Author: Nik Ranger

7 weapons Black Ops Cold War should bring back Activision / TreyarchCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War features plenty of iconic guns from across the series, but there are a few fan-favorites that are still missing. Here are seven weapons we want to see make a return in Treyarch’s latest shooter. [jwplayer NOdtwdVj] Black Ops Cold War brings plenty of exciting new game modes, maps, perks, and deadly new weapons. However, with the game taking place during the early 1980s, there are a number of iconic guns we’d love to see make a return – after all, the very best CoD games always feature plenty of familiar faces. There are currently 29 weapons available in Black Ops Cold War and this number is expected to be expanded upon with each new content drops. While it’s still early days for Treyarch’s latest title, we’ve compiled a list of 5 Black Ops weapons we want to see make a return in Cold War. Enfield The SA80, more commonly known as the Enfield is a British assault rifle that was first used in 1985. Early prototypes of this light support weapon were floating around as early as 1976, but it was only during the mid-80s that it began to see action. While the Enfield wasn’t the best assault rifle in the original Black Ops, it did boast superior handling thanks to its fast aim down sight speed (200ms). Boasting clean iron sights and a methodical fire rate of 750 RPM, the Enfield excelled at killing targets across mid to long-range engagements. This British assault rifle may not be the first weapon you think of when picturing the Cold War, but it is one gun we’d love to see make a return. Galil While eagle-eyed fans previously spotted the Galil in Black Ops Cold War’s trailer, we haven’t actually seen any gameplay of it. This Israeli made assault rifle shares similarities to that of the Soviet AK-47, offering a robust and reliable design that works in many environments. Unlike the Kalashnikov, the Galil also boasts greater accuracy and was built to match that of the M16 and FN FAL It was this accuracy and reliability that was shown in the original Black Ops. In fact, the Galil absolutely dominated the virtual battlefields back in 2010. This assault rifle was capable of killing an enemy with just three body shots and two well-placed headshots, making it an absolute monster. To make matters even better, the Galil’s vertical recoil was incredibly easy to mitigate and allowed players to beam their foes across all distances. This deadly assault rifle has been featured in every Black Ops, so we’d be surprised if it doesn’t end up making an appearance in Cold War. RPK The RPK is one of the beefiest LMGs ever to grace our screens and Black Ops Cold War could see it return. This reliable LMG was adopted in 1961 by the Soviet Union and still remains in service to this day. However, this LMG was famously used during the Vietnam War and while the RPD would later replace it, we would love to get our hands on its predecessor once again. Black Ops’ RPK featured an 80 round magazine, moderate penetration, and highly damaging bullets that could kill an enemy in two to three hits. Despite its high recoil and 5.5 second reload animation, this LMG was an absolute beast in multiplayer. Olympia Modern Warfare’s 725 proved just how devastating double-barreled shotguns could be, so it’s only right that Black Ops Cold War features its own satisfying shotgun. The Olympia (Rottweil Skeet Olympia 72) was produced in West Germany in 1972 under Italian manufacture, Fratelli Gamba. In Black Ops, the Olympia fires up to eight pellets per shot and can kill an enemy with just one shot to the head or chest. Read More: Best weapons to use in Black Ops Cold War – While its kill potential in close-quarters fights is unparalleled, it does struggle during ranged engagements. In fact, the Olympia deals no damage past fifteen meters. This may seem like a huge downside, but the return of shotgun secondaries could make this shotgun extremely viable should it return. Python The Colt Python is a .357 Magnum caliber revolver that saw use in 1955-2005 and was widely used by American law enforcement. However, most CoD fans will know that this lethal revolver was used by CIA operative, Alex Mason. Not only was this sidearm extremely deadly in the campaign, it was also the go-to secondary for those looking to tear a hole through their enemies. Being able to kill a full health enemy in just two hits in close-quarters fights is huge, especially when you pair it with a sniper. We still fondly remember the days where players would run around with akimbo Python’s on Nuketown, cleaning up the entire map with deadly blasts to the chest. Bringing back the Python would certainly make a lot of Black Ops fans happy. G11 While Black Ops Cold War is certainly no stranger to damage and accuracy of burst fire assault rifles, the game did leave one AR out of its current arsenal. This gun being that of the G11. Unlike the M16 and AUG, the G11 has an incredibly fast rate of fire and is capable of some blisteringly quick kill times. This enables it to go toe to toe with the game’s zippy SMGs, while also delivering fantastic ranged accuracy. A lot of burst fire rifles can leave you in the dirt if you miss those crucial first shots, but the G11’s 523 RPM enables you to instantly unleash a wave of deadly bullets in the blink of an eye. The G11’s unique reload animation was not only incredibly quick, it also looked fantastic. While it may not have been the most dominant AR in the original Black Ops, it was arguably one of the most underrated. Hopefully, Treyarch can give this burst rifle a new lease of life in Cold War’s future content drops. Spectre M4 The Spectre M4 may not have been as dominant as the MP5, but its excellent handling and fantastic hip-fire accuracy make it a decent choice. For those of you that enjoy CoD’s run and gun playstyle, then this gun will allow you to do just that. It comes with clean ironsights, 30 round mag, and a scintillating fire rate of 937 RPM – putting it just above the MP5 in terms of speed (857 RPM). The Spectre’s damage might be a little on the low side, but its fire rate more than makes up for this. In fact, when equipped with the 45 round extended mag, this punchy SMG can take down multiple foes before reloading. If that wasn’t enough, the Spectre’s minimal recoil makes taking down targets an absolute breeze, especially when hip firing in close-quarter fights. If you’re looking for more Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War news and updates, head over to @DexertoIntel for all the latest info.

7 players to watch during the Call of Duty League Launch Weekend Activision/AstroActivision’s Call of Duty League Launch Weekend will take place from January 24-26, as Minnesota RØKKR hosts all 12 teams. But who are the stars to keep an eye on? Call of Duty League’s pro teams are set to lock horns during a jam-packed opening weekend. Twelve best-of-five series will see players putting everything on the line to get off to the best possible start. After a lengthy off-season, players will be looking to prove their worth on the biggest stage in Call of Duty history. But which players are the ones to watch during the launch weekend? We’ve listed the seven hottest stars to watch in Modern Warfare right now. Indervir ‘iLLeY’ Dhaliwal (Dallas Empire) Stemming from the depths of the Search & Destroy scene, 18-year-old iLLeY is a player who will be stepping into the professional spotlight for the first time. Having previously been ineligible to compete due to CWL’s age restriction, the youngster has landed a spot alongside two veterans of the scene in James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks and Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter. Dhaliwal is no stranger to rubbing shoulders with the best, mind. Having previously wreaked havoc alongside the likes of Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr and McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel as part of eUnited’s cadets program, iLLeY will be keen to go head-to-head versus his old allies. Having never played on LAN at a professional level before now, the stage is set for iLLeY to put his name up in lights. Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris (Atlanta FaZe) Coming off the back of an incredibly successful 2019 season, aBeZy is tipped to be one of the best from this generation of talent to touch Call of Duty. Having entered Black Ops 4 without a major championship under his belt to being crowned a world champion less than 12 months later, Pharris lets his abilities in the server do the talking, while his accolades speak for themselves. While Modern Warfare poses a fresh challenge for the 20-year-old, he has been running rampant in scrims during pre-season under the Atlanta FaZe banner. Will his form continue through to launch weekend? Only time will tell. Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) A former Halo world champion, Shotzzy transitioned over to Call of Duty following the 2018 Halo Championship Series. In a similar vein to Empire teammate, iLLeY, the 18-year-old was bound to online tournaments due to age restrictions. However, that didn’t stop building a formidable reputation among pros. With his knack for first-person shooters seamlessly transitioning over from Halo, Shotzzy was among some of the most sought after talent during the CDL rostermania. Now playing alongside a mixture of raw talent and experience, the former Halo world champ has a point to prove on LAN — and where better to do it than during the CDL’s opening weekend? McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel (Atlanta FaZe) It seems to be a recurring theme for players to develop from the depths of the Search & Destroy scene, and Cellium’s path to pro is no different. eUnited proved to be a goldmine of raw talent, from which Jovel was plucked from and placed on the biggest stage of them all. Representing the FaZe banner during the Black Ops 4 season, Cellium took top honors at CWL Fort Worth Open with Simp and Obaid ‘Asim’ Asim. Yet despite a fantastic rookie season under FaZe, Jovel’s form throughout Modern Warfare’s off-season is what has got plenty of folk talking. Running riot alongside Simp and aBeZy, Cellium appears to be full of confidence and has been consistently posting big numbers during scrims. Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon (Chicago Huntsmen) Arguably the most seasoned player on our list, Envoy, has been posting big numbers against the very best since Advanced Warfare. Despite having three seasons worth of experience under his belt, Hannon only really found his groove towards the latter stages of the Black Ops 4 season under the Gen.G banner. Envoy has matured into a well-rounded SMG Slayer, who has proved that he can consistently mingle with the very best on LAN — even at the age of 20. The Huntsman’s game-changing plays have often turned the tide in favor of his team in the bat of an eye during scrims, but will this carry over to the biggest stage of them all? Obaid ‘Asim’ Asim (Minnesota RØKKR) Having started the Black Ops 4 season as an amateur to placing 3rd at CWLPro League Playoffs, Asim’s breakout season is one that has flown under the radar of many. Now joined by two former world champions in Justin ‘SiLLY’ Fargo-Palme and Adam ‘Assault’ Garcia, Asim the teen will be taking everything in his stride as he strives to become “a staple in competitive Call of Duty.” Both Asim and Cellium have flourished together up until this point, but now they’ll lock horns for the first time in their careers. The question on the tip of everyone’s tongue is who’ll come out on top? Dylan ‘Dylan’ Henderson (London Royal Ravens) Arguably one of the best raw talents on the professional circuit, Dylan is the type of player to show up when the odds are stacked against him. After falling short at the final hurdle on multiple occasions during the Black Ops 4 season, he failed to bag himself a championship to round off a year that most definitely put his name on the map. Now representing Britain’s sole interest in the 2020’s CDL, will Dylan’s impressive form carry over into Modern Warfare? An all-European battle versus the Paris Legion on the final day of the opening weekend provides an ideal stage for the young star to prove his worth on the biggest stage yet. While most eyes will be on some of the bigger names, there is plenty of fresh talent who are hungry to change the landscape of competitive Call of Duty. And what better stage to do it on, than the inaugural event of the CDL? Be sure to follow our guide on how to watch the Call of Duty League Launch Weekend to not miss a beat over the course of a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty.

7 players to watch during 2021’s CDL Kickoff Classic Call of Duty LeagueActivision’s Call of Duty League is finally here and things are getting started with the CDL Kickoff Classic — a preseason event where x-factor players on all 12 teams can begin making their mark. With an exodus of 12 starters as the CDL shifts to a 4v4 format in Black Ops Cold War, individual play is paramount. Players have less backup on the battlefield and, with a deep talent pool in the Challengers scene, more competition for their roles. Representing Chicago, OpTic Gaming are back with Hector ‘H3CZ’ Rodriguez, Seth ‘Scump’ Abner and the gang. Delighting fans, Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag’s 100 Thieves return to competitive CoD for Los Angeles. Teams have shuffled since the inaugural season and each team’s expectations will be tested by at least one player’s CDL Kickoff performance. Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson (Atlanta FaZe) The best AR in CoD? While Michael ‘MajorManiak’ Szymaniak was highly regarded by his teammates last season, few rank him in a tier anywhere near Arcitys. FaZe’s submachine gun and flex play was never a question, but adding Arcitys on the assault rifle could push them past the Dallas Empire in power rankings. If Arcitys continues, let alone improves upon, his 2020 form, then Atlanta should be an early favorite. Tested by a strong Florida Mutineers squad, fans should get a quality temperature check on FaZe’s newest member. Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter (Dallas Empire) Did Dallas release the right veteran AR? The transition from 5v5 to 4v4 was not without heartbreak and few splits were as tough as the Empire’s. Dropping James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks instead of Crimsix was a difficult decision and, at the CDL Kickoff Classic, that decision will receive its first evaluation. When the two veteran ARs face each other, Crim will be with the same absurd, young trio of “Xeo” gunners and Clayster with… one standout sophomore and two formerly projected bench players. It shouldn’t be too hard of a test for Dallas, but fans should be curious to see how much Crim’s thumbs have aged. Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda (Los Angeles Thieves) Big Brand meets Big Ego Tying for 5th at CDL Champs wasn’t enough to keep OpTic in Los Angeles so Nadeshot got to buy into the league. Although the team’s Challengers call-ups, Zack ‘Drazah’ Jordan and Darien ‘Hollow’ Chervchko, played admirably in the postseason — 100T replaced them in the starting lineup with one of the league’s most confident ARs. The self-proclaimed top “gunnie” in the CDL, Temp has an unrelenting belief in his ability (alternatively, a ‘strong personality,’ per general manager Eric ‘Muddawg’ Sanders) backed by a strong history of top-tier, albeit streaky play. While his year with the New York Subliners was disappointing, Temp now rejoins former teammates Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat and Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly. With 100T’s enormous fanbase and a matchup with OpTic Chicago, the gunner gets a large stage to prove his play can rise to both the occasion and his own expectations. Preston ‘Priestahh’ Greiner (Minnesota ROKKR) The honorary Tiny Terror? FaZe were the second-best team in 2020 and Priestahh would likely still be on the team if not for the swap to 4v4. Instead, one of the league’s most selfless players gets to turn a new leaf with a fully revamped ROKKR squad. Starting with Minnesota’s preseason matchup against the Toronto Ultra, Priestahh should shift from flex to his more natural sub role. Expectations for what was a miserable ROKKR team will hinge on his ability to prove he was being overshadowed in Atlanta and can transition from dirty work to slaying. Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley (New York Subliners) No ZooMaa, No Hydra: Return of the Mack Easily one of the top rookies in 2020, Mack jumped into New York’s starting lineup and almost immediately surged into the MVP conversation. The Subliners had a quality offseason after fizzling in the playoffs, but new issues mean Mack will have to go above and beyond to start 2021. With rookie Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez dealing with visa issues and Tommy ‘ZooMaa’ Paparatto retiring due to injury, Mack is moving to SMG for an unfinished roster. He’s back in his preferred role, but the season depends on his ability to reach 2020’s near-MVP form. Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (OpTic Chicago) Heeding Chicago’s Bat-Signal Like Atlanta, Chicago shuffled pieces after falling just short of the championship in 2020. With Arcitys eager to rejoin former teammates on FaZe, H3CZ celebrated the return of OpTic with the return of one of the brand’s former players. But 2020 was an ugly year for Dashy and, aside from some big moments as a suddenly summoned bench player in CDL Champs, questions surround the formerly elite AR. Expectations are high for the biggest brand in CoD, but will rise and fall depending on Dashy’s play. Peirce ‘Gunless’ Hillman (Seattle Surge) Started from the bottom, now we Peirce Like Dashy, no one questions the raw mechanical talent that Gunless holds. Unfortunately, also like Dashy, the gifted player spent most of a porous 2020 on the bench with rumored character concerns. Now, he joins two others as reinforcements for Sam ‘Octane’ Larew on 2020’s worst team: Seattle. If the Surge are going to improve upon a 5-18 record that ended dead last at CDL Champs, Gunless will need a return to form beginning on Day 1 against the Los Angeles Guerrillas. Read more: CDL 2021 Stage 1 group draw explained – While the Call of Duty League is chock-full of players with high expectations, low expectations and everything in between, these seven stand out as those with the most notable stocks in the preseason. A variety of other rookies and transferred players can make statements during the Kickoff Classic, but power rankings and fan expectations should hinge entirely on our listed x-factors.

7 players to watch during CDL Los Angeles DexertoUp next in the Call of Duty League calendar is CDL Los Angeles, where OpTic Gaming and the Guerrillas will host six more teams that are all hungry to put some points on the board. At the last tournamnet, Atlanta FaZe became the first team in the Call of Duty League’s history to defend their home series event, and they did so in style — despite a close call in the semifinals. Now all eyes are looking forward to the City of Angels for the next home event. With plenty on the line, who will be crucial to their team’s success? We’ve rounded up seven players to keep an eye on at CDL Los Angeles. Preston ‘Prestinni’ Sanderson (Florida Mutineers) With everyone expecting a Huntsmen versus FaZe final, Prestinni and co. shocked the CDL world when they reverse swept Chicago Huntsmen. The Mutineers’ SMG was pivotal in their comeback against his brother, with his selfless objective work paying dividends. It wasn’t just in the semi-finals that Prestinni stood out, however, he was on fire throughout the whole event. He particularly shone in Domination, where his slaying prowess bagged him the second highest kills of CDL Atlanta (only 10 behind Skyz’ total of 382 kills) — his 13 killstreak against Royal Ravens is one that will be etched in spectators’ minds for quite some time. Despite falling short to FaZe in the Grand Final, Prestinni was the indispensable cog in Mutineers’ well-oiled machine. Can he continue his form to lead Florida to a second successive Grand Final appearance? McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel (Atlanta FaZe) 2019 world champions Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr and Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris have commanded the most attention on the FaZe roster so far, but it was Cellium who earned the MVP award in their CDL Atlanta win. The 19-year-old was vital to FaZe’s home series defence, proving that he could slay teams off the map while still doing the dirty work around the objective. With their backs against the wall in their semifinal match-up versus Minnesota RØKKR, Cellium showed up when his team needed him the most — racking up 100 kills in the series, with a 1.20 K/D! Alongside aBeZy, Cellium was Mutineers’ kryptonite in the Grand Final. After a convincing 3-0 sweep, the FaZe pair will be keen to repeat their antics against the Florida squad when they meet again in the opening match of CDL Los Angeles. But will Cellium prove just as deadly away from the support of his home crowd? Adam ‘GodRx’ Brown (Minnesota RØKKR) Despite being Minnesota’s Flex player, GodRx has been posting numbers that most main ARs would be proud of. Whether it’s an M4 or MP5 in-hand, GodRx can do it all. He’s even lethal with a Sniper Rifle, as he’s currently the second most deadly marksman in the league with 10 kills. Alongside being RØKKR’s top fragger, GodRx has been putting in the objective work on Hardpoint, too, with an impressive hill time of around 50 seconds between his past two events. However, it is Domination where GodRx comes into his own. By averaging 26 kills per game, he takes the strain off his teammates and makes the objective work a much easier feat. After all, who can forget his standout Domination performance against Chicago Huntsmen, where he clocked in 30 kills with a 2.0 K/D ratio. After coming close to raining on Atlanta FaZe’s parade in the semifinals of CDL Atlanta, GodRx will be looking to come out of the blocks hot in Los Angeles. Sam ‘Octane’ Larew (Seattle Surge) Despite being accompanied by a star-studded lineup, Octane has seemingly put the rest of the Seattle Surge on his back in their opening two events. He did everything in his power to pull his team into bracket play at CDL London, but his strong slaying and handy objective work wasn’t enough to get them past the Dallas Empire. After suffering an early exit in London, Seattle’s main AR has a point to prove in LA. Given that Surge missed CDL Atlanta, the veteran line-up have had time to work on their weaknesses since their last outing. With five world championship rings between them, you can’t count the Seattle Surge out just yet! James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks (Dallas Empire) As the oldest pro in the Call of Duty League, Clayster certainly knows a thing or two about the competition. The 27-year-old has shown that age is just a number during Dallas’ opening events. Despite going 0-2 during Launch Weekend, the Empire struck back in London and grinded their way to the Grand Final. Read more: Top 10 moments from CDL Atlanta – At the forefront of that run was Clayster. By locking down rotations on Hardpoint, putting on a clinic in Search & Destroy and controlling the lanes in Domination, he led his team’s charge throughout the event. After losing for a third successive time to Chicago at CDL London, Empire will be breathing a sigh of relief that their Achilles’ heel won’t be in attendance this weekend. So will Clayster continue his hot streak and help his squad climb the standings? Los Angeles certainly gives Empire a prime opportunity to put their stamp on the competition. Lamar ‘Accuracy’ Abedi (New York Subliners) With only 10 CDL points to their name, there’s no doubt that New York have had a rough start to their Call of Duty League campaign. Perhaps their only shining light from the Subliners’ first two events, Accuracy has been the Big Apple’s only ray of hope thus far. He was the key ingredient when Subliners dished Paris Legion some humble pie at CDL London, after running through the French representatives 3-1. Despite this being their only victory in the league to date, Accuracy has posted some incredible numbers — accruing the highest hill time in Hardpoint while still winning those all-important duels as the team’s main AR. Subliners find themselves in the “group of death” in Los Angeles, competing against Empire, FaZe, and Mutinees for just two spots in the playoffs. If they have any hope of making it out, Accuracy will need to continue his stellar form. Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) After bowing out of CDL Atlanta 0-2, OpTic Gaming are still seeking their first win of the inaugural CDL season – and where better to do so than in their own backyard? OpTic may look like a shell of its former self, but Dashy is doing his utmost to keep the GreenWall’s hopes alive. As the only player to have a positive K/D rating for OGLA, Dashy has been grinding his way against the grain in their opening two events. After a shoddy start to the season, OpTic are sitting rock bottom of the standings, still yet to find a single win. As a result, Dashy is set to pick up an SMG for the upcoming event, as SlasheR looks set to go back to his AR roots. Will the role change help them get off the ground at last? OpTic Gaming’s opening match against their local rivals, Los Angeles Guerrillas, certainly sets the stage for the talented roster to swing the tide in their favor. So what will be Hollywood’s blockbuster story of the weekend? Will OGLA chalk up a win versus their rivals? Can someone stand in the way of Atlanta FaZe making history and going back-to-back? Only time will tell, but these players will certainly have their say. Be sure to follow our guide on how to watch the CDL Los Angeles to ensure that you don’t miss a minute of the action over the course of a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty.

7 players to watch during CDL London Activision / DexertoLondon Royal Ravens will host their second Call of Duty League event of the year as we edge ever closer to the final event of the inaugural season. New York Subliners came out on top during their Home Series event, despite a stacked roster of teams participating. With the likes of Dallas Empire and Florida Mutineers entering the fold, CDL London is shaping up to be another jam-packed weekend of action. Here are the seven players you’ll want to keep an eye on this weekend. Bradley ‘wuskin’ Marshall (London Royal Ravens) Wuskin spearheaded the London Royal Ravens’ early success during the first part of the season. But despite being one of the most consistent ARs in the league, his team has had a turbulent time since the CDL shifted to an online format. Given that we’re at the business end of the season and that the Royal Ravens will be looking to climb up the CDL standings as much as possible, expect wuskin to humbling his opposite number in respawn while making a nuisance of himself with his flagship sniper plays. Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno (Florida Mutineers) A player who certainly seems unaffected by the switch to online play, is the Mutineers’ Skyz. While he has posted some unbelievable stats on LAN, he seems to have just gone from strength-to-strength throughout the season. During Florida Mutineers’ win at CDL Paris, Skyz clocked out with a staggering 1.42 K/D across all game modes… And all this was before the recent meta change, which is more suited to ARs. Florida will be looking to secure a record third CDL event this weekend, which will propel them to joint top of the league. If Skyz is in form, it will be hard for any team to get in their way. Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland (Dallas Empire) Mr. Consistent. While Huke isn’t considered a veteran of the scene, he is certainly accustomed to being at the very top, given his successes in both Halo and Call of Duty. And he has been a pivotal part of Empire’s shift in form throughout the latter portions of the season. Huke is leading the way as the best slayer in the league, with a whopping 2056 kills to-date — edging past last year’s CWL World Champs MVP, Chris ‘Lehr’ Simp, who sits on 2044 having played one event more than Garland. With an average of 294 kills per event, Huke is an asset to Dallas Empire, who at this stage of the season, can’t afford any slip-ups if they plan on closing the gap between them and Atlanta FaZe at the top of the pile. Thomas ‘ZooMaa’ Paparatto (New York Subliners) There’s no doubt that New York Subliners have been a different animal after Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley joined the ranks. And while the new meta displayed at CDL New York doesn’t necessarily support ZooMaa’s run-and-gun playstyle, he seemed to thrive under the pressure. After chalking up the most kills during CDL New York with 360 frags (a season’s best for the New York squad), ZooMaa seems to have stepped up his game as the season has progressed. Together with Dylan ‘Attach’ Price, the pair have created the perfect environment for Mack to flourish. Darien ‘Hollow’ Chverchko (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) OpTic’s new kid on the block will be looking to hit the ground running, after being signed from top amateur team, uYu. Having consistently placed well at all of the CDC events throughout the year, Hollow will be keen on maintaining his record with OGLA. Hollow’s playstyle revolves around putting the team first, and using his extensive game knowledge to put him in favorable positions around the map. While Hollow is yet to compete at the highest level, it will certainly be interesting to see if the 22-year-old can step-up to the plate and go toe-to-toe with the very best the game has to offer. Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter (Dallas Empire) One player who’s certainly familiar with being at the highest level, is Dallas Empire’s Crimsix. As the winningest player in Call of Duty history, Crim knows exactly what it takes to win. After a shaky start to the season, the 27-year-old will have no doubt been part of the Empire’s recent good run. While on paper, Porter has had a hard time during Modern Warfare, the change in meta naturally lends itself to his more calculated and passive style of play. If Crimsix is able to adapt, expect to see the veteran at the top of the scoreboard game after game. Joseph ‘Owakening’ Conley (Florida Mutineers) Owakening’s impact since joining the Mutineers’ is undeniable. Since replacing Chance ‘Maux’ Moncivaez on the starting lineup, Florida has won both of the events they have competed at. While each player will have had an impact in some way or another, it looks like Owakening was the missing piece to the puzzle. Should the 19-year-old continue on the same pub-stomping form displayed in recent events, teams will be hoping to avoid Mutineers in any capacity. With plenty on the line during London Royal Raven’s online event, the weekend is shaping up to be one of the most action-filled of the season. Be sure to stay tuned into our Call of Duty League coverage to ensure that you don’t miss beat during CDL London.

7 players to watch during CDL Florida Activision / Dexerto As Florida Mutineers host their first Call of Duty League event, we look at the seven hottest players heading into the mid-way point of the season. CDL Florida will mark the exact midpoint of the season, where we welcome the Mutineers, RØKKR, Legion and Ultra back into the fold for the third online event of the inaugural season. With the reigning champs from CDL Chicago out of action, Florida will be looking to make it back-to-back event wins and defend their home series. With that said, who’ll be looking to make an impact this weekend and who should you keep a keen eye on? Maurice ‘Fero’ Henriquez (Florida Mutineers) Undoubtedly Florida’s star man during CDL Dallas, Fero proved to be an absolute menace on the server for enemy teams. Alongside racking up the most kills in any CDL event this season, Fero proved to be Huntsmen’s kryptonite — showing that he could school the very best in the game. After stepping into the shoes of Preston ‘Prestinni’ Sanderson’s, the 21-year-old has delivered. But with all eyes looking towards Henriquez, will the youngster be able to hold his own under pressure and deliver yet another outstanding online performance? Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda (New York Subliners) Despite having a rocky start to the season, the Subliners finally look to have found their groove with the addition of Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley to their starting roster. But the credit is largely due to both Dillon ‘Attach’ Price and Temp putting in the work when it matters the most. During their five-map thriller against Chicago Huntsmen, Laroda was a nuisance throughout the series — leading his team to a monumental victory over one of the league’s favorites. Despite not making it out of groups, Temp and co. built a solid foundation to work from leading up to CDL Florida — but will they be able to make it past Ultra, RØKKR and Mutineers? Alex ‘Alexx’ Carpenter (Minnesota RØKKR) While much of the spotlight has been on both Adam ‘Assault’ Garcia and Adam ‘GodRx’ Brown for the most part of RØKKR’s successes, Alexx has been a driving force in their season so far. As Minnesota’s main SMG, Alexx has been putting on a slaying clinic around the objective, making it easier for the likes of Assault and GodRx to rack up time in the hill. As the second-highest fragging SMG in the league to-date – second only to Empire’s Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro – keep an eye on how Alexx gets up close and personal with his opposite number, making it near impossible to get near the Hardpoint. Martin ‘Chino’ Chino (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) OpTic Gaming’s latest recruit, Chino, replaces two-time world champ, Jordan ‘JKap’ Kaplan in the starting lineup for OGLA. After a turbulent start to the season, OpTic have shuffled around their talent in a bid to get back on track. And the squad have turned to Chino to find the missing piece in the puzzle. Chino will likely be running an SMG alongside former duo, Kenny ‘Kuavo’ Williams, as OpTic also look to settle on either Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell or Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat as the team’s Main AR. After missing out on half of the season’s action already, will Chino be able to keep up with the pace and be the answer to OpTic’s season woes? Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr (Atlanta FaZe) Standing in OpTic’s way in Group B is none other than Atlanta FaZe. After proving to be no match for Empire in the CDL Chicago Grand Final, Simp and co. will be out for blood during CDL Florida. As far as star quality goes, FaZe has the most star-studded lineup on the paper. But despite having all the talent in the world, they’ve struggled to find a consistent groove. Simp remains one of the most dominant players in the game. Proving that he’s not just a one-trick pony, Lehr has been FaZe’s best performer in both S&D and respawn game modes. So can the Tiny Terror lead his team back to winning ways during Florida’s home series event? Matthew ‘Skrapz’ Marshall (London Royal Ravens) While all the focus has been on the other half of the Marshall twins (Bradley ‘wuskin’ Marshall) for the majority of the season, Skrapz’ performance has flown under the radar for the most part. Statistically speaking, Skrapz is carrying Royal Ravens’ S&D. As the only player to break the 100-kill barrier (115) with a 1.37 K/D, the Brit has made a name for himself as London’s resident S&D expert. To top things off, Skrapz’ respawn improved significantly during CDL Chicago, as he was the only player to post respectable numbers before their early exit. Skrapz will be looking to lead the charge to get the British squad back to winning ways during Florida’s home series. Denholm ‘Denz’ Taylor (Paris Legion) One player who’ll have something to say about that is the Legion’s Denz. Representing the only other European outfit in the CDL, Denz has been the only silver-lining so far this season. With a positive kill swing of +161 alongside the highest hill time for his squad, Taylor is instrumental in his team’s respawn successes. As Legion’s frontman, Denz will need to hold his own throughout the weekend if Legion wants to make it out of groups and earn their second playoff spot of the season. After this event, teams will be on the home straight and will have one eye on the season-closer at the backend of the season. But who will put themselves in good stead? Keep an eye on these seven players, as they’ll all be looking to get one over on their competition and bag those all important CDL Points. Stay tuned into our CDL coverage to ensure that you don’t miss a minute of what is set to be a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty action.

7 players to watch during CDL Atlanta DexertoFollowing on from Chicago Huntsmen’s dominant showing at CDL London, it’s Atlanta FaZe’s turn to host seven more teams at their homestand event. After Chicago Huntsmen earned the first Call of Duty League crown of the season – with a rowdy London crowd roaring them on – Atlanta FaZe are ready to take the top spot from Scump and co. And where better to do so than at their home series event, at the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta? A few players have something to prove this weekend, and we’ve rounded up seven players that all eyes should be on at CDL Atlanta. Pierce ‘Gunless’ Hillman (Chicago Huntsmen) Despite never winning a world championship, Gunless is considered one of the most versatile and well-rounded players in the game. Now reunited with former teammates Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson and Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper, Hillman is on a mission to obtain his first world championship ring. Being one of the most flexible players on his team, the 22-year-old’s performances often fly under the radar. Specifically, in Hardpoint, the Canadian has been throwing himself into objective work — securing an average hill time of around 90 seconds at CDL Minnesota and London, respectively. Together with Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon, the pair have been locking down early rotations for Hardpoints and have been the essential ingredient to Huntsmen’s success so far. Denholm ‘Denz’ Taylor (Paris Legion) Paris Legion have undoubtedly been the surprise team of the CDL season so far. After sweeping London Royal Ravens during Launch Weekend and taking Huntsmen to the wire in a five-game thriller, Legion have turned some heads. While there are five Paris players on the server at any time, their standout player across both weeks has been Denz. Being the main AR, he anchored his squad to both Hardpoint victories in their close match against Huntsmen — who can forget his Gun Runner hill hold with a pistol in-hand? Will Taylor be able to guide Legion to cause an upset, as FaZe and Huntsmen look destined to meet in the Grand Final? Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr (Atlanta FaZe) One person who will have something to say about that is FaZe’s star man, Simp. Having won a world championship in his rookie year, the 19-year-old is one of the most feared players on the sticks. Together with Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris, the pair have formed a deadly duo that could rival Huntsmen’s ‘T2P’ bromance. After posting a 1.58 K/D with 191 kills during Launch Weekend, Simp is poised to make a big statement. And where better to do so than at his homestand event? Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno (Florida Mutineers) On the topic of young-guns, Skyz made quite the impact for Mutineers at Minnesota’s homestand. Florida’s main AR racked up an outstanding 201 kills across only two series (albeit both series went to a fifth game), seeing him crowned the top fragger of the opening weekend. However, with Atlanta’s Simp hot on his heels, Bueno will have to be on top form to fend off the Tiny Terrors. First up, however, is London’s Royal Ravens, who are primed to avenge their semifinal exit from their homestand event. Bradley ‘wuskin’ Marshall (London Royal Ravens) While the Royal Ravens fell short at the last hurdle in a five-game thriller against Dallas Empire, wuskin proved that the CDL Launch Weekend wasn’t just a blip. His incredible form followed him back across the pond, where he was the protagonist of what was an almost fairytale story. After making swift work of Toronto Ultra and getting revenge on the New York Subliners, it was a bittersweet event for wuskin, who sat with his head in his hands after falling short in an 11-round final map against Dallas Empire. The 22-year-old’s Sniper Rifle abilities cornered teams into tight situations on Search & Destroy and was paramount to London’s success. There’s no doubt that Marshall and co. will have the bit between their teeth and will be looking to avenge their homestand loss in Atlanta. Adam ‘Assault’ Garcia (Minnesota RØKKR) After kickstarting their CDL campaign 2-0, RØKKR will be looking to continue their hot streak in Atlanta this coming weekend. Former world champ (and MVP), Assault, was instrumental to their success in Hardpoint by simultaneously anchoring hills while amassing the second-highest average hill time for his team. At 23 years of age, Assault is ironically considered a veteran of the scene after starting his career back on Advanced Warfare. Together with his partner in crime, Justin ‘SiLLY’ Fargo-Palmer, Garcia will be looking to cause an upset in Group B. However, being pitted against the likes of Ultra, Legion and Huntsmen, the pair have their work cut-out if they plan on flying the Minnesota banner high down south. Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) OpTic’s hotshot was widely considered to be the only AR who could contend with Sam ‘Octane’ Larew during the Black Ops 4 season. However, despite having a star-studded roster, the GreenWall appears to be a shell of its former self. Grinding his way against the grain, however, is Otell. After falling to Legion in a five-game extravaganza, OpTic found themselves against their predecessors in the Huntsmen. Despite being swept aside by Gunless and co., Dashy was the team’s silver lining. If OpTic are looking to swing the tide in their favor, Otell will have to show up big — especially considering that they’re matched up against event favorites, FaZe in their first match of the weekend. So what will be the narrative of the weekend? Will OpTic Gaming bounce back from their underwhelming performance at Minnesota? Will FaZe meet Huntsmen in the expected clash of the titans? Will Chicago do the unthinkable and take-down Atlanta in their own back garden? Be sure to follow our guide on how to watch the CDL Atlanta to ensure that you don’t miss a beat over the course of a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty.

7 classic Modern Warfare 2 guns we want in MW2 2022 Infinity WardThe original Modern Warfare 2 featured some beloved weapons that are still remembered by CoD fans to this day. With 2022’s entry in the series set be another MW2, we’ve broken down the guns from 2009 that we desperately want to see return. A Call of Duty game is nothing without its weapons, which is why 2009’s Modern Warfare 2 holds up as one of the most beloved entries in the series. The follow-up to the game that changed FPS forever gave fans some memorable firearms, that are still recreated today. 2022’s CoD has been confirmed to be another Modern Warfare 2, a sequel to the 2019 reboot of the beloved sub-series. Infinity Ward will no doubt have plenty of new weapons for us try out, but we’re expecting to see some old favorites make a return as well. With this in mind, here are the seven classic Modern Warfare 2 weapons we’d love to see return in CoD 2022. Intervention (Sniper Rifle) For many players, there’s only one gun that springs to mind when they think of Modern Warfare 2, and that’s the Intervention. This monster of a Sniper Rifle dominated MW2’s multiplayer, both core and hardcore, for its entire lifespan, and it quickly became synonymous with the game. The Intervention boasted incredible accuracy and mobility, much like the other weapons in its class. What made it special was the ease with which skilled players could quickscope, taking it from a long-range rifle to an all-purpose beast. Sniping is a dying art in CoD multiplayer these days, and quickscoping is largely reserved for private matches or desperate situations with no other option. If Infinity Ward wants the spotlight to fall on Snipers again, bringing back the Intervention is the best way to do it. ACR (Assualt Rifle) Modern Warfare 2 had an impressive lineup of Assault Rifles and the ACR was arguably the most well-rounded of the bunch. Not unlocked until level 48, this multi-purpose AR was well worth the wait. While its actual damage output may not be the best, its ridiculous range and accuracy made it a favorite among fans. Paired with Stopping Power to navigate its main drawback, the ACR could stand toe-to-toe with any other gun in its class. In a modern CoD where players will have tons more attachments to kit it out with, this is exactly the sort of gun we’d expected to see at the top of the meta of both multiplayer and Warzone. UMP-45 (SMG) Chances are if you weren’t quickscoping with the Intervention, you were probably tearing around Highrise with the UMP-45. Despite its reputation as a gun for “noobs,” it remained one of the most popular weapons in the entire game from start to finish. When times were tough, players would often break out a silenced UMP to get up close and personal. Its range was nothing to shout about, but high accuracy and damage made it a menace at short distances, and the go-to Sniper support. Search and Destroy purists will probably be sick of the sight of it, after years of being rushed from the spawn by a UMP user with Marathon and Lightweight. Still, it remains one of the all-time great CoD guns. FAL (Assault Rifle) MW2 has no shortage of guns that were simple to use, but the FAL was the Assault Rifle that only the most skilled players could get to grips with. Its semi-automatic fire rate promoted a more careful style of play – a far cry from Akimbo Models or the UMP-45. However, it had the highest damage range of any Assault Rifle, so it rewarded every shot in a big way. Those with a fast trigger finger could also unload rounds in rapid succession, so it quickly became unstoppable in the right hands. With all of the fully automatic ARs and SMGs that have dominated CoD in recent years, it would be great to see something a little different challenge the meta. Model 1887 (Shotgun) While many of the entries on this list would genuinely be strong additions to any CoD multiplayer, the Model 1887 gets here on pure nostalgia. Not to say the Model wasn’t a solid choice back in the day; this accurate, lever-action Shotgun was a strong contender to the SPAS-12. However, most players’ memory will be of dying after not one, but two shots from the Model 1887, at ridiculous ranges, as enemies would run around with a Shotgun in each hand thanks to the Akimbo attachment. Yes, it was occasionally frustrating, but it made for some intense matchups on smaller maps like Rust. It remains to be seen whether or not Akimbo makes its return in this year’s game, but MW2 without the Model 1887 just wouldn’t be the same. SCAR-H (Assault Rifle) After using the M4A1 to blitz those early ranks, the SCAR-H would become the default Assault Rifle for players once they hit level 8. The quick unlock gave us plenty of time to become acquainted with the weapon, and it’s one of the most recognizable the game had to offer. But even though it wasn’t tough to unlock, it certainly packed a punch. Blistering damage and pinpoint accuracy meant it could devastate in any situation, so much that it had to have its magazine size restricted in the name of balance. Remarkably, the SCAR-H has barely featured outside of the Modern Warfare series, so we think it’s definitely time to dust off the old faithful. M93 Raffica (Machine Pistol) It may not be the first weapon that comes to mind when you think of Modern Warfare 2, but there was something special about blowing players away with a pint-sized burst pistol. Much like the Model 1887, this was another weapon that came to life when wielded with Akimbo. Just one Raffica was capable of dealing a one-burst kill up with a well-placed shot, so equipping two made them virtually unstoppable. As far as secondary weapons go, it was certainly one of the most formidable. It may not be the most conventional of choices, but running around with dual M93 Raffica’s is a distinctly ‘Modern Warfare 2 ‘ experience, so it only seems fitting that it should return in 2022. There you have it! Those were the classic Modern Warfare 2 guns we want to see in this year’s Call of Duty. For more on MW2 2022, check out the five maps we want to see return as well.

