are what you earn when you eliminate enough opponents without dying and rack up the points. As you level up, you’ll unlock more powerful killstreaks, but you can only carry a limited amount into battle. The top KS you’ll enjoy are the UAV, bomb drones, cluster mines, cruise missiles, precision strike, and many others!
Get ready for the dawn of a new Modern Warfare 2 age
As you can see, there’s plenty of content for Modern Warfare 2 right from the start. Once I get my hand on the game, I’ll be sure to make guides for every map, mode, perk, and upgrades. I want to make sure you have the best chance of winning!