7 classic Call of Duty maps we want to see in Blackout As more and more locations are being built into Black Ops 4’s Blackout map, here are seven classic Call of Duty maps we want to see added in the near future. Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is developed by Treyarch. Therefore, many of the picks included here will be from their games to make the suggestions more realistic. But, there’s definitely one Infinity Ward destination that makes the list, which certainly deserved an honorable mention. At the moment, Blackout has several key locations from previous CoD games, with Firing Range, Nuketown, Array and other exciting maps like Hijacked being introduced to the battle royale mode of late. Now, it’s time for us to make a few suggestions of our own. Stadium This close-quarters urban map, which was introduced in the First Strike DLC for the original Black Ops game, would make a perfect addition to Call of Duty’s new Blackout mode. Much like other maps which have been added, Stadium provides that perfect balance between being small enough to add easily, and having enough popularity from the community to make it a worthwhile addition. Let’s face it, the map was great. Standoff Standoff was one of the most popular maps from Black Ops II, based on a border town between Kyrgyzstan and China. The map was set up for some good long-range combat and would be an ideal place for the final circle to reach. Grid Despite clear differences in the two games, other battle royale games such as Fortnite have opted for the addition of a snow biome in the run up to Christmas. While the idea of following in Epic Games’ footsteps might not be too appealing for Treyarch, people did grow very fond of their snow maps from over the years. Grid would make a really solid addition to the game, with a nice mix of close combat opportunities, as well as sniping spots. WMD While we’re on the subject of cold weather maps, why not a return to the game for WMD? The map which was so fitting for game modes with a lot of players, such as Ground War, would make for an excellent dropping spot for Blackout. Alongside Grid, the addition of a snow biome at some stage could be quite interesting to see. Castle There were a few really interesting maps in Call of Duty: World at War, but not many would slot right into Blackout as smoothly as Castle. While this was one of the larger battlegrounds on the classic Treyarch title, there’s nothing stopping the developer from adding this to their battle royale game mode as either in a miniature form or perhaps even as a more spread out version, similar to Firing Range. With so many interesting hiding spots and such a vast landscape, this would be a popular pick for sure. Hazard Speaking of World at War, this one was inspired by a map from that very game. Hazard was added to Call of Duty: Black Ops as additional downloadable content, part of the Annihilation map pack, and proved to be one of the most popular multiplayer destinations. Taking inspiration from Cliffside, the golf course had a great mix of sniping spots, mid range shooting locations and was perfect for just about every game mode. Would it be great in Blackout too? We think so. Rust And finally, Rust. While it is highly unlikely that a Treyarch game would explore the opportunity of adding an Infinity Ward map to any of their game modes, this small multiplayer map would be a fine addition to Blackout. It was the smallest map from MW2 but was one of the most popular. This would be a great place to decide who wins the game in the final circle and is definitely worth an honorable mention as well.

7 best Call of Duty pro players for 2021 CDL Cold War season CDL[jwplayer OhdQX17u] 2021’s Call of Duty League season is nearly upon us, but who’s the best of the best on Black Ops Cold War? We’ve picked out the 7 best CDL players going into the second season. Skill vs stats… Ability vs intangibles. What does it mean to be Call of Duty’s best? Players like Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter and Seth ‘Scump’ Abner have rightfully earned their spot in the esport’s hall of fame, but whether they’re still at the top is another question altogether. Determining who makes the cut comes down to assessing several factors. Obviously, skill and ability are important, but there are other elements at play, such as leadership and championship experience. But when the chips are down, who are the best players in Cold War right now? Best CDL players for 2021 season Please note that the seven players are not listed in any particular order. Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) No such list can be legitimate without mentioning Shotzzy, who took the league by storm en route to claiming the inaugural 2020 world championship with Dallas Empire. On top of boasting impeccable aim, movement skills and rapid reactions, the former Halo World Champion is also known for seeing the game in ways that other pros don’t — point and case, this big-brain trick on Armada Strike shortly after Cold War had launched. Just Shotzzy doing Shotzzy things pic.twitter.com/P0tFZqg5Vd — COD Fandom (@CODFandom) November 14, 2020 Safe to say that Dallas Empire doesn’t regret paying the reported $150,000-250,000 buyout fee from Splyce. Expect Shotzzy to once again be one of the frontrunners for league MVP in 2021. Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr (Atlanta FaZe) No conversation about the best players in the Call of Duty League would be complete without Simp. After an incredible rookie season, Simp maintained his form through Modern Warfare and helped lead FaZe to the best Regular Season record — alongside a second-place finish at the CDL Championship. His raw skill and ability are second to none; the former eUnited man’s ability to dominate an entire league is exactly why he’s rubbing shoulders with Call of Duty’s biggest stars so early in his career. Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris (Atlanta FaZe) You can’t have one without the other — aBeZy is the other half of the CDL’s Tiny Terrors. Together with Simp, the pair have tyrannized the CDL and lived up to their namesake. His meteoric rise to prominence in the Black Ops 4 season is even more impressive when you consider that it came alongside Simp. Perfecting his role as a Slayer, aBeZy posted impressive stats while helping FaZe look so dominant in 2020. Arguably the most talented player in the world, Pharris possesses boatloads of skill that’s turned him into a perennial superstar at this point — and it’s clear that no matter the game, he’s always going to be ahead of the curve. Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon (Chicago OpTic) If it hadn’t been for Simp’s electric pro debut, Envoy’s sprint to superstardom would have been a much bigger talking point in 2019. Earning a spot on the Chicago Huntsmen came with a set of heavy expectations, but he’s smashed through all of them to establish himself as an elite player. The fact that he distinguished himself as an MVP finalist while playing alongside the likes of Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper and Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson is a testament to his ability. Read More: CDL 2021 Rostermania – all roster changes – 2021 will be the first year that Envoy will compete in 4v4 at the highest level, but the added layer of tactical awareness required to thrive almost suits Hannon’s style to a tee. Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (Chicago OpTic) At first glance, it might seem odd to include Dashy in this list after he never really got going in Modern Warfare and ended up getting benched. But consider this… Almost no one was better in Black Ops 4, and in an OpTic Gaming team brimming with talent, Dashy stood out as their clear-cut best player. Otell stood in as a last-minute fill-in for Kenny ‘Kuavo’ Williams during last season’s Playoffs and absolutely dominated, despite not having practiced in weeks. If that doesn’t prove that he’s one of the most naturally talented players in the league, then we don’t know what does. Cold War brings Dashy back to his Treyarch stomping ground. Add into the mix that he’s back with teammates who bring out the best in him, and the ‘human highlight reel’ will no doubt be back again. After being dropped in favor of a rookie, he’ll be back with a chip on his shoulder — making him extremely dangerous. Sam ‘Octane’ Larew (Seattle Surge) An eyebrow-raiser? Perhaps… But if you look beyond Surge’s dreadful 2020 campaign, it’s obvious that Octane was anchored by his teammates. Always considered a top-tier assault rifle player, he took things to another level in Modern Warfare, leading the league in Hardpoint K/D (1.32) and Domination K/D (1.31). Even in the Surge’s lone Playoff series he was dominant, posting K/D ratios of 1.08 in HP, 2.33 in S&D, and 1.24 in Dom. Now surrounded by teammates that fit his style better, all eyes will be on Octane to continue and maybe even further elevate his incredible form in Black Ops Cold War — and we’ve put him on our list because we fully expect him to do so. Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat (Los Angeles Thieves) SlasheR is undoubtedly one of the best talents in the esport’s history. But does he have what it takes to be considered among the seven best players for the 2021 season? In short, yes. Even a dreadful year with OpTic Gaming LA couldn’t stop him from posting stellar numbers. Now he’s back flying the 100 Thieves banner, he’ll be keen to reclaim the organization’s place on the podium, after being considered one of the most feared teams in Black Ops 4. If you take an unparalleled determination to win at all costs, pair it with uncanny leadership skills and a sprinkle of laser-like accuracy… you’ve got SlasheR. Regardless of the game, a skillset like that will leverage any group of players to be the best in the game. Honorable Mentions McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel (Atlanta FaZe) — Honestly, Cellium could fit into the top seven right now, but then again, so can the entire FaZe roster. – Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson (Atlanta FaZe) — A dominant force when on his “A-game” — look for Arcitys to be a top-tier AR player again in 2021. – Seth ‘Scump’ Abner (Chicago OpTic) — He’s the King… Need we say more? – Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland (Dallas Empire) — Arguably the most underrated player in the CDL, Huke could easily be a top-seven player by the time next season’s over. – Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno (Florida Mutineers) — Emerged as one of the league’s biggest talents in 2020, Skyz would cement his spot in the top tier with another MVP-level campaign. – Who do you think will dominate on Cold War? Can anyone stop Shotzzy from earning back-to-back MVPs? One thing’s for certain, we’re primed for the most explosive season of competitive Call of Duty yet.

6-year-old Twitch star RowdyRogan banned from Warzone live on stream Twitter: RowdyRogan / ActivisionRowdyRogan made a name for himself in the Call of Duty community earlier in 2020 for skills beyond his years, but in a recent viral prank that took the internet by storm, Rogan managed to convince his many supporters that he had been banned on Warzone — all as part of his FaZe5 entry to join FaZe Clan. Update: Shortly after the #FreeRogan hashtag started trending, with many calling for Activision and Call of Duty to let Rogan back on Call of Duty, the 6-year-old and his team have revealed that the entire thing was actually faked in order to go viral as part of his plans to join FaZe Clan. You can read the full story of how he pranked the CoD community here. Original story follows… RowdyRogan has taken Twitch and the Call of Duty scene by storm in 2020. With his dad by his side, the enigmatic youngster has won hearts across the world with his great gameplay, coupled in with the cuteness of being one of Twitch’s youngest stars. However, his Warzone stream on December 9 was cut short after Rogan booted up the game to a message. The message stated his account was permanently suspended. As some of you know, Rogan was banned from Warzone on stream tonight. The Team and us are currently trying to handle the situation and will keep you guys updated. Thank you for all the support. #FreeRogan pic.twitter.com/df1B28Fa8R — RowdyRogan🦈 (@RowdyRogan) December 10, 2020 Both Rogan and his dad were heartbroken over the sudden decision. “No way. You can’t be for real right now,” his dad said on stream. “We’re going to get it back. We’ll get it back. It’s gotta be a mistake.” Read more: Black Ops Cold War December 9 patch notes – While there wasn’t a ban reason given, there is a very likely answer: Rogan is too young. Activision’s Terms of Use state that all users of their products must be “aged 13 or older.” All players must accept these terms before playing. This includes Warzone, the title Rogan is known for. Twitch’s Terms of Service also follow similar age restrictions. “The Twitch Services are not available to persons under the age of 13,” their guidelines state, though RowdyRogan has not yet been banned on Twitch. There’s been an outpouring of support on social media for the youngster. A push to get the hashtag #FreeRogan trending on Twitter has been started, with other stars like Swagg chiming in. “Wait wtf why,” the FaZe member said in reply to a tweet from Rogan’s father. RowdyRogan has over 118,000 subscribers on YouTube and 84,000 followers on Twitch. We will update you with more information as it arises.

6 things that need to be changed in Warzone Season 3 ActivisionWarzone Season 3 is fast approaching, with April 21 set to bring a number of huge changes — including the highly anticipated new map — to the Call of Duty battle royale hit. While the new map is going to be the biggest thing for many players, and something that has been requested for months, we should expect to see major occurrences all across the game. Here, we’re going to take a look at the new features, changes or additions that we’d love to see in Warzone Season 3. It’s worth noting that certain features — such as a more efficient anti-cheat system — aren’t included in our list here as they are such an obvious necessity at this point. Better weapon balancing An obvious one, but developers Raven Software haven’t done the best job of balancing weapons, especially since the Black Ops Cold War integration with Warzone. The new Sykov pistols have already been promised a nerf within days of coming out, while weapons such as the M16, AUG, and DMR have caused headaches all across Verdansk. A varied meta would be much healthier for the game and far less frustrating for players. More responsive patches It goes without saying that the number of bugs, glitches, overpowered weapons and issues found in Warzone is extraordinary. One of the biggest issues with this, though, is how long it takes the devs to actually fix said issues. How long has the Roze skin been a nuisance in the game? How long was the FFAR far too powerful before they finally nerfed it — even if not to much avail? These are things that we would like to see occur much quicker in Season 3 and beyond. Remove Stopping Power Stopping Power serves no valuable purpose to the game. Other Field Upgrades — Trophy Systems and Dead Silence, for example — can be frustrating to play against but they can still be countered. Stopping Power, on the other hand, is just a pure instance of luck of the draw, and is simply unfair to whoever’s on the receiving end. Huge audio fixes Audio has been one of the most frustrating things in Warzone ever since it was launched in March 2020. Enemy footsteps can rarely be properly identified without cranking your headset right up. On the other side of the spectrum, some audio, such as vehicle music or the plane when dropping in, are far too loud. The balance needs to be far more efficient, or give players more specific audio settings to alter. Fix broken rock climbing spots Another issue that has plagued the game since launch is players’ ability to scale cliffs and climb over things. Some huge cliff faces can be climbed up, providing you find the right spot, which is fine, especially if the storm is moving up a hill. The main issue, though, is that spots that look easily climbable just aren’t. Small rocks or rises in hills can’t be hopped no matter how you come at them, and the physics make absolutely no sense by comparison. Remove Stim Shot This one really needs no explanation. The Stim Shot tactical equipment is near enough useless in Warzone… Except for when doing the stim glitch. This should have happened when it popped up the second or third time, yet here we are. Removing stim hurts virtually nobody, and stops the stim glitch from ever happening again. Problem solved. Season 3 is set to be one of the biggest yet for Warzone, and a new map with some huge quality of life improvements could breathe new life into the game. While we don’t expect all of these to happen, they’re all things that we would love to see — but only time will tell what actually happens.

6 players to watch during CDL Toronto Activision / DexertoThe Call of Duty League heads to Canada, as Toronto Ultra hosts their first CDL event of the season. Who will shine brightest in the final Home Series event of the year? Let’s delve into the players to watch. Dallas Empire ran riot at CDL London, claiming their third event win of the year in emphatic fashion — after only dropping one map throughout the entire tournament. With Huntsmen, FaZe and RØKKR all coming back for one final grand soiree, CDL Toronto will be a banger, as teams scrap it out for those all-important seeding points. So we’ve rounded up the six players who’re destined to make an impact this weekend. Sam ‘Octane’ Larew (Seattle Surge) There’s no doubt that Octane is one of the most talented ARs in the league. While Seattle Surge have had a woeful season on the whole, Larew has been their saving grace. Even when his team is being dispatched with relative ease, Octane is still proving to be a handful on the server. Of course, Call of Duty is a team game, and there’s only so much work the 23-year-old can do. But if he keeps pulling rounds out of the bag like his 1v4 clutch against OGLA, Surge might just stand a fighting chance at Toronto. Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) There’s a reason why Shotzzy has been nominated for the Call of Duty League MVP. The youngster’s transition to the highest level has been seamless. Despite the former Halo pro having a shaky start to the season, he has shown great character and has come out the other side as one of the most feared players in the league. Aside from FaZe’s Tiny Terrors, is there anyone more lethal in close quarters combat? After leading Empire to their third CDL event win with an insane 1.29 K/D, Shotzzy seems to be really finding his groove as the season progresses. If recent form is anything to go by, Shotzzy will be a force to be reckoned with during Toronto’s Home Series. Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) OpTic Gaming’s narrative hasn’t been the fairytale most expected heading into the season. Even though the OGLA squad has arguably one of the most stacked lineups on paper, things just haven’t clicked. With SlasheR leading the charge, OpTic recruited the talents of some fresh blood by bringing on two top amateur players. But despite their best efforts, SlasheR and co. just haven’t been able to find the same form that earned them a spot in the CDL Florida Grand Final. OpTic find themselves in arguably the easiest group at the Toronto Home Series, which gives them a prime opportunity to reach their fourth Championship Sunday of the season. The fresh faces will be turning to Liddicoat to lead the charge, in hopes that he can harness his inner world champ to see out the season in style. Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson (Chicago Huntsmen) Arcitys has built up a reputation as one of the best Flex players in the league. Whether its an M4 or MP5 in-hand, Sanderson’s razor-sharp aim remains unaffected. Arcitys was pivotal in the Huntsmen’s historic 3-0 victory over Atlanta FaZe at CDL New York, and despite falling short in the Grand Finals, he posted a season’s best 1.19 K/D while posting up 273 kills. After a brief break from the action, Huntsmen will desperate to chalk up as many CDL Points as possible, in a bid to lock in the best seed for the postseason CDL Playoffs — if Arcitys picks up from where he left off, then Huntsmen should breeze their way through to Championship Sunday. Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris (Atlanta FaZe) While aBeZy was (in some people’s eyes) last season’s best player, he’s had a turbulent 2020 to say the least. In theory, the fast-paced meta should have suited Pharris much more, but following the MP5’s nerf, the Atlanta FaZe hotshot excelled against all odds during CDL New York. After posting a staggering 344 kills with a season’s best 1.30 K/D, aBeZy seems to have found his groove at the perfect point of the season. Should FaZe want to make it out of Toronto’s ‘group of death,’ then aBeZy will need to be firing on all cylinders. Maurice ‘Fero’ Henriquez (Florida Mutineers) Has a player had more of an impact on a squad than Fero? After stepping into the shoes of Preston ‘Prestinni’ Sanderson, the Mutineers haven’t looked back. His absurd 477-kill showing at CDL Dallas is a feat yet to be bested, with OGLA’s Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell being the only player to come remotely close during CDL Florida, with 434 kills. It seems that Fero has just been going from strength-to-strength as the weeks go by, supporting Mutineers’ youngun, Joseph ‘Owakening’ Conley — who’s arguably in the runnings for rookie of the year. Will Fero be able to step up to the plate and lead his squad out of a stacked group? The season’s final Home Series is set to finish on a high, with four out of the top five in the standings battling it out for those final CDL Points. Be sure to stay tuned into our Call of Duty League coverage to ensure that you don’t miss a beat during CDL Toronto.

6 players to watch during CDL Seattle Activision / DexertoSeattle Surge hosts their first Call of Duty League event of the season and with teams playing mid-season musical chairs, players will be keen to shine brighter than ever before. With the prize pool of the Call of Duty League Championship, the final event of the season, confirmed to be the highest ever, players will be hungrier than ever to earn as many CDL Points during Seattle’s Home Series. With the reigning champs from CDL Florida out of the fold, Huntsmen will have a prime opportunity to put their new roster to the test and leap-frog FaZe in the standings. So who’s destined to go big? We’ve rounded up the six players to keep an eye on. Preston ‘Prestinni’ Sanderson (Chicago Huntsmen) Having split from his twin to pursue their own path at the beginning of the season, Prestinni finds himself back in familiar company and flying the Huntsmen banner after being transferred from Florida Mutineers. After Huntsmen had admitted to their previous roster woes, a shuffle was necessary. And who better to get on-board than the other half of the iconic Sanderson duo? After proving to be Huntsmen’s kryptonite, Prestinni reunites with his brother and brings a new dynamic to the Chicago roster. With a team full of superstar players, Prestinni will likely be the workhorse and the missing piece to the Hunstmen’s puzzle. Keep an eye on how he puts in the selfless work around the objective to allow his teammates to flourish. Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley (New York Subliners) After settling into the squad at CDL Chicago, Mack turned up in style for Florida’s event. Aside from putting on an absolute slaying clinic in respawn game modes, Mack proved to be the centerpiece of Subliners’ S&D strats. Despite bowing out to Atlanta FaZe in a close five-game semifinal, Mack was undoubtedly the star of their show. After clocking in 330 kills with a tournament K/D of 1.15, there’s no doubt that Subliners will be counting on Kelley to turn up the heat. Adam ‘GodRx’ Brown (Minnesota RØKKR) GodRx has been in the form of his life this season. As the highest fragging player in the league by some margin, it’s no wonder why he’s feared by teams on the opposite side of the server. Read more: What’s Going Wrong with Chicago Huntsmen? – But despite being one of the most feared Flex players in the league, the 21-year-old is heading into CDL Seattle off the back of his worst event to-date. After RØKKR crashed out in the Groups Stages, Brown will be looking to bounce back from his blip during Mutineers’ Home Series. Ian ‘Enable’ Wyatt (Seattle Surge) Surge made the decision to bench Enable for Casey ‘Pandur’ Romano back in February. After failing to see the success that they’d initially hoped for, the former Halo champion finds himself back in the starting lineup and hungrier than ever. After previously stating that being benched “lit a fire” in him, there’s no doubt that Enable will be looking to put himself back on the map. As one of the greatest multi-FPS players to grace the sticks, Surge’s SMG will be bouncing around the objective and getting in the opposition’s faces. Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) Following a roster shuffle of their own, OGLA made their first CDL Grand Final of the season. While Chino’s impact was clear, Dashy was a man on a mission all weekend long. After racking up the most kills of CDL Florida (434), Dashy seems to be finding his groove with the MP5 in-hand. Now OpTic will have had a two-week gap between events to let the dust settle, it will be interesting to see how the Greenwall’s human highlight reel fares with some practice. Trei ‘Zer0’ Morris (London Royal Ravens) After a spell overseas with New York Subliners, Zer0 finds himself back home with the London Royal Ravens. After replacing Jordan ‘Jurd’ Crowley on their starting lineup, the 22-year-old finds himself chucked in at the deep end. As a Flex, Zer0’s playstyle will naturally lend itself more into Royal Ravens’ flexible approach. With the meta evolving to a point where teams sometimes prefer to rock two ARs in specific situations, it will be interesting to see if the Brit will bring some much-needed flair and help bring his team back out of their recent slump in form. As players approach the home straight, these six players will certainly be looking to make a big impact this weekend. Stay tuned into our CDL coverage to ensure that you don’t miss a minute of what is set to be a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty action.

6 players to watch during CDL Paris Activision / Dexerto Paris Legion will host their first ever Call of Duty League this weekend, so take a look at the players who are set to make an impact on the server. Minnesota RØKKR’s Home Series event was undoubtedly the most stacked event of the Call of Duty League’s inaugural season. With Flordia Mutineers seeing off the top three in the standings to claim their second CDL title of the season, they’ll be looking to be the first team to claim back-to-back event wins. With both Empire and FaZe out for revenge, CDL Paris is shaping up to be another jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty action. But who are the stars primed to shine the brightest? We take a look at the six players to keep tabs on this weekend. Joseph ‘Owakening’ Conley (Florida Mutineers) Owakening made his Call of Duty League debut during CDL Minnesota, where he replaced Chance ‘Maux’ Moncivaez on Mutineers’ starting lineup. Despite all eyes being on the 19-year-old, the pressure of the big names didn’t phase him as he led Florida to their second title of the season. The youngster racked up the most kills at the event (365) while maintaining a 1.12 K/D ratio across all events. Considering that he posted those numbers against the three best teams in the league (per the current standings), that is one impressive feat. Can Owakening continue his incredible start under the Mutineers’ banner at CDL Paris? Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) Despite a shaky start to the season, Shotzzy has been steadily rising to the occasion and improving week after week. Before the season got underway, Shotzzy was tipped to be one of the hottest talents — and he’s now living up to the hype as he’s proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the server. Despite falling short in the semifinals of CDL Minnesota, Shotzzy ended the weekend with a 1.23 K/D while running riot on Hardpoint, as he chalked up an average of 73 seconds in the hill per game. Dallas’ hotshot was consistent across all game modes throughout the weekend, but really came into his own in respawn, with his movement on another level to everyone else’s in the server. If the Empire wants to strike back from their early exit, then Shotzzy will need to be on top of his game yet again. Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) SlasheR has been at the helm of OGLA’s impressive turnaround from their early-season woes. After a role change with Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell, Liddicoat is now running rampant with a more familiar weapon in his hands. OpTic’s Main AR was arguably the MVP of CDL Seattle, where he seemed to be finding his groove once again. There were times where the former world champ showed glimpses of the SlasheR of old — going on killing frenzies that left his opposite number completely helpless. After sitting on the sidelines during RØKKR’s Home Series event, the 25-year-old will be eager to get back to winning ways and prove that OpTic can be contenders at the season’s curtain caller. Lamar ‘Accuracy’ Abedi (New York Subliners) Standing in the way of SlasheR and co., will be Subliners’ Main AR. After a roster shuffle, the Subliners are another squad who appear rejuvenated in the second half of the season. Despite adding the talents of Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley to their ranks in a bid to boost their slaying power, Accuracy has been putting in the hard yards around the objective. Out of all of the players to start the season, Accuracy has the highest average hill time in Hardpoint (75 seconds), alongside securing an average of six flags per game in Domination. If the Subliners want a seat at the CDL winners table, then they’ll be counting on Abedi to step-up once again. Preston ‘Priestahh’ Greiner (Atlanta FaZe) Despite maintaining consistent form throughout the season, Priestahh had his worst event of the season at CDL Minnesota. After chalking up a 0.82 K/D while struggling to clock in any objective work, Greiner didn’t seem to be at the races. There’s no doubt that when Priestahh is playing well, FaZe are absolutely unstoppable. Given just how integral he’s been to FaZe’s win thus far this season, the 21-year-old will be looking to bounce back during Legion’s Home Series. Denholm ‘Denz’ Taylor (Paris Legion) Denz has been Legion’s frontman this season. As the only player on his squad with a positive kill swing (+173), to say he’s been putting the team on his back would be an understatement. While the European outfit have only made it out of groups once so far, they will be looking to change that during their Home Series. There’s no doubt that Legion’s Main AR will be at the forefront of that narrative, but can he hold his own in a stacked group? Each of these players have something to prove at CDL Paris, which is primed to be one of the most thrilling events of the season. Stay tuned into our CDL coverage to ensure that you don’t miss a minute of what is set to be a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty action.

6 players to watch during CDL New York Activision / Dexerto The Call of Duty League moves to the East Coast for its next Home Series, as the New York Subliners are set to host their first event of this inaugural season. After a three-week break, players are eager to get back into the swing of things and finish off the season strong as we edge closer to the CDL’s postseason. With Florida Mutineers hot on the heels of Atlanta FaZe, the FaZe boys will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the CDL standings during Subliners’ Home Series. Although, plenty of teams will be looking to rain on Atlanta’s parade. But which players need to go big to give them a fighting chance this weekend? We’ve rounded up the six players to keep an eye on during CDL New York. Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley (New York Subliners) There’s no denying that Mack has been Subliners’ saving grace this season. After introducing the youngster to the squad, the squad has turned their early season woes around — reaching the playoffs in 3/4 events since his introduction. With the 18-year-old dominating the killfeed in almost every respawn map, the Subliners have been saved an otherwise subpar season — now finding themselves in the middle of the pack after turning things around. If Mack continues to run riot on the sticks this weekend, New York might just be contenders to take the whole thing… And where better to secure your first CDL event win than at your Home Series? Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon (Chicago Huntsmen) One of the Call of Duty League’s hottest talents struggled to find his groove during Huntsmen’s last outing at CDL Minnesota, where a game five upset at the hands of Los Angeles Guerrillas forced the star-studded lineup to an early exit, despite winning the previous event in CDL Seattle. While on paper, the Chicago Huntsmen have one of the more stacked lineups in Call of Duty history, something isn’t quite clicking and has led to a slew of inconsistencies throughout the season. That something might just be Envoy. When he’s fragging out, the Huntsmen are seemingly unstoppable, so if Hannon manages to get back into the swing of things after a lengthy break from the action, the Huntsmen could find themselves in contention for yet another CDL title. Adam ‘GodRx’ Brown (Minnesota RØKKR) Despite getting off to a hot start during the offline events, GodRx has struggled to transition to life online. Comparing the squad’s earlier performances to their more recent ones following the change is like looking at night and day. Just a glance at GodRx’s stats tell you that he’s still grappling with the logistics of online play, as the RØKKR Flex player has gone from posting pub-stomping numbers to barely chalking up a positive K/D. After crashing out of their own Home Series in dead last, GodRx will be pivotal in turning things around for Minnesota. Preston ‘Priestahh’ Greiner (Atlanta FaZe) Priestahh finds himself in our list for the second consecutive event, and not for the right reasons. Despite being one of the most mechanically gifted players in the league, he’s another player who’s struggling to get to grips with online events. While CDL Paris was an improvement from his previous event, he’s yet to rediscover the event-winning stride that added to Atlanta’s ‘untouchable’ aura. If the Atlanta FaZe SMG steps up this weekend, it’s hard to think of a team that can stand in their way. Matthew ‘Skrapz’ Marshall (London Royal Ravens) Skrapz’ twin brother, Bradley ‘Wuskin’ Marshall, has been stealing all of the headlines for himself of late. Royal Ravens’ Main AR has undoubtedly been the star of their season so far, but that is entirely supplemented by Skrapz’ selfless work around the objective. Although, when Skrapz is on form, the Royal Ravens seem to follow suit. Should the Brits want to make it out of CDL New York’s ‘group of death’ and into the Playoffs, Skrapz will have to deliver. Rasim ‘Blazt’ Ogresevic (Los Angeles Guerrillas) While Los Angeles Guerrillas have struggled to get into any kind of rhythm throughout the season, Blazt has most definitely been the team’s silver lining. Despite a flurry of roster changes near the start of the season, the Guerrillas find themselves tied bottom of the standings. But, while their placement at the foot of the table is nothing to shout about, their recent performance at CDL Minnesota is. Guerrillas made it to their first Playoffs of the season, after seeing off Huntsmen in a five-map thriller. Blazt and co. also took Atlanta FaZe right down to the wire and will be looking to carry over their form into Subliners’ Home Series. There’s plenty on the line for everyone participating in CDL New York, so watch out for all of the above players, who are destined to play a big role in their team’s success. Stay tuned into our CDL coverage to ensure that you don’t miss a minute of what is set to be a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty action.

6 players to watch during CDL Minnesota Activision As Minnesota RØKKR hosts their first Call of Duty League event, we take a look at the players who will need to take their game to the next level as all of the big dogs take to the stage. With the top five teams beginning to break away from the pack, the race is on to see who can bag themselves the best seed for the Call of Duty Championship at the end of the year. Since all five of the league’s top-ranked teams are in action this weekend, the stakes are higher than ever. So who’s destined to leave their mark? We’ve rounded up the six players to keep an eye on. Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter (Dallas Empire) There’s a reason Porter is Call of Duty’s winningest player. Having proven himself across multiple titles, year after year, Crimsix is considered one of the most well-rounded players to touch the sticks. Moving into a Flex role for the Empire, the 27-year-old veteran has maintained his slayer reputation throughout the season — bested only by Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland on his squad. Will Crim lead the Empire to a momentous victory at Minnesota? He’ll certainly be looking to even out the score against former teammates, Chicago Huntsmen, who currently have Empire’s number in the head-to-head record. Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper (Chicago Huntsmen) One man who’ll be keen to stand in Crimsix’s way is FormaL. Teamed back up with T2P duo, Seth ‘Scump’ Abner, the multi-FPS veteran hasn’t had the best season of his career in 2020 so far. But, after the squad made a mid-season roster shuffle, the Huntsmen’s Main AR seems to have found his groove again. At CDL Seattle, FormaL proved that when he’s on his game, no one can really stand in his way. There’s no doubt that Piper was the stand-out performer for Chicago as they clinched their second CDL title of the year. On top of racking up the most kills for his squad, FormaL clocked in with the highest average hill time in Hardpoint (77 seconds) and a 1.26 K/D ratio in Domination — which saw him round-off a clinic in respawns. Will his form continue heading into RØKKR’s Home Series? Sam ‘Octane’ Larew (Seattle Surge) After a turbulent season up until this point, the star-studded lineup of Seattle Surge find themselves one from the bottom of the CDL standings. Despite having one of the most decorated rosters in the league, the squad just doesn’t seem to be clicking. Multiple roster shuffles haven’t answered Surge’s woes, and one of the greatest to ever grace the franchise in Damon ‘Karma’ Barlow, recently announced his retirement from the game. So with Nicholas ‘Proto’ Maldonado stepping into the three-time world champ’s shoes, the pressure will fall on Octane’s shoulders like never before. It will be certainly be interesting to see how Surge fare without the experience of Karma in the server… Could this be the change that the squad needed? Or will it be too little too late for Larew and co? McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel (Atlanta FaZe) One player who seems to have the Flex role on lock, is Atlanta’s Cellium. At times, the FaZe youngster looks like he’s playing another game altogether. Cellium’s more patient playstyle works in tandem with the Tiny Terrors’ gung-ho approach to the game. As the second-highest slaying player on the FaZe squad, there’s a reason why he was named the CDL Atlanta. You’ll often find Cellium at the heart of Atlanta’s strats, so keep an eye on how teams will look to counter Jovel before anything else. Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost (Los Angeles Guerrillas) Sitting at rock bottom of the CDL, the Guerrillas have struggled to find their footing in the league so far. Despite failing to make it out of groups for the sixth consecutive event during Seattle’s Home Series, Vivid was the squad’s silver lining. In their 3-1 victory over the hosts, Vivid dropped a staggering 44 kills while maintaining a 1.63 K/D. Even after an early exit, his ruthlessness in respawn earned him the highest slayer rating of the tournament. With that in mind, the SMG Slayer will have to carry over his phenomenal form into Minnesota if they’re to stand a chance of making it out of groups. Adam ‘Assault’ Garcia (Minnesota RØKKR) While the RØKKR have experienced a dip in form of late, the former world champ has been in stellar form. After suffering from yet another early exit, every member of Minnesota’s squad clocked out with a negative K/D ratio — all bar Assault. In fact, the story remains the same for the past two events. While the remainder of his squad haven’t quite been on the top of their game in recent weeks, Assault has been a consistent performer. There’s no doubt that the hosts will be turning to Garcia to lead the way this weekend. In a do-or-die event, each of these players will be looking to go big this weekend. Be sure to keep an eye on each, as they’ll all have something to prove. Stay tuned into our CDL coverage to ensure that you don’t miss a minute of what is set to be a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty action.

6 players to watch during CDL London ActivisionFollowing on from Activision’s Call of Duty League Launch Weekend, eight teams are set to lock horns at CDL London in Modern Warfare’s first tournament-based event. The Call of Duty League’s next stop is Piccadilly… em, London. Eight teams will go head-to-head in front of a rowdy CDL London crowd on February 8-9. With the first CDL title and a total of 50 league points up for grabs for the winners, teams will be looking to put their stamp on the league. But who should you be keeping an eye on to show-up for their team? We’ve rounded six players who have something to prove at London’s homestand. Sam ‘Octane’ Larew (Seattle Surge) Octane has been a name synonymous with some of the very best in professional Call of Duty since Advanced Warfare. However, it was only last year where Larew really put his stamp on the competition. After proving himself time and time again on the big stage, the 22-year-old came into the inaugural Call of Duty League season as arguably the best assault rifle player in Call of Duty. During the Launch Weekend, Octane posted some impressive numbers, clocking out with a 1.14 K/D across all game modes — yet the Surge bowed out 0-2 for the weekend. So, can last year’s CWL London MVP lead the Surge’s resurrection? Bradley ‘wuskin’ Marshall (London Royal Ravens) Despite having a solid Black Ops 4 season, wuskin often found himself in Dylan ‘Dylan’ Henderson’s shadow, after the Irish youngster humbled plenty of big names on the circuit. Now accompanied by his twin brother Matthew ‘Skrapz’ Marshall, wuskin has stepped into the limelight. Marshall was the protagonist in Royal Raves’ 3-0 sweep of the New York Subliners. His form continued against European rivals, Paris Legion. However, the French representatives proved to be the dark horse of the weekend, and gave the British squad a taste of their own medicine. Regardless of going 1-1 on the weekend, wuskin was arguably the MVP and he now finds himself on home turf where a rowdy London crowd will be rooting for the Royal Ravens to put on a show. Will the 22-year-old show up and lead his team to take their home series and the first CDL title of the season? Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) Shotzzy is no stranger to being under the spotlight. Having already claimed a Halo world championship and landing himself on a Call of Duty franchise squad at the age of 18, Castro’s talents on the sticks are undeniable. Having spent the majority of his Call of Duty career online, Shotzzy made his LAN debut on one of the biggest stages of all… CDL Launch Weekend. After being pitted against two of the hottest teams in Huntsmen and FaZe, the stage was set for the former Halo pro to put his stamp on the competition. Yet Shotzzy’s performance flew under the radar, as he appeared out of step with his online performance that got so many talking leading up to RØKKR’S homestand. Will Empire’s young gun bounce back at CDL London and prove his worth? Seth ‘Scump’ Abner (Chicago Huntsmen) After a bumpy past couple of seasons, Scump’s self-proclaimed crown has been figuratively slipping out of his hands. With a batch of fresh talent on the scene and a franchised league in-play, a fire seems to have reignited in Scump — and the king looks hungrier than ever before. The face of competitive Call of Duty put on a show for fans everywhere, as he led the Huntsmen to the perfect start. After being reunited with his ‘T2P’ partner in crime Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper, Scump seems to have found his groove on Modern Warfare. After making light work of Empire and OpTic Gaming, Scump ended the weekend with a 2.25 K/D in Search & Destroy and 170 kills across all game modes. Add to the mix that Scump historically fares well across the pond (after picking up several European titles) and the tide certainly seems to be in his favor. Ulysses ‘AquA’ Silva (Los Angeles Guerrillas) AquA is dubbed for his consistency against the very best. Now a veteran of the scene, Silva has often come close to the pinnacle of Call of Duty esports only to fall short. However, under the guidance of two-time world champ, Patrick ‘ACHES’ Price, AquA is looking to go one step further during the inaugural CDL season. After a controversial loss to hosts Minnesota RØKKR, AquA led the LA Guerrillas to a narrow victory over the Mutineers. Although, the 23-year-old will be facing conceivably tougher opposition in the Huntsmen during their group opener. With ACHES venting his intention to cause an upset against Scump and co., the pressure will be on AquA to turn up, given that he was the only consistent Guerrillas player during the opening weekend. Conrad ‘Shockz’ Rymarek (Paris Legion) Shockz’ name constantly cropped up during the Black Ops 4 season as one of the best amateurs in the game. After leading his Mindfreak squad to multiple open bracket wins, Rymarek landed himself a pro contract for Paris Legion. His team was considered the league’s underdogs going into Launch Weekend, but they soon switched the consensus around, after grinding out a 3-2 win over OpTic Gaming and breezing past European rivals, London Royal Ravens. It appeared as though Shockz was writing the script for Legion’s success, as he set the tone right from the get-go with a crazy 10-man killing spree versus OpTic. Whether his form can continue as he steps onto enemy soil remains to be seen. CDL London is the first of Royal Ravens’ homestands and the first traditional tournament in Call of Duty League history. With plenty on the line, watch out for the above names to show up for their team when it matters most. Be sure to follow our guide on how to watch CDL London to ensure that you don’t miss a beat over the course of a jam-packed two days of Call of Duty action.

6 players to watch during CDL Dallas Activision / DexertoActivision’s Call of Duty League is back in action as of April 10, where Dallas Empire will be looking to defend their title during their home series event. Let’s take a look at the players who will be trying to do some damage this weekend. The CDL is resuming its inaugural season on April 10 as Dallas hosts the first online tournament in the league’s history, with pros looking eager to get back into the thick of the action. After edging out Minnesota RØKKR in an epic Grand Final, Dallas took their first CDL title in the City of Angels and will be looking to go back-to-back in their home series event. So with a lot on the line, who are the players with something to prove at CDL Dallas? Here are the six players who could make an impact this weekend. Adam ‘GodRx’ Brown (Minnesota RØKKR) As the highest fragging player in the league with 941 kills, GodRx is having the best season of his career. Whether it be an AR, SMG or Sniper, Minnesota’s Flex player is a Jack of all trades. His season K/D currently stands at 1.29 — a stat most players would be proud of in public lobbies! Alongside the highest positive kill swing in the league at 209, he’s putting in the objective work, too. At CDL Los Angeles, GodRx clocked in the highest average hill time (74 seconds) in Hardpoint alongside racking up the most kills with 393 kills in a single event. RØKKR eliminated Atlanta FaZe and prevented them from making two consecutive Grand Final appearances. Despite not taking home the title from LA, the 21-year-old was undoubtedly the star of the show and arguably the MVP of the whole event. Although with that said, the pressure will be on GodRx’ shoulders to perform right from the get-go, as RØKKR face-off against the Chicago Huntsmen in their opening match. Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro (Dallas Empire) Together with Indervir ‘iLLeY’ Dhaliwal, Shotzzy is one half of Dallas’ dynamic duo. A former Halo world champion, Shotzzy gained his first offline Call of Duty tournament win at CDL Los Angeles. Having had a rocky start to the season under the Empire banner, Shotzzy has done a complete 180 on his form and appears to be back to his old ways — proving to be key in Dallas’ first CDL win. Despite running an SMG, Empire’s youngster posted the highest number of kills (360) on his squad, as both he and Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland proved themselves to be an unstoppable slaying force around the hill in Hardpoint. Given that Shotzzy was initially bound to online tournaments at the start of his CoD career, he will be back in a more familiar setting with the CDL moving away from its offline schedule. Can the 18-year-old continue to go from strength-to-strength and uphold the reputation he gained before the start of the season? Chance ‘Maux’ Moncivaez (Florida Mutineers) Maux’s breakout year came during Black Ops 4, where together with Colt ‘Havok’ McLendon he clocked in a series of impressive placements under the Gen.G banner. While Mutineers’ Flex doesn’t necessarily post the biggest numbers in the lobby, his selfless objective work is one of the main reasons why the likes of Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno can post the crazy numbers that he has. At CDL Los Angeles, Maux was consistently diving into the hill while his squad slayed around it. Despite suffering an early exit after running into FaZe and Empire, Maux was Florida’s silver lining from the event. With Empire, Ultra and the Guerrillas joining Maux and co. in a stacked group, the 21-year-old will have to turn up big if he plans on avoiding the same outcome as their last tournament. Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson (Chicago Huntsmen) Arcitys is a reigning world champion and one of the most well-rounded players in the league. Playing as the Huntsmen’s Flex, Arcitys is most at home with an AR but can also get up close and personal with an SMG if needed. He’s without a doubt Huntsmen’s most consistent performer of the season so far – specifically, Domination has been Arcitys’ stomping ground so far this season, as he has single-handedly locked down key chokepoints for the likes of Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon and Seth ‘Scump’ Abner to be relentlessly aggressive. After sitting out the last tournament, Arcitys and co. will be keen to make an impact in their group. Although RØKKR will most definitely have something to say about that in their opening match-up! Bryan ‘Apathy’ Zhelyazkov (Seattle Surge) Being a two-time world champion, Apathy knows a thing or two about staying on top of the competition. However, while the Surge are a hot pick on paper, their form hasn’t fared so well during offline events so far. Having crashed out of both CDL London and Los Angeles in the group stages, Surge were forced into bringing in an extra pair of hands in Casey ‘Pandur’ Romano — whose impact on the Open Circuit of Black Ops 4 didn’t go unnoticed. Pandur will be turning to the likes of Apathy and Damon ‘Karma’ Barlow to lead Seattle out of their rough start, and into a place that more accurately reflects the squad’s talent on the sticks. Despite Seattle falling to everyone but the Los Angeles Guerrillas this season, Apathy has been Surge’s rock throughout their opening events — proving that he can still hang with the very best. Search & Destroy is where the 25-year-old shines, as he picks teams apart at the seams. Will he be able to turn the tide in Surge’s favor online? Anthony ‘Methodz’ Zinni (Toronto Ultra) Despite only being 22 years of age, Methodz is something of a veteran in pro Call of Duty. Ushered into the scene by Scump and Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag during Modern Warfare 3, he broke into the competitive landscape as a prodigy who was nasty with an AR in-hand. While Ultra continues to look for the perfect starting lineup from their 10-man roster, Methodz has remained a solid figure within the outfit. Ultra’s Main AR was the thorn in Chicago Huntsmen’s side when Toronto narrowly missed out on taking out the CDL London champs. Methodz has had a relatively comfortable start to the season, but has really come into his own on Domination. With an average of five flag captures per game and a 1.23 K/D ratio, he is Ultra’s most influential performer in that all-important third map. Will Methodz lead the charge as Ultra looks to post more points on the board this weekend? He will face tough opposition in his opening match of the weekend, as CDL Atlanta Grand Finalists, Florida Mutineers look primed to pounce. With Huntsmen, Legion and Ultra all missing out on the action in Los Angeles, they’ll all be eager to get back into the swing of things and post some more CDL Points on the board. So keep an eye on these six players, and be sure to stay tuned into our Call of Duty League coverage to ensure that you don’t miss a minute of the action over the course of a jam-packed weekend of Call of Duty.

6 players to watch during CDL Chicago Activision / DexertoWith reigning champs Florida Mutineers out of action and the top three Call of Duty League teams all ready to go, everything is to play for at CDL Chicago. We’ve rounded up the players you should be keeping an eye on this weekend. As the CDL welcomes FaZe, Royal Ravens, Subliners and OpTic Gaming all back into the fold for the first time since moving to an online format, there are plenty of pros eager to make an impact during Huntsmen’s home series event. CDL Chicago will give the hosts a chance to set themselves apart from the rest of the field, but will come with stiff competition as both FaZe and Empire look primed to spoil the party. On the flip side of the fence, the likes of New York Subliners and OGLA will be looking to clock some points on the board. So who will be key to their team’s success? Let’s take a lot at the six players set to make an impact throughout the weekend. Bradley ‘wuskin’ Marshall (London Royal Ravens) After being on the sidelines since their disappointing early exit during CDL Atlanta, wuskin and co. will be looking to make their mark at CDL Chicago. Standing in their way to kick-off the tournament is none other than Atlanta FaZe, who handed Royal Ravens a 3-1 trouncing during their home series event. Despite having a lights-out series (specifically proving a nuisance in respawn game modes), wuskin couldn’t quite lead his team past the Tiny Terrors in Group Stage. There’s no doubt that wuskin has been London’s star player of the season, with his AR prowess proving too much for most teams to handle. His knack with a Sniper Rifle shouldn’t go unnoticed either. Despite having not played for the past two events, he still remains the most devastating marksman in the league with an HDR in his hand. Wuskin is sitting on the highest K/D ratio in the league (currently standing at 1.41), but that will be tested this weekend as Royal Ravens’ Main AR will face tough opposition in the form of FaZe and Huntsmen, should he be looking to lead his side into the playoffs. Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris (Atlanta FaZe) One player standing in wuskin’s way will be aBeZy. Together with Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr, Pharris’ gung-ho style of play can often render teams throwing conventional strategy out of the window. On paper, the 20-year-old isn’t having his best season in the slaying department, as he currently has the worst K/D (1.02) on his squad with only the third-highest kills. Although, it is Domination where the youngster has been shining, as his consistent objective work and incredible movement around key chokepoints has meant that FaZe have only narrowly dropped two Domination maps out of a possible nine. In Search & Destroy, Pharris has often opened up the round for his squad as a one-man army, by winning the majority of his opening duels. So while on paper, aBeZy isn’t perhaps the standout man in FaZe’s star-studded roster, he is without a doubt the essential ingredient in their success. Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland (Dallas Empire) Another player known for his seemingly boundless talent is Empire’s Huke. Having transitioned from Halo, the 20-year-old has flown under the radar for the vast majority of the season. As the season has progressed, Huke seems to have found his groove. Having clocked in the highest kills in a single offline event with a staggering 407 frags, Huke is also leading the way in terms of slaying for his side with 1134 kills to-date. Together with Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro, the SMG pair have been running riot with the support of veteran James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks and Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter, but will their form continue in what is arguably the most stacked tournament event of the season so far. While you’d expect Empire to make it out of Group B relatively unscathed, the remaining rosters have been shuffling their squad around to try and find a formula that works. Should Garland continue to improve at the rate he has been, he will be a force to be reckoned with this weekend. Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat (OpTic Gaming Los Angeles) Despite being one the best ARs to touch a Call of Duty, SlasheR has played the vast majority of the season as OGLA’s Flex. After a series of woeful performances, the formula was clearly not working for OpTic, which rendered Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell swapping roles with Liddicoat before their home series event. With Dashy pushing into a more aggressive role and SlasheR with a trusty AR in-hand, the squad made it to the playoffs and finally posted some CDL Points on the board. SlasheR seemed right at home and had a lights-out tournament, posting an incredible 1.30 K/D while being an absolute menace in respawn game modes, as he clocked the highest average hill time of the event with 86 seconds per game. With SlasheR back into a more comfortable role, the OGLA squad finally seem to be clicking, and coming off the back of a lengthy break, the former world champ will have had time to refine his role together with the rest of his squad. Seth ‘Scump’ Abner (Chicago Huntsmen) Scump is dubbed the King of Call of Duty for a reason. Having been at the pinnacle of competitive CoD since MW2, you could say Scump knows a thing or two about getting one over the competition. Together with Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper, Scump was an integral part of the OpTic Gaming dynasty. Now flying the Chicago Huntsmen banner, Abner is a core component to their star-studded lineup. On paper, the Huntsmen talisman hasn’t been having the best season. Having moved to more of a support role for the likes of Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon to shine, Scump is pivotal to Huntsmen’s success in respawn game modes. With games against Atlanta FaZe and Dallas Empire almost destined to happen, it is worth keeping tabs on how Scump gets up close and personal with his opposite number to constantly apply pressure and allow his team to thrive. Dillon ‘Attach’ Price (New York Subliners) To say that the Subliners have their work cut-out at CDL Chicago would be an understatement. Pitted in a group with FaZe, Royal Ravens and Huntsmen, each member of the roster will have to perform out of their proverbial skins if they’re looking to make it to Championship Sunday. With every member of the Subliners’ roster (bar Attach) struggling to scramble a positive K/D for the season, they have been left in dire straits and find themselves tied rock bottom of the standings together with Los Angeles Guerrillas. Who else will lead that charge for the Big Apple representatives, other than Attach? The former world champion is well-versed in causing an upset or two, but Chicago’s ‘group of death’ is a tall order for anyone. With all to play for during Chicago’s online event, the weekend is shaping up to be a high stakes, jam-packed few days of CoD action. So keep an eye on these six players, and be sure to stay tuned into our Call of Duty League coverage to ensure that you don’t miss beat during Huntsmen’s first ever CDL event.

6 players to watch during CDL 2021 Stage 2: Week 2 Call of Duty League / DexertoAs the Call of Duty League moves on to the second week of Stage 2, a number of CDL teams have moved on from their original rosters. Power rankings are shifting and six players need to be watched at CDL 2021’s Stage 2: Week 2. Last week, two rookies made their CDL debuts: the Toronto Ultra’s Jamie ‘Insight’ Craven and London Royal Ravens’ Paul ‘PaulEhx’ Avila. This week, two more rooks enter the fray: the Minnesota ROKKR’s Eli ‘Staandy’ Bentz and Los Angeles Thieves’ Carlos ‘Venom’ Hernandez. Most expected that talent would concentrate and many young players would miss out in the shift to 4v4 for CDL 2021. That held true for the first month, but now things are starting to shake out and we’re seeing a bonafide arms race for CDL Challengers talent. Considering that lineup volatility and recent performances, here are the six players you need to watch out for this week — from star veterans to the aforementioned, unproven rookies. Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno (Florida Mutineers) Investing in a return of the MVP Mutineer In 2020, the Mutineers were winning events and Skyz was a fan-favorite MVP candidate. In 2021, the talented player has seemingly become better known for game investment memes than his actual skills. That could be changing, though, as Skyz bounced back from a team-low 0.89 K/D in a 1-3 loss to the Seattle Surge with a game-high 1.40 in a sweep of the ROKKR. That is the Skyz needed for a Floridian return to form. This week’s primetime match against a 7-3 OpTic Chicago will be a serious test. Sean ‘Seany’ O’Connor (London Royal Ravens) Is Sean the Builder back? Like Skyz, Seany has been the subject of memes and, now, is the centerpiece of a speculative return to form. The visa-struck Royal Ravens were 0-6 until last week, but they added PaulEhx from Challengers and, suddenly, won their first match. But PaulEhx wasn’t the star in a sweep of the Los Angeles Guerrillas — it was Seany. He treated the entire series like it was his Rammaza playground and piled up a team-high 1.19 K/D. This week he and London will face the Thieves and New York Subliners, a bigger task for the rebuilding Ravens. Carlos ‘Venom’ Hernandez & Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly (LA Thieves) New lineup, new roles, new Thieves? The revamped, rebranded Thieves started the season off red-hot with a win streak before seeming to fall apart. Dropping to an unexciting 6-4, Los Angeles have gone after one of Challengers’ brightest submachine gun talents: Venom, formerly of WestR. Kenny ‘Kenny’ Williams moved to SMG already, but now Venom takes the second SMG, Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda loses his starting spot and veteran star TJHaLy moves to the Flex. He was strong in a 3-2 against Toronto last week, but dropped a game-low 0.73 K/D in the 2-3 loss to the Subliners. As a highly touted rookie, Venom needs to be watched this week — and, as an inconsistent, high-ceiling vet, TJHaLy’s new role should draw close monitoring as well. The Thieves have high expectations as an organization and these lineup and role changes need to show promise quickly, as fans have begun to worry. Eli ‘Staandy’ Bentz (Minnesota ROKKR) Stand by MN Like the Thieves, Minnesota have had a disappointing season and decided to bring up an SMG player from Challengers alongside a role swap. Moving Michael ‘MajorManiak’ Szymaniak to the bench and Preston ‘Priestahh’ Grenier to the Flex, the ROKKR have brought on Triumph’s Standy to form a sub duo with Dillon ‘Attach’ Price. While MajorManiak was excellent to start the year, people began doubting Minnesota’s pace of play as the team dropped to a mediocre 3-5. The ROKKR dropped to last in our Reverse Sweep power rankings, so this change will hopefully give the team some speed and open things up. Ben ‘Bance’ Bance (Toronto Ultra) No Zinni, No Winni? The Ultra surprised everyone by dropping Anthony ‘Methodz’ Zinni from their starting lineup after he was their best statistical performer in Stage 1. The rookie, Insight, then performed admirably in his stead — easing some concerns that the move was unwarranted. Read more: Enable: Ultra benching Methodz won’t pay off – Now, a new question emerges: Did they drop the right player? In last week’s 2-3 loss to the Thieves, Bance had the team’s lowest K/D with 0.85. When they got swept by FaZe, his K/D was 0.68. He took to Twitter to tell fans “I need to get better” and this week, against a meager 3-5 Guerrillas, will be the perfect opportunity to show progress. All stats courtesy of BreakingPoint. If you want to keep track of Stage 2, Week 2, follow along with our dedicated hub. And if you want to keep track of all the roster moves, check out our CDL Rostermania hub.

6 players to watch at CDL Champs 2022: Scump, Arcitys, Gismo & more Call of Duty LeagueThe Call of Duty League Championship is the crowning moment of the CoD calendar, with $2.5m on the line and players fighting for the opportunity to win a world championship ring and live forever in the Call of Duty history books. But which players should you be keeping an eye on? For better or worse, there are certain players who will have a little extra weight on their shoulders when Champs rolls around on August 4. Some are fighting for their legacy, some are fighting for their careers, and others simply can’t afford to keep struggling on LAN. With that in mind, here are six players that need to put in a serious performance at Champs that we should all be keeping an eye on. Scump The King himself, Seth ‘Scump’ Abner has qualified for Champs for 10 years in a row — one of only two to have done so, alongside Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter. He always turns up at Champs: Despite only winning the tournament once, he has consistently placed in the top 3 at the event over the years and been firmly in the conversation as a possible contender each season. After a rough few months, his OpTic Texas side came fourth at Major 4 following a loss to Atlanta FaZe. They looked better than they had done at any point since their Major 1 victory, and Scump will be looking to guide his teammates to their second world championship rings — or first in the case of MVP candidate Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell. Arcitys Atlanta FaZe have been the best team in Vanguard, with three second-place finishes and one third-place finish — though trophies have thus far eluded them. While Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson would be an invaluable addition to any CDL franchise, his performances this season haven’t matched those we know he’s capable of as a two-time world champion and dominant main AR. It’s unfair and dishonest to say that Arcitys is the reason FaZe haven’t won this year, despite what some critics might say, but if he manages to find form at Champs then it’s hard to look past anyone except FaZe winning it all. Gismo Joey ‘Gismo’ Owen is the X-Factor for London Royal Ravens. Every player on this roster has the potential to pop off at any given moment, but Gismo has consistently been the guy to help them secure series wins. The issue comes on LAN. Online, Gismo has a 1.10 KD in Major qualifiers, leading his team, according to Breaking Point’s stats. On LAN, though, he’s managed only a 0.86 KD across all four Major tournaments, a huge decline from his online dominance. It’s unclear why this drop-off occurs, and it’s worth noting that no London player exceeds a 1KD on LAN this year, so maybe Gismo bringing his online form to Champs will be the key to getting the whole team on the right track. TJHaly Thomas ‘TJHaly’ Haly has struggled for some time now, and Champs may well be the last time that Teej will be able to prove his value to franchises and continue competing at the highest level of play. Boston have been very up-and-down throughout 2022, and there has been a lot of discussion within the community about whether TJHaly still has what it takes to compete at the top. With expectations low for Boston at Champs, Teej will have to put in clinical performances to convince his franchise and future potential teammates that he still deserves a spot in the CDL. Bance In recent years, Ben ‘Bance’ Bance hasn’t been considered a star player. He’s not a walking highlight reel like other SMGs in the league, but his fundamental understanding of the game is paramount to any success Toronto Ultra has. Ultra are at their best, though, when Bance shows even shades of his former self, and if he can match the slaying of his efficient AR teammates, Ultra will firmly be in contention for a championship. He’s placed second at Champs twice now — in 2016 and again in 2021 — and he’ll be desperate to get that monkey off his back and finally win the big one. If there’s any time for Bance to show up, it’s now. Accuracy As the veteran of the team, Lamar ‘Accuracy’ Abedi has helped his young teammates achieve incredible success in their rookie years, and his experience will be imperative to help guide them through one of the most daunting and challenging weekends of their careers. Accuracy isn’t the insane slaying AR that other pros, such as Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell or McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel, have been this season, but he hasn’t needed to be. What Accuracy brings to a team is stability and a deeper understanding of the game than many can boast. Should we expect him to put up insane numbers this weekend? No, but his leadership will be key to helping Seattle Surge progress deep into the tournament. Obviously, this list isn’t exhaustive by any means. The likes of Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro, Kenneth ‘Kenny’ Williams, and Matthew ‘KiSMET’ Tinsley are all certainly ones to watch at Champs, with the chance to carry their teams to victory and earn a ring. Crimsix is seeking a record-breaking 4th world championship win, while the Atlanta FaZe players are all looking to firmly stake their claim on dynasty status. With 32 players in attendance, only one thing is certain: every single competitor will be bringing their A-game to Los Angeles’ Galen Center.

6 most underrated weapons in Call of Duty Warzone Dexerto/ActivisionWarzone’s loadout drops offer players plenty of choices when it comes to picking their favorite guns, but what are the most underrated weapons in Warzone? As with any battle royale game, a few weapons have quickly risen to the top of most Warzone players’ lists. Both the AMAX and Krig 6 are currently dominating the best Assault Rifle picks, while the MAC-10 and MP5 rule the SMG class. These weapons may dominate the current Warzone meta in Season 3, but there are a number of criminally underrated guns that can still deliver a game-winning victory if you’re willing to overcome their shortcomings. 6. AS VAL While other Assault Rifles like the FFAR and FARA offer incredibly high rates of fire, the same can be said for the AS VAL. Its gunplay is very similar to that of an SMG and while it may not deal as much damage at range, it does absolutely melt opponents in close-range firefights. If you prefer to aggressively rush your foes over the more methodical AR playstyle, then the AS VAL is a great choice that can net you plenty of kills. Consider pairing this AR with the Kar98k or AMAX to help with any ranged shots. 5. SA87 While LMGs have often failed to make a huge impact in Warzone, the SA87 delivers great accuracy and damage, especially when you’ve kitted it out with the right attachments. Call of Duty content creator, JGOD also revealed that the SA87 is one of his top picks for Warzone Season 3. Despite this, the Modern Warfare LMG is still highly underrated in Warzone. In fact, many players simply stick to the current meta AR loadouts. While the SA87 lacks the mobility of Warzone’s meta guns, it is an absolute beast in mid to long-range firefights. Simply hold down the trigger and let the bullets fly. 4. Oden Now, this gun is certainly not for everyone. In fact, it’s not uncommon to see this AR featured at the bottom of many Warzone weapon tier lists. However, if you can master its vertical recoil pattern and deal with its methodical fire rate, you’ll have a gun that can down fully armored opponents in just a few shots. The damage per bullet is absolutely through the roof and if you manage to land any headshots, then your foes will be hitting the ground quicker than the Oden’s reload animation. Make sure you utilize both the Colossus Suppressor and Oden Factory 810mm barrel as both these attachments turn the Oden into a beast at range. 3. MP7 Modern Warfare’s MP7 is one the most underrated weapons on this list. The Monolithic Suppressor, FSS Recon barrel, and the gun’s 60 Round Mags make this a pretty potent SMG. While the MP5 and MAC-10 currently rule the close-range meta, many players often neglect how lethal the MP7 can be. The gun’s hipfire is particularly potent thanks to the Tac Laser, which allows players to remain accurate without aiming down sights. 2. Stoner 63 LMGs in Warzone can be hit or miss depending on the situation. If players are willing to pre-aim and kit them out for damage range, then they can be top-tier. However, their handling and mobility is often detrimental to their viability in Warzone. Read More: Aydan picks the best Warzone duos partners – While not as fast as an Assault Rifle, the Stoner 63’s damage and accuracy make it an incredible weapon in mid-range fights. Pair this with large magazines and a surprisingly manageable recoil pattern, and the Stoner 63 is one LMG you’ll want to try out. 1. RAM-7 The RAM-7’s versatility is perhaps its strongest trait. It can outclass an SMG at longer ranges and ARs at close range. This versatility means you can easily run a Sniper Rifle as your second weapon, which enables it to fit into most Warzone loadouts. We’d recommend attachments that buff its damage range, to keep you competitive in scenarios where distance shooting is required. It might not be a game-changer, but it can certainly hold its own against most weapons in Warzone. There you have it, six of the most underrated weapons in Warzone. Make sure you check out our Call of Duty page for all the latest news and updates.

6 key things Warzone Pacific needs with Vanguard integration ActivisionWarzone is going to look completely different before long, with Vanguard bringing with it Warzone Pacific and the brand new Caldera map. But what needs to be done to make the game even bigger and better than before? Warzone has become one of the most popular games on the planet since it launched in March 2020. Despite various complaints from the player base, it’s got a dedicated core of users that will always opt to play it above anything else. That said, there are clear improvements that can be made to offer players a better experience, and deter them from searching for greener grass in rival titles such as Apex Legends. So, what needs to be addressed, changed, or added to make Warzone Pacific greater than it’s ever been before once Caldera arrives? Here is our list of must-haves. Ranked playlist A ranked playlist is long overdue in Warzone. While most top competitive games and its rival battle royale titles all house their own variations on a ranked playlist, Warzone has neglected to create one. Read More: How to fix frustrating Warzone FPS bug on PC – This isn’t new to Call of Duty, though, with competitive fans in the multiplayer game often frustrated by the ranked modes provided, if at all. Perhaps developers Raven will listen to their players and use Iron Trials as the blueprint for a functional ranked mode in Warzone. Major audio fixes Audio has been a nonstop source of frustration ever since Warzone was first launched. You’ll often hear loud gunshots from miles away, while enemy footsteps can randomly be suspiciously quiet even without Dead Silence. Few players would be upset with an audio overhaul in Warzone to make things more precise. Better yet, a wider variety of audio options could help players finetune their settings to their exact taste. Want to hear enemy footsteps but not be deafened by the plane at the start of the match? Let’s fix that. Firing range One feature that Warzone players have been desperate for is a firing range to test out weapons, attachments, and various loadouts. While competing BRs have options allowing players to test before they drop into a real match, Warzone doesn’t. Of course, you could just hop into Plunder, but it would be nice to go in and test guns out without also having to worry about getting beamed out of the sky above Storage Town. More accurate gun stats While you do get a general idea of what attachments do in Warzone, more often than not you end up having to rely on the likes of JGOD and TrueGameData to provide the real stats and value of different attachments or builds. Read More: All CoD Vanguard weapons confirmed – A system that allows players to see more precise values for each attachment when adding it to their loadout would make building meta classes even easier, but not only that, it could also help expand the meta as it makes clear how many weapons and loadouts are viable. Console improvements — FOV Slider & crossplay Console players will be hoping for some major changes to come with Warzone Pacific. While the RICOCHET anti-cheat should be pretty effective in preventing cheaters, few would complain about a console-only crossplay, almost entirely wiping out hackers. Not only that, but a FOV slider would be more than welcomed by console players. While PC users can whack their FOV up to 120, console is locked at 80, reducing visibility and offering a less visually appealing experience to players. Vanguard and Cold War had FOV sliders, so could Warzone get one too? Field Upgrade changes Field Upgrades have been in a strange place throughout Warzone’s lifespan. Dead Silence and Stopping Power are massively divisive, with many even wanting them gone completely. On the flip side, though, the other Field Upgrades are almost irrelevant by comparison. Trophy Systems have their place, but they’ll always be dropped in favor of Stopping Power and Dead Silence. Besides that, major changes to Field Upgrades will need to take place to make them more evenly used by players. Warzone Pacific is set to be the first major change to Warzone ever since it launched. While the Cold War integration made a few small changes to the map and introduced new weapons to the game, the Vanguard integration is completely changing things up. Read More: Top 10 most viewed Warzone Twitch streamers – While there’s plenty for players to be excited about — including the much-discussed RICOCHET anti-cheat — there are several changes Raven could make to truly revolutionize the game. The question is, will they make any of them?

6 classic weapons Call of Duty: Warzone should bring back Infinity WardWith Warzone hitting popularity milestones left, right, and center, let’s take a look at some of the series’ classic weapons that would fit right in Call of Duty’s royale effort. While any major new mode in Call of Duty was bound to foster fan anticipation, we’re not sure even Activision saw Warzone’s insane popularity coming. Hitting 50 million players within a month of its initial release, CoD’s second battle royale is hitting numbers seldom seen in all of gaming. With the game’s player count showing no signs of slowing down, we take a look at a few classic CoD weapons that we think would enhance Warzone. 1. Intervention – Modern Warfare 2 It’s fair to say that no Call of Duty sniper is as well known as Modern Warfare 2’s Intervention. Renowned for its speed and power, the weapon became synonymous with trick shotting on Infinity Ward’s acclaimed 2009 title. Read More: Who is developing Call of Duty 2021? – There has been a fair bit of debate regarding sniper rifles in Warzone, with some arguing their thermal capabilities are too strong and do not have enough counters. Alongside that frustration, many MW2 fans were left disappointed with the absence of multiplayer from MW2 Remastered. It’s fair to assume that being able to get their hands on the Intervention in their favorite battle royale would soften the blow, and would bring a nostalgic warmth to every Warzone player that loved MW2. 2. Honey Badger – Ghosts While Call of Duty: Ghosts is generally considered one of CoD’s weaker installments, it still featured a number of well-liked weapons. The Honey Badger was not the professional weapon of choice, but it remained consistently popular among the average public match player. The weapon’s integrated silencer would be uniquely powerful in Warzone, a CoD game mode that reverts to the old radar detection system – whereby firing an un-silenced weapon will give away your location to nearby players. Similarly, its inherent firepower would make it a challenger to the current AR of choice among nearly everyone – the M4A1. Finally, on a less serious note, it has probably the coolest name of any gun in CoD history. 3. ACR – Modern Warfare 2 The ACR is essentially the Intervention of Assault Rifles. Remembered as one of the most accurate ARs that’s ever been seen in Call of Duty, its popularity in MW2 was only surpassed by its effectiveness. Read More: When will the DMR be nerfed in Warzone? – As a result of its accuracy, the ACR was the ideal choice for longer-range gunfights. This would make it an incredibly strong choice on Warzone’s massive map, with its abundance of long lines-of-sight. Currently, in Warzone there aren’t many ARs that are known for their long-range ability. While the M4A1 is pretty strong at all ranges, it’s more or less over to snipers when it comes to winning long-range engagements. The ACR could definitely shake that up. 4. PPSh – Black Ops Featuring heavily in the Soviet campaign, the PPSh-41 submachine gun has an extremely high mag capacity alongside medium recoil. The gun has a semi-automatic fire mode, however as it doesn’t affect hip-fire accuracy and simply impedes players in CQC, this mode should best be avoided. The submachine does fire weak rounds, seeming to be relatively ineffective at long range. Despite these fallbacks, though, it’s got a punchy fire-rate to boot. Bringing back this iconic weapon would help to shake up the SMG meta and could even bridge the gap between SMG and AR. This is because it has an incredibly fast rate of fire and very good accuracy, making it a great all-round gun. 5. MSR – Modern Warfare 3 While probably not as iconic as Modern Warfare 2’s Intervention, the MSR was undoubtedly the fan-favorite sniper from MW3. With the rumor that MW3 Remastered won’t feature multiplayer, its addition to Warzone might be the only time fans of the 2011 title can get their hands back on this iconic-sounding weapon. The MSR would put a faster sniper into Warzone – while the AX-50 and HDR are pretty powerful choices, they’re both fairly slow when it comes to ADS speed and general handling. Maybe this is one that only quick-scopers will agree with. M40A3 – Modern Warfare 4 Perfect for landing those all-important long-distance shots, the lower recoil and sway of the gun means that it’s something that is incredibly buttery to use in play. This bolt-action sniper is a huge fan-favorite in the franchise. The M40A3 is incredibly easy to use with minimal bullet drop, making it the perfect choice for players looking to grab those montage-worthy headshots. That rounds off our picks for the 6 classic Call of Duty weapons we want to see added to Warzone. What do you want to see added to the weapon lineup? Tweet us @DexertoIntel your personal picks.

6 changes Warzone needs to make in its second year ActivisionIt’s now been a year since Warzone hit our screens, but what things do we hope to see in the game’s Year 2 roadmap? Warzone continues to be one of the most popular battle royal games thanks to its satisfying gunplay, customizable loadouts, game-changing killstreak system, and highly competitive games. However, the free-to-play title’s release has been far from smooth. Just like most modern games, Warzone has had its fair share of problems – many of which still persist a year later. Of course, with Season 2 well underway and the big Season 3 update right around the corner, players are hoping for some big changes. As Warzone enters its second year, we’ve outlined six major things that need to be addressed in Warzone’s Year 2 roadmap. New Buy Station items Buy Stations enable Warzone players to purchase weapon loadouts, killstreaks, redeploy squadmates, and secure lifesaving items. As a result, the wares on offer are an integral part of each player’s survival. However, there’s nothing stopping the offerings at these virtual shops from being rotated. For example, new killstreaks could replace the current arsenal and additional equipment could be introduced. If the new map is rumored to take us back to a 1980s themed battleground, then having equipment and killstreaks tailored around this time period would be more befitting. There could even be new hazards added, which would require the utilization of new equipment in order to survive. More communication from developers It’s only in recent months that we’ve seen strong communication from Activision, mainly surrounding the hacking problem and ban waves. The American video game publisher has largely remained quiet on the various issues, with both Treyarch and Infinity Ward seemingly following suit. Aside from the usual patch notes and briefings on the official Call of Duty blog, there is often very little communication between players and the developers. This is in stark contrast to games like Apex Legends, which constantly has developers and design leads discussing updates with its fans. Not only does this show that Respawn is interested in hearing its community’s thoughts, but it also enables them to act upon negative issues that impact the health of the game. Greater levels of communication would certainly go a long way towards fixing many of Warzone’s issues – that is clear. Improved gun balancing This is an area Warzone and every past Call of Duty title has struggled with. Due to the highly competitive nature and SBMM system, many people often gravitate towards a couple of guns. For example, the Season 2 weapon meta largely revolves around the FFAR, AMAX, Kar98k, and MAC-10 SMG. In terms of variety, this is as good as it gets. For example, the Kilo 141 and MP5 dominated every lobby for months before new guns finally managed to topple their dominant reign. Read More: New Warzone teaser hints at Zombies takeover – Warzone has a huge amount of weapons at its disposal, especially now that the battle royale is integrated with other Call of Duty titles. In theory, this should make the weapon meta incredibly broad, but this isn’t the case at all. Why even have a large arsenal of weapons in the first place if the playerbase is simply going to be punished for using the vast majority of them? While better balancing wouldn’t outright stop any potent guns from being used, it would help create a more diverse meta. Robust bugfixes From glitches that enable players to hide inside walls to the notorious demon gun glitch, Warzone is no stranger to the world of game-breaking bugs. To make matters even worse, many bugs that have been fixed in previous patches invariably rear their ugly heads in new updates. The infamous stim glitch and revive bug are just a few recent examples of how old bugs continually come back to haunt players. Many of these pesky problems have been known to ruin games for months on end before action is taken. If the hacking and SBMM didn’t make games hard enough, throwing in a number of bugs can make winning games seem like an impossibility. While every game has its fair share, it would be great to see a lot of the more persistent ones completely ironed out in future updates. New map Despite receiving a new POI in Season 2 and a few minor changes since its release, Verdansk remains totally indistinguishable from when it first graced screens. While Verdansk still makes for some adrenaline-fueled games, the mountainous region has long overstayed its welcome. After all, other popular battle royales like Apex Legends and Fortnite are constantly adding and removing large sections of their maps. Read More: 10 most popular weapons in Warzone – Not only does this help each game from stagnating over time, but it also adds a level of excitement and mystery. Fortunately, if the rumored Nuke event is to be believed, then the new Missile Silos could end up completely leveling the main map. During the event, players will be allegedly sent to a 1980s themed battleground, with familiar Black Ops locations scattered throughout. It certainly seems like a new map is in the works, so let’s hope it comes sooner rather than later. Better anti-cheat Warzone’s anti-cheat is still proving to be frustratingly bad. Things have gotten so bad that many Call of Duty pro players and streamers have voiced their concerns, with a few even outright avoiding competitive tournaments. Despite Activision supposedly “stepping up” their anti-cheat efforts, the game continues to be flooded with hackers. In fact, it’s a rare occurrence if you don’t run into a hacker during a game. While the Warzone community has voiced their anger since the game’s release, it seems Activision is still struggling to find a robust fix. As of writing, Warzone’s current report system does little to dissuade hackers as they can simply make new accounts. Harsher penalties are needed if Warzone is to survive. So, there you have it, six things Warzone needs to include in its Year 2 roadmap. If you’re looking for the next Warzone loadout to try or just want to keep updated with the latest news, then be sure to check out our Call of Duty hub.

5v5 officially confirmed for Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 CWL Season The most significant change to Call of Duty esports since the introduction of the Call of Duty World League was officially announced on September 19, as the change from 4v4 to 5v5 was confirmed. In an announcement that was expected after numerous leaks and rumors, the change was a decision taken by Activision, Treyarch and the CWL. It is hoped that it will improve the interest in Call of Duty esports for casual players, by lessening the difference between the casual and competitive experience, which will now both be 5v5 by default. Nonetheless, it is a controversial decision, and one that a number of professional players have been vocally against in the lead up to the announcement. Two-time world champion Patrick “ACHES” Price led the calls for 4v4 to remain, posting for consecutive days demanding that the CWL retain the team sizes that had been in place since the inception of CoD esports. But, with traditional public matches in Black Ops 4 also switching to 5v5, this was the perfect opportunity for the competitive community to make the compromise in an attempt to appeal more to the casual community. David Vonderhaar went into more details of the decision making process for the change to 5v5, explaining it was planned from early on in the development of the game. He reiterated their ambition to make the casual and competitive experience more similar, as having the two communities separated is not what anyone wants. The first competitive event of the season, CWL Vegas on December 7-9, will be the first time fans will get to see 5v5 play out in a tournament setting. But with Black Ops 4 releasing on October 12 – a month earlier than typical CoD releases – there is more time for the community to adjust, and for competitive rosters to form, before the first event.

5v5 ‘Rallied vs MBoZe’ CoD: Ghosts Showmatch ft. Fero, Felo, NAMELESS, Killa, and More! OpTic Gaming content creator Davis ‘Hitch’ Edwards has announced a 5v5 Ghosts Showmatch featuring past and present professional Call of Duty players. The match, which is expected to be an intense and contentious affair, will begin at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET. Here are the teams for the Ghosts match: Team MBoZe MBoZe – Nameless – Saints – TJHaly* – Attach* – Team Rallied Rallied – Decemate** – Fero – Felo – Blazt – *Update: MBoZe’s team has been changed, Killa and Bullseye are being replaced by TJHaLy and Attach. **Update: Rallied’s team has changed, Scump will be replaced by Decemate. As announced by OpTic Hitch, the rules will be a best of three Search and Destroy, with the first to 12 rounds winning a map. Players will be limited on what guns they can use and can not have two of the same weapons on one team. The guns are as follows: Remington – SC 2010 – Vector – Mtar – USR/L115 – Ghosts Showmatch Stream Watch live video from Hitchariide on www.twitch.tvOpTic MBoZe announced the rosters on his Twitter account and some replies were not kind to his team’s chances. Pro Call of Duty Players Debate the Potential for 5v5 Competitive in Black Ops 4 Update: League stars Attach and TJHaLy joining the MBoZe team makes the rosters look more balanced on paper. Saints is the only active Pro League player on MBoze’s squad, though NAMELESS participated in Stage 1 before retiring. NAMELESS finished second at the Ghosts World Championship in 2014. MBoZe was on the OpTic team that placed third at the Ghosts Championship. Killa is eligible to become a Pro League player next year since his suspension was only for the remainder of the WW2 season.

Team aBeZy wins $50K Crimsix CoD Vanguard tournament: Final results Activision / BoomTVCompetitive Call of Duty legend Crimsix just hosted his very own $50,000 CoD Vanguard tournament and while Team aBeZy came out on top, we’ve got you covered with a full recap of how the action unfolded. aBeZy, skyz, x2pac_thuglord, ColtHavok close out top spot. – $50,000 prize pool. – Crimsix hosted his first Vanguard event. – With CoD pros now getting comfortable with Vanguard, the massive tournaments just keep rolling in. The latest major event came from newly minted Subliners star Crimsix as the veteran hosted his own $50K event in a collaboration with BoomTV. 16 stacked teams competed in a huge bracket for more than just bragging rights. If you missed any of the action, we’ve got you covered with a full overview of all there is to know. $50K Crimsix CoD Vanguard tournament: Final Placements (Top 8) $50K Crimsix CoD Vanguard tournament: Results & Recap Just hours after the last big Vanguard event, the world’s top talent jumped right back into Crim’s $50K tournament. With S&D in focus, every squad was firing on all cylinders trying to outsmart the opposition. While some of the lineups didn’t quite gel, as the likes of Team Envoy and Team Scump fell without winning a series, others were able to shine. Team aBeZy, for instance, cruised all the way to the Grand Finals without dropping a series. The very last series saw them in a heated battle against Team Kenny. Despite going all the way to a map five, it wasn’t meant to be for Kenny’s squad. Team aBeZy took charge in the final map to close out the win. $50K Crimsix CoD Vanguard tournament: Streams & Schedule No different from usual, this $50,000 CoD Vanguard event was hosted on the official BoomTV Twitch channel. Most competitors were also streaming their own POVs directly as well, with Crim himself also keeping on top of the action through his Twitch channel too. It all kicked off at 12PM PT | 3PM ET on Tuesday, November 23 and ran throughout most of the day. $50K Crimsix CoD Vanguard tournament: Format 16 teams full of elite CoD talent dropped into Crim’s $50,000 tournament. Unlike most recent events, however, this one didn’t feature a mix of modes. Instead, it was Search and only Search the whole way through. All games were best of five as teams battled through an enormous double-elimination bracket. $50K Crimsix CoD Vanguard tournament: Players & Teams $50,000 @Crimsix Tournament 16 teams locking in for Vanguard CDL Search bracket play. 💰 $50,000 📋 CDL Search 📅 11.23.21 🕛 12pm PT/3pm ET pic.twitter.com/em1y7QIRF5— BoomTV (@boomtv) November 18, 2021 Here are the full teams for Crimsix’s $50k tournament, with a blend of pro players, retired pros, and Warzone stars: Parasite, Royalty, Kismet, TTiny – Censor, SiLLy, BrackCN, oJhnny – Envoy, Zaptius, Hamza, Jintroid – HyDra, Pred, Mack, ScummN – Cammy, Rated, SlasheR, Hicksy – Insight, Yeez, Owakening, Almxnd – TCleanX, Newbz, Vikul, Penta – Simp, Blazt, FeLo, Decemate – Clayster, Aydan, John, Temp – Standy, Vivid, MajorManiak, Mohak – Kuavo, Drazah, Neptune, Spart – Shotzzy, iLLeY, Huke, Prolute – Scump, Methodz, TJHaLy, PaulEhx – UnRationaL, Asim, Gunless, Arcitys – Crimsix, Priestahh, Attach, Tommey – aBeZy, skyz, x2pac_thuglord, ColtHavok –

50-year-old Warzone player celebrates first win after two years of straight losses ActivisionYou are never too old to play video games — and a soon-to-be 50-year-old Warzone player proved that by winning their first game after two years of trying. Warzone fans already laud the new map Fortune’s Keep as ‘better than Rebirth Island‘ and the June 30 update addressed several fan-requested changes such as nerfs for the NZ-41 and H4 Blixen. Fans seem to be happy with the current direction of Warzone, and several former players such as NICKMERCS have returned to the game. Reddit user DanTheRanger contributed to the positivity train by posting an uplifting photo from their first-ever Warzone win. Warzone player celebrates their first victory Anyone that plays battle royale games knows the rush that comes from winning your first game. Most players can recall exactly how their first win went for games such as Fortnite, Apex Legends, or Warzone. DanTheRanger shared the story of his first win and said, “first solo win in any mode and the first time I played the new map. Honestly, as a soon-to-be 50-year-old man, I am over the moon.” The post currently has just under 2,500 upvotes and there are 164 comments congratulating DanTheRanger on their accomplishment. One user said, “congratulations! I have been at it for three years and only have one win in any game mode.” Another user added, “good for you dude. Nothing feels better than the first win and watch; they come in easier now. I am 51 and have been playing FPS games since before most of these kids were born.” DanTheRanger may have even recruited some new teammates as Reddit user Paulrevere1188 asked if there is a dad discord for players of the same age and mindset to link up together. You are never too old to do well at video games.

5 WWII guns that should be added to Warzone after PPSh in Season 3 Sledgehammer GamesWarzone Season 3 has added the PPSh to the game’s ever-growing arsenal, but what other WWII weapons should be added in the future? With the PPSh arriving in Warzone Season 3 and the rumors surrounding the WWII theme of CoD 2021, there’s never been a better time to take a look at the iconic weapons that need to be added to Warzone. While the likes of the Kar98k may already be in the game, there are plenty of fan favorites that are still missing from the current weapon pool. The PPSh was famously used by the USSR until the 1960s, but the addition of this SMG could well be a tease for Call of Duty’s upcoming title. If that is the case, then players could expect to see more historical weaponry added to Warzone in the future. After all, WWII saw the largest arms race the world has ever witnessed, so there’s no shortage of deadly weapons. Here are the top five we’d love to see make an appearance in Warzone. Thompson If the Russian-made PPSh can join Warzone ranks, then the Thompson should also join the weapon roster. Just like the PPSh, the Thompson (Tommy gun) was used long after the WWII conflict. In fact, the FBI famously used these punchy SMGs until they were declared obsolete in the early 1970s. In Call of Duty, the Thompson has always been known for its high damage, low recoil, and high rate of fire. While not as fast as its Russian counterpart, this SMG could down multiple opponents thanks to the Drum Magazine attachment, which held a sizable 45 rounds in CoD WWII. M1 Garand Arguably the most iconic rifle to come out of WWII, the M1 Garand was used by U.S. forces throughout the 1940s conflict. This reliable rifle is known for its satisfying “pinging” sound, which signaled to the user that the empty clip had been ejected. Unlike other rifles during this period, the Garand was Semi-Automatic and enabled U.S. servicemen to fire off multiple shots in quick succession. This made it the perfect counter to the various bolt-action rifles that dominated the battlefields at the time. Attaching a scope to the Garand and modifying it for long-range firefights could make it incredibly satisfying to use in Verdansk, particularly when any headshots line up with the iconic “ping” sound effect. StG 44 The StG 44 is probably one of the easiest WWII weapons that could be integrated into Warzone – after all, it was the first successful assault rifle to be produced. This early AR could be fitted with everything from telescopic sights, suppressors, and even rifle grenades. This obviously brings it more in line with the various Assault Rifles found in Warzone. Just like every Call of Duty title, we would expect the StG’s RPM (rounds per minute) and attachments to change in order for it to compete with the current weapon rotation. We’d expect it to have a similar playstyle to the Soviet AK-47, which was heavily influenced by the StG 44. M1 Carbine The M1 Carbine saw wide use by U.S. soldiers during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. This does make it a rather plausible pick for any future Warzone weapon integration updates. Although it lacked the stopping power and range of the M1 Garand, the Carbine’s lightweight and compact design makes it particularly useful for aggressive play. The fire rate is also much higher than that of the Garand, and those with a quick trigger finger can quickly bombard players with a number of highly accurate rounds. Kitting the Carbine out with a reflex sight and High Caliber rounds could make this a pretty punchy mid-range rifle. MP40 For many Call of Duty players, this SMG will bring back the nightmares from Call of Duty: World at War. Not only did this gun absolutely dominate multiplayer lobbies with its incredible hipfire and random headshot capabilities, but it was also the easiest weapon to use. Read More: NICKMERCS “scared” about Warzone in CoD 2021 – The MP40 has a more methodical rate of fire than Thompson and PPSh, but this is made up for with its high damager per bullet. The overall kick of the weapon also makes it much harder to control at range, so the MP40 would really only be used in close-quarters firefights. There you have it, five WWII guns we’d love to see added Warzone. Make sure you check out our Call of Duty hub for all the latest news and updates.

5 worst Modern Warfare beta issues that need to be fixed After the curtain call for the Modern Warfare beta on September 23, Infinity Ward will be looking to fix all of the issues reported before its official launch. So what exactly does the development team need to work on ahead of the next Call of Duty release? Thus far, the intentions of the Modern Warfare developers have not gone unnoticed; from adding a brand new platform-wide ‘cross-play’ feature, to introducing entirely new game modes, it appears that Infinity Ward is pulling out all of the stops to ensure the next Call of Duty title is a success. However, the testing period has not been plain sailing, as expected, and the first-person shooter’s beta ran into a number of problems. Here are the five worst issues that need to be fixed for launch. 1. Hit registration issues on map elements There have been reports of players running into issues when shooting towards enemies through the gaps of pylons, while also having the ability to shoot through doors, where, in some cases, doors have been entirely transparent. 2. In-game textures and graphics Alongside players discovering bugs in relation to specific elements within the map, there have been reported issues with the global color saturation/distortion, both when loading into the server and in-game. 3. Grain on weapon sights Modern Warfare has introduced a depth of field (DOF) effect when aiming down sights, which has, in turn, caused grain and blur distortion around the reticle when targeting enemies. Although there is a fix to work around this issue on PC, there is currently no function to do so on console. A simple addition to the options menu would solve this issue. Nonetheless, the devs have recognized the issue and are looking to have a fix patched in time for launch. 5. Mini-map It’s no secret among those keeping tabs on Infinity Ward’s updates, that the mini-map (or lack thereof) received instant backlash from the community. With various Reddit threads gaining traction during the first day of the beta’s release, the devs re-introduced the mini-map less than 48 hours into testing. However, it’s not the mini-map of old, as it doesn’t show enemy gunfire, and is circular rather than square. Some players have also voiced concern with the zoom level of the map, which seems off compared to previous games. Tomorrow: 9/13 #ModernWarfare Beta Level cap = 20 Minimap: ON (will not display enemy fire) Game mode filter: ON NVG Playlist: ON Get more details here: https://t.co/AD2DbuvmCe— Ashton Williams (@ashtonisVULCAN) September 14, 2019 Notable mentions Alongside the above issues, that will likely draw most of Infinity Ward’s resources, the team will also need to focus on various other problems that have been encountered along the beta’s somewhat bumpy road. Skill-based matchmaking – though not proven, there are fears that strict SBMM is being used. – Intermittent issues when interacting with maps (e.g., opening doors, defusing bombs). – Players spawning under/within the map (specifically when playing Ground War). – Settings don’t always save in the Options Menu on PC. – Unable to chat from PC to console in cross-play lobbies. – Ashton Williams kept the CoD faithful up-to-date throughout, by frequently updating the subreddit and affiliated socials. The Senior Community Manager reached out and thanked the community (alongside detailing what the developer is looking into right now) in a Reddit post on September 23. The best Call of Duty yet? Infinity Ward have been extremely proactive in listening to (and implementing) community feedback during the beta’s lifecycle. Of course, it goes without saying that this was a pre-release version of the game, and as such, the feedback obtained will aid Modern Warfare’s transition into its full release. Regardless of complaints regarding the issues encountered, popular personalities and pros alike have given glowing responses to the next iteration of the franchise. I can say without a doubt Ground War in #ModernWarfare is the most fun i’ve had playing COD is SOOO DAMN LONG! It’s what cod has always needed! — Tom (@ProSyndicate) September 21, 2019 20hr stream to conclude the Beta! Love the game, sucks that we have to wait a month for release. I believe I streamed over 100hrs+ during the 8 days or so that it was out. It’s all about how bad you want it. — Ian Porter (@Crimsix) September 23, 2019 On the whole, players have been left wanting more, after the beta provided a balance between two important elements within a first-person shooter: maps that require tactical awareness and a fast-paced movement system to navigate said maps. Whether Infinity Ward will fix all of the aforementioned issues before release remains to be seen, but one thing’s for sure, Modern Warfare could be the dawn of a new era for Call of Duty, as we move into the first year of franchising for esports with (what will hopefully be) a polished game upon release. Thought of something that didn’t make the list? Be sure to send your feedback to the development team via the Modern Warfare subreddit before the official launch on October 25.

5 World at War maps that should be added to CoD Vanguard TreyarchCoD Vanguard has brought back the classic Dome, Castle, and Sub Pens maps from World at War, but what other gritty battlefields should make a return? With a total of 20 maps at launch, CoD Vanguard players aren’t exactly lacking in virtual battlefields to run and gun in. While the likes of Numa Numa and Das House continue to be popular choices amongst the game’s community, there are a number of classic maps from World at War that would be perfect picks for Vanguard. So far, Sledgehammer has wowed fans with its faithful remakes of Dome, Castle, and Sub Pens. These maps have returned in their full glory and work brilliantly with Vanguard’s quicker TTK, ballistic system, and destructible environments. However, there are still plenty of WaW maps that desperately need to make a return, so we’ve covered five of the best entries we hope to see added in the future. 5. Cliffside Cliffside is a Pacific-themed map, but unlike Makin, this battle takes place on the craggy cliffs of Okinawa. The map is incredibly open and features plenty of long sightlines that are perfect for sniper and AR gameplay. There’s no denying how popular Cliffside would be for those looking to complete longshot challenges and secure montage-worthy headshots. For those that prefer the snappy gunplay of SMGs and shotguns, there are a number of bunkers that are dotted around the cliff. Using smoke to cover your movements and darting between cover may not be for everyone, but beating a team of snipers with aggressive flanking maneuvers is what makes this map so satisfying. 4. Outskirts Outskirts is one of the biggest maps in World at War. The map is set in a bombed-out city and features numerous buildings, bridges, and pathways that can be used to flank your foes. The sheer size of this map would be perfect for Vanguard’s more chaotic Blitz mode, which puts an emphasis on creating target-rich environments. The increased player count would make this map feel like a truly chaotic battle filled with nonstop urban action. If that wasn’t exciting enough, Outskirts famously featured two tanks, which helped break up the onslaught of infantry soldiers. With so many sightlines and flanking routes, Outskirts is certainly not for the faint of heart. 3. Upheaval Upheaval takes place in the German town of Pankow, a suburb found at the edge of Berlin. It was here where the Red Army and Wehrmacht soldiers battled it out in urban firefights, which saw both sides set up positions in the two-story houses that are scattered around the map. Featuring clusters of bombed-out cars, bullet-ridden walls, three sniper towers, and open grassy areas – Upheaval is the perfect place for some gritty action. While Upheaval was often filled with pesky campers, we think Vanguard’s added destructibility could provide some much-needed balance to this old-school map. 2. Asylum With its long corridors and large open courtyard sections, Asylum is just begging to be added to Vanguard. This would make it perfect for those that enjoy finding sightlines to line up multiple kills with ARs, LMGs, or Sniper Rifles. There are also plenty of devious flanking routes players can use to ambush their enemies. Whether it’s sneaking underneath the decaying building or charging headfirst through the courtyard, there are numerous ways to break through your enemies’ defenses. Asylum is already home to plenty of broken windows and crumbling walls, so Vanguard’s destruction system would be right at home here. 1. Makin Set in the coastal area of Japan, Makin is known for its close to medium-range battles. The beach-based map consists of wooden huts and walkways that players can duke it out in, while the shallows surrounding the western section of the map can be navigated to gain access to the enemies’ spawn. A lone watcher tower looms over the sea and was often used by snipers to stop the enemy team from running across the wooden bridges. If crossing this section of the map wasn’t possible, allied players could sneak under the huts or loop around the eastern section of the map to deliver a deadly surprise. To make matters even better, Makin also came in two different versions: Makin night and Makin day. While the darker iteration of the map provided the perfect cover for sneaky shenanigans, the daylight version made engagements that much more bloody. Whether Sledgehammer Games adds any more World at War maps to Vanguard remains to be seen, but we hope to see a few of these classic battlefields return in the future. Make sure you check out our best Vanguard loadout guides to get a competitive edge over your foes: Best Automaton loadout | Best Itra loadout | Best MP40 loadout | Best M1928 loadout | Best STG44 loadout

5 Warzone features that would be a perfect fit for the battle royale ActivisionInfinity Ward’s take on the battle royale genre through Warzone has been a major success, but here are five key features that could drastically shake up the game. Infinity Ward’s first foray into the popular last-team-standing game type has been met with a great deal of success, attracting over 50 million players in its very first month. However, the free to play title could grow tiresome for dedicated players if a few vital features aren’t introduced to spice up the experience. Here are five additions that we think would be a perfect fit for Warzone. Implement a ranked playlist The competitive title has barely been out for a few weeks and the player base is already growing restless due to the enforced skill-based matchmaking system. SBMM can be great as an option, but it should never be forced across the board. One simple solution to this issue that has plagued many battle royale titles over the years, is to introduce a competitive queue. Let the best of the best play against the best, when they feel like it. Casual playlists should offer an escape from the sweat-fest of a ranked mode. Similar to the likes of Apex Legends’ Ranked Leagues, or PUBG’s ranking system, Warzone would benefit greatly from a truly competitive ladder. It would provide a sense of progression and give players new goals to work towards. A standard Trios ranking could be introduced first before branching out into duos, quads, or potentially even solo ladders. Each competitive playlist could be reset at the beginning of each season to keep the experience fresh as Infinity Ward rolls out new weapons, map changes, and more. Unfortunately, given that Modern Warfare’s multiplayer has been available for seven months and still doesn’t have a ranked system, this one is unlikely to happen. Kick things up a notch with Hardcore mode The current Warzone experience is fun to mess around with, but for players seeking a truly competitive experience, a Hardcore playlist could be just what the game needs. Especially if the aforementioned ranked mode never sees the light of day. Many Call of Duty titles over the years have featured various Hardcore modes that limit the Heads-Up Display, decrease the time to kill (TTK), and create a harsher multiplayer experience overall. What if Warzone offered that same, heart-racing feature? The TTK in Warzone is already in a decent place, no one wants to scavenge for 20 minutes and die in half a second if overall health is to be reduced. But there are a few unique ways that a Hardcore playlist could change things up in Warzone. Once you go down, there might not be a Gulag waiting for you. Death could be permanent with no option to buy teammates back. Powerful loot could be harder to come by. Loadouts and UAVs could be far more expensive than usual. There’s certainly potential to raise the stakes with a Hardcore mode in Warzone. Change the map with in-game events Verdansk is an enormous battle royale map. The locale features a wide variety of unique areas that lend to distinct combat opportunities. But after weeks of hot-drops remaining the same, and certain regions getting no love, it could be time to introduce some in-game events. While the free to play game is still early into its lifecycle, a few teases have already been spotted in this regard. The dam may have started leaking, underground bunkers look ready to open up, and new playable areas could be on the way. There are a few ways that Infinity Ward could change things up across the map. While new areas are more than welcome, there are simpler ways to make current locations more appealing. Read More: Warzone April 30 update brings back Bounties – Perhaps an in-game heist comes to an end at the prison complex one week. For a set period of time, this unpopular landing spot could be littered with higher-tier loot and bundles of cash. This could be an easy method of incentivizing players to change their tactics on a regular basis. Going dark in Verdansk Many battle royale titles have tacked on nighttime modes in the past, and after a piece of community concept art caught fire, Warzone would clearly be the next perfect fit. With a night-vision mode already accessible in Modern Warfare’s multiplayer component, many lighting systems, and game mechanics are already in place for a pitch-black battle royale. This variant could kickoff at dusk, with players dropping into a dimly lit map. As the fight rages on, however, it could slowly transition into an ominous, nighttime battle, requiring players to scavenge for night-vision goggles to make their lives easier. All-out Warfare Last but not least, what if Warzone introduced a playlist just for fun. A chaotic, nonstop, action-packed playlist where every single player drops into the map with their custom loadout already prepped. Similar to Fortnite’s Solid Gold mode, every piece of loot on the ground could be a high-tier drop. Armor could spawn in bundles of five. Money would appear in the five-figure range for every pickup. The possibilities are endless. Toxic gas could close in much quicker than usual, forcing players together at a more rapid pace. This would drop the average game time and truly emphasize the chaotic-nature of the mode. There’s no time to sit about and camp, ‘All-out Warfare’ would truly mean all-out warfare. One last tweak could even see the Gulag adopt a similar level of chaos. Players could load in with a weapon of their choice, and spectators could throw out actual grenades instead of rocks. Just to keep the two combats on their toes. These are just a few ways that Infinity Ward could shake things up and keep Warzone’s popularity on the rise. While new weapons and cosmetics are fun for a while, drastic changes will be keeping players around for the long haul. Perhaps a few of these ideas may actually see the light of day as new updates continue to roll out week after week.

5 Warzone changes every player wants to see Activision / Infinity WardCall of Duty: Warzone continues to prove popular among FPS and battle royale fans alike, but there are a number of changes that could improve the health of the game. Here are five things we want to see added to Modern Warfare’s battle royale title. Warzone bundles all the best bits of Call of Duty into a highly-competitive battle royale that make it one of the most unique BR experiences. Its blend of punchy gunplay, highly customizable loadout drops, lethal killstreaks, and new content updates keep Warzone at the forefront of current FPS titles. However, despite its overwhelming success, there are a number of things the game needs to address. A lot of the areas outlined below have plagued the game since Season 1, and while some have been addressed by Infinity Ward, others have simply been left unacknowledged. With Season 6 on the horizon, we’ve outlined 5 quality of life changes we’d love to see added to Warzone in the future. 1. Better anti-cheat system While Activision has been busy cracking down on cheat websites that supply users with third-party tools, there are still a lot of cheaters roaming around the frozen fields of Verdansk. In fact, many console users have turned off crossplay altogether in order to avoid being matched against the PC aimbot and wallhackers. Unfortunately, for those that want to play with friends across numerous platforms, this just isn’t a choice. If you’ve played Warzone for any length of time, then it’s highly likely you’ve come across a cheater at some point. Not only do these particular players ruin the fun for everyone else, they also seem to be infecting the game across all levels of play. In fact, we’ve seen more hackers in our Season 5 games than any previous season, which suggests the problem is getting worse. Numerous streamers and pro players have voiced their concerns on Warzone’s huge cheater problem, but Infinity Ward remains fairly quiet on the matter. As it stands, Warzone’s current report system does little to dissuade cheaters from repeat offenses. In fact, banned players can simply make a new account and get up and running straight away. Until there are IP and/or hardware bans implemented into Warzone, we expect the cheaters to be sticking around for a while longer. 2. Assignable teammate colors Part of what makes Warzone such a joy to play is the squad dynamic. After all, there’s nothing better than tagging up with your virtual buddies and working together to outgun enemy players. However, our plays would be a lot more coordinated and a lot less hazardous if we could assign each squad member a set color. Currently, Warzone changes each squad member’s color after every game session. Having to constantly check which color marker is assigned to your teammates’ after every game isn’t just irritating, it can also lead to a great deal of misinformation. This feature may not seem like a huge deal to those who strictly play the game’s solo/duo modes, but in trios and quads, things can get pretty hectic. After all, what’s the point of having a squad color system for pre-made teams, if it changes after each game? 3. Climbable rocks Verdansk is a big place. Not only is the map filled with huge townships, hidden bunkers, quaint farmlands, and rolling fields – it’s also surrounded by rocky outcrops and steep mountains. While the latter may not be a problem for the likes of Fortnite and Apex Legends, in Warzone even the smallest rocks can prove troublesome. In fact, Warzone’s ruinous rubble has been the cause of many a frustrating death. There’s nothing worse than making it to the final rounds, only to have your chances of success scarpered when your Operator refuses to scale the smallest rocky wall. This wouldn’t be so bad if Verdansk’s wasn’t littered with these craggy areas, but sadly this isn’t the case. While there are a number of slopes that aim to alleviate this issue, accessing these can be a little tricky when they get cut off by the ring. We want more ways to scale these craggy areas without having to frantically jump against them before inevitably being beamed in the back. Having a climbable feature similar to Apex Legends would certainly fix this issue. Who could have told us that Captain Price’s mortal enemy would be a bunch of small rocks? 4. Improved Gas Mask animation The Gas Mask is an integral feature in Warzone and one that can save your life in later rounds. Unfortunately, it can also kill you as well. Despite players discovering a nifty trick that cancels the Gas Mask animation, there remains no official way to stop it. While The animation is likely there to balance the clear pros of being able to survive in the gas, it can prove infuriating when you need to quickly react to an enemy. Even if your characters gets caught in the tiniest bit of the gas circle, you’ll be forced to watch as they pull on and off the Gas Mask. This often leaves you incredibly vulnerable as you can no longer ADS in firefights. Instead, having an option to simply cancel the animation would go a long way in alleviating the current frustrations. 5. Gulag matches that reward aggressive play Warzone players have voiced their complaints about the Gulag weapon rotation for a while now, but with the introduction of LMGs and Riot Shields, things have seemingly gotten even worse. Previously, the Gulag rewarded those who were more active and aggressive in their play, but the current weapon categories have made it into a camping fest. One of the biggest problems with Modern Warfare’s standard multiplayer is the lack of movement. In fact, players are often so scared to move that game’s revolve around mounting on the nearest wall and hunkering down. While this technique works in Warzone, we’d be lying if we said we enjoyed it. Not only does it drastically slow down the pace of the game, it makes for some incredibly unfun gameplay. If you want to keep updated with all the latest Call of Duty news and updates, then follow us over on @DexertoIntel.

The 5 most overpowered guns in Call of Duty history The iconic Call of Duty franchise has had many guns over its history, but some have been so powerful that you have virtually no choice but to use them. Here are the five most powerful Call of Duty guns in history. 5. SPAS – Cod Modern Warfare 2 Shotguns have been hit and miss in the Call of Duty series but in the case of the SPAS-12 it was almost always hit. Excluding weapons that had been patched, the SPAS-12 was the height of shotgun power. With the popular perk stopping-power, the SPAS was frequently a one-shot kill. In addition to this it was often referred to as the SPAS sniper, a testament to just how far its shot could reach. In reality, its range was just shorter than that of a close range SMG. They don’t make shotguns like the SPAS anymore and there’s a reason why. 4. M16 – Cod Modern Warfare Burst guns aren’t always the weapons of choice in Call of Duty games. However, the first edition of Modern Warfare was ruled by one. The M16 was consistently a one-shot (or one burst) kill providing all three bullets hit the opponent. Consequently, it wouldn’t be uncommon to see the majority of a lobby using it. It isn’t used quite as much in Modern Warfare Remastered. Whether this is because it’s less powerful, a preference thing, COD players preferring an automatic weapon, or because new weapons have since been introduced, is uncertain. 3. Famas – CoD Black Ops 1 The Famas was the complete all-round weapon in BO1. Its decent rate of fire, supplemented by limited recoil, meant it was the go-to weapon in both casual and competitive play. It became so clear that it was the best weapon that it was often the only weapon used in MLG competitions. Eventually, it was considered so over-powered that it was actually banned in EU competition. Here is professional Call of Duty player Seth ‘Scump’ Abner showing just how good it can be. 2. MP40 – CoD World at War Call of Duty WaW was at the stage in the COD series where the developers hadn’t quite figured how to limit the range of sub-machine guns. Consequently, the MP40 with its minimal recoil and blistering power was a nightmare to face. In the words of MarleyThirteen, “Hitler himself would see gameplay of the MP40 in World at War and he’d think, nah that’s too over-powered, that thing needs patched.“ 1. UMP – CoD Modern Warfare 2 The most used and effective gun in Call of Duty history appears on perhaps the most popular CoD game ever. To this date, fans are clamoring for a MW2 remaster. Thanks for Xbox One backwards compatibility lobbies are still available for the 2009 classic today. Read More: When is MW2 Remastered coming out? – MW2 provided a host of classic weapons which kept players engaged for years after its release. The go to weapon for most, especially on the competitive scene, was the UMP. On hardcore mode, which was far more popular during this time, there was no competition. It’s mobility and one-shot kill from any distance rendered all other guns practically useless. Furthermore, rapid-fire controllers were also more common. This resulted in the only negative aspect of the UMP, its recoil, being made completely redundant. Coming up against a rapid-fire controlled UMP in core mode was so powerful it was almost unfair.

5 times that Black Ops Cold War butchered history Activision, DexertoCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War certainly caused a stir. The Cold War setting was something that fans were hyped about, but does the game really capture the era? Well, not quite. Here’s five times that the newest CoD release butchered history. [jwplayer 6aSLeW8Y] While there’s always been a debate as to whether or not the setting of Call of Duty games is simply an accessory to the fast-paced FPS action, Black Ops Cold War changed the discussion. The historical plotline was among the many things that fans were excited about, reinforced when the game’s trailer dropped, showing off a perfect blend of original and in-game footage. Being Black Ops, the game’s fantastical but insanely popular Zombies maps make an appearance yet again, with the newest location (Firebaze Z) spelling another chapter in the iconic game mode. So while, at the end of the day, Cold War is just a game, it suffers from some pretty serious inaccuracies. As a War Studies graduate who has done far too much research into the Cold War, let’s look at five times Cold War messed up its history. The Viet Cong North Vietnam’s Viet Cong army were hardly anything to smirk about. A well-oiled machine, the efforts of the Communist faction are the reason that America left the Vietnam conflict with their tail between their legs. Both in the trailer for Cold War, as well as in the virtual world itself, the Vietnamese are pictured with the stereotypical farming hats used to shield against the sun. To say this is a historical inaccuracy isn’t even half of the truth. This depiction somewhat creates the sense that the United States were an all-powerful behemoth fighting an army of farmers. In reality, the Viet Cong were hardly running around in padi headgear just waiting to take a bullet to the brain. Also, why was Perseus in Vietnam? While the character Perseus is based on the supposed contemporary spy of the same name, the fact he’s decided to take a trip to Vietnam isn’t exactly something a lot of Soviet spies would have had on their bucket list. After all, despite common conceptions, the Vietnamese and the Soviets practiced two very different forms of politics. The main focal point of the Cold War era for the Russians was the rapid collapse of the Soviet Union, which was literally falling apart at the seams from the beginning. China was the main power that propped up North Vietnam, alongside other Communist neighbors like Laos and Cambodia, the targets of the infamous Christmas Bombings of 1972. Presenting the Vietnamese and the Soviets as friends is pretty far from actuality. The East German Stasi One of Cold War’s best missions (Brick in the Wall) takes place in East Berlin, where the player attempts to infiltrate the desolate city in order to kill or capture known Soviet terrorist and crime lord Anton Volkov. As you weave through the murky streets, you encounter a fantastical amount of Stasi, the East German secret police service. And therein lies the issue. The Stasi’s reign of terror was born of their invisibility. No one knew if they were watching, or if a family member was an informant. So while Cold War clearly wants to give players a shootout, murder lurked in the air of the former Soviet Republic. While of course, the game focuses on action, it doesn’t even touch the fear that accompanied real-life in East Berlin. The Cold War was a war on many fronts Lawerence Sims is, from a historical standpoint, one of the game’s most perplexing characters. It’s important to remember that, throughout the early years of the Cold War and well into Vietnam, people of color were fighting for their rights. With both Civil Rights leaders and anti-Vietnam protesters attacking army decisions to use people of color as cannon fodder during the Vietnam conflict, Sims was pretty lucky to score a Black Ops gig of this scale. While Cold War’s inclusion of his character is the perfect nod to how far we’ve come, giving Sims a little more depth by recognizing the fight for freedom that his historical counterparts undertook would have taken the game’s historical content to the next level. Mikhail Gorbachev was no tyrant During the Lubyanka Building mission, Belikov attends a meeting regarding a mole within the establishment (that is actually him, plot twist.) Said meeting is chaired by Mikhail Gorbachev, then-Secretary of the Soviet Central Committee, but later Soviet Premier. Read More: 5 best XM4 loadouts in Black Ops Cold War – The Gorbachev we see in-game though is hardly the Gorbachev of real life. By 1984, two years after Cold War is set, his influential principles of glasnost and perestroika brought a new wave of transparency to the formerly censored society. It’s also important to note that his friendly relationship with the US, as well as the rest of Europe, is cited by many as the reason for the Soviet Union’s collapse. Gorbachev loved his country, yes, but his vision for its future was very different from that of the KGB’s. Whether video games should be historically accurate is a debate I can have until the cows come home, but at the end of the day these are games. Just like with TV shows and books, content has to be appealing. There’s a reason the Cold War is remembered, and it isn’t a good one. Games like CoD keep these conflicts alive, and that’s something historians will always be appreciative of. Just remember and take it all with a pinch of salt and try not to use it as a basis for answers in your history finals!

5 things we need to see in Warzone’s Black Ops Cold War update Activision / TreyarchWarzone continues to prove popular among FPS and battle royale fans alike, but the upcoming Black Ops Cold War integration could bring a lot of changes to the game. Here are five things we want to see added to in the upcoming update. Modern Warfare’s Warzone meta shifts with every new update, but the Black Ops Cold War integration could see the biggest changes yet. Activision has stated that the update will include new weapons, a revamped progression system, and a “Classified Warzone experience”. While we don’t have any official details on what else will be added to Warzone, it hasn’t stopped many fans from speculating on what content could be coming to the game. There’s certainly a lot of hype surrounding the upcoming update, especially now that Season 6 is coming to a close. With the Black Ops Cold War integration update on the horizon, we’ve chosen five things we’d love to see added to Warzone. Revamped map Arguably the most eagerly anticipated feature is the introduction of a new map. Whether Activision will introduce an entirely new battlefield or revamp Verdansk with fresh locations remains to be seen. However, according to the Black Ops Cold War Season 1 roadmap, the game will get a “Classified Warzone Experience.” The key art from this roadmap seems to point towards a new map called Rebirth Island. Upon closer inspection of the image, we can see small lines of text. One line, in particular, is cut off, only revealing ‘eniya Island.’ Eagle-eyed CoD fans have speculated that the new map will take place on Vozrozhdeniya Island (Rebirth Island). Vozrozhdeniya Island was famously used by the Soviet Union back in 148 when they set up a secret bioweapons laboratory there. The laboratory tested all kinds of lethal diseases, including anthrax, smallpox, plague, brucellosis, and tularemia. However, the testing site was named Aralsk-7 in 1954. The site remained operational until the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. Those that played the original Black Ops will be familiar with this island as Russian scientists created the fictional Nova 6 agent. This official roadmap text also backs this claim up as it seems Nova 6 has been released on the island. “Effects are instantaneous. Violent coughing, vomiting,” and “[bleeding?] from the eyes,” are just some of the symptoms outlined. It certainly seems Rebirth Island is where Warzone is headed. New battlepass and operators This one is certainly a given. Warzone has made and continues to make a lot of money, so it’s highly likely we’ll see a new battlepass added when the Black Ops Cold War integration hits live servers. Whether cosmetics for existing guns and operators will be introduced remains to be seen, but we’ll likely receive a lot more items tailored around Treyarch’s latest entry. Many fans will also be wanting to unlock and use new operators. After all, each of Warzone’s previous seasons added a host of new units that players could work towards. Having 80’s themed operators would not only give Warzone fans access to some iconic Call of Duty characters, it would also help mix up the current roster. Different killstreaks While the trusty UAV will always remain a staple pick in Warzone, it would be great to see the game’s Cluster Strike and Precision Airstrike switched out. Instead, these aerial killstreaks could be replaced with Black Ops Cold War’s own Napalm and Artillery. Both of these killstreaks would certainly shake things up when it comes to surprising your enemies. Of course, the radius and duration of each streak would have to be tuned down. They would also only be obtainable through the game’s Buy Station. Watching a fiery inferno engulf a small area followed by an artillery barrage would certainly make for a terrifying spectacle. Better anti-cheat If you’ve played Warzone for any length of time, then it’s highly likely you’ve come across a cheater at some point. Not only do these pesky players ruin the fun for everyone else, they deny people the wins they deserve. While Activision has been clamping down on sites that sell illegal software, the game still has a huge hacking problem. From snappy aimbots to deadly wallhacks, there are plenty of unsavory ways players gain an unfair advantage. As of writing, Warzone’s current report system does little to dissuade cheaters from repeat offenses. In fact, banned players can simply make a new account and get up and running straight away. Many Warzone players are hoping that Activision will employ harsher penalties to counteract the game’s hacking problem. New cosmetics Whether it’s unlockable gun camos, operator skins, or sprays – everyone likes to be rewarded for their in-game efforts. A lot of Warzone’s operator skins are locked behind a CoD Points paywall, but there are a number you can unlock for free via the battlepass. This is also true for the game’s gun camos and sprays. Read More: How to improve your aim in Warzone – The new update will likely feature plenty of 80s themed cosmetics items that players can add to their inventory. After all, having new styles tailored around iconic Black Ops characters would certainly keep the game looking fresh. If you’re looking to find the best guns to try out in Black Ops Cold War and wish to give them a whirl in custom games, then be sure to check out our Black Ops Cold War weapon guides.

5 things Warzone needs in 2022 Treyarch/ActivisionWarzone debuted back in March 2020 and has captivated Call of Duty players with high octane gameplay. The battle royale experience still leaves a lot to be desired compared to its competitors. Call of Duty: Vanguard was intended to be a great leap forward for Warzone, by revitalizing the current weapon meta and offering players a new location to explore. The game continues to be hindered by “broken weapons” and infuriating bugs. Yet, players are still flocking to Warzone for the promise of a high-action CoD experience. As 2022 approaches fast, these 5 features could vastly improve Activision’s battle royale. Dedicated next-gen update Warzone originally launched on the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC respectively. With the advent of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series S | X consoles, the demand for a dedicated next-gen iteration of Warzone has increased tenfold. The Raven Software-led battle royale has managed to get by on the Modern Warfare engine, but Warzone could be capable of far more impressive technical feats. Giving Warzone a well overdue next-gen makeover could enhance its visuals exponentially. Implementing different performance and fidelity modes would allow for personalization. Bringing over the immersion of adaptive triggers and haptic feedback on the PS5 is needed too, to make weapons feel even punchier. An evolving map, with regular events Players waved goodbye to Verdansk as Vanguard brought Caldera into the fold. Even with its vibrant setting and varied terrains, Caldera hasn’t changed the Warzone experience meaningfully. One way that the developers could improve Warzone, is by constantly updating the map as the season progresses. The world of Call of Duty means that conflict is always changing the landscape, which is an element that Warzone crucially needs to follow. We’ve seen glimpses of this before with the Die Hard-inspired event in Verdansk that saw Nakatomi Plaza introduced as an enthralling drop zone. Caldera has an immense opportunity to capitalize on this. Environmental effects Warzone’s engine feels familiar to players but is definitely capable of pushing its limits even further. While players flock from Battlefield 2042 back to Battlefield V, there is a gap in the market here that Activision and Raven Software can take advantage of. EA DICE has failed to please players, as many false promises regarding 2042’s action haven’t come to fruition. Now, Warzone could introduce environmental effects into Caldera, which would add thrilling spectacle into matches. Caldera’s volcano is ripe for a disastrous eruption, which could make the map even deadlier as areas are covered in lava. Tornados and storms lend themselves to the map’s tropical climate. This would make final circles intense, and force players to traverse the environment, as opposed to camping in safe havens. Field of view slider on consoles Perhaps one of the biggest issues in Warzone is the lack of a FOV slider. Visibility is essential to overcome enemy squads in Warzone, and the current default FOV setting isn’t up to scratch. Operators like the dreaded Roze skin exploited the current FOV setting, infuriating players across the world. The developers have previously said that adding this feature is a stress on the game engine, but if Black Ops Cold War can do it, Warzone surely can too. No. Day 410 after next-gens launched.#BringFOVToWarzoneNextGen — Is there an FOV slider on Warzone next-gen? (@WarzoneFOV) December 28, 2021 Stability improvements No game is perfect, and will always need patches to improve gameplay and the like. However, players have been shocked by just how unpolished Warzone can be. Compared to rival games like Apex Legends and Fortnite, Warzone has quite a way to go before it reaches a dependable level of stability in the game. From alien-like graphical issues to unthinkable spawn problems, Warzone is dier need of some TLC. There are plenty more features that Warzone could add in the future. Hopefully, 2022 will be the start of a promising new era.

5 things that need to change in Warzone Season 2 Activision / TreyarchWarzone Season 1 may have gotten off to a rocky start, but these five changes could help bring Warzone back to its former glory in Season 2. There’s certainly been a lot of frustrations in both the causal and competitive Warzone community. From the never-ending waves of hackers to the return of game-breaking glitches, there has been no denying just how bad Warzone Season 1 has been. However, Activision has finally taken action against some of the issues plaguing the game, and while it’s still early days, it’s hoped that the developers will do more to handle the ongoing problems going into Season 2. Just like all good battle royale games, Warzone needs a constant stream of fresh content and updates to keep players invested. For many, Season 2 will be the chance to see whether Activision makes good on their word, particularly when it comes to fixing the game’s current issues. Here are five things we’d love to see added to Warzone when Season 2 hits live servers. 5. New Warzone map Unlike other battle royale games, Warzone’s Verdansk map has remained largely unchanged since its release. In fact, the changes have been so minimal that it’s hard to tell the difference between the original Verdansk and the current one. The mountainous region of Verdansk has given us many an adrenaline-fueled game, it’s time for Activision to really shake up the current map rotation. While Rebirth Island shook things up with its close-quarter firefights, it was incredibly similar to that of the Mini BR mode. The smaller player count also meant the map lacked a lot of the nail-bitingly tense action that is seen across Verdansk. As a result, a lot of Warzone fans were left pretty disappointed. After all, Call of Duty is a game with a lot of history behind it. The series has visited numerous conflicts and produced 18 mainline games, so there is certainly no lack of content when it comes to creating the next big map. What Warzone’s next new map would bring to the table remains to be seen, but with the release of CoD 2021 just around the corner, it could be game-changing. 4. Ranked Warzone mode Ranked play has been a huge talking point in Warzone and wider Call of Duty games for a while now. While most competitive FPS games offer both ranked and casual modes, Warzone does not have this luxury. Instead, players are forced to play games based on their individual skill. Without any semblance of a casual mode, players simply have to enter CDL style lobbies whenever they wish to play. Of course, being matched against similarly skilled opponents makes for decent competition, but there are times where you just want to blow off some steam in a more casual setting. Whether you wish to rank up non-meta guns, try out new loadouts, improve your aim, or just want to warm up, casual modes offer a more relaxed environment. Ranked play would also give Warzone players something to grind towards and enable those that wish to flex their skills the opportunity to do so. Currently, the only way you can see your individual SBMM rank is by using community built websites like SBMM Warzone. It would be great to see Activision take a more active role in making this happen. 3. Dedicated glitch report system It seems that every new Warzone update brings with it a host of new glitches. There have even been times where previously patched bugs have reared their ugly heads once again. From game-breaking the Stim glitch to a strange bug that enables players to instantly win games, Warzone is no stranger to the wacky world of game-breaking glitches. Read More: Warzone Feb 5 patch notes – A lot of these pesky issues could be fixed a lot quicker if there was some form of dedicated bug report system in place. While glitches are almost expected at this point, that shouldn’t stop Warzone players from being able to voice their problems in an effective manner. After all, more communication between the developers and the playersbase will help improve the general health of the game. 2. Adjustable console FOV settings Having a larger FOV (Field of View) gives you a huge advantage in any FPS game, particularly in the highly-competitive battlefields of Warzone. This game-changing display option enables you to see more of the surroundings around you, allowing you to see potential threats that would otherwise go unnoticed. Unfortunately, this luxury is only available to those on PC. This is particularly strange given how every console can adjust the FOV in Black Ops Cold War. While it can be argued that older generation consoles like the PS4 and Xbox One may struggle to cope with the increased FOV in Warzone, the added power from PS5 and Xbox Series X/S should be more than enough to handle this setting. 1. Improved anti-cheat system Warzone continues to make headlines for its huge hacking problem. In fact, it’s rare to enter a lobby that isn’t filled with multiple hackers. Not only do hackers ruin standard Warzone matches, they have also infiltrated competitive tournaments. Things have gotten so bad in Season 1 that Call of Duty players like NICKMERCS have quit competitive Warzone tournaments for good, while Vikkstar has quit Warzone until the issue is fixed. As of writing, Warzone’s current report system does little to dissuade hackers from repeat offenses as they can simply make new accounts. Some cheaters have even gotten so brazen that they even stream and disclose exactly how they get away with it. The Warzone community has been up in arms over the hacking situation since the game’s release, but it is only really now that Activision has begun to speak up. Activision recently responded to the cheating issue ruining Warzone by banning 60,000 accounts and promising to do more in terms of anti-cheat. Many Warzone players are hoping that Activision will impose harsher penalties and implement a more robust anti-cheat system in the future. If you’re looking for the next Warzone loadout to try out or just want to keep updated with the latest news, then be sure to check out our Call of Duty hub.

5 things Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 needs to live up to the hype It’s beginning to look even more likely that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 will be announced soon after rumors, so here are five things that we’d like to see added to the game in before its launch. CoD 2019: Expected to be Modern Warfare 4 Players have been waiting for the return of the fan-favorite Modern Warfare series, and rumors circulating of Modern Warfare 4 being the next installment of Call of Duty might just be true. Fans of the franchise are already starting to speculate what the next title might feature, so we’ve put together some of the best suggestions that could make for a great Call of Duty game. 5 things we want to see in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4 Campaign Mode It has almost been seven years since the last Modern Warfare game was released, and Call of Duty campaigns have been lacking ever since, with Treyarch even deciding to remove mode completely, supplanting it with a battle royale mode, Blackout. Fans of the Modern Warfare series will be hoping that a campaign in the rumored MW4 will include some kind of continuation from Modern Warfare 3’s intense ending. Remastered maps The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare series is known for a collection of some of the most iconic maps in CoD history, including classics such as Rust, Terminal, Crash and Dome. It would only make sense to see some of these maps return for Modern Warfare 4, whether they’re available at launch or as part of a DLC pack. Faceoff Modes Modern Warfare 3 nailed the Faceoff mode playlist with exclusive playable maps designed for 2v2 and 3v3 gameplay. Read More: When is Blackout’s Ambush mode returning? Treyarch offer further details about April 2 Black Ops 4 update – Traditionally the smaller Call of Duty maps often become the fan-favorites, and following on from the first point, if maps like Rust were to be remastered they would be a perfect addition to the playlist. Infinity Ward could potentially even add 1v1 matches to Faceoff, adding another layer to public match gameplay. Classic Call of Duty Weapons As well as maps, the Modern Warfare series has produced some of the best Call of Duty guns of all time too, from snipers such as the M40A3 or Intervention, to other classics such as the M16, ACR and the UMP-45. It wouldn’t be right to have another addition to the Modern Warfare series while missing all of these iconic weapons – so surely some of them will make a comeback? Special Ops/Time Trials The special ops mode was originally inspired from the “All Ghillied Up” mission in the MW2 campaign, after Infinity Ward wanted to implement co-op in to the campaign. However, they decided against it and thus created an entirely new game mode with fast paced missions that could be played with a duo. It quickly became quite popular, with players trying to complete the missions in the fastest time possible. Some other honorable mentions that could be included in the list could be the addition of another battle royale mode, in-game character customization and potentially bringing back the Nuke or ‘MOAB’ killstreak for MW4. However, we will have to wait and see what Infinity Ward have in store for next year’s Call of Duty, and if it will live up to the hype.

5 simple CoD features Modern Warfare 2 removed for no reason Infinity WardSince Call of Duty 4 in 2007, there have been countless iterations to the CoD series over the years, adding beloved game systems and features that quickly became the standard. So, why, in 2022, is Modern Warfare 2 lacking some of these most things? This article isn’t going to be a complaint about the overly-complicated class creation and unlock system, the endless list of attachments or the needlessly complex perk system. While all of these things could be worthy of complaint, they are simply the decision of game developers doing their best to improve on the formula, for better or worse. Rather, this article will look at five features that are simply missing altogether, for no apparent reason – and any reason that could be given wouldn’t be a good one. These features should also be rather easy to add, and all have been a basic expectation in Call of Duty since around 2010 (that’s 12 years ago, by the way). Combat Record / Stats Probably the most glaring omission of all, in a supposedly competitive multiplayer shooter, released in 2022: there is absolutely no way to see your stats. You can’t check your K/D ratio, your win/loss ratio, your most used weapon, your accuracy, or your score per minute. Nothing. How could such a standard and previously well-executed feature be missing from one of the biggest releases of the year? There is a possibility that this was a deliberate decision, perhaps to stop players “worrying” about their stats. But where is the fun in that? One of the great joys of previous Call of Duty games was the progress you could see through your stats getting better and better over time. On top of this, previous games had the ability to see the combat records of friends and other players too. While this is less crucial, it was also a fantastic feature in other CoDs. Leaderboards In truth, leaderboards have become less and less of a staple in CoD games. They are consistently missing from newer games at launch, sometimes added in later. But, really, leaderboards should be as standard a feature as friends lists. They provide one of the great ways to keep players engaged, as they look to increase their position on the global leaderboard, comparing themselves to all other players around the world. Sorting by friends also allowed for some great competition between your squad, as you all competed for leaderboard bragging rights. Again, in 2022, there is absolutely no excuse not to have leaderboards in your Call of Duty game on day one. Map Voting Map voting was one of those genius multiplayer features that we have come to praise early CoD games for. Whether it was voting ‘Previous’ or ‘Next’ votes, or giving players the choice of three maps, it really gave everyone in a match a sense of agency. You were also able to more often avoid the maps you and others disliked for a certain game mode, which should, at least in theory, prevent people leaving the game early because it’s a map they hate. Map voting is another classic Call of Duty feature which really should be available in every game – perhaps the reason it isn’t though is related to the next problem on this list. Lobbies Staying Together Admittedly, this is something that has also been absent from the last few CoDs, but that doesn’t make its omission any less frustrating this time around. For years, when you entered a game lobby, you would remain in that lobby until it disbanded entirely. This meant you could play map after map against the same opponents, with the odd new player joining in if another player left. There are many reasons to love this feature, but mostly, again, it comes down to competition and bragging rights. Nothing would want to make me play another game more than the thought of getting revenge on that one enemy who had my number in the previous game. Combine this with the trash talk of in-game voice chat, and you had a recipe for hooking people to match after match. Why then, would it be removed? A feature that keeps players playing your game longer? The reason, it is believed, is due to the prevalence of SBMM (skill-based matchmaking). People say that because the game wants to recalibrate your skill level after each match, it kills the lobby, and finds more evenly matched opponents to play against. But, this reason somewhat falls apart when you realize that older Call of Duty games also had SBMM – so why could they keep lobbies together, but MW2 can’t? Deaths on the scoreboard This one has been relegated to last on the list, because it is the least impactful. But, it is also one of the biggest headscratchers. Presumably, not showing players’ deaths on the scoreboard is a form of coddling the player, so they don’t have to see if they’re playing that badly or not. If this is the reason (and I struggle to think of any alternative reasons) then it’s rather pathetic. Have games become so worried about protecting the innocent soul of their newest players that they can’t even show them that they currently have only 4 kills for their 20 deaths? The increasing number of safety nets thrown over players, at the expense of just good, simple, and proven game design is most obvious in this example. Show players if they are getting destroyed – they should know. Similarly, when they’re having a great game, with 20 kills to only 4 deaths, let them enjoy that sense of accomplishment in the match. There were other features we could have mentioned here, like the Pick 10 system, red dots on the mini-map, or pro perks. But while these omissions can be more easily chalked up to just game developers trying something new, the five features listed above are so basic and intrinsic to making a great multiplayer game that hooks you in, that there can really be no explaining them away. Hopefully, over the weeks and months to come, the developers listen to the calls from players to just add these things that already existed, repeatedly, in previous Call of Duty titles – surely this is not too much to ask?

5 players to watch during the CDL 2021 Stage 4 Major Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueIt’s time for the three greatest words in esports: Local Area Network. The Call of Duty League’s $500,000 Stage 4 Major will be 2021’s first on LAN, meaning some intriguing personalities and “onliners” are going to meet face-to-face. When professional CoD moved online, bedroom warriors emerged among the league’s best and CDL Twitter became the backbone of the scene’s spice. Now, that can change, as the Stage 4 Major on LAN puts rookies and rivals on the big stage. For the young, so-called “onliners,” LAN will be a chance to prove their play isn’t affected by the stereotypes. For the spicy veterans, it’s an opportunity to showcase their trigger fingers, rather than Twitter fingers, in person. The Stage 4 Major has a lot of money and CDL Points at stake, but also a brighter light for this season’s storylines. Five players stand out as deserving of that spotlight and those X-factors make up this week’s players to watch. Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter (Dallas Empire) Crimsix has been at the heart of the CDL’s juiciest beef this season. There was the Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland drama and the Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper, OpTic Chicago drama. Now, Crim’s Empire go to LAN for the first time since winning CDL Champs 2020 and… guess who their first match is against? Crim and Co. will face OpTic in Round 1 of the winner’s bracket and no matchup could be more fitting for the CDL’s return to LAN. Crim and OpTic’s rivalry dates back to his expulsion from the team and drama during CDL 2020, but was re-ignited during his spat with FormaL in June. OpTic and Dallas have both bounced back into form recently after some shaky performances. It’s a tough contest and you can be sure Crim is coming in with some extra, personal motivation. Eli ‘Standy’ Bentz (Minnesota ROKKR) The “onliner” term felt like a relic of the past when rookies like Standy began dominating the CDL in the league’s online season. Minnesota’s rookie SMG has a 1.07 K/D this season and some wonder if that’s just because he hasn’t been forced to play outside of the comforts of his bedroom. The ROKKR are a top-seven team this season and face the New York Subliners in winner’s Round 1. That will be Standy’s chance to prove that he can slay from anywhere, bedroom or big stage. Jacob ‘Decemate’ Cato (New York Subliners) Homelander’s return is upon us. After playing 12 total maps for the Seattle Surge, Dece quit and went back to Challengers. But now, he’s filling in for New York’s visa-troubled Obaid ‘Asim’ Asim with $500,000 on the line. Dece posted a respectable 0.91 K/D in his time with Seattle, but many believe he left because he felt his talents were being squandered on that bottom-dwelling club. After dominating in Challengers, this is Dece’s best opportunity to prove he’s a CDL talent. It’s the biggest tournament of the year thus far, the first taste of LAN, and some incredibly large shoes to fill. If Dece can help a top-three New York squad make a run, it’s a win-win for his future, the team’s ranking, and everyone’s bank accounts. Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper (OpTic Chicago) No club has talked about online vs LAN play more than OpTic. And no player has talked about it more than FormaL. That already raised expectations for the Green Wall this week, but so did a 3-1 stomping of the LA Thieves on Sunday. Against LAT, FormaL posted a dirty 1.29 K/D. On the season, he has a 1.06. Fans will want to see that momentum amplified on LAN and so will FormaL, especially considering his matchup vs Crimsix’s Empire in the first round. The talk has been talked, now it’s time to walk the walk. Jamie ‘Insight’ Craven (Toronto Ultra) Not just a runaway Rookie of the Year candidate, Insight has a legitimate claim to MVP consideration as well. The rookie AR has a 1.12 K/D this season (No. 5 overall) and posted a 1.29-plus in each of Toronto’s Stage 4, Week 3 sweeps. The only possible doubt on Insight’s play is that he hasn’t done it on LAN. Sitting pretty, waiting in winner’s Round 2, he’ll have his chance to disprove those doubts and erase the “onliner” stigmas.

5 players to watch during the CDL 2021 Stage 3 Major Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueThe Call of Duty League enters 2021’s Stage 3 Major and, while the cash is nice, CDL placement points are growing pivotal. With $500,000 on the line, five players hold the keys to their teams’ CDL Champs hopes. Last week, we locked in on five difference-makers whose performances could dictate their rosters’ futures: Colt ‘Havok’ McLendon, Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland, Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley, Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper, and Jacob ‘Decemate’ Cato. Of those, three couldn’t level up — including the two debuts — as Huke, Decemate, and FormaL all went winless during the Dallas Home Series. But the other two, Mack and Havok, went undefeated, posted 1.1-plus K/Ds, and surged into the Stage 3 Major’s Winners bracket. This week, Major brackets have been determined, but $500,000 and the chance to qualify for CDL Champs await. From vets showing renewed promise to younger players hopeful to bounce back, here are the five x-factors to watch during the Stage 3 Major. Indervir ‘iLLeY’ Dhaliwal (Dallas Empire) The X(eo)-Factor A running narrative that has only amplified since Huke’s relocation, iLLeY’s play seems to dictate the Empire’s. While Tyler ‘FeLo’ Johnson’s play, in replacement of Huke, has obviously been pivotal — last week proved just how vital iLLeY’s play can be. In an 0-3 loss to the Florida Mutineers, iLLeY dropped an 0.7 K/D. In the next match, a 3-1 win over the Minnesota ROKKR, he had a 1.0. As the pattern indicates, the Empire win games when iLLeY produces. That will be worth monitoring as Dallas meet the Atlanta FaZe in Winners Round 1. Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno (Florida Mutineers) Diamond hands He invested in his game, but those stocks were shaky for much of the season. Now, with Havok beginning to produce, Skyz appears to have regained his momentum and his 2020 MVP-nominee form. Last week, Skyz posted a 1.52 K/D during Florida’s sweep of the Empire and a 1.26 in their 3-2 over the Los Angeles Guerrillas — both team-highs. That was enough to get the Mutineers into a WR1 matchup with the Thieves, but the superstar investment will determine how far they can go. Sean ‘Seany’ O’Connor (London Royal Ravens) Sean the Beamer In 2020, it was Sean the Builder. In 2021, it was Sean in Shambles until the popular Scotsman earned a new moniker during the Dallas Home Series: Sean the Beamer. After relentless inconsistencies and roster changes, the Royal Ravens brought in Alex ‘Zaptius’ Bonilla to help their pacing issues. After some time in flux, that change seems to be paying off — as a fluid London dismantled the Seattle Surge 3-1. In that match, Seany dropped a team-high 1.15 K/D. Now, the Royal Ravens look to continue that momentum (on the back of Seany’s straight shot) against the Paris Legion in Losers Round 1. Carlos ‘Venom’ Hernandez (Los Angeles Thieves) Pacing, pacing, pacing Perhaps no role is as impacted by roster changes as the submachine gun, as Venom and Thieves fans learned after bringing in Huke. The fast-paced sub’s season has been streaky, but ultimately effective, but there were visible struggles alongside a new star acquisition. In a 1-3 loss to an upsurging New York Subliners, Venom posted a team-low 0.74 K/D. That’s an ugly number, but his role is dependent on pacing. If the Thieves are going to outduel the Mutineers and make a Stage 3 Major run, LA needs to figure out their pacing so Venom and Huke can regain their footing. Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannion (OpTic Chicago) Time to regain (pt. 2) Things haven’t been pretty for OpTic Chicago. Over the past two weeks, OpTic have lost three consecutive matches — with the most recent being a brutal sweep at the hands of Atlanta. And, speaking of brutal, Envoy posted a…0.47 K/D during that loss. To be fair, OpTic was playing on Atlanta servers due to a CDL operational issue, so the loss (and stats) were likely worse than they would have been normally. Envoy has acknowledged that FaZe were the better team anyway, but everyone recognizes that bad ping means worse results. OpTic already needed to regain, but now they start the Stage 3 Major in the Losers Bracket. Facing either the Guerrillas or Surge in Losers Round 2, Envoy and Chicago will need to bounce back in a major way — especially if they get better ping this time.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 4 OpTic Home Series Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueThe Call of Duty League is approaching its penultimate stage and, with roster changes galore, there are some key players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 4: OpTic Chicago Home Series. With only eight teams making CDL Champs this season, the pressure is on. And, with only two stages left, there are still critical placement points to secure (and a clean $1 million in prizing). Stage 4 is inherently a big deal and it all kicks off with the OpTic Home Series. Ahead of this stage, six different teams made roster changes in an effort to regain and surge (sorry, pun intended) into the CDL’s upper echelon. Four of those new or returning starters make our must-watch list: Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost, Alex ‘Alexx’ Carpenter, Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly, and Nicholas ‘Classic’ Dicostanzo. While those four look to help their teams (and themselves) bounce back, the fifth player to watch is in a familiar situation hoping to maintain momentum. You can’t ignore the home team, so Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper rounds out this week’s list as OpTic look to build on their Stage 3 Major. Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost (Dallas Empire) Widely considered the Los Angeles Guerrillas’ top player, Vivid was surprisingly moved to the bench in late-April. Now, following an appearance from Justin ‘SiLLY’ Fargo-Palmer on , it seems that the upsurging SMG may have actually benched himself. A month later, Vivid finds himself replacing Tyler ‘FeLo’ Johnson on the reigning champion Empire — and, especially if the former Guerrilla did bench himself, this opportunity needs to be seized. Vivid has a 0.93 K/D this season and is easily one of the league’s most aggressive players (he ranks top five in kills and deaths per 10 minutes on both Hardpoint and Control). Dallas benched Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland, then benched FeLo after an 0-2 Major, so it’s time to turn things around. A new, talented SMG can help the Empire justify their (and his) decisions during Stage 4’s opening week. Alex ‘Alexx’ Carpenter (London Royal Ravens) Alexx had only played 20 maps this season before leaving the Royal Ravens club due to personal reasons. In those 20 maps, he produced a serviceable, albeit uninspiring 0.92 K/D. Now, London cut rookie Alex ‘Zaptius’ Bonilla and brought Alexx back into the lineup. With Zaptius notching a 0.95 K/D in his brief London career, the Royal Ravens impressed in a 2-1 showing at the Stage 3 Major. Still sitting at 10th in the CDL standings, Alexx will need to prove he’s rejuvenated and deadly for an improving London to convince fans this was a good choice. Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly (Los Angeles Thieves) The Thieves spent “hundreds of thousands of dollars” (per Tommy ‘ZooMaa’ Paparatto’s sources) to replace TJ with Huke. Then, within a month, they benched Huke for TJ after going 1-2 in the Stage 3 Major and dropping to 6th in the standings. It’s one of the wildest storylines in CoD esports history and TJ finds himself at the center of it all. Understandably then, no performance will be monitored as closely this week than TJ’s as LAT should comfortably drub a revamped Seattle Surge. Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper (OpTic Chicago) FormaL isn’t in the same boat as these other cats, but with great power comes great responsibility and there are simply higher expectations for the Green Wall. At fifth in the standings following a 3-1 weekend in the Stage 3 Major, FormaL’s level of play can dictate OpTic’s progress as a true contender. After having Chicago’s highest K/D during an otherwise-rough Stage 3 groups stage, FormaL had the team’s lowest in the Major. And he was OpTic’s only player to have a negative K/D in each of their three map losses to the Ultra. It’s hard to imagine OpTic losing if his teammates play like they did in the Major and FormaL plays like he did in each map win. That’s a tough bar to reach, but it’ll be needed during their Home Series — as OpTic host the No. 7 Minnesota ROKKR and No. 1 Atlanta FaZe. Nicholas ‘Classic’ DiCostanzo (Seattle Surge) Third time’s the charm? First, Seattle benched veteran Daniel ‘Loony’ Loza. Then, his replacement, Jacob ‘Decemate’ Cato, is believed to have benched himself. Now, dead-last in the league with just four wins, Seattle tries a third option: Classic. Before being benched by the Paris Legion, Classic had an unexciting 0.88 K/D on the year. But numbers often lie in Call of Duty and new environments can mean renewed productivity — especially as the SMG rejoins his former teammate, Sam ‘Octane’ Larew. If Seattle wants to make a run into the Top 8, then Classic and the Surge need to mesh immediately. That starts this week against another changing roster: the Thieves.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 4 LA Thieves Home Series Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueOne week until LAN and the CDL Stage 4 Major. And then one stage left until CDL Champs. It’s crunch time and big players need to make big plays as we move into the LA Thieves Home Series. Pride and reputation are at stake as the CDL approaches the 2021 season’s end. More tangibly, there’s $3.5 million ripe for the taking. Only eight teams will fight over the final $1.5 million at Champs, but the first mill gets split over two league-wide majors. For context, 230 CDL points separate No. 1 from No. 8 right now — and 100 separate No. 8 from No. 12. That may seem like a lot, but, including this week, whoever wins the Stage 4 Major can earn between 105-145 points (depending on what side of the bracket they start on). It won’t be easy, and luck needs to be factored in, but a lot can change in the standings before Champs. Good teams need to keep their foot on the gas and bad teams need to pounce when the top eight slip up. The latter might be difficult, as this week’s five players to watch are all serious X-factors who might be reaching nasty form. McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel (Atlanta FaZe) Fans may meme about the snaking, but pros always emphasize just how deadly Cellium is. And, considering last week’s matches, MC’s fangs may have just gotten sharper. Sweeping Seattle, Cell dropped a 1.43 K/D… ‘Nuff said. Then, while Chris ‘Simp’ Lehr got attention for feasting on the LA Thieves in Map 3, Cell had already cleaned out his plate. MC had a 1.71 through the first two maps, before finishing with a tidy 1.21. He’s hitting some absurd form right now, especially in Search & Destroy — where he posted a 3.14 on the week. If Cell keeps playing like this, the Stage 4 Major might already be in the bag. Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost (Dallas Empire) It’s hard to be encouraged by losses, but something may have clicked for Vivid and that could be critical for a Dallas team that seemed to be flatlining. The Empire benched Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland and didn’t improve. Then they benched his replacement, Tyler ‘FeLo’ Johnson, for Vivid and, again, didn’t improve. But after sweeping the Guerrillas last week, in one of Vivid’s worst games ever, something changed and the newcomer proceeded to nearly carry Dallas to a win against the red-hot Subliners. Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter, reacting to the LA match being Vivid’s first CDL sweep, noted that the newfound confidence would turn the SMG into “a f**king weapon.” And boy, was he right. Against the Guerrillas, Vivid had a 0.87 K/D with the fewest kills and least damage on the team. In a 2-3 loss to New York, he was the reason it went to five maps — posting the team’s most kills (joining NYSL’s Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley in the 100-plus club) and second-highest damage. That’s a f**king weapon. Joseph ‘Owakening’ Conley (Florida Mutineers) At 7’2” and with a thousand suns coursing through his fiery thumbs, Demon Joe is a presence on the map. And when he’s on point, the Mutineers can sink any team in the league. Last week, Big Wake played well enough in a 2-3 loss to New York, posting a 0.95 and pushing the Subliners to a tie-breaker. But, against the Guerrillas, he was on another level — notching a 1.32, with over 20 kills and over 2,000 more damage than the next highest player for either… in the entire game. The “Tampa Turret” has one of the highest ceilings in all of CoD. Florida are a top-three team when he reaches it. Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat (LA Thieves) He’s back. And he’s not alone. Following a Huke tell-all video about his CDL struggles, Huke and SlasheR have been announced as Thieves starters. SlasheR struggled before getting benched in April, but he also showed flashes of his veteran, superstar play. Now, with LAN returning for the Stage 4 Major, his return could not be more perfectly timed. As far as players to watch go, SlasheR is an obvious candidate — as he replaces his replacement, Zack ‘Drazah’ Jordan, in the starting lineup. Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez (New York Subliners) There’s a reason why caffeine is omnipresent in first-person-shooters. High energy and laser focus are key to cracked gameplay. So you can imagine the CoD community’s surprise when HyDra looked like he was about to fall asleep in both matches last week — and still put up one-plus K/Ds. Despite being sick, New York’s rookie phenom dropped a 1.04 in a 3-2 vs Florida and a 1.16 in a 3-2 vs Dallas. The “French Felon” dropped serious kills on upsurging teams while under the weather. Either health is overrated or he’s still improving. If it’s the latter, Toronto might be in for one hell of a matchup.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 4 Florida Home Series Call of Duty League / DexertoIt’s the Call of Duty League’s penultimate stage and the 2021 CDL Champs race is getting spicy. Five players are must-watch x-factors during Stage 4, Week 2’s Florida Home Series. There are 12 teams in the CDL and all of them paid big money to get involved. Teams and players can recoup some of that cash by performing at the $500,000 Majors and, more importantly, the $2.5 million Championship. But only eight teams make Champs and that makes CDL Points in Stage 4 (and the ensuing Major) more important than ever. Games are critical right now and that means players need to produce. Last week, five players hit new levels in their form — some good, some bad. This week, those five constitute our players to watch, as each will be pivotal to their team’s hopes for the Stage 4 Major and beyond. Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas (Dallas Empire) The bar is raised for certain players and, for 2020’s MVP, it’s… quite high. Like the Empire, Shotzzy has been inconsistent this season — and that hasn’t changed despite Dallas pairing him with yet another new SMG. Replacing Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland with Tyler ‘FeLo’ Johnson didn’t fix anything and replacing FeLo with Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost hasn’t seemed to either. Streakiness continues to plague the Empire’s play and Shotzzy reflects the pattern. In last week’s 3-2 over London, the sophomore slayer notched a classic 1.05 K/D. In the 0-3 loss to Toronto, he had a 0.63. The contrasts in Shotzzy’s play match the contrasts in the Empire’s. The team still sits at a happy No.3 in the league, but this new roster needs to mesh. Shotzzy is key to unlocking the map and, against the Subliners this week, his best form will be necessary. Travis ‘Neptune’ McCloud (Florida Mutineers) It was a shaky start to the season for Neptune, but it often is for transitioning Halo pros. Now, with Colt ‘Havok’ McLendon helping elevate Florida’s play, Neptune has settled into a scary groove. Beating Toronto 3-2 and sweeping London last week, Neptune posted a 1.18 and 1.21 K/D, respectively. And, in S&D, he’s become a different beast, notching a cumulative 1.64 in the pivotal mode across both matches. This week, Florida meet the Subliners and Guerrillas. For Florida to maintain form, Neptune may need to continue emerging as one of the league’s S&D stars and most dangerous rookies. Marcus ‘Afro’ Reid (London Royal Ravens) Visa: acquired. Flight: completed. CDL experience: a little. One of the most highly touted rookies this season, Afro got involved from the get-go as soon as he joined up with the Royal Ravens. The results weren’t ideal, but the potential is there. Losing 2-3 to Dallas and 0-3 to Florida, Afro posted a 1.13 and 0.84 K/D, respectively. But the rookie showed some serious flashes, especially in the Empire matchup, and that’s intriguing. If London is going to turn things around now that Afro has gotten his feet wet, the rook needs to start stomping on opponents. He seems to have the talent to do so, but faces his toughest test yet this week: Toronto. Preston ‘Priestahh’ Greiner (Minnesota ROKKR) Sitting at No. 7 in the standings, the ROKKR occupy precious territory. With a few weeks left in Stage 4, and just one stage after that, five teams are eyeing a vulnerable Minnesota and hoping to overtake them. The pressure is on and that means Priestahh needs to carry a heavier load. The ROKKR swapped out Lamar ‘Accuracy’ Abedi for Michael ‘MajorManiak’ Szymaniak before Stage 4 and had mixed results — getting swept by OpTic and beating Paris 3-1. Priestahh had team-low K/Ds in each contest: 0.64 vs OpTic and 0.92 vs Paris. In particular, his respawn maps have been very streaky. If Minnesota is going to maintain their place near the top, their star player needs to play like a star player. That can start this week against Seattle. Sam ‘Octane’ Larew (Seattle Surge) It’s hard to be excited about much with a team that’s last in the league with a 4-16 record. But the Surge brought in Nicholas ‘Classic’ DiCostanzo to replace Jacob ‘Decemate’ Cato and… looked pretty good. Despite the loss, Seattle took the Thieves to Map 5 and Octane flat-out played like the best player in the game. With a 1.32 K/D, the AR was slaying out at a level we haven’t quite seen from him thus far in the CDL. The Surge are still 90 points away from No. 8 in the standings, but if Octane and the gang can keep up this level of play — and fix their S&D — then Seattle might start pushing upward. To do so, they need to compete against two top-eight teams this week: Atlanta and Minnesota.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 2 Major Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueWe’ve reached the Call of Duty League’s Stage 2 Major and the 2021 season has already shifted dramatically. From returning stars to questioned big names, here are five players you need to watch at CDL Major II. Last week, for the LA Guerrillas Home Series, we honed in on five x-factors on the precipice of changing trajectories. On the positive end, Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell, Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost and Luis ‘Fire’ Rivera all proved doubters wrong, going undefeated and notching positive K/Ds (kill-death ratios) on the week. Maintaining momentum, Preston ‘Prestinni’ Sanderson held a 0.99 K/D despite two losses — poor games compared to his Week 2 demolition, but proof of an elevated, new baseline. On the opposite end, Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland improved incrementally, securing a 0.95 while going 1-1. Now come the games with higher stakes ($500,000 worth, to be specific). On the biggest stage of the season, three players can cement their recent form: Seth ‘Scump’ Abner, Eli ‘Standy’ Bentz and Justin ‘SiLLY’ Fargo-Palmer. Meanwhile, two big names need to shift increasingly unpleasant narratives: Indervir ‘iLLeY’ Dhaliwal and Kenny ‘Kenny’ Williams. Indervir ‘iLLeY’ Dhaliwal (Dallas Empire) At this point, every single member of the Empire is going to be put on our must-watch list. After coming in as the 2021 Champs favorites, Dallas have sputtered toward wild inconsistency — and, this past week, iLLeY became an obvious focal point. As discussed by Jonathan ‘Pacman’ Tucker in our Reverse Sweep review show, many hoped iLLeY — a renowned S&D prodigy and grinder — could fix the Empire’s problems. Instead, the so-called “Guru” was one of the team’s shakiest performers in a disappointing 1-1 week. After a strong showing in a 3-0 of the Florida Mutineers, iLLeY dropped a team-low 0.74 K/D in the Empire’s 2-3 loss to a resurging OpTic Chicago. If Dallas is going to get back to CDL Champs form, they need the third, wildcard prong of XEO to sharpen up. Winners Round 1, against the New York Subliners, will be a good time to start. Justin ‘SiLLY’ Fargo-Palmer (Los Angeles Guerrillas) In an absolutely demonic week, SiLLY introduced CoD’s big brands to big beams. A top-ranked Atlanta FaZe and a beloved Los Angeles Thieves? SiLLY’s Guerrillas treated each to a loss, with major thanks to the AR’s absurd 1.45 K/D on the week. It wasn’t enough to get LAG into the Stage 2 Major’s Winners Bracket, but it was enough to build expectations. To make that Losers Bracket run, LAG will need more of SiLLY’s best — starting in Round 1 against the Mutineers. Kenny ‘Kenny’ Williams (Los Angeles Thieves) What an absolute mess. The Thieves started the season off on a win streak and then dropped into the nether, moving their roster around like the “Cha Cha Slide.” First, they dropped Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda for Carlos ‘Venom’ Hernandez. Now, they’ve dropped Austin ‘Slasher’ Liddicoat for Zack ‘Drazah’ Jordan. But it’s not Drazah who needs to be watched this week, it’s Kenny. Ignoring statistics this season, his own performance has been streaky and has come with various role changes. Now, he becomes the “main AR,” but coach Jordan “JKap” Kaplan has argued that the role discussion means nothing as CoD becomes “positionless.” Whatever his role actually is, Kenny is now one of the Thieves’ last two remaining veteran stars on the roster. Having asked for a trade or benching weeks ago, Kenny’s new situation should be closely watched as LA meets Paris in Losers Round 1. Eli ‘Standy’ Bentz (Minnesota ROKKR) While the aforementioned rookie, Venom, couldn’t turn his team’s trajectory around, Standy most certainly has. The ROKKR wanted to speed up and their rookie SMG has done that, and more. Since joining in Stage 2, the ROKKR are 3-0 (securing the second seed overall) and Standy has posted the ninth-highest K/D of the stage, with a gnarly 1.11. The Rookie of the Year favorite now meets the bright lights of tournament play and one question remains: Will the rookie crack under $500,000 worth of pressure? Seth ‘Scump’ Abner (OpTic Chicago) Oh boy, after a week crumbling, the King may have just rebuilt the Green Wall. In Stage 2, Week 2, OpTic went 0-2, failing to win a single map against the ROKKR and Mutineers. Then, in the Guerrillas Home Series, OpTic went 2-0, including an impressive 3-2 over the Empire. Read more: Enable: Scump Doesn’t NEED TO Compete! – That turnaround can, in major part, be attributed to Scump — who posted a 1.17 K/D (his first positive rate in two weeks) and some pure clutch behavior. It appears that, if OpTic want to dethrone the league’s best, they need Scump to live up to his royal namesake. He’ll get the chance to keep slaying in a Winners Round 1 matchup against Toronto.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 2: LA Guerrillas Home Series Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueNew meta, new rookies and a new set of pros to watch as the Call of Duty League cements seeding for 2021’s second Major. Five players, for better or worse, are in must-watch territory during the LA Guerrillas’ Home Series. In Stage 2, Week 2, yet another rookie dropped a dominant debut while yet another top-ranked team delivered bottom-ranked performances. As the Minnesota ROKKR’s new lineup went 2-0 on the week, OpTic Chicago went 0-2 (failing to win a single map in the process). We mentioned Minnesota’s rookie call-up, Eli ‘Standy’ Bentz as a player to watch last week and he did not disappoint. He helped the ROKKR 3-0 OpTic, 3-2 the Dallas Empire and, in the process, helped us lock in players to watch this week. Now, a ton of weapons have been tuned in Black Ops Cold War and the meta remains in flux. From upsurging players on the verge of unlocking another tier of excellence to formerly exalted stars on the brink of downgrades, here are the five players you need to monitor during the LA Guerrillas Home Series. Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland (Dallas Empire) Stage 1’s top MVP candidate has fallen into must-watch territory in Stage 2 for all the wrong reasons. You can’t pin the Dallas Empire’s rocky performances on Huke, but he did set a wildly high standard last stage. Read more: Top 10 Plays | CDL Stage 2 Week 2 – Prior to the Stage I Major, a comfortable Empire squad was 4-1 with a 14-7 map count. Through two weeks in Stage 2, they’re at a tame 2-1 with an 8-6 map count. Huke’s downturn in production seems highly correlated. As the only Empire player to go negative in two of the team’s Stage 2 matches, he has yet to surpass a 1.0 K/D in any Search & Destroy. Faced with the Florida Mutineers and OpTic Chicago this week, fans will be anxious for a return to Huke’s earlier MVP form. Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost (Los Angeles Guerrillas) At 3-8 this season, the Guerrillas are not the most prestigious Home Series hosts. As many have discussed since the preseason, this inconsistent roster’s ceiling might be entirely dependent on Vivid. So far in Stage 2, Vivid has been a cog of that inconsistency. A 1.37 K/D in an 0-3 loss to the London Royal Ravens gave way to a 0.86 in a 1-3 to the New York Subliners and a 0.88 in a 2-3 to the Toronto Ultra. His 0.98 through Stage 2 is just a nudge behind Justin ‘SiLLY’ Fargo-Palmer’s 0.99 for team-high, but the Guerrillas will need more big games from Vivid to outduel their guests this week. Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell (OpTic Chicago) Everyone’s excitement for Dashy’s return to (the real) OpTic was rewarded with some nasty XM4 performances. But, since the gun’s ban, he and the team haven’t been the same. After an 0-2 week, many have stopped asking when OpTic plays, instead wondering if the team’s newest addition is overrated and incapable of performing without a do-it-all gun. Read more: Enable: Dashy is playing horrible! – While the questions and memes might be annoying on social media, they’re proving impossible to ignore. In Stage 2, Week 2, Dashy produced a team-worst 0.74 K/D (70-94 across both matches). With a shifting meta, Chicago fans are shining the Bat Signal for Bruce’s return to form. Luis ‘Fire’ Rivera (Paris Legion) In a year of jaw-dropping rookie performances, the Legion’s Fire seems at risk of being dropped himself. An AR player playing SMG for a team that built up high expectations with a surprise Stage 1, Fire is in an uncomfortable situation. From 2-3 in Stage 1 group play to 1-3 thus far in Stage 2, Fire has notched a positive K/D in just one map through both weeks of play. It’s fair to blame the role and changed team expectations, but that doesn’t change much. If Fire doesn’t perform against Florida this week, rumors of a replacement (like Subliners Academy’s Renato ‘Saints’ Forza) may grow deafening. Preston ‘Prestinni’ Sanderson (Seattle Surge) Ending on a positive note, the Surge look great and Prestinni is playing like a superstar. After going 1-4 in Stage 1 group play, Seattle is 2-1 in Stage 2 (with their lone loss being a tight 2-3 to Dallas). In those three matches, Prestinni has 198 kills and 174 deaths, good for a 1.14 K/D. Those numbers are shocking for an SMG, as is the reason behind them. Prestinni moved in with his brother, the Atlanta FaZe’s Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson for Stage 2 due to internet problems in Stage 1. Like teammate Peirce ‘Gunless’ Hillman fixing his monitor settings, Prestinni’s internet solution seems to have unlocked his powers. It would be incredible if he kept this level of play up, but he and the Surge deserve everyone’s attention during this hot streak. All stats courtesy of BreakingPoint. If you want to keep track of Stage 2, LA Guerrillas Home Series, follow along with our dedicated hub.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 1 Major Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueThe Call of Duty League enters its first tournament of the 2021 season and six standout x-factors need to be watched as their teams battle for a cut of the $500K CDL Stage 1 Major’s prize pool. For the first time in what feels like an eternity, every single professional Call of Duty team is on the board for a week of bracketed matches. With $500,000 on the line, the first CDL Major has some serious monied incentives available. But that prize pool is just a portion of the 2021 season’s $5 million, making standings and team trajectories a pivotal component as well. Of the 12 teams competing, six noteworthy players are particularly crucial to their teams’ season-long trajectories and Major I outlooks. From the continually contending, suddenly drama-stricken Atlanta FaZe, to the upsurging, revamped Paris Legion — here are six players you need to keep an eye on during Stage 1’s Major. McArthur ‘Cellium’ Jovel (Atlanta FaZe) You can do it, too Considered an MVP candidate during the 2020 season and one of CoD’s most dangerous players who is too young to buy a beer in America, Cellium is always must-watch entertainment. But that has taken yet another step after Super Week, as Cell was at the center of more snaking drama. Known for a brain massive enough to discover the weirdest mechanics in the game, Cell was accused of flouting GAs (Gentleman’s Agreements) by snaking during a 3-2 win against the Legion in Super Week. Absolutely pivotal to Atlanta’s success, the only maps FaZe lost to the Toronto Ultra and Florida Mutineers were the ones in which MC didn’t notch a positive K/D. In the Stage 1 Major, Cell’s impact will determine the team’s fate during their first match against either the Los Angeles Thieves or Guerrillas in Winners Bracket: Round 2. But the biggest reason to watch him may just be to find out if peer criticism will impact the mechanics he uses. Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda (Los Angeles Thieves) Regaining for revenge The Thieves kick off Major I with a “Battle for LA” match against the Guerrillas in Winners: Round 1, but Temp’s eyes are set forward. After the Dallas Empire humbled his team with a quick 3-0 to finish Super Week, spurring CEO and coach drama, Temp told us how badly he wants revenge. “It was a really bad series for me. And I hate losing to them, every single person on that team. I hate losing to the organization, so I just really want to play them again. And if we win our games we’ll probably play them this event.” To get that revenge, Temp will need to pick up his form. In five of the Thieves’ six Super Week map wins, Temp posted a positive K/D. They lost five of the six maps in which he didn’t, including against the Empire — where he didn’t go positive once. Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley (New York Subliners) New teammates, new role Mack immediately became an MVP candidate in 2020 after debuting for NYSL, but the team, and his role, have changed since then. With three new teammates, the former flex AR has shifted to SMG and the results have been inconsistent. While James ‘Clayster’ Eubanks commended his new teammate for “adapting well to that role,” the sub has been difficult. During Super Week, New York lost three of the four maps in which Mack didn’t post a positive K/D. If the Subliners want to make a run, Mack has to maintain progress in a new role, starting against OpTic Chicago in Winners: Round 1. Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper (OpTic Chicago) From Texas Formal to Tourney Formy? Speaking of OpTic, “Texas FormaL” has been an omnipresent topic in the early days of CDL 2021. What hasn’t been omnipresent is the internet-boosted dominance many expected from the veteran AR. When asked about role shifts after bringing in Brandon ‘Dashy’ Otell, Chicago’s Dylan ‘Envoy’ Hannon was clear that this means a continuing transition for FormaL: “Brandon brings a lot of firepower and I think Matt has realized that he needs to step back more into that IGL [in-game leader] role.” During Super Week, FormaL notched a positive K/D in seven of 12 maps. OpTic still won each match, but more stable consistency from their main AR will impact their push through the Winners Bracket. Matthew ‘Skrapz’ Marshall (Paris Legion) Contenders or pretenders? No one really knew what to expect from the Legion after they went silent during the offseason and shook up their roster. But, during Super Week, the team went 2-1 and took Atlanta to a Map 5. The biggest momentum shifter? Skrapz. A formal London Royal Raven, Skrapz has been a flamethrower for Paris and recognizes that his heat check is pivotal to his team’s chances: “I’ve been playing hot. I’ve always shown what I’m capable of, it’s just a matter of doing it consistently.” Against FaZe, Paris lost three of the four maps in which Skrapz posted a negative K/D, proving how instrumental his form is. Still, he was crucial to their elevated placement in Round 2 of the Losers Bracket, so all eyes are on him as Paris continue to defy power rankings.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021 Stage 3 Royal Ravens Home Series Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueTwo stages down and the Call of Duty League enters a pivotal Stage 3. With a slew of roster changes and some surprise performers in Stage 2, there’s a new set of players who need to be watched during the Royal Ravens Home Series. Only eight teams make it to CDL Champs in 2021 and that means the pressure is on. As such, four teams dissatisfied with their performances made roster changes between a wild Stage 2 Major and the first week of Stage 3. Oh, and another roster move is rumored as people believe the New York Subliners will call up rookie Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez. But that hasn’t been made official yet, so he has to get left off the list for now. This week’s must-watch list includes four X-factors making their debuts with new teams. The last player isn’t making a debut, but he was simply so nasty at the end of Stage 2 that everyone will be dying to find out if he can keep that form up. Colt ‘Havok’ McLendon (Florida Mutineers) The right choice? Most agreed that dropping Josiah ‘Slacked’ Berry was a reasonable idea for a disappointing Mutineers roster. Most are divided on their replacement. After seeing an arms race for cracked Challengers players in Stage 2, some weren’t sold on the decision to bring Havok back into the mix. Having played with Florida in 2020, Havok helped the team win three events, but was ultimately deemed insufficient since Mutineers opted to bring in Slacked and Travis ‘Neptune’ McCloud. Back in the lineup, it will be interesting to find out if Havok’s presence helps Joseph ‘Owakening’ Conley and Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno regain their 2020 consistency. Alex ‘Zaptius’ Bonilla (London Royal Ravens) When the Royal Ravens picked up Paul ‘PaulEhx’ Avila, they visibly improved and he loudly emerged as a Rookie of the Year candidate. Now, they’re bringing in his Challengers teammate, WestR’s Zaptius, to replace Thomas ‘Dylan’ Henderson. Zaptius becomes the third WestR player to get called up, after PaulEhx and the LA Thieves’ Carlos ‘Venom’ Hernandez. From Northern Ireland, Dylan was a fan-favorite on the EU squad and leaves big shoes to fill. This is the chance for a WestR duo to show their Challengers success was no fluke and put London’s West End on the CDL map. Martin ‘Chino’ Chino (Los Angeles Guerrillas) Just as stocks rise and fall, the cycle continues and Big Money Cheen is back in the CDL after a one-month stint for the now-defunct OpTic Gaming Los Angeles in 2020. Chino’s teamwork and mindset have never been questioned, but the level of his play has drawn its fair share of uncertainty. Many expected the Guerrillas to make a change after they fizzled out in Stage 2, but few expected Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost to be the player benched. To bring in Chino, LAG have benched one of their top performers and moved Justin ‘SiLLY’ Fargo-Palmer to SMG. The pressure to perform is high, especially under those surprising circumstances. Donovan ‘Temp’ Laroda (Paris Legion) Temp’s confidence and outspokenness have made him a magnetic, divisive figure in CoD since his 2014 debut. Released by the Subliners this past offseason, Temp got his chance at a redemption arc with the LA Thieves to start 2021. Released by the Thieves during Stage 2, Temp’s redemption was put on hold. Now, the tour is back on schedule. Picked up by the Legion to replace their rookie, Luis ‘Fire’ Rivera, Temp’s CDL odyssey gets its Part II. He has a history with Nicholas ‘Classic’ DiCostanzo and that chemistry could reignite. Like Temp, the streaky Legion have shown flashes of a high ceiling — making this a scary team if they can live up to their potential. Ben ‘Bance’ Bance (Toronto Ultra) You don’t put up a 1.4-plus K/D against the best Call of Duty team in the world with $500,000 on the line. And you definitely don’t do that just weeks after contemplating retirement. But one person does do that: Benny f**king Bance. Nobody expected the Ultra to improve when they replaced their top performer Anthony ‘Methodz’ Zinni with a rookie. Next thing you know, Toronto surges to a Stage 2 championship with an 11-5 map count on Finals Sunday. Facing FaZe in the chip, Bance posted a game-high 1.44 K/D with 134 kills and 93 deaths across eight maps. That is an absurd level of play and one that fans, and peers, will be fiending to see replicated. Is Stage 2 Bance for real? You can follow all of this week’s action live with our CDL 2021 Stage 3 — Royal Ravens Home Series hub, which includes live streams, full schedule, up-to-date scores, and more.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021 Stage 3 Paris Home Series Dexerto / Call of Duty LeagueNo Call of Duty League roster or ranking is safe in 2021 and the pressure is mounting. For better or worse, five players have something to prove during the CDL’s Stage 3: Paris Home Series. Last week, four of the five pros to watch were making midseason debuts and the fourth was cementing his level of play. The latter, Ben ‘Bance’ Bance, proved the Stage 2 Major was no fluke — posting a 1.13 K/D (kill-death ratio) in a 2-0 week for his Toronto Ultra. Meanwhile, of the four debuts, only one managed to notch a winning record a positive K/D on the week: Martin ‘Cheen’ Chino (with a nasty 1.36). But this week’s must-watch list doesn’t have any first-time starters. Instead, three are vets hoping to regain their footing and two are CDL rookies still getting their feet wet. With the Stage 3 Major looming, rosters constantly changing, and Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland somehow on the trade block — these five players should be especially hungry to produce. Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson (Atlanta FaZe) For a while there, it didn’t look like FaZe could be touched. But taught us that even gods (technically, god-kings) can bleed and now Atlanta has lost consecutive matches after starting the year 14-1. FaZe won’t be making any changes and Arcitys’ role is safe, but the team won’t secure a No. 1 seed without their Main AR turning things up a gear. Last week, FaZe lost to the New York Subliners 2-3 with Arcitys posting a game-low 0.84 K/D. The match prior, against Toronto in the Stage 2 Major, he dropped a game-low 0.71. Championship favorites aren’t built on Main ARs who get out-slayed by 28-year-olds and rookies. If FaZe are going to regain everyone’s faith, Arcitys needs to shoot straighter in this week’s matchups with the LA Thieves and London Royal Ravens. Tyler ‘FeLo’ Johnson (Dallas Empire) To start the London Home Series, Dallas beat the Paris Legion 3-1 and Huke dropped a 1.05 K/D. Then, they benched Huke for FeLo and proceeded to get swept by the Ultra (their second 0-3 all season). And how did the veteran player, CDL rookie fare in Huke’s stead? A game-low 0.82 K/D. No one knows what is happening in the Empire camp, but FeLo is replacing a highly touted player who was an early MVP candidate this season. The LA Guerrillas should be an easier test this week, but all eyes will be on the new(ish) starter trying to fill nuke-sized shoes. Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez (New York Subliners) After what felt like an eternity of murmurings, CDL 2021’s most highly anticipated rookie finally made his debut. And HyDra did not disappoint, as the mustachioed menace dropped a 1.09 K/D in a win against FaZe and the Tiny Terrors duo. Read more: Can OpTic Chicago finally win championships? – If expectations were high before, they’ve only gotten higher. HyDra outdueled the league’s most notorious SMG duo and now gets to face two teams with less notoriety at the position. Stepping into the kitchen with London and Seattle this week, New York’s 19-year-old might fry. Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly (LA Thieves) They came in with a star-studded roster and won matches. Then the losses started piling up and they replaced two of those stars with unproven talents. Now, the Thieves seem to be bouncing back again — but pressure remains high. LA went 2-0 last week, which is great, but those wins came against Seattle and London. And, even against those not-so-great opponents, TJHaLy posted team-low K/Ds (0.85 and 0.94, respectively). This week, the Thieves meet tougher foes: FaZe and OpTic Chicago. Should TJ continue struggling and the Thieves go back to losing, fans may begin calling for a Huke acquisition. It’s not likely that LA move away from Teej — then again, it didn’t feel likely that they’d replace Austin ‘SlasheR’ Liddicoat either. Daniel ‘Loony’ Loza (Seattle Surge) The Surge only have four wins this season and, considering their roster, that’s pretty surprising. But at this point, if Seattle wants to fight for Stage Majors or even a spot at CDL Champs, something has to change. And the elephant in the room, the topic no one wants to touch, is Loony. Reputable and beloved for his game sense, Loony’s struggles nonetheless can’t be ignored. Just last week, the vet SMG couldn’t surpass a team-low 0.73 K/D in of the Surge’s losses. Loony and Seattle face another tough test this week against New York. If it’s another disappointing performance, Mike ‘Hastr0’ Rufail’s phone might start ringing regarding a Huke acquisition. All stats courtesy of BreakingPoint. If you want to keep track of CDL 2021’s Stage 3, Week 2, follow along with our dedicated hub.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021 Stage 3 Dallas Home Series Dexerto / Call of Duty LeaguePressure continues to ramp up in Stage 3, Week 3 of the Call of Duty League’s 2021 season. Here are five players who can absolutely impact CDL momentum in the Dallas Empire Home Series. It’s the final week of Stage 3 and that means there’s $500,000 on the line and critical CDL points to gain. Not only do teams want to establish seeding for the Major, but time is running out for them to assert placement points for the eight-team, $2.5 million 2021 Champs. Last week, our Paris Home Series players to watch included three veterans hoping to bounce back and two newcomers making debuts: Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson, Tyler ‘FeLo’ Johnson, Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez, Thomas ‘TJHaLy’ Haly, and Daniel ‘Loony’ Loza. The first three all popped off, the last two struggled and…got benched. This week, the stakes remain high and critical performances need to be monitored. Headlined by the LA Thieves’ new star, Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland, here are five players to keep an eye on. Colt ‘Havok’ McLendon (Florida Mutineers) Last time Havok was in our P2W, it was for the right reasons — as the SMG was brought in to give Florida new life. But, at 1-2 since his debut, the team doesn’t seem revitalized and now, he makes the list for the wrong reasons. You can’t blame the newcomer for this team’s woes, but it’s hard to look past a team-low 0.78 KD in a 1-3 Mutineers loss to the Paris Legion last week. Still in the race for third in Group A, Havok and Florida need to bounce back in a major way against the Empire and LA Guerrillas this week. Already rumored to be in the Huke sweepstakes, you have to imagine the Mutineers will take a look at SMG options like Renato ‘Saints’ Forza or TJHaLy if the team continues to disappoint. And, should the Guerrillas struggle, Florida may face some competition in the bidding war. Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland (Los Angeles Thieves) The Thieves are a game ahead of the pack for first place in their Stage 3 group, but they still decided to make a roster change. That’s fairly unprecedented, but so is the player they acquired. As Matthew ‘Nadeshot’ Haag explains, Huke is “a generational FPS talent.” And now the 20-year-old star can back that gas up. An early MVP favorite who struggled in Stage 2, Huke’s bizarre benching now lands him in black and red. There will be no more highly-anticipated match this week than the young gun’s Thieves debut against the New York Subliners. Makenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley (New York Subliners) Speaking of the Subliners, Mack is back. After dropping a decent 0.88 in a 2-3 loss to the London Royal Ravens, the sophomore slayer put up a monstrous 1.68 in a sweep of the Seattle Surge. Mack has changed to second AR to accommodate rookie HyDra and seems to be gaining his footing. This week, that footing gets tested by OpTic Chicago and the Thieves. If Mack can prove that his Seattle demolition wasn’t an outlier takeover, New York can clinch second in the Stage 3 Major and establish themselves as Champs contenders. Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper (OpTic Chicago) Last week, Arcitys was the renowned AR who needed to regain after dropping negative KDs the week prior. This week, it’s his former Chicago teammate: FormaL. OpTic are still in a three-way tie with New York and the Atlanta FaZe for second in their winners bracket. But a 1-3 loss to the Thieves in Week 2 dampened expectations. Against LAT, FormaL posted a disappointing, team-low 0.89 KD (and an uncharacteristic 0.71 on Hardpoint). OpTic faces tough foes in New York and Atlanta this week, so they’ll need much bigger output from their iconic AR if this team is going to regain. Jacob ‘Decemate’ Cato (Seattle Surge) Less than a year after being dropped by the Guerrillas, Decemate is back in the CDL. The SMG fried for the Fantastic Four in Challengers, earning himself an opportunity on a Surge squad eager to improve. But, despite filling in for a struggling Loony, pressure is still high for Dece. As revealed by Seattle’s Sam ‘Octane’ Larew, the new addition wasn’t the Surge’s first option. The team couldn’t procure Reece ‘Vivid’ Drost from the Guerrillas, leaving Decemate as the next-best choice. Seattle is 0-3 this stage and 4-12 on the season. This week, their new SMG debuts against FaZe and then faces the Royal Ravens. For the Surge, it’s a chance to make a splash and build hope for a Major III losers bracket run. For Decemate, it’s a chance to prove he belongs in the CDL — for good.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021’s Stage 2 Toronto Home Series Call of Duty LeagueStage 2 of the Call of Duty League kicks off with a Toronto Ultra Home Series. Five players stand out as must-watch x-factors as the CDL 2021 season continues ramping up. During the CDL 2021 Stage 1 Major, Atlanta FaZe ran through the competition — decimating practically every single team that came in their way. Now, we’re moving into Stage 2 and the rest of the league has some serious work to do. Among the teams vying for an upturn in production, some are at the top of the power rankings, and some at the bottom. From established pros like the Dallas Empire’s Huke and LA Thieves’ Kenny to newcomers like the London Royal Ravens’ PaulEhx and Toronto Ultra’s Insight, x-factors appear at every rung of the CDL ladder. And, of course, the middle is the most dynamic spot and that’s precisely where Priestahh’s Minnesota ROKKR stand. Here are why those five players can make a legitimate, longstanding impact as Stage 2 kicks off. Cuyler ‘Huke’ Garland (Dallas Empire) “Huke the Nuke” vs. “Huke the Fluke” Huke was in absolute MVP form as the CDL 2021 season kicked off, but that all came crashing down in the Empire’s 2-5 loss to FaZe in the Stage 1 Grand Finals. That loss wasn’t just felt in Dallas wallets either, as it came with an immediate drop in expectations as well. After leading Dallas in statistics for much of the season, Huke dropped a paltry 0.87 K/D in the FaZe series — notching a positive ratio in just the team’s two wins. Dallas is still rightfully just behind FaZe in the standings, but Huke needs to regain “Nuke” form if the Empire are going to reclaim the throne. Paul ‘PaulEhx’ Avila (London Royal Ravens) From playing hard to get to playing with the best It has been a weird season for the Royal Ravens, with temporary starter Christopher ‘Parasite’ Duarte claiming that the team was “destined to fail.” Parasite replaced Trei ‘Zer0’ Morris, who was dealing with visa issues, as rumors spread that PaulEhx had declined their contract offer. Now, Zer0 is still gone and PaulEhx has replaced Parasite in the starting lineup. The CDL Challengers standout for WestR was dominant enough to believably decline contract offers — and now he has a chance to prove he was worth the wait. Kenny ‘Kenny’ Williams (Los Angeles Thieves) The case for SMG Kuavo Despite a stacked roster and a huge start to the new season, the LA Thieves couldn’t make it past Round 4 of the Stage 1 Major’s Losers Bracket. This has led to serious questions about the roster, including from 100 Thieves’ content creator and former pro, Ian ‘Enable’ Wyatt. During Reverse Sweep, Enable and former pro and coach Jonathan ‘Pacman’ Tucker discussed one possible solution for the Thieves: swapping Kenny onto the SMG full-time. As Pacman explains, “Kenny is disgusting, but I think he should be running a sub … I just think you should try it and see how it works.” If LA fails to produce this week, conversation could amplify and fans might start calling for Kenny to take on the SMG role. Preston ‘Priestahh’ Grenier (Minnesota ROKKR) Will they, won’t they? The ROKKR sit at 3-3 on the season and No. 7 in the CDL standings. Everyone wants to know the answer to one question: Is Minnesota bad, good, or just the perennial embodiment of the middle of the pack? One player is key to that answer and it’s the former FaZe flex, Priestahh. He played a utility role in 2020 and claims to be enjoying the transition to “running around and frying” in 2021, but the results haven’t been consistent. If the ROKKR want to unshoulder the weight of mediocrity, Priestahh needs to start slaying. Jamie ‘Insight’ Craven (Toronto Ultra) No Zinni, Maybe Winni Anthony ‘Methodz’ Zinni was, statistically, the Ultra’s best player throughout a disappointing Stage 1. But, as he kept his head up and told us that this team’s ceiling was “multiple championships,” Toronto proceeded to bench him, sending the renowned veteran to Challengers in favor of Insight. Now, Insight is starting on an all-EU lineup and the Ultra have a lot to prove. Insight has Zinni-sized shoes to fill and Toronto must outperform their 3-5 Stage 1. To stay up to tabs on CDL 2021 Stage 2, follow along with our Stage 2: Toronto Ultra Home Series hub — where we keep scores, streams and the schedule updated throughout the week.

5 players to watch during CDL 2021 Opening Weekend Activision/DexertoThe 2021 Call of Duty League season finally kicking off with the Opening Weekend and we’ve keyed in on five players who fans need to keep an eye on at Atlanta FaZe’s Home Series event. Professional Call of Duty is back and revamped for 2021. With a change to 4v4 in Treyarch’s Black Ops Cold War, rosters have shuffled and so have player expectations. During the Kickoff Classic preseason event, we locked in seven players whose performances were worth monitoring. Now, based on that limited sample size, we’ve centered on five Week One x-factors. Some play for championship contenders while others for more hopeful organizations, but all need to be watched closely as Stage 1 of the 2021 campaign gets underway. Matthew ‘FormaL’ Piper (OpTic Chicago) The tale of “Texas FormaL” In 2020, FormaL played below his standards due to Californian connection issues. In 2021, like much of the league, he is based in Texas. And, even if you’re not a Green Wall diehard, you’ve likely heard that “Texas FormaL” means the return of the beast. Sweeping the Los Angeles Thieves in the preseason, FormaL posted a 1.40 and 1.23 K/D in both respawn maps. That suggests the AR may, once again, be shooting as straight as ever. This week, he faces the Paris Legion and Atlanta FaZe, providing another test of OpTic’s revitalized AR and the Lone Star State’s internet. Christopher ‘Parasite’ Duarte (London Royal Ravens) A fresh start after a decade of uncertainty Having started his professional career in 2011, Parasite has spent a decade gunning kids, talking his talk, and burning bridges throughout the CoD community. Relegated to the amateur scene for much of the past four years, the man known as Haggy is now back on a pro roster. The 2013 world champion has played for over 40 teams in his career and, unsurprisingly, many believe this is his last chance to cement a place among the pros. On a two-week contract as Trei ‘Zer0’ Morris deals with visa issues, Haggy will look to re-establish his place in the pro CoD scene while helping the Royal Ravens bounce back. He’ll start against the Seattle Surge, after London fell 2-3 to the Legion in the preseason (during which Zer0 went -26 in both Hardpoint losses). Tyler ‘aBeZy’ Pharris (Atlanta FaZe) Time for the Tiny Terror to go big Every team in the CDL knows just how dangerous the Tiny Terrors are. But a retooled FaZe lost 2-3 to the Florida Mutineers in the preseason and, while statistics should be taken with a grain of salt, they do paint an intriguing picture. FaZe won both maps in which aBeZy notched a positive K/D, while losing all three in which he went negative (a combined 9-18 in SND and a 17-27 in the Hardpoint loss). Whether it’s aBeZy’s play or the team’s gameplan, Atlanta will need more terror than error out of him if the hosts intend to make a statement against the LA Guerrillas and OpTic Chicago this weekend. Michael ‘MajorManiak’ Szymaniak (Minnesota ROKKR) Is 2021 Maniak for real? To be candid, few would credit MajorManiak’s AR play for FaZe’s 2020 run to the CDL Championship Grand Finals. The team went out and replaced him with Alec ‘Arcitys’ Sanderson for 2021 and, in response, the Major gifted his new team, the ROKKR, one of his best performances in recent memory during a preseason win against the Toronto Ultra. The veteran AR helped the fully retooled Minnesota roster to a victory by posting a cumulative 1.50 K/D across the match, the highest among all CDL players in the preseason (per BreakingPoint). Now, with matches against the highly touted Thieves and Dallas Empire, fans will discover if that early 2021 form was a fluke. Indervir ‘iLLeY’ Dhaliwal (Dallas Empire) From dirty work to 30-bombs In 2020, iLLeY was an easy fan-favorite who put up highlight plays and handled the Empire’s dirty work, but understandably didn’t have league-leading statistics given that role. Potentially overshadowed in the mainstream by fellow rookie Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas’ MVP campaign, iLLeY’s time to shine may now be upon us. With a swap to 4v4, games have become more methodical and the youngster has already made waves. With less sloppy duties, the young upstart posted absurd stats alongside patented highlights in a preseason sweep of the New York Subliners. NYSL’s roster is in flux due to injury and visa complications, but iLLeY’s stats in the show match (a combined 1.43 K/D, third-best in the league) shouldn’t be discounted. Now, they’ll be tested by the Surge and ROKKR. If this is the form and role he’s bringing to 2021, a new MVP candidate may make Dallas the year’s championship favorites. You can follow all of this weekend’s action live with our CDL 2021 Opening Weekend hub, which includes live streams, full schedule, up-to-date scores, and more.

5 must-have features for Modern Warfare battle royale After recent leaks hinting that a battle royale mode for Modern Warfare may soon be on its way, here are some of the top things we want to see added to the potential Call of Duty survival mode. Since it was leaked that Modern Warfare would be releasing a massive 200-player battle royale game mode, many fans have been wondering what to expect for the second Call of Duty BR. The leak also claimed that the developers would be putting their own twist on the classic survival game mode with new respawn tokens that allow players to fight their way back into the arena after being eliminated. Although it is likely we will see some new features added such as the one listed above, we have compiled a list of some of the top things we want to see from a battle royale mode. 1. Classic CoD locations With the release of Blackout in Call of Duty: Black Ops 4, fans were able to return to some of their favorite map locations from Treyarch’s popular series and experience them in a battle royale setting. As the Modern Warfare series also boasts an impressive list of iconic Call of Duty multiplayer maps, it would only be right to see some of the fan-favorites return in the leaked battle royale mode. Some of the standout maps from Infinity Ward’s past titles would include the likes of Rust, Terminal, and Highrise, all of which would be worthy additions as points of interest. However, according to the leak of the upcoming BR, there have already been some locations that have been named and they suggest that fans can expect to see some rendition of Quarry and Overgrown in the arena. 2. Iconic CoD Weapons Weapons are an integral part of a Call of Duty title and although many of the iconic guns were brought back for Modern Warfare’s multiplayer modes, there are still a few notable ones that could be added in the upcoming battle royale. Classic guns from the series, particularly in the sniper rifle category, such as the Intervention from MW2 and the M40a3 from CoD 4 would make the mode that much sweeter for long-time fans of the franchise. One thing that the developers of the Modern Warfare BR could consider is the introduction of weapon tiers, as seen in games like Fortnite, making some of the most overpowered guns harder to find or only making them available through supply drops in-game. 3. Leaderboards Many Call of Duty multiplayer fans often like to keep track of their progress and achievements in online multiplayer matches and it is no different with hardcore battle royale players. Although the release of Call of Duty’s inaugural battle royale mode Blackout received a lot of praise, one thing it was missing was leaderboards that displayed who held each record for highest kills in a single game on the survival mode as well as the career wins and kills that it tracked. If leaderboards are introduced alongside the leaked Modern Warfare BR, keeping track of all of the high-kill records in one place is definitely something that fans of the game would appreciate, as without much proof there can be many disagreements over who holds the top spot. 4. Replay mode Nearly all gamers have experienced both good and bad moments where they were left confused over what had just happened to them in-game. Whether it was a near-impossible play you managed to pull off to clinch a victory or if you experienced a bizarre bug that caused your character to die, any battle royale wouldn’t be complete without a replay mode to relive some of those intense moments. There have been replay modes available in the past for certain Call of Duty titles, although, judging from the lack of theatre mode in Modern Warfare’s multiplayer, it is unlikely that we will see the option of viewing match replays added alongside the battle royale mode. 5. Dynamic map elements/weather Many battle royale developers try many innovative ways so that the players’ experience with their games doesn’t become stale and repetitive. One element that could be added to the potential Modern Warfare BR would be to introduce dynamic map elements and weather that could affect the course of the game such as adding Fog in certain locations or harsh winds that can affect a player’s movement speed. With the addition of the Night Vision playlist in multiplayer and the unique gameplay that it brings, it could also be interesting to see players having to adapt their playstyle to the time of day which would change over the course of a game if it is considered for the battle royale. Bonus features Although the above suggestions are among some of the most requested from the community, there are a few other features that are worth noting that could benefit the leaked game mode. Introducing a ‘best play of the game‘ feature, that would play for all those remaining in the lobby after the game comes to its end could reward those who enjoy high-risk gameplay. It goes without saying that they should use their cross-platform capabilities with the battle royale mode too, after its success in regular multiplayer. However, although Activision revealed they would have an aggressive post-launch content plan for Modern Warfare, nothing has been confirmed from the developers if or when to expect another CoD battle royale.

5 most popular perks in Warzone ActivisionCall of Duty: Warzone’s meta loadouts are constantly shifting, but there are few perk combinations that remain popular. We discuss which perks you should use to dominate the competition. Custom loadouts are a big part of the Call of Duty franchise. Not only do they allow players to kit their favorite guns out with the best attachments and game-changing perks, they also have a huge impact on your overall survivability. After all, Warzone’s Verdansk map is a dangerous place. To help you increase your kill count and win rate in Warzone, these are the most popular persk according to data gathered by Lootshare. These abilities have been dominating both the competitive and casual meta, so you’ll want to give them a try if you haven’t already. 1. Amped Utility-based perks have always been popular options in Call of Duty, so it makes sense that 75.3% of Warzone’s playerbase use the Amped perk. Amped makes switching between weapons a lot faster (excluding pistols and knives). As you might have guessed, this perk works wonders with Overkill. Read more: 10 most popular weapons in Warzone – Being able to quickly switch from one primary weapon to another is huge, particularly in Warzone when you often find yourself outmanned. Getting caught reloading or slowly switching to your secondary can lead to many frustrating deaths. Amped also significantly minimizes the downtime of using certain equipment, further reducing the chances of you getting caught putting down a claymore or Trophy System. 2. Overkill Being able to carry two primary weapons is always going to be useful, especially if you wish to have a loadout that can deal with multiple engagement ranges. This meta-defining perk drastically increases your kill potential, making it a must for those that wish to remain competitive in every firefight. This perk gives you a huge amount of choice when it comes to building the perfect loadout. Of course, the majority of players use Overkill to give them access to the MP5 as a secondary, but it can be used for literally any primary weapon. Currently, 73.3% of Warzone players are using Overkill, making it one of the most popular perks in the entire game. Some players may opt to use another perk, though. This is because once you kill an enemy, the chances are they’ll have that second primary you’re looking for anyway. 3. E.O.D. Explosives are a big part of Warzone. Whether you’re defending a building with your squad or driving along the Verdansk’s roads, there’s a pretty big chance you’re just seconds away from being hit with semtex or C4. Not only is dying to explosives incredibly frustrating, but it’s also rather unavoidable. However, the E.O.D. perk mitigates the effects of Warzone’s explosives. This increases your survivability against Claymores, C4, Proximity Mines, and the game’s various grenades. The vast majority of loadouts utilize C4, so having a perk that can reduce its effectiveness is huge. It’s certainly not hard to see why 61.6% of players use the E.O.D. perk. 4. Ghost Remaining hidden from enemy squads is always going to be beneficial, especially in the late-game where a single UAV can cost you the game. Intel is everything and knowing the exact location of an enemy squad will enable you to get the jump on them. While it can be tempting to run Overkill, you’ll often find custom loadout guns that you can use as secondary. The majority of players will use their UAVs and Heartbeat sensors to spot players in the final circle, but if you use Ghost, you’ll remain hidden from their prying eyes. Ghost was incredibly popular back in earlier seasons, but now it only has a 21.9% usage rate in the current loadout meta. Consider picking this perk up if you’re tired of getting your stealthy plays ruined by enemy intel. 5. Cold-Blooded Much like the perk Ghost, Cold-Blooded keeps your hidden from AI targeting system and thermal optics. Recon Drones are pretty common in Warzone and getting spotted by one can quickly lead to a deadly ambush. While you’ll still get seen by these pesky recon bots, you won’t get targeted by them. To make matters even better, thermal optics won’t be able to detect the heat from your body. Thermal optics may not be as popular as they were back in Season 1 – in fact, only 18.7% use this perk. However, if you’re aiming to run a stealthy loadout, then Cold-Blooded is a must. This perk really comes into its own when used with Ghost’s anti-detection ability. If you use these 5 perks in Warzone, you’ll be able to secure more kills in no time. Make sure you follow @DexertoIntel for all the latest Call of Duty news and updates.

5 CoD maps we want in MW4 that have never been remastered ActivisionAs Call of Duty fans count down the days until the release of the next Modern Warfare game, here are five maps from the series that have yet to be remade or remastered. CoD players across the world are eagerly waiting for the announcement of the next title in the franchise – with MW4 being the game many expect, ultimately continuing the Modern Warfare series. As with the release of any Call of Duty game, focus immediately switches to the multiplayer aspect of the game – with speculation growing about weapons, locations, and new killstreaks that we may or may not seen in the game. No one quite knows what to expect from the upcoming game but we’ve got five suggestions for maps that have yet to reappear in the Modern Warfare series that could be used in MW4. Bloc One of the most popular maps from Modern Warfare, Bloc, has not yet had the pleasure of a remake or remaster. Set just outside Pripyat, Ukraine, the map offered great sightlines for snipers who took on cross-map battles – but had to be wary of flanks. Inside the main block buildings, there was plenty of opportunities for close-quarters gunfights – especially if you didn’t check your corners when using one of the blasted wall openings to enter. While it completely fit the original Modern Warfare game, it also wouldn’t be out of place in a newer game, it would just need a lick of paint. Village Checking corners may have been vital on Bloc, but you needed eyes in the back of your head to be successful on Village. The large-sized map, set in an African village, had a ton of different aspects to it – including a number of buildings inside the middle of the village, an inside Waterfall area and plenty of long sightlines for players who didn’t want to jump into the close-quarters action. It might not make a return in Modern Warfare 4, but we’d love to see it reappear somewhere because Kill Confirmed games on the map could be the stuff of legends. Afghan As one of the biggest love it or hate it maps in Call of Duty, Derail’s ice-cold chill could be a viable alternative to Afghan’s desert heat. While the two maps played off each other in Modern Warfare 2, they operated pretty differently – especially seeing as more fans took to Afghan. Afghan had a number of key areas that you needed to control if you were going to be successful, including vital choke points that denied flanks and the open cliff position that allowed a sniper to see almost everything. It completely fit Modern Warfare 2, and as a fan favorite, it would be hard to say no to seeing it in Modern Warfare 4. Afghan was (sort of) remastered in Infinite Warfare, but it wasn’t a true remaster, taking it well into the future and of course featuring ‘jetpack’ movement. Hardhat Hardhat was a staple of Modern Warfare 3 despite the fury that could be caused if you lost a care package due to the cranes and buildings that towered above you. Similarly to Derail, you either loved or hated Hardhat – but you probably hated it if you couldn’t escape the tunnels without being chopped up by an opposing player or had your Tactical Insertion camped on when tried to respawn back into a favorite position. Taking a fight up the ramp on the left side of the map was extremely difficult but there was a sense of achievement in doing so if you came out victorious. For reasons like that, we’d love to see it in Modern Warfare 4. Rust Finally, Rust. Bringing back Rust would bring a whole new dimension to the classic ‘One v One me on Rust’ shout. There’s a whole new line of CoD players that have yet to have their confidence slapped down by a loss to a friend who never seems to miss with their Intervention. Read More:Top 20 highest earning Call of Duty pros – It’s a map that should be welcomed back with open arms by older players – especially those who still remember the spawns and grenade spots. Like Afghan, a map inspired by Rust was in Infinite Warfare, but it was heavily modified with more cover and featured jetpacks. We are still yet to see a true boots-on-the-ground remake of this iconic map. So, there you have it, they are the five maps we would bring back in Modern Warfare 4 if given the chance.

5 Modern Warfare 2 Beta features Infinity Ward need to change ActivisionAhead of the full Modern Warfare 2 release on October 28, we’re running through 5 aspects of the multiplayer Beta that the developers at Infinity Ward need to adjust to make the game as good as it can be. The Modern Warfare 2 Beta has finally given players the chance to get hands-on with the 2022 installment of the Call of Duty series. While players have responded very positively to its pacing, aesthetic, and gunplay, some aspects of the MW2 Beta have left the fanbase underwhelmed. That’s ultimately what a pre-launch Beta is for – amassing and implementing feedback to make the finished game as strong as possible. As such, we’re running through 5 things Infinity Ward needs to improve and adjust ahead of October 28. There’s a level of subjectivity here, but we’ve tried to nail down community issues and things we’ve found lacking from our own time with the Beta. Improved User Interface (UI) A video game’s User Interface refers to the menu screens, the pre-match menu options, and more. In short, it’s the aspects of the game outside of the actual gameplay. In the Modern Warfare 2 Beta, they’ve been needlessly complicated and difficult to navigate. It’s taken players far too much time to figure out Weapon Unlock Trees, Perk Packages, and Gunsmith options as a result. There was little wrong with the UI in Modern Warfare 2019, so it’s not really clear why this has become an issue now. Here’s hoping it becomes simpler, clearer, and easier when the full game drops. Improved enemy visibility This one is fairly simple. Modern Warfare 2 builds on MW2019’s aesthetic and injects more color and brightness. However, players have been finding identifying enemies increasingly difficult, especially when they are prone or occupying a darker corner. Hopefully, the game’s graphics can be tinkered with and enemy detection gets to where it needs to be. Balance footstep audio One thing players have discovered is that it’s very easy – probably too easy – to hear enemies approaching. Even when Dead Silence is equipped (which can’t be permanent because it returns as a Field Upgrade), players sprinting are clearly audible to players using game volume. Infinity Ward have argued they want to ensure all play styles can flourish in MW2, which is fine. But they need to be balanced. Right now, it feels that rushers and aggressive players are disproportionately punished for pushing opponents. Balancing footstep audio would go a long way to solving this issue. Traditional minimap Right now, the minimap doesn’t show players firing unsuppressed weapons, as has been a tradition in Call of Duty titles. Infinity Ward’s reasoning is that they don’t want players “punished” for firing their weapons. However, it brings with it issues. Firstly, the minimap is essentially pointless in its current version unless players have a UAV in the sky. Secondly, it makes suppressors worthless. Why would anyone choose to equip an attachment that weakens range and damage but has no tangible benefit? Tone down SBMM (skill-based matchmaking) Finally, and most importantly, tone down SBMM. It seems that the matchmaking mechanic is here to stay in Call of Duty, most likely on the orders of Activision. If that’s the case, Infinity Ward are limited as to what they can do to placate frustrated players. However, we know that SBMM is “tunable” – meaning it can be relaxed or strengthened. In the Beta, one good match is followed by two or three where you’re thrown to the wolves as a result of performing well previously. CoD, a casual shooter, should never feel like that. There will naturally be better and worse players, and Ranked modes are the only places where SBMM should be turned up to the maximum. That rounds it off. What Modern Warfare 2 Beta feature do you want to see adjusted ahead of October 28?

5 classic CoD weapons Modern Warfare could add in Season 2 Infinity Ward / DexertoWith Modern Warfare Season 2 just around the corner, we’ve taken a look at some of the classic Call of Duty weapons that Infinity Ward could consider adding as part of the new content. There has been a lot of hype surrounding the upcoming release of Season 2, as it’s strongly expected Infinity Ward will add at least one new weapon, possibly several, which could include some classic guns from past titles. The question is, which ones would they add? When looking back at Infinity Ward’s previous CoD games, there are numerous weapons that are iconic and memorable and would make perfect candidates for a 2020 return. Below, we’ve compiled a list of five guns that the developers could consider adding in Modern Warfare as part of the Season 2 content drop. There’s a chance that while the weapons they add may not be named exactly as some of the ones in this list, they could still resemble them in both function and appearance. For example, both of Season 1’s new guns, the RAM-7 and Holger-26, are very similar to weapons from past MW games, the TAR-21 and MG36. Furthermore, needless to say, we’ve limited our list to only the CoD titles developed by Infinity Ward, since it’s highly unlikely they’d add weapons from games made by the other developers. UMP45 SMG First introduced in Modern Warfare 2, the UMP45 is one of the most powerful submachine guns in the history of Call of Duty. Thanks to its low recoil, high damage, and almost no damage drop-off at different ranges, the UMP45 quickly became a fan-favorite in multiplayer. It also had very clear iron sights, making optics unnecessary, which meant players could spend that create-a-class slot on another attachment to further bolster the gun. Not to mention the fact that it was immediately unlocked at the start of the game, so players got to use it right away. The UMP45 went on to feature in both Modern Warfare 3 and Infinite Warfare. It was also planned on being included in Ghosts, even making an appearance in the trailer, but was ultimately cut from the game. M16 assault rifle You can’t say the words ‘Modern Warfare’ without the M16A1 coming to mind, one of the most powerful and meta assault rifles in CoD history. Its powerful three-round burst was devastating in multiplayer, especially when combined with the overpowered Stopping Power perk. The M16 embodied what a true AR should be; while not totally viable at close range, it was more than effective at medium to long-range, and those who had good aim often mowed down enemies with a single burst. It was first introduced in CoD4: MW before being brought back in MW2, MW3, and MW Remastered. Interestingly enough, while it’s obviously not in Modern Warfare now, players can use the in-game Gunfight feature to build a weapon closely resembling it, using the M4A1 as the base and adding a specific set of attachments. AK-74u SMG Much like the M16, the AK-74u is another classic Modern Warfare weapon that belongs in the Call of Duty hall of fame. Most will recognize it as the only other main meta weapon that players liked to use in the original CoD 4. Combining the power and wall-penetration of the AK-47 rifle with the ADS speed, short-range effectiveness, and hip-fire accuracy of an SMG, the AK-74u both packed a punch and was agile enough to be a force. It’s featured in a plethora of CoD titles, including MW, Black Ops, MW3, Black Ops 2, Black Ops 3, MW Remastered, with MW2 being the only game of note that it wasn’t added to. Read More: CoD pros name the best MW player – As with the M16, a weapon similar to the AK-74u can also be created in the Gunsmith by using the AK-47 as the base and equipping the correct attachments. ACR assault rifle Arguably the most popular assault rifle in Modern Warfare 2, the ACR is one of the most accurate ARs that’s ever been seen in Call of Duty. It’s extremely low recoil bordered on nonexistence, allowing players to beam each other, more than making up for its relatively low damage and rate of fire. Due to its accuracy, the ACR was the ideal choice for longer-range gunfights, especially when equipped with attachments that made the weapon even more deadly. Considering how many bigger maps there are in Modern Warfare, as well as long lines of sight, this assault rifle could be the ideal addition in Season 2. Intervention or Barrett .50cal sniper rifles When it comes to sniping, no discussion about Infinity Ward-developed CoD titles would be complete without the mention of both the Intervention and Barrett .50cal. We wanted to include at least one on this list, but couldn’t decide between the two, as they both have left major marks in the Modern Warfare series. While the Intervention may get more of the spotlight and mentions, it’s technically weaker than the Barrett .50cal when it comes to the important statistics such as rate of fire, idle sway, mag capacity, and predictable recoil. That said, in the right hands, both of these rifles were more than enough to devastate enemies and alter entire games. If Infinity Ward was considering adding an older sniper, these two are undoubtedly 1 and 1a on the list. That wraps up our list of the five classic Call of Duty weapons that could be added in Modern Warfare as part of the Season 2 content drop. Of course, as we mentioned before, there’s a good chance IW could just avoid going with older guns altogether and add brand new ones, like they did with the RAM-7 and Holger-26 in Season 1. Modern Warfare Season 2 is set to launch on Tuesday, February 11 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC, available for free to all players.

5 challenges CoD 2021 must overcome with return to WW2 era Activision / Sledgehammer GamesThe Call of Duty 2021 rumor mill continues to dig up new information on the eagerly anticipated title, but it seems that WWII is currently in the ironsights. While there have been numerous rumors surrounding which setting CoD 2021 will tackle next, the latest leak has come from a prominent source. Renowned leaker Victor_Z dropped a subtle hint that Sledgehammer will be returning to the series’ roots and that another WWII game is on the menu. Call of Duty is certainly no stranger to the bloody and brutal battlefields of WWII. After all, the ever-popular FPS series was originally focused on depicting the horrors of this historical conflict. Since then, Call of Duty has branched out into more modernized settings. However, it now looks as though we’ll be hearing the pings of M1 Garands and the shriek of MG 42 fire. Of course, the current leaks could prove to be wrong, but we’ve taken a look at what CoD 2021 needs to get right when returning to the well-trodden streets of WWII. 5. No more incendiary shotguns The Incendiary Rounds shotgun is one of the most broken things to come out of a WWII CoD game since World at War’s MP40. Any shotgun loaded with these fiery bullets could make short work of any player, and it wasn’t long before whole lobbies flocked to this loadout. Read More: Best Warzone loadouts – Not only could this shotgun attachment wipe out multiple enemies in a single shot, but it also had decent range. When you combined this with the close-quarter nature of CoD WWII’s maps, you had an incredibly lethal cocktail that any player of any skill level could use. It’s been four years since CoD WWII hit our screens and we still have nightmares about this horrifically overpowered attachment to this day. 4. Integrating WWII guns with Warzone Given the current Warzone integration trend, it is safe to assume that the next Call of Duty weapon pool will be added to the battle royale mode. After all, Black Ops Cold War proved that weapons could be lifted from one CoD game and directly ported over to Warzone. However, this process has been far from smooth. Since Cold War’s release, both Raven and Treyarch have had to make numerous adjustments to the game’s guns, changing everything from weapon damage to buffing attachments. It’s certainly a tricky task and one that can have a detrimental impact on the meta. Iconic guns like the Thompson, PPSh-41, Springfield, MP40, and Mosin–Nagant would all need to be balanced in a way that they can compete with Warzone’s current arsenal. 3. Historical inaccuracies Perhaps the biggest complaint from Sledgehammer’s previous venture into WWII was the game’s disregard of historical accuracy. While we’re not expecting a complete masterclass on how the world handled the 1940s German invasion, we at least expect each faction to be using the correct weapons. Read More: Sydnicate mocks Warzone’s anti-cheat – Storming Normandy Beach and fighting your way through German-controlled trenches certainly made for an adrenaline-fueled experience, but one that was slightly dampened by the fact that German soldiers were armed with PPSH submachine guns. It’s a relatively minor flaw, but it is one that breaks immersion. The latest Black Ops campaign also fell foul to its inaccurate depiction of the Cold War history, but we’re hoping Sledgehammer gets things right in its latest outing. 2. Distinct map designs Call of Duty WWII wasn’t exactly known for its map design. In fact, the game had some of the most boring and uninventive maps in Call of Duty history. Not only did they lack any semblance of character, they were also completely devoid of any color. We understand that the European side of the conflict was largely fought across muddy fields and bombed-out towns, but if you can have colorful camos and skins, then why not add a dash to the multiplayer maps? For example, Gustav Cannon was simply a gigantic field that featured a few beige buildings and a massive railway gun in the center. Meanwhile, Carentan’s grey streets and numerous sightlines made it incredibly dull. Not only did its overall size make it difficult to find anyone, but the numerous sightlines made players scared to move. WWII was a global conflict that spanned across jungles, deserts, and icy tundras. It’s not like this conflict is lacking in exciting locales, so we hope CoD 2021 will do more than just visit the same old crumbling cities and baron fields. 1. Make things feel fresh To say that WWII is overplayed in FPS games would be a huge understatement. The bloody conflict has spawned countless representations across both books, TV, film, and games for many years. While Call of Duty has been focussed on more recent wars, it has always had an affinity towards the grizzly battles of WWII. So far, the series has ventured into these historical firefights a whopping five times, with Sledgehammer’s 2017 title being the latest. Read More: New Warzone map: Ural Mountains rumors – As result, players have become incredibly familiar with the likes of the iconic Thompson machine gun, Kar98k, M1 Garand, and Lee Enfield rifle. All of these guns may be iconic, but they have seen their fair share of action. While we’d be lying if we didn’t say we loved the satisfying ping of the Garand or the bolt action shots of the Kar98k, it would be great to see a number of lesser-known guns. There’s also the fact that Call of Duty games never seem to stray too far off the beaten track. While storming the beaches of Normandy and tearing our way through the bombed-out streets of Stalingrad made for an awesome spectacle the first time around, these scenarios have now been done a million times before. Given WWII’s huge scale, there is a nearly endless amount of weaponry, locations, and battles that could be depicted for the first time in a CoD game. By tackling the unrepresented sides of the global conflict, players would feel less burnt out by yet another WWII title. So, there you have it, five challenges CoD 2021 has with returning to WWII. Make sure you check out our CoD 2021 hub for all the latest release date, news, updates, and leaks.

Dashy, Simp among 9 CoD pros named finalists for Esports Awards MLGThe Esports Awards have announced their finalists for Console Rookie and Player of the Year, two lists that include a massive number of Call of Duty pro players. Held every year, the Esports Awards recognize those in the world of esports who stood above all others, encompassing categories that include players, teams, media, events, personalities, hardware developers, partners, and more. On September 26, the finalists were announced for the Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards for the top performing console players during 2019. Included in these lists are a combined nine Call of Duty professional players, which makes sense, considering CoD is arguably the biggest franchise played competitively on console. That said, here are the five pros that are in the running for Player of the Year: Brandon ‘Dashy‘ Otell (OpTic Gaming) – James ‘Clayster‘ Eubanks (eUnited) – Chris ‘Simp‘ Lehr (eUnited) – Kenny ‘Kenny‘ Williams (100 Thieves) – Sam ‘Octane‘ Larew (100 Thieves) – Our star studded line up for Esports Console Player of the Year in association with @ScufGaming:@sonicfox5000@DashySZN@MoAuba@Clayster@Simpxo@kaydops@xplosive@octanesam@LiquidHbox@mkleosb@Kuavo@Its_JSTN Vote for your winner: https://t.co/O6iBW5T4O3 #EsportsAwards pic.twitter.com/l72LU2sITX— Esports Awards (@esportsawards) September 27, 2019 There are five more that are finalists for Rookie of the Year, including CoD Champs MVP, whose name has been listed for both awards: Chris ‘Simp‘ Lehr (eUnited) – Dylan ‘Envoy‘ Hannon (Gen.G/Midnight Esports) – Tyler ‘aBeZy‘ Pharris (eUnited) – McArthur ‘Cellium‘ Jovel (FaZe Clan) – Dylan ‘Dylan‘ Henderson (Team Reciprocity) – Meet our finalists for Esports Console Rookie of the Year in association with @ScufGaming:@SimpXO@mkleosb@MoAuba@DylanEnvoy@Aydan@abezy@cellium@tweekssb@scrubkillarl@DylanCOD_ Have your say here: https://t.co/O6iBW5T4O3#esportsawards pic.twitter.com/Q3kNGxtrC6 — Esports Awards (@esportsawards) September 27, 2019 DASHY With arguably the most absurd highlights the Call of Duty scene witnessed throughout all of 2019, Dashy proved to be one of the most remarkable console players during his first year with OpTic Gaming. Crowned as champion and event MVP at the very first major event of the Black Ops 4 cycle, CWL Las Vegas Open 2019, Dashy went on an absolute tear, recording a 1.44 K/D overall. CLAYSTER A veteran of the competitive Call of Duty scene, Clayster had a resounding 2019 as he snapped a 1,400-day championship streak as part of the eUnited roster. Going back-to-back as CWL Pro League Playoff Champion and victor at the 2019 Call of Duty World League Championships, one of the biggest names in console esports history showed the world that he still has what it takes to be among the very best. OCTANE Competing under 100 Thieves throughout the 2019 cycle, Octane earned himself back-to-back Championships, walking away victorious at CWL London and CWL Anaheim. Claiming the MVP award at CWL London with a 1.27 K/D overall, Octane bounced back from a lackluster start to the year by failing to finish worse than Top 6 at any event from March through to the end of the Black Ops 4 season in August. KENNY Highlighted as the 2018 Console Esports Rookie of the Year, Kenny continued his exceptional performances through 2019 and earned his spot on the overall Esports Console Player of the Year lists. With back-to-back event Championships at CWL London and CWL Anaheim, Kenny successfully transitioned roles to an Assault Rifle player and only elevated the performance of his team in the process, finishing second at CWL Champs 2019. SIMP Nominated for both ROY and POY, it’s no surprise that Simp would be lauded with such praise after a monstrous arrival on the scene. Walking away as event MVP at CWL Champs 2019 and mindblowing statistics like these stemming from his first-ever professional tournament at CWL London, there’s no denying the unbelievable impact Simp has had throughout his rookie year. Simp competing for eUnited.ABEZY Throughout his first year, aBeZy left an indelible mark on the history of eUnited, leading the charge for a first-place finish throughout the CWL 2019 Pro League and a World Championship to boot. At only 19 years of age, the future is extraordinarily bright for a player many see as one of the best in the scene. ENVOY In his first professional year, Envoy rose from the now-defunct Midnight Esports Call of Duty roster, landing himself a spot on the formidable Gen.G squad. As part of this roster, Envoy secured back-to-back second-place finishes at CWL Anaheim and the CWL Pro League Finals, concluding the latter with a ridiculous 1.29 K/D overall. CELLIUM In a landmark rookie year, Cellium secured himself a starting position on the FaZe Clan roster after placing first for FC Black in the CWL Fort Worth Open. As a member of the main FaZe roster, he helped lead the team to multiple top-six finishes and even a top-three at the CWL Pro League Playoffs. DYLAN In his breakout year, Dylan transitioned from Team Sween to Team Reciprocity in a move that netted him numerous top-eight event finishes. With a third-place finish at CWL Fort Worth, his first major event with the new roster, Dylan demonstrated he has what it takes to compete at the very highest level with the best players in the world. While there is no doubting that all of the players listed above have a remarkable amount of talent on the sticks, they will have to be voted over some formidable competition, including the best of the best from console games like FIFA, Gears of War, fighting titles, Rocket League, and more. And those not taking the other titles seriously could be in for a rude awakening, as last year’s Player of the Year was Mossad ‘MSdossary’ Aldossary, the world champion of the FIFA 18 season.

5 best Warzone tips & tricks to score more kills with the Helicopter Infinity WardThe Helicopter is a high-valued craft in Warzone for its mobility and incredibly diverse set of lethal options to rack up kills, but that’s only if players know how to use it best. Once you take off in a helicopter, you’re automatically a target for anyone in the immediate area. People that balance offense and defense in the chopper can get a ton of mileage from the vehicle. If done correctly, you’ll be lighting up the killfeed using the deadly spinning blades or by switching seats mid-air, while avoiding the barrage missiles and drones that are bound to be on your tail. 1) Use the blades Creative Call of Duty players caught onto this one day-one, but for those unaware, you can catch out parachuting opponents or people in wide-open spaces with the chopper’s blades. For enemies on the ground, you can either land the helicopter on them or try to angle the propellers to their direction. It should be noted that if you miss a player in a fly-by, quickly angling your helicopter the other way can still get them with the tail of the aircraft. But people that are still dropping from the sky are the easiest targets and can be safely plucked from mid-air. 2) RPG and an empty chopper As a solo player, an empty helicopter actually opens up your offensive capabilities quite a bit, since there are more seats for you to angle your shot with. As a pilot, you should be finding the best routes to either avoid a dangerous situation or setting up a kill. Once you’ve identified someone that’s ripe for the picking, change seats to the landing rail to shoot out a quick missile. This trick will take some careful maneuvering and being comfortable with switching vehicle positions on a dime, but can really lend itself to some epic highlight reel moments, bonus points for snipe kills in this way. 3) Keeping your Helicopter alive As mentioned before, once you ascend to the skies in a Helicopter, you’re going to be the focus of attention for a lot of people. Getting kills depends on your ability to keep said chopper alive in the air. Players should be wary of the blades, since getting them tangled or beaten up is the quickest way to blow up your ride. Also, don’t forget that it comes equipped with a Flair in case you get locked on. Something that needs to be mentioned are drones. The smallest drones in Warzone can instantly destroy a Helicopter if they collide, so avoid at all costs. 4) Steal a kill while exiting a Helicopter Continuing the discussion on flairs, since that’s your only defense against PILAs and JOKRs, once it’s spent, it’s a good idea to abandon the area or get ready to bail on your ride. Knowing when to leave your Helicopter is crucial to staying alive in Verdansk, but it can also give you a chance to pry one more kill as you’re taking off. Simply angling your chopper onto a player and exiting the craft will still propel the vehicle forward. If a player is caught in the subsequent explosion, then you’ll be credited with the kill while leaving the area. 5) Land quickly, get in the chopper quicker You can’t start your killing spree if you don’t acquire the aircraft first. Knowing where the Helicopters spawn lets players just b-line it to that location before anyone else. The Warzone map allows for eight different spawns, and all of them are sure to get some action in the early phases of a match. There are more ways to keep your kill count high in Warzone, but getting into a chopper will give players a better chance at picking off more than a few opponents.

5 best tips to get better at Warzone: dropping, planning & hitting shots Infinity WardCall of Duty: Warzone has continued to rise amongst battle royales, but focusing on certain tips will make it easier to improve for new, or even more experienced, players who still have room to grow. Whether you play solo, with friends or with randoms, Warzone is all about outlasting over 100 enemies to be the last one(s) to get the celebratory helicopter ride. And, unless you’re just naturally an elite FPS god, players can work to get better. New soldiers can obviously just focus on hitting Modern Warfare’s multiplayer options to get comfortable with guns and Call of Duty mechanics, but there are specific tips that can help everyone to improve overall. The 5 best tips to get better at Warzone 5. Practice your drops The first step in Warzone is to get those boots on the ground. Preferences come into play here, but players should work on finding out what areas they most enjoy working from, what contracts they like to start with and then how they can reach those points as effectively as possible. For locations, some players prefer to get warmed up with a hot drop for the prospect of high reward (with the consequence of high risk) while others want to go further away at a low-key area for a more casual time getting situated. To get right into the action at a high-profile spot near the flight’s path, you can choose between areas like Superstore and Boneyard for mostly horizontal chaos or Downtown and Hospital for vertical engagements. Ultimately, you just need to try things out and figure out what suits you most. Superstore is maybe Warzone’s most popular and therefore chaotic drop.As for how best to drop in, the mechanics of dropping take time to master as the rhythm of cutting and reopening your parachute to hit areas with speed are unique to Warzone. 4. Figure out your favorite loadout Getting your loadout is Warzone’s most critical feature. Again, this is subject to preference, but everyone needs to experiment and determine the guns and playstyle they are most comfortable with. Unless you use multiplayer, leveling your guns up will take time (although speedier in Warzone’s Plunder mode) but is a worthwhile endeavor. The general strategy is to run a first loadout with an Overkill perk (along with Cold-Blooded and Amped, although the latter is subject to preference) so that you can equip two primary guns and then get a second loadout to replace Overkill with Ghost (making you invisible to UAVs). Players can get inventive with their loadouts, as some may prefer a kitted M13 over the more standard M4A1 and Grau.Most should run an assault rifle, with the Grau and M4-A1 being the most popular, versatile choices. For those interested in ranged encounters, the top snipers are the HDR and AX-50. And for SMGs, the MP7 and MP5. But, guns are all preference and if you really want to cheese on the competition you can just run an RPG as your second weapon since it has yet to be nerfed and lets you put Ghost on your first loadout. 3. Plan your rotations Getting third-partied is the bane of every battle royale’s experience, so ensuring you enter engagements on your own terms is a treasure. As important as drops are, planning your rotations sooner than later keeps you ahead of the gas and the teams it’s forcing in. You can generally start lining out your rotation once you’ve decided on a drop point, but plans are subject to change depending on contract routes and enemy encounters. Most important is just that players decide how they want to begin moving into the next circle before their hand is forced by the gas. Rocking an SMG will let you run faster if you make your rotations through unideal terrain.Typically, you’ll either want to rotate early so that you can secure central, easily defended high ground before everyone else pushes in or you’ll elect to move in along the edge of the circle with the gas so that you can’t be flanked from behind as easily. Either way, the primary objective is to think far enough ahead that you, instead of ambushing opponents, are in control of your own destiny. 2. Communicate This obviously only pertains to players not dropping in solo, but communication is the key to success in team-based games. If you watch the top streamers, their comms are quick and effective. Yours should be too. Teams want to move together, share resources and make useful call-outs. By communicating your intentions and pooling together your money and armor, you can ensure that your squad makes clean pushes with each member as equipped as they can be. Pinging or calling out enemy locations or flares (indicating Recon contracts or Re-Deployments) are simple ways to prepare your unit for an advantageous vantage point. These interpersonal skills require map and game awareness, so they take practice to perfect—especially mid-combat. 1. Get good The most obvious tip of them all is just to embrace the overused gaming mantra: “git gud.” Improving your map awareness and gunplay is all about practice so you should treat every game as an opportunity to learn and improve. Whether it’s trying out mobility mechanics you may have seen streamers use to navigate the map or simply practicing each gun’s recoil and range, every match should be filled with conscious efforts to get better. For your gunplay, in particular, the Gulag is your best friend. You may lose most of these 1 v. 1’s at first, but as time goes on your reactions and accuracy should improve. With how quick Call of Duty’s TTKs are, you’ll be confident winning outnumbered fights across Verdansk in no time. Honorable mention: Do your research Even without playing, you can get better at the game. Reading guides and tips like this are helpful, but watching streamers is the easiest way to learn by example. To understand aggressive playstyles, you can watch someone like the Atlanta FaZe’s Preston “Priestahh” Greiner, who plays on console, runs an AR and SMG (or sometimes just an AR and knife for maximum speed) and has been a part of multiple world records for kills. For a more conservative, probably more effective style, you can watch someone like Vikram “Vikkstar” Singh Barn, who plays on PC, often runs an AR and sniper and has won three Warzone Wednesdays. Read more: Best SMGs to use in Call of Duty: Warzone – Of course, you can just tune into some different streamers to find personalities and playstyles you enjoy—then go ahead and check out the rest of our tips and guides for more in-depth Warzone analyses.

5 best Striker 45 classes & attachment loadouts in Modern Warfare Infinity WardThe Striker 45 SMG is one of two new weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Season 2, and we’ve put together our five best loadouts and attachment combinations that suit various playstyles. The February 11 launch of Season 2 introduced a lot of new content in Modern Warfare, including several new maps, modes, another Battle Pass, and two new weapons – the Striker 45 and Grau 5.56. The Striker is described in-game as “a hard-hitting SMG chambered in .45 Auto that will shred at longer distances when compared to other weapons in its class.” It features a “moderate” rate of fire that “keeps the gun in control while fully automatic.” In order to unlock it, you must reach Tier 31 of the Season 2 Battle Pass. But don’t worry, the weapon is part of the free portion of the Pass, meaning you won’t have to pay a dime to obtain it unless you don’t feel like grinding the game to level up. Eagle-eyed CoD fans will notice this SMG strongly resembles the iconic UMP45 from Modern Warfare 2 (they even feature the same number), which we had included in our list of 5 classic CoD weapons that could be brought back in Season 2. Much like the UMP45, this 2020 variant packs a powerful punch at all kinds of ranges, which is why we’ve put together some classes that cater to different playstyles: run-and-gun, slow and longer-range, balanced, stealthy, and Overkill. Best run-and-gun Striker 45 class ATTACHMENTS Barrel: 150mm Stainless Steel – Laser: 1mW Laser – Stock: XRG Gen III Survivalist Series – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Ammunition: 45 Round Mags – SECONDARY – Combat Knife PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Tune Up – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stim – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence If you like to play aggressively and get in the faces of the enemy team, then this Striker 45 build is for you. All of the attachments work together to maximize mobility while not compromising control, and the 45 Round Mags should keep you from having to reload between every gunfight. Double Time, Combat Knife, and Dead Silence all have speed-increasing properties, and the Tune Up perk ensures that you get your Field Upgrade as many times as possible during every match. You’ll definitely want Stim for this class, since you’ll constantly be in and out of engagements and might not have enough time in between to heal normally. Best slow & longer-range Striker 45 class (assault rifle build) ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: 400mm Stainless Steel – Optic: Operator Reflex Sight – Stock: FTAC Precision Fixed Stock – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – SECONDARY – M19 Handgun PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D. – Perk 2: High Alert – Perk 3: Shrapnel – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Munitions Box As its in-game description suggests, the Striker 45’s stats and functionality actually make it one of the better SMGs when it comes to longer-range play, and when fitted with the right attachments, it can almost be turned into an assault rifle. In this class, the attachments all help strongly boost accuracy, range, and control, the three stats needed for that kind of playstyle. Mobility is severely decreased, but if your plan is to play slower and engage and longer distances, that won’t be too much of an issue. High Alert ensures that if any enemies try to sneak up on you from blind spots, you’ll know immediately, and you can also cover your own back with the pair of Claymores that the Shrapnel perk provides. Munitions Box is a good Field Upgrade for this class because you can run out of ammo quick trying to shoot opponents at long range. Best balanced Striker 45 class (great for objective modes) ATTACHMENTS Barrel: 400mm Stainless Steel – Stock: XRK Gen III Survivalist Series – Underbarrel: Merc Foregrip – Ammunition: 45 Round Mags – Rear Grip: FTAC G-5 EXO – SECONDARY – JOKR Launcher PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D. – Perk 2: Pointman – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Trophy System This class serves several purposes. One, it features a Striker 45 build where all of its stats are balanced and near each other. This attachment combination can be used in pretty much any loadout that you want. As for the rest of the class, it’s been tailored for objective-game modes, starting with the JOKR Launcher secondary, which you can use to take down enemy streaks. That, of course, will earn you points, as will capturing and defending objectives, all going towards helping you earn streaks thanks to the Pointman perk. Semtex and Smoke Grenade both are great for objective-based modes, and Trophy System makes you impervious to any explosives that the enemy team may try and chuck at you. Best stealthy but deadly Striker 45 class (UMP45 build) ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Tactical Suppressor – Barrel: 300mm Poly Barrel – Optic: Cronen LP945 Mini Reflex – Stock: FSS Guardian – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – SECONDARY – 0.50 GS Handgun PERKS Perk 1: Cold-Blooded – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Tune Up or Spotter – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade or Decoy Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence Back in Modern Warfare 2, when the UMP45 was at its most popular, a lot of players liked to use the powerful SMG in a very specific way. This class works to recreate that in the series’ 2019 game, producing a suppressed Striker 45 that can be viable it pretty much all ranges. The Tactical Suppressor keeps you nicely hidden without affecting mobility, while the rest of the attachments work together nicely to make the weapon accurate enough to be used at medium and even long ranges while agile enough to be used in closer quarters. Cold-Blooded and Ghost are both excellent for stealthy type classes like this one, and Tune Up ensures you keep getting Dead Silence as many times as possible during each match. You can also go with Spotter, if you want to avoid any and all enemy traps. Best Overkill Striker 45 class Overkill is one of the strongest perks in Modern Warfare, more so than in previous Call of Duty titles, because this game doesn’t have a pick-10 class system. This means that you can essentially run two primary weapons in your loadout that both are fully-equipped with the maximum five attachments. That then begs the question – which guns are best to pair up with the Striker 45 in an Overkill setup? Well, it all depends on which build of the SMG you’re going with. If you use the run-and-gun version, then it’s better to pair it with a sniper rifle, marksman rifle, or a longe-range build of an assault rifle. On the flip side, if you want to use the longer-range version of the Striker 45, then your best bet is to combine it with a shotgun or a very agile SMG that has a high fire rate, like the P90 or MP7. In either case, make sure to have Amped as your third perk, because that considerably speeds up how fast you swap between the guns. There you have it – the best classes and attachment combos to use for the new Striker 45 SMG. Now, load back into the game, try out these loadouts, and let us know what you think! Also, make sure to check out all of the other weapon guides we’ve done for Modern Warfare, such as the best classes for M4, AK-47, RAM-7, MP5, MP7, P90, and Holger-26 and bonus tutorials like how to build 15 “secret” weapons in Gunsmith.

5 best RAM-7 classes & attachments in Modern Warfare for all play-styles The RAM-7 assault rifle is one of the newest weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Season 1, and we’ve put together the top five best loadouts and attachment combinations for several different play-styles. The December 3 release of Season 1 in Modern Warfare was the start of the most significant post-launch content drop in Call of Duty history, introducing several new maps, modes, a Battle Pass, and two new weapons – the RAM-7 and Holger-26. The RAM-7 is officially described in-game as a “fully automatic bullpup assault rifle with a compact design that lends itself to close-quarters engagements.” The weapon is free to everyone on all platforms, but players do need to grind a bit before unlocking it, as it’s available only after Tier 31 of the Season 1 Battle Pass is reached. Or, of course, there’s always the option of purchasing Tiers to unlock it right away. For those who have already unlocked it, or are close to doing so, we’ve built some great classes that you can use for a variety of play-styles, including run-and-gun, slower and long-range, balanced for objective modes, stealthy, and Overkill. Best run-and-gun RAM-7 class (SMG build) ATTACHMENTS Barrel: FTAC 13.5″ Compact – Laser: 5mW Laser – Stock: XRK Ultralight Hollow – Ammunition: 45 Round Mags – Rear Grip: Sippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – Combat Knife PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stim – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence or Tactical Insertion Running and gunning isn’t exactly the easiest play-style to adopt in Modern Warfare, especially with an assault Rifle. However, the RAM-7 has a combination of attachments that essentially turn it into an SMG, which helps with being aggressive. Mobility is paramount with this kind of style, so it’s been maximized with this build, at the expense of Range and Control, which aren’t necessary if you plan to fly around the map. Double Time is the perfect Perk 1 for this class, while Stim will help you heal quicker than average so you can get back in action faster. As for the Field Upgrade, Dead Silence is the right choice because it offers a speed boost in addition to silencing footsteps. However, Tactical Insertion isn’t a bad option either as it’ll all you to spawn closer to where the enemies are. Best slower and long-range RAM-7 class ATTACHMENTS Barrel: XRK Ranger – Optic: Integral Hybrid – Stock: FTAC Equilibrium – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Rubberized Grip Tape – SECONDARY – M19 Handgun PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: High Alert – Perk 3: Tune-Up – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Stopping Power Rounds For those who’d much rather sit back, play slow, and attack enemies long-range, this class is built for you. It’s very much the opposite of the previous one – Accuracy, Range, and Control have been given massive boosts, all at the expense of Mobility, which isn’t needed. The Integral Hybrid scope is ideal for this kind of setup because it gives you both a standard scope for regular gunfights and a zoomed-in scope for better accuracy at a more extended range. Since players will more than likely be aware of your position, E.O.D. ensures you can’t be killed with a single explosive; High Alert will notify you if you’re being aimed at from a different area, and Tune Up will let you get Stopping Power Rounds faster. You can use a Claymore to protect yourself from any weak-side pushes, and if things become too messy, you can always pull out your Smoke Grenade to create an opportunity to escape. Best balanced RAM-7 class (for objective modes) ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Compensator – Barrel: FORGE TAC Eclipse – Stock: XRK Ultralight Hollow – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – JOKR Launcher PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D or Quick Fix – Perk 2: Ghost or Pointman – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stun Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Trophy System or Tactical Insertion As far as attachments go, this is probably the most balanced that the RAM-7 can be set up. Accuracy, Range, Mobility, and Control are all boosted, some more than others, and there are no stats that are in the red. This weapon build can be used in pretty much any class, but the one we have here is built to excel in objective-based game modes. The JOKR Launcher might not be something most players carry as a secondary, but it can provide very effective countermeasures against enemy kill-streaks. Read More: Dr Disrespect teases new 2v2 MW maps – As for the Perks and Field Upgrade, the choices presented are based on two different objective play-styles – direct objective play and flanking. If you’re one to always jump into the objective head-on, then E.O.D, Pointman, and Trophy System are the way to go. However, if you want flank around the objective and catch enemy teams off-guard, Ghost, and Tactical Insertion might be the play here. Best stealthy RAM-7 class ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: FTAC 13.5″ Compact – Stock: XRK Ultralight Hollow – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – 0.50 GS Handgun PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Spotter – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence Sometimes players want to play faster-paced but don’t have the gun-skill to accommodate it. That’s where this stealth class comes into play. Much like the previous build, this RAM-7 setup is very balanced, and it also has the bonus of bullet suppression, so it’s harder for enemies to track where you’re shooting from. Mobility is essential for a play-style like this since you don’t want to stay in one place for too long, so Double Time is the ideal Perk 1. Ghost will help you stay undetected by UAVs while Spotter, the Perk 3, will allow you to avoid any Claymores or other lethal traps opponents may have hidden. Best Overkill RAM-7 class Overkill has always been a great Perk in Call of Duty, even more so in Modern Warfare. Since there is no pick-10 class system in this game, players can carry two fully-maxed out primary weapons in a single class. The key to a good Overkill class with the RAM-7 is first to decide which build of the gun you want to go with – the SMG-style, the one that maximizes long-range potential, or the balanced one. Read More: Fastest way to level up MW Battle Pass – Once you choose, you then have to pair it with another weapon that has the opposite primary function. Meaning, if you go with the run-and-gun RAM-7, you should pair it with a longer-range weapon, like a Sniper Rifle or Marksman Rifle. However, if you choose to go with a longer-range RAM-7 build, then you would do well to pair it with an SMG that shreds at close range, like the MP7 pictured above. In either case, the rest of the class, in terms of Perks 2 and 3, Lethal, Tactical, and Field Upgrade is up to you, although going with Amped will help speed up weapon swapping. There you have it – the five best classes and attachment setups for the new RAM-7 assault rifle. Now, load back into the game, build some of these in multiplayer, and let us know what you think! Also, make sure to check out the other guides we’ve done for Modern Warfare: 5 best AK-47 classes and loadouts – 5 best MP7 classes and loadouts – 15 secret weapons you can build using Gunsmith – 5 best MP5 classes and loadouts – 5 best Overkill classes and loadouts – 5 best M4 classes and loadouts – Best quick-scoping classes – How to unlock all Operators – How to get free in-game items by watching Twitch – How to lean while aiming – How to unlock Gold, Platinum, and Damascus weapon camos –

5 best P90 SMG classes and attachment loadouts in Modern Warfare Infinity WardWhile not heralded like the MP5 of MP7, the P90 is one of the strongest SMGs available in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. To help you dominate games with this weapon, we’ve put together the best class setups and attachment combinations that cater to different play-styles. Having been featured in several Call of Duty titles in the past, the P90 was brought back for the 2019 version of Modern Warfare as one of the premier SMG options in multiplayer. It doesn’t receive the attention it deserves, primarily because it happens to be in the same category as the MP5 and MP7, but it’s very much a viable gun to use, especially in close-quarters. However, it doesn’t have to be limited to close-range gunfights, as the game’s advanced Gunfight feature allows you to build variants of the weapon that are usable in different situations. Read More: When does Modern Warfare Season 2 start? – With that in mind, we’ve created our five best classes and loadouts for the P90, each built for one of the following five play-styles: run-and-gun, slower and long-range, stealthy but deadly, balanced, and Overkill. Best run-and-gun P90 class ATTACHMENTS Laser: 5 mW Laser – Stock: Fly Strap – Underbarrel: Granulated Grip Tape – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – Perk: Sleight of Hand – SECONDARY – Combat Knife PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Tune Up – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stim – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence In a run-and-gun play-style, it’s important to have increased speed for elements like movement, aiming down sights and moving your weapon. The combination of attachments in this class achieve this without causing any of the other stats to decrease. If you’re concerned about the 5 mW Laser giving away your position to enemies, feel free to change it to a regular laser – but if your plan is to play aggressively and move around a lot, then it shouldn’t be of much concern. Double Time and Combat Knife (when you have it out) both let your sprint longer and faster, while Stim will allow you to heal quicker, so you can get right back into the action. Dead Silence is the Field Upgrade of choice for this, since it also provides the ‘lightweight’ speed boost, and Tune Up unlocks it faster for your after each use. Best slower and long-range P90 class ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: FORGE TAC Retribution – Optic: Operator Reflex Sight – Stock: FSS Heavy Stock Pro – Underbarrel: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – M19 Handgun PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D. – Perk 2: High Alert – Perk 3: Shrapnel – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Munitions Box While the P90 may not be the ideal weapon to use for a slower and longer-range play-style in Modern Warfare, it’s still doable with this class. These attachments all work together to maximize the important stats, such as accuracy, range, and control, at the expense of mobility, which you shouldn’t really care about, anyway. E.O.D. ensures that you don’t get ‘naded from your power positions, High Alert alerts you when enemies are aiming at you from blind spots, and Shrapnel spawns you in with an extra Claymore, which you can use to keep any access to your position guarded. Munitions Box is the ideal Field Upgrade to keep your supply stocked, because it’s likely you’ll run out of ammo shooting people from long distances. If you notice enemies trying to converge on your position, your Smoke Grenade will be perfect for a quick getaway. Best balanced P90 class (great for objective modes) ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Compensator – Barrel: FSS 10.6″ Pro – Stock: FORGE TAC CQB Comb – Underbarrel: Rubberized Grip Tape – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – JOKR Launcher PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D. – Perk 2: Pointman – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Trophy System This loadout brings you a very balanced version of the P90, boosting four stats while decreasing none. Since the P90 is already a very agile SMG, the attachments focus more on accuracy, control, and range rather than mobility – although that also gets a slight increase. This version of the P90 can be used in virtually all game modes, but if you want to play objective-based playlists, then the rest of the class lists everything that’s worth using – starting with the JOKR Launcher, which is ideal for shooting down enemy killstreaks to help your team. Pointman is also a great Perk 2 because you can earn points for streaks by simply playing the objective and not having to rely on just kills. Trophy System is the Field Upgrade of choice, since it will defend you from explosives when trying to capture or protect an objective. Best stealthy but deadly P90 class ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Tactical Suppressor – Barrel: FSS 10.6″ Pro – Stock: Fly Strap – Underbarrel: Granulated Grip Tape – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – 0.50 GS Handgun PERKS Perk 1: Cold-Blooded – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Tune Up or Spotter – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence For those who want to sneak around the map and catch enemies off-guard, this is the loadout for you. The attachments keep the weapon totally silent but still viable enough to use; don’t be concerned by the slight decrease to mobility, since the gun is already very agile. Dead Silence is the obvious Field Upgrade to go with, as it renders your movement totally silent while giving you a slight speed boost. You can use the Tune Up perk to keep getting it faster, or you can go with Spotter to see enemy equipment, such as Claymores, so you can go around them and silently take down enemies who think they have their own back covered. Cold-Blooded and Ghost will keep you off the radar when it comes to thermal optics, AI-controlled killstreaks, and UAV, while the Smoke Grenade could come in handy to stir up even more confusion. Best Overkill P90 class Overkill has always been a powerful perk in Call of Duty, but Modern Warfare has taken it to a whole new level. Because there’s no pick-10 class system in this game, players who use Overkill can stack their loadout with two primary weapons that both have the maximum five attachments. If you want to do this with the P90, our recommendation is to pair it with a weapon whose function is opposite to the SMG. For example, since the P90 is so good at close-quarter gunfights, a good gun to include alongside it is a sniper rifle or marksman rifle. Whatever you do end up going with, it’s important to use Amped as your third perk, since it’ll help you switch between your two weapons faster. There you have it – the best classes and attachment combos to use for the P90 SMG. Now, load back into the game, try out these these loadouts, and lets us know what you think. Also, make sure to check out all of the other weapon guides we’ve done for Modern Warfare, such as the best classes for M4, AK-47, RAM-7, MP5, MP7, Holger-26 and bonus tutorials like how to build 15 “secret” weapons in Gunsmith.

5 best Overkill classes and loadouts in Modern Warfare Overkill is a very powerful perk in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and we’ve come up with the five best classes and loadouts that feature two primary weapons in each. While it’s always been a very viable perk to use in Call of Duty, Overkill is especially potent in Modern Warfare, since the game’s lack of a pick-10 system means that both primary weapons can each be equipped with the maximum number of attachments. Classes the best utilize what the perk has to offer should feature two weapons that have different functions and uses, such as a sniper rifle and SMG, so you can perform well when engaging in gunfights across all ranges and distances. With that in mind, we have come up with the five best weapon combinations to use in Overkill-equipped classes, as well as their own attachments and the loadout’s perks, tacticals, and lethals. Read More: Bizarre ‘wall-hack’ glitch in Modern Warfare – While the weapons and attachments in each class may differ, the perks are identical for each one, since they all have Overkill, Ghost is the best perk two option, and Amped allows you to switch your weapons faster, unless you prefer Battle Hardened, which protects from stuns and flashes. Keep in mind that these classes were made with everything already unlocked, so if you find anything that you haven’t unlocked yet, replace it with something that has similar stats and properties. M4A1 Assault Rifle and MP5 SMG PRIMARY – M4A1 Barrel: Stock M16 Grenadier – Optic: Integral Hybrid – Stock: M16 Stock – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – MP5 Muzzle: Muzzle Brake – Laser: 1mW Laser – Stock: FTAC Collapsible – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – PERKS Perk 1: Overkill – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Amped or Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade or Stim – The M4 assault rifle and MP5 SMG are considered to be the two most potent weapons in the game, so it would be a shame not to pair them up in an Overkill class. While they may technically not be very opposite in their function, the attachments they’ve been equipped within this loadout push them in opposite directions. The M4’s accuracy, range, and control have all been substantially increased at the expense of mobility, which took a big hit. On the flip side, the MP5 has been boosted in its mobility to perform better at close range, since you already have an assault rifle to take care of medium and long-range gunfights. AX-50 Sniper Rifle and MP5 SMG PRIMARY – AX-50 Barrel: Singaurd Arms Pro – Optic: Variable Zoom Scope – Stock: Singaurd Arms Marksman – Underbarrel: Bipod – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – MP5 Muzzle: Muzzle Break – Laser: 1mW Laser – Stock: FTAC Collapsible – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – PERKS Perk 1: Overkill – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Amped or Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Stun Grenade – The combination of the AX-50 and MP5 is perfect for being able to enjoy both sniping and running-and-gunning whenever you so choose. Since the MP5 is viable at both close and medium ranges, it’s the best pairing for the AX-50, which might not be the easiest to use for anything but long-range snipes. However, the Variable Zoom Scope does make the sniper rifle at least more usable at medium/long distances, since you can switch between how zoomed in you want the scope to be. AX-50 Sniper Rifle and 725 Shotgun PRIMARY – AX-50 Barrel: Singaurd Arms Pro – Optic: Variable Zoom Scope – Stock: Singaurd Arms Marksman – Underbarrel: Bipod – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – 725 Muzzle: Monolithic Supressor – Barrel: Tempus 32″ Competition – Laser: 1mW Laser – Guard: FORGE TAC Steady Grip – Perk: Sleight of Hand – PERKS Perk 1: Overkill – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Amped or Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Stun Grenade – This loadout takes the ability to cover both short and long distances to the extreme, combining the far-range potential of the AX-50 with the devastating close-quarter domination that the 725 provides. The 725 is arguably the strongest shotgun in its class, both in terms of one-shot kill capabilities and range, and the attachments it’s equipped with here give it a considerable boost in range, making it even more of a nuisance for the enemy team. PKM LMG and 725 Shotgun PRIMARY – PKM Muzzle: Compensator – Barrel: 26.9″ Extended Barrel – Stock: FORGET TAC Stalker – Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – 725 Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: Tempus 32″ Competition – Laser: 1mW Laser – Guard: FORGE TAC Steady Grip – Perk: Sleight of Hand – PERKS Perk 1: Overkill – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Amped or Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade – Much like in Black Ops 4, LMGs are a strong option again in Modern Warfare. Fortunately, the first LMG you unlock, the PKM, is maybe the most viable in its class, as it has not only the medium to long-range potential of an assault rifle, but it comes with a standard 100 round clip. The PKM in this class has been equipped with attachments that give it a boost in accuracy, range, and control, all while sacrificing a good amount of mobility. However, mobility won’t be an issue because you’ll have the 725 in your back pocket, allowing to not only stave off enemies that push too close but also run-and-gun whenever you so choose. FR 5.56 Assault Rifle and P90 SMG PRIMARY – FR 5.56 Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: FR 24.4″ Sniper – Optic: Integral Hybrid – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – P90 Muzzle: Muzzle Brake – Laser: 1mW Laser – Stock: FFS Heavy Stock Pro – Underbarrel: Granulated Grip Tape – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – PERKS Perk 1: Overkill – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Amped or Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade – The FR 5.56, commonly referred to as the Famas, is another strong option within the assault rifle class, particularly for those who prefer burst-fire weapons. However, while it’s devastatingly powerful at medium to long ranges, it’s definitely not a weapon you want to be stuck within a close-quarter gunfight, especially since these attachments are meant to improve its long-range potential. That’s why the P90 is the best choice to pair with it in an Overkill class since its high fire rate and agility make it perfect for close distance engagements that may need some advanced acrobatics that you simply can’t do with the Famas. There you have it – the five best weapon combinations to use in a class with Overkill. As always, what you use in a loadout ultimately comes down to what you feel most comfortable going with, so feel free to adjust and change anything to meet your personal preference. Also, make sure to check out some of the other weapon guides we’ve done so far for Modern Warfare:

5 best MP7 SMG Warzone class loadouts: Attachments, Setup, Perks Rockstar GamesThe MP7 is a strong and effective weapon in Warzone that’s capable of dominating opponents at short to medium range. However, if you want to come out on top in every gunfight, it’s key you run the correct loadout that fits your playstyle. As is the case seemingly every Call of Duty title, SMGs play a prominent role in Warzone, with there being several viable options from which to choose from. One of the best SMGs, and weapons overall, the MP7 is a compact submachine gun that has a high fire rate, great control, and high agility, making it devastating in close-quarter engagements. Despite this, the versatile weapon can be kitted out with a variety of attachments depending on your playstyle and how you want to use the gun. Each of these setups has its own unique set of attachments, secondary weapon, perks, lethals, and tacticals, making them specifically built for each type of gameplay. Keep in mind that these classes feature things that you may not have unlocked yet, in which case try to find suitable replacements that share similar properties and effects. Best run-and-gun Mp7 loadout Attachments Barrel: FSS SWAT – Laser: 1mW Laser – Stock: No Stock – Ammunition: 60 Round Mags – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – Secondary Combat Knife – Perks Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stim – Adopting a run-and-gun style in Warzone isn’t the easiest thing to do, but if there’s one weapon to play that way with it’s the MP7, especially when equipped with these attachments. The FSS SWAT Barrel, No Stock, and Stippled Grip Tape all prioritize mobility, which is why that stat is so greatly boosted. The 1mW Laser ensures higher hip-fire accuracy, and since finding time to reload isn’t always easy when rushing around, having all that extra ammo in each magazine will come in clutch. Of course, when one stat is prioritized this heavily then at least a few others will take hits, and in this case, those stats are accuracy, range, control. But that’s okay because you don’t really need those stats if your plan is to be constantly getting in your enemies’ faces. As for the rest of the class, the Combat Knife secondary and Double Time perk will help you move around faster, and having a Stim is great for instantly replenishing your health before getting into another gunfight. Best stealthy but deadly Mp7 loadout Attachments Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: FSS SWAT – Laser: 1mW Laser – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – Secondary .357 Handgun – Perks Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Amped – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Heartbeat Sensor – This class is for those who may not be skilled enough to run and gun in this game, but still want to be constantly on the move. These attachments ensure higher accuracy, range, and mobility, while the Monolithic Suppressor makes sure that no one can hear the sound of your weapon firing. This is key on Verdansk, where remaining undetected could be the difference-maker to help you pick up the win. As for your tactical, there are a lot of ways you can go. The Smoke Grenade will keep your enemies guessing about your position, and could open the door to a quick getaway, the Decoy Grenade is great for misdirection, and the Heartbeat Sensor will allow you to see if there are any enemies nearby. Best slower and longer range Mp7 loadout Attachments Muzzle: Compensator – Barrel: FSS RECON – Stock: FORGE TAC Stalker Stock – Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – Secondary M19 Handgun – Perks Perk 1: Scavenger – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – Throwables Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Smoke or Stun Grenade – This class is more or less the opposite of the run-and-gun loadout in that it helps the MP7 become much more viable at longer range, since the attachments provide a considerable boost to accuracy, range, and control. It’s worth noting that this means that Mobility is the stat that takes the huge loss, although that’s by design since that’s the one category that you won’t need if your plan is to play slower, more tactical, and engage and longer distances. Read More: How to slide cancel in Warzone – Of course, this being the MP7, you can still definitely use it in close-quarter gunfights as well, and you will also have the M19 Handgun in your back pocket if you need another short-range weapon. Scavenger is a good perk to have in this class since you’ll probably be using more ammo to eliminate enemies. Remember to play it slow with this setup and more often than not, you’ll find yourself in the final ring. Best balanced and competitive Mp7 loadout Attachments Barrel: FSS RECON – Stock: FORGE TAC Ultralight Stock – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – Perk: Sleight of Hand – Secondary .357 Handgun – Perks Perk 1: Quick Fix or E.O.D – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – Throwables Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – The weapon build is courtesy of star Call of Duty pro Dillon ‘Attach’ Price, who currently plays for the Minnesota ROKKER CDL team. It’s a very balanced setup, considering that there are FIVE different stats receiving a slight boost: accuracy, range, fire rate, mobility, and control, while the Sleight of Hand gun perk allows for faster reload speed. This is an ideal setup for players who are looking for a balanced MP7 setup to take into Verdansk. While this loadout doesn’t suit a hyper-aggressive playstyle, it does have the tools to handle any situation you find yourself in. Best Overkill Mp7 loadouts Once again, Overkill has proven to be one of the more powerful perks available in Call of Duty, and even more so with Warzone. If you want to build a good Overkill class with the MP7, the best approach is to pair it with a longer-range weapon, since the SMG itself is already so devastating at close range. You can either use the run-and-gun or balanced attachment loadout for the MP7 to maximize its close-quarter potential and have a marksman rifle or sniper rifle as the second primary to cover longer distances. Read More: Best RPD Warzone loadout and class setup – You also have the option of pairing it up with a longer-range build of the M4A1 assault rifle, which is one of the most powerful guns in the game, and create an overpowered SMG-AR combo that could mow through the enemy team. There you have it – the best classes and loadouts featuring the powerful MP7 SMG. Now, load back into the game, set up and use these classes in some Warzone matches, and let us know what you think! Also, make sure to check out the other guides we’ve done for Modern Warfare and Warzone: 15 secret weapons you can build using Gunsmith – 5 best MP5 classes and loadouts – 5 best Overkill classes and loadouts – 5 best M4 classes and loadouts – Best quick-scoping classes – How to unlock all Operators – How to get free in-game items by watching Twitch – How to lean while aiming – How to unlock Gold, Platinum, and Damascus weapon camos –

5 Best MP5 SMG Modern Warfare class loadouts: Attachments, Setup, Perk The MP5 is not only one of the best SMGs in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, it’s also one of the more viable weapons overall in multiplayer, and we’ve come up with the top five best classes and loadouts that cater to all different kinds of play-styles. SMGs have and always will be a staple of Call of Duty multiplayer, and that hasn’t changed with Modern Warfare. Unlike the assault rifle class, which is dominated by the powerful M4A1, the submachine gun category has a couple of choices that are all very usable. Most would argue that the MP5 is still the weapon to beat in that class, as its versatility and agility make it exceptional in close-range encounters, while it also has enough accuracy and power to beam enemies at medium range, which is always a commodity when it comes to SMGs. With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of MP5 loadouts for five different variations of gameplay: run-and-gun, slower and longer range, balanced, competitive, and Overkill. Each of these loadouts have their own sets of attachments, secondaries, perks, lethals, and tacticals. Keep in mind, however, that these classes may include stuff that you might not have unlocked yet, so if you see something that’s still locked for you, just use a substitute that has similar qualities. Best run-and-gun MP5 loadout ATTACHMENTS Barrel: Subsonic Integral Suppressor – Laser: 1mW Laser – Stock: FTAC Collapsible – Ammunition: 10mm Auto 30-Round – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – Combat Knife PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stim – With the way that Modern Warfare has been designed, adopting a run-and-gun play-style isn’t exactly the easiest thing to do. However, if you want to rush around and get in enemies’ faces, you would do well using this loadout. All of the attachments were chosen with the purpose of maximizing mobility, with the 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags added in there for an extra boost to damage. This does mean, of course, that other statistics had to be sacrificed, which in this case were range, fire rate, and control. However, none of those three things are needed if you plan to run around and take down everyone at close range. As for the rest of the class, the Combat Knife is an excellent secondary because it increases your movement speed while having it out, which is also why Double Time has been chosen as one of the perks. Stim is also useful to have because you will be able to use it twice a life to quickly regenerate your health, which could be crucial for getting into gunfights in quick succession. Best slower and longer range MP5 loadout ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Monolithic Integral Suppressor – Stock: Classic Straight-line Stock – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Ammunition: 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – M19 Pistol PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Claymore or Frag Grenade – Tactical: Smoke or Stun Grenade – While SMGs are normally not the type of weapon one would use for a slower, tactical, and longer range style of play, the MP5’s stats make it viable enough to use in medium-range gunfights, especially when equipped with these attachments. This loadout gives a huge boost to accuracy and decent increases to damage, range, and control, with mobility understandably taking the biggest hit. This is what you should be aiming for since you won’t need much mobility if your plan is to play slower and more tactically. The M19 Pistol is a good secondary weapon in this case since it offers really good control and fire rate. As for the lethal and tactical, going with Claymore allows you to watch your own back and Smokes can be good for escaping if your position is getting pushed. However, you can never go wrong with a good old Frag/Stun combo either. Best balanced MP5 loadout ATTACHMENTS Barrel: Monolithic Integral Suppressor – Stock: FTAC Collapsible Stock – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Ammunition: 10mm Auto 30-Round Mags – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – X16 or 1911 Pistol PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade or Stim – This loadout combines the best of both worlds for those who want might not be strictly dedicated to rushing around or playing slow and longer range. None of the stats have gotten major boosts or taken big hits, as the attachments gave moderate increases to accuracy, damage, range, and mobility, while slightly decreasing fire rate and control. Maintaining the theme of balance, you can go with either the X16 or 1911 handguns, as they both offer versatility in terms of range and accuracy. The Frag/Stun combo is once again usable here, but you can also use the Stim if you plan on doing a lot more moving around. Best competitive MP5 loadout ATTACHMENTS Laser: 1mW Laser – Stock: FORGE TAC Ultralight Stock – Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip – Ammunition: 10mm Auto 30-Round – Rear Grip: Rubberized Grip Tape – SECONDARY – .357 Pistol PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade – With the MP5 being such a good weapon in Modern Warfare, it came as no surprise when it instantly became part of the main meta used by competitive players. This loadout comes courtesy of former World Champion Dillon ‘Attach’ Price, who recently left FaZe Clan to join the New York Subliners Call of Duty League team as a starter. Attach’s loadout is similar to our own balanced class in that it offers decent boosts to accuracy, damage, range, and mobility while slightly hitting fire rate and control. However, his version does put a little more priority on accuracy while not having as much of an increase in range. He’s chosen the .357 handgun as its secondary, and it’s definitely a good weapon to have in your back pocket since it offers the among the best range and damage stats in the class. As for the perks and throwables, everything is pretty standard except he’s gone with Double Time instead of E.O.D., putting more of a priority on running speed than protection from explosives. Best Overkill MP5 loadout Overkill has always been a powerful perk in Call of Duty multiplayer and it’s even more so in Modern Warfare. Because there is no pick-10 class system, you can max out the number of attachments you put on both weapons, meaning you can have two fully decked-out primary weapons in a single class. With how good the MP5 is, using Overkill opens the door to a variety of options. You can use the run-and-gun version of the weapon with a stacked M4A1 as the secondary, pairing up the two best guns in their respective classes. If you want to cover extremely long-range gunfights, you can pair a balanced MP5 loadout with a sniper rifle or Marksman rifle, allowing you to be able to engage and virtually all distances. Of course, if you don’t care about getting other players mad, you can also use the longer-range MP5 build with a 725 shotgun to turn yourself into a machine of destruction, since the 725 is probably the most overpowered gun in the game right now. There you have it – the best loadouts to use for the popular MP5 SMG. Now, load back into the game, set up and use these classes in some multiplayer matches, and let us know what you think! Also, make sure to check out the other guides we’ve done for Modern Warfare:

5 best MP5 loadouts in Black Ops Cold War for all playstyles ActivisionEven after being nerfed, the MP5 is still the most popular submachine gun in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and no mater your playstyle there’s a great loadout just waiting to be used. [jwplayer x8CX2hdS] It goes without saying that we all have different playstyles when it comes to Call of Duty, but that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to use different weapons. For example, you could be great with an SMG and never touch the objective, while your teammate will carry the same gun and sit in the hill soaking up time. We’re lucky that players aren’t limited by their role or style in the game, and the MP5 definitely suits most needs on any team. So, whether you’re an objective machine or a slaying fiend, here’s our top 5 MP5 loadouts in Black Ops Cold War. Fastest MP5 loadout for running and gunning Attachments Muzzle: Infantry Compensator – Barrel: 9.5” Extended – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Patrol Grip – Magazine: SAS Mag Clamp – Handle: Dropshot Wrap – Stock: Raider Stock – Secondary — Diamatti Perks Perk 1: Engineer – Perk 2: Quartermaster – Perk 3: Gung-Ho – Equipment Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stim Shot – Field Upgrade: Assault Pack – Wildcard — Gunfighter This loadout is all about increasing speed, be it movement, ADS or otherwise. If you’re running this, you’ll want to be getting up in your opponents’ faces at all times and laying the pressure on heavily. The Gunfighter wildcard lets you maximize your abilities with the MP5 by negating its weaknesses while accentuating its strength, and is something we advise on most loadouts. Best MP5 loadout for playing the objective Attachments Muzzle: Sound Suppressor – Barrel: 9.5” Ranger – Underbarrel: Foregrip – Magazine: Jungle-Style Mag – Handle: SASR Jungle Grip – Secondary — Knife Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket OR Tactical Mask – Perk 2: Gearhead – Perk 3: Ninja – Equipment Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – Field Upgrade: Trophy System – Wildcard — Danger Close This loadout is heavily focused on keeping you protected, with Smoke Grenades clearing a path to the objective for you while the Trophy System, as well as Flak Jacket (or Tactical Mask, if you prefer), will keep you very well-prepared against enemy explosives. You also might consider the Tracker perk over Gearhead, so you can keep tabs on nearby enemies running near you. Including the Danger Close wildcard, this loadout is built for you to stay stealthy and protected, as well as lethal when attacking the objective — and should more than fit the bill. Shotzzy’s best MP5 loadout for CDL and competitive play Attachments Muzzle: Muzzle Brake 9 – Barrel: 9.5″ Task Force – Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip – Grip: Speed Tape – Stock: Raider Stock – Secondary — 1911 Perks Perk 1: Tactical Mask – Perk 2: Gung-Ho – Perk 3: Ninja – Equipment Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Flashbang – Field Upgrade: Trophy System – Wildcard — Law Breaker To find the best competitive loadout for the MP5, we look no further than Call of Duty League MVP Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas-Castro, who is arguably the best SMG player in the world right now, following a standout season on the Dallas Empire roster. Shotzzy’s loadout is all about minimizing recoil while also maximizing the MP5’s damage and ADS time, which is crucial in those split-second gunfights that can be won or lost with just one bullet. Though Shotzzy’s perks, wildcard and equipment weren’t exactly made clear, we’ve used the general competitive builds that he more than likely uses, as well as the other top SMG players. Most accurate MP5 loadout Attachments Optic: Microflex LED – Muzzle: Muzzle Brake 9 – Barrel: 9.1” Rifled – Body: Ember Sighting Point – Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip – Magazine: 40 Rnd Drum – Handle: Field Tape – Stock: Tactical Stock – Secondary — Cigma 2 Perks Perk 1: Tactical Mask – Perk 2: Quartermaster – Perk 3: Cold Blooded – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade – Field Upgrade: Proximity Mine – Wildcard — Gunfighter This MP5 loadout is all about increasing accuracy. It takes little bits of our other loadouts, but we’ve made a couple of small alterations to improve your chances of hitting every shot, though it does detract from the MP5’s natural strengths, forgoing movement speed for stealth and accuracy. The optic is important here, especially as something we wouldn’t typically recommend on a submachine gun, but it works in this instance if you’re more likely to take medium-range gunfights and sit away from the heat of the action. Our favorite MP5 loadout Attachments Muzzle: Sound Suppressor – Barrel: 10.1” Cavalry Lancer – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Foregrip – Magazine: 40 RND Drum – Handle: Speed Tape – Stock: Collapsed Stock – Secondary — Gallo SA12 Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket – Perk 2: Quartermaster – Perk 3: Ghost – Equipment Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stim Shot – Field Upgrade: Assault Pack – Wildcard — Gunfighter The Gunfighter wildcard is one of the most versatile in the game and allows players to truly stack their weapons, which is why we recommend it so highly. On this loadout, the suppressor will keep you off enemy minimaps while dashing through the lobby laying fire into anyone and everyone, especially thanks to the 40 Rnd Drum, while the barrel and foregrip attachments should keep your shot crisp. So, they’re our five best MP5 loadouts in Black Ops Cold War. Be sure to check out all of our BOCW weapon guides — you might just find an underrated weapon you love.

5 best M60 loadouts in Black Ops Cold War for all play-styles Activision / TreyarchLight Machine Guns are far more versatile than you might think in Black Ops Cold War and we’ve got you covered with five of the best loadouts for every playstyle. [jwplayer JnVNWndD] Light Machine Guns are often the slowest weapons in any Call of Duty game though they can pack one hell of a punch with the right setups. From minimizing recoil to cutting down that hefty reload time, you’ve got a ton of options thanks to the Gunsmith. The M60 might be the most well-rounded LMG in Treyarch’s latest release. Making it a perfect base weapon to modify however you like. Whether you prefer to move around quickly or play more patiently from afar, we’ve got the perfect loadout for you. Check below for five of the most powerful M60 loadouts in Black Ops Cold War. Most accurate M60 loadout in Black Ops Cold War Attachments Optic: Susat Multizoom – Muzzle: Socom Eliminator – Barrel: 22.8 Task Force – Body: Swat 5MW Laser Sight – Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip – Magazine: 100 Rnd – Handle: Airborne Elastic Wrap – Stock: Tactical Stock – Secondary 1911 – Perks Perk 1: Forward Intel – Perk 2: Tracker – Perk 3: Ghost – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: Proximity Mine – Wildcard – Gunfighter With this particular M60 loadout, accuracy is quite literally off the charts. Following the attachments listed above will give you a weapon so accurate, the in-game slider isn’t even capable of tracking it. Essentially all vertical recoil is cut down as this version of the LMG will beam enemies from all ranges. However, this obviously comes with some pretty steep tradeoffs. You can’t have the most accurate gun in the game without being setback in other areas. As a result, your movement speed will be atrocious. Don’t expect to run and gun with this beast of a weapon. This setup is designed to give you the most accuracy possible, so you’ll need to adapt around that playstyle. Sticking to various spots on the map and gunning down enemies from afar will be the optimal method here, rather than being on the move. It’s a loadout that could fit best in bigger team modes. Everything from Fireteam Dirty Bomb to Warzone will have you wishing for bigger mags and more accuracy. So look no further than this class if you’re constantly dropping into those playlists. Max ammo M60 loadout Attachments Optic: Susat Multizoom – Muzzle: Socom Eliminator – Barrel: 22.8 Match Grade – Body: – – Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip – Magazine: Salvo 125 Rnd Fast Mag – Handle: – – Stock: – – Secondary – 1911 Perks Perk 1: Engineer – Perk 2: Scavenger – Perk 3: Cold Blooded – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: Assault Pack – Wildcard – Gunfighter One of the biggest selling points of any LMG is its enormous ammo capacity. Most SMGs and ARs cap out at around 30 rounds per mag without attachments. LMGs on the other hand, start with a base of 75 bullets ready to go. With this particular loadout, you can spawn in with 125 rounds, the most of any weapon in the game. The Salvo 125 Rnd Fast Mag attachment is the most important thing here. It’ll take some grinding with the M60 to reach this weapon level and unlock it, but it’ll be worth your time. It provides the most ammo of any attachment while also buffing your reload speed quite dramatically. Scavenger is an important perk to keep equipped. This will ensure you never run out of ammo. Even if you’re spraying from start to finish, walking over a dead body will keep you stocked up so the fight can keep going. The last important thing to note with this setup is a change in Field Upgrade. Rather than rocking a more standard deployable, the Assault Pack should be your pick here. If your intention is to shoot without a care in the world, this option gives you more ammo and comes with bonus score for your kills as well. It’s a must-pick. Fastest M60 loadout Attachments Optic: Quickdot LED – Muzzle: Infantry Compensator – Barrel: 17.5 SOR Cut Down – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Infiltrator Grip – Magazine: Fast Mag – Handle: Speed Tape – Stock: Raider Stock – Secondary – Knife Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket – Perk 2: Scavenger – Perk 3: Cold Blooded – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: Field Mic – Wildcard – Gunfighter Speed is the name of the game with this setup. Not only will you move faster through the map, but everything about the M60 will be quicker as well. From reload speeds, to ADS time, and everything in between. This is the optimal setup for efficiency. Fast Mag and Speed Tape are two base level perks in this setup, though they do the job better than anything else in their category. Both will buff your weapon without providing any debuffs in the process. In terms of your secondary here, selecting the Knife is the way to go. If you’ve just spawned in and want to get back to the fight, swapping to your knife and sprinting will be the fastest methods possible. Obviously, Gung-Ho is the only option for the third and final perk slot here as well. You’ll be able to move at full speed while reloading and swap to your Knife faster than usual. Best vehicle-destroying M60 loadout Attachments Optic: Susat Multizoom – Muzzle: Socom Eliminator – Barrel: 18.9 Cavalry Lancer – Body: – – Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip – Magazine: Salvo 135 Rnd Fast Mag – Handle: – – Stock: – – Secondary – Cigma 2 Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket + Engineer – Perk 2: Scavenger + Gearhead – Perk 3: Cold Blooded + Ghost – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: SAM Turret – Wildcard – Gunfighter Vehicles are prominent throughout a number of playlists in Black Ops Cold War. Taking them down isn’t the easiest thing in the world unless you have the right loadout. Thankfully, LMGs can do the job and we’ve got the perfect setup for the job. Starting out with attachments, the Susat Multizoom works great for this purpose. It allows you to swap your distance at the touch of a button. Adjusting for enemies up close and vehicles further away in the sky. In terms of equipment, you’ll want to swap off the standard grenades here and equip some C4. While they’ve been controversial in the past, they deal the most damage to vehicles. If you get close enough to stick one of these on, it can blow up just about any vehicle in one big bang. The SAM Turret is also a neat addition here to mix things up. If your entire purpose on the map is to take care of enemy streaks and aggressive vehicles, this is crucial. You can deploy one and leave it be while it takes care of threats from above. Best all-around M60 loadout Attachments Optic: Milistop Reflex – Muzzle: Socom Eliminator – Barrel: 22.8 Task Force – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Field Agent Grip – Magazine: 100 Rnd Speed Mag – Handle: Airborne Elastic Wrap – Stock: Raider Stock – Secondary – 1911 Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket – Perk 2: Scavenger – Perk 3: Ghost – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: Field Mic – Wildcard – Gunfighter To close things out, we’ve got the M60 loadout suitable for just about any situation. If you don’t want to setup five separate classes for all of the above playstyles, this is the ideal setup that blends them all together. With this set of attachments, you’ll maintain the best accuracy possible, great movement speed, with the only real detriments coming to hip-fire accuracy. Something you’ll rarely ever do with an LMG anyway. Perks are relatively standard, as is the equipment. There’s no specific method to follow, no optimal way to use this loadout. It’s a well-balanced LMG class that you can rely on in any mode across every map. For more optimal loadouts, be sure to check the rest of our Black Ops Cold War guides.

5 best M4A1 Assault Rifle Modern Warfare class loadouts: Attachments, Setup, Perk The M4A1 Assault Rifle, commonly referred to as the M4, is one of the most powerful weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, and we’ve come up with five loadouts to use in multiplayer for different kinds of play-styles. While many things changed in Modern Warfare between the Beta and full version, the one thing that largely remained the same was the powerful viability of the M4. Its good strength and accuracy make it more than usable at long range, while its versatility and agility allow it to perform admirably in close-quarter gunfights. Below, you can find our best classes for the gun for five different variations – run-and-gun, tactical and long-range, balanced, competitive, and Overkill – all with their own set of attachments, perks, lethals, and tacticals. Read More: Best M4A1 loadouts for Call of Duty: Warzone – Note that all of the classes assume that everything’s already been unlocked, so if you see attachment or throwables that you haven’t unlocked yet, then substitute it with something that has similar stats and attributes. Best ‘run-and-gun’ M4 loadout ATTACHMENTS Barrel: FFS 11.5″ Commando – Laser: 1mW Laser – Optic: Cronen LP945 Mini Reflex – Stock: No Stock (this is an actual attachment option) – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – Knife PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Amped (or Tracker) – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stim – While Assault Rifles are generally not used for running and gunning in Call of Duty, the M4’s versatility allows it to be used in faster play-styles, especially when fitted with this loadout. All of the attachments prioritize mobility at the cost of range and control, and even hip-firing is improved with the 1MW Laser. Both the Knife secondary and Double Time perk allow for faster movement, while the Stim tactical gives players a way to heal faster when having to engage again right away after being hurt. Best tactical and long range M4 class ATTACHMENTS Barrel: Stock M16 Grenadier – Optic: Integral Hybrid – Stock: M16 Stock – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – M19 PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Smoke – This class is for those who like to post up on a power position with the M4 and watch lanes and popular spots on the map, only engaging enemies at medium to long ranges. Hence the Integral Hybrid optic, which can switch between a 1x reflex and a 3.25 Scout, allowing you to have an effective sight for all kinds of distances. The rest of the attachments are meant to boost stats like accuracy, range, and control while having a very negative effect on mobility, which isn’t really needed for this class. The M19 pistol is good to have as a secondary since it has a higher fire rate and can be good to use against enemies who get too close. The perks supplement this class by ensuring that grenades and stuns/flashes can’t be used to eliminate you, the Claymore is effective in watching your own back, and Smokes can be used to make a quick getaway if too many enemies start pushing you. Best balanced M4 class ATTACHMENTS Barrel: FFS 14.5″ Tac Lite – Optic: Cronen LP945 Mini Reflex – Stock: M-16 Stock – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – 0.50 GS PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade (or Stim) – Constructing a completely balanced M4 setup is much easier said than done since almost every combination of attachments will inevitably cause at least one statistic to take a hit. This class is one of the more balanced loadouts, as it both boosts accuracy and control for those medium to semi-long range gunfights, while also increasing mobility for more close-quarter engagements. The only adverse effect is to range, so the weapon may not be as effective when shooting across the map, but overall, this setup does a good job keeping the gun very versatile. Best competitive M4 class ATTACHMENTS Barrel: Stock M16 Grenadier – Optic: Cronen LP945 Mini Reflex – Stock: Singapur Arms Invader – Underbarrel: Operator Foregrip – Rear Grip: Rubberized Grip Tape – SECONDARY – .50 GS PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – THROWABLES Lethal: Flash Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade – This class comes courtesy of Ian ‘Crimsix’ Porter, the winningest Call of Duty professional who currently plays for the Dallas Empire franchise. His approach to building an M4 loadout has resonated in the competitive community, so it’s more than likely a good one. The stats support that since they do a perfect job at massively boosting both accuracy and range, and giving a small increase to control, all while only slightly decreasing mobility, which isn’t the most crucial thing for assault rifles. Best Overkill M4 class Overkill is a significant perk in Modern Warfare, even more so than in past Call of Duty titles. The lack of a pick-10 system means that there is a limit to the attachments you can put on the primary that’s being used as a secondary so that both weapons can be fitted with the max amount of attachments. This is especially good for players who like to use the M4 in a particular way. Some options include a run-and-gun or tactical and long-range. This setup gives them the possibility of having a secondary weapon in case a close-ranged gunfight breaks out. Run-and-gun players can use a Sniper Rifle or Marksman Rifle if they need to pick someone off long-range, while slower and more tactical players can use an SMG with a high fire rate or even a shotgun if they get forced into close-quarter gunfights. Those running Overkill classes should strongly consider having Amped as their third perk, as it increases the speed of swapping between weapons. However, you can never go wrong with Battle Hardened either. There you have it – the best classes to use for the popular M4A1 Assault Rifle! Now get back into the game, try these loadouts out, and let us know what you think! Also, make sure to check out some of the other weapon guides we’ve done so far for Modern Warfare:

5 best loadouts in Call of Duty: Warzone Infinity WardCall of Duty’s Battle Royale beast continues to batter its opposition. Even now it’s getting new players every day, and they need to know how to pick up a win. So here are the 5 best loadouts in Warzone. [jwplayer Q7ySHZq9] Warzone’s rise has been meteoric and its combination of exquisite Call of Duty gunplay and Battle Royale excitement has sold people across the globe. The free-to-play shooter attracts new, intrigued gamers every day. So it’s safe to assume that many will not be aware of the game’s greatest assets to own. More still, experienced players of the game may have become stifled by their existing options and fancy a change. With weapons on offer from both Modern Warfare and Black Ops Cold War, there’s a ton to pick from. So here we have the 5 best loadouts you can rock in Warzone. How to get your loadout For newcomers, you may be wondering how it is you can even equip your specialist loadout. After all, starting with a pistol doesn’t scream loadout freedom. All you need to do to be able to use your loadout in-game is scavenge $10,000 and get yourself a loadout drop from the Buy Station. Best loadouts Some of these weapons have stood the test of time in Warzone and continue to be the go-to guns for guaranteed success. You may be using some of these already, but have you necessarily got the right attachments for them as well? These are some of the most popular guns and attachments in Warzone. DMR 14 Muzzle: Agency Silencer – Barrel: 20.8 Task Force – Underbarrell: Field Agent Foregrip – Optic: Axial Arms 3x – Ammunition: 30 Rnd – A newer entry on our list, the DMR 14 is an absolute beast of a Tactical Rifle from Black Ops Cold War. It’s a clear standout as the most controversial weapon in the game today. With it’s absurd damage output, you’ll be wiping out foes in barely a few shots from any distance. This particular setup gives you a little bit more of everything to work with than the standard loadout. From better range to more shots in each clip, you’ll be nearly unstoppable in any lobby with this DMR 14 loadout. Kilo 141 Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: Singuard Arms 19.8″ Prowler – Optic: VLK 3.0x Optic – Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip – Ammunition: 60 Round Mags – This ultra-reliable assault rifle is a god-tier weapon that has led the charge throughout multiple seasons. It can stand toe to toe with any weapon in Warzone, making it a great pick no matter what situation you find yourself in. These attachments make it quite a good utility gun and extremely powerful. Favoring power and precision, this setup makes the Kilo 141 effective at range and is basically an all-purpose killer across a sprawling Battle Royale map. MP5 Barrel: Monolithic Integral Suppressor – Stock: FTAC Collapsible – Underbarrel: Merc Foregrip – Ammunition: 45 Round Mags – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – A classic weapon in the lineage of Call of Duty. The MP5 is a quick, accurate, powerful killer. Its great iron sight allows for an extra attachment where it really counts, meaning you can snap to a target quicker. These lightweight settings allow you to sprint around the map and provide a quicker gathering of tools and faster looting. Grau 5.56 Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Barrel: Tempus 26.4″ Archangel – Laser: Tac Laser – Underbarrel: Commando Foregrip – Ammunition: 60 Round Mags – The Grau’s lesser recoil and damage over long-distances make it a killer companion to have. With these attachments on the gun too, you really have yourself a versatile weapon that is effective at all ranges. Not only that, but a higher magazine and walking stability make the Grau 5.56 an extremely viable option in Warzone. MAC-10 Muzzle: Agency Suppressor – Barrel: 5.3” Extended – Laser: Steady Aim laser – Underbarrel: Field Agent Foregrip – Ammunition: 43 Rnd Drum – While both ARs and SMGs take up their fair share of the spotlight in Warzone, the MAC-10 from Black Ops Cold War has quickly become a must-pick. Available in the Season One Battle Pass, it’s extraordinary rate of fire trumps any other weapon in its class. You’ll be able to turn on foes and beam them down before they know what’s hit them. Due to its bullet velocity and overall speed, accuracy won’t be your strong suit here. But with these attachments, you’ll be running and gunning with larger clips than usual to accommodate for it. Five deadly, dynamic combinations that are winning formulas in the Warzone. You shouldn’t even need to test your skills in the Gulag with one of these loadouts in your arsenal. Hopefully you enjoyed our 5 best loadouts in Call of Duty: Warzone and may it bring you more wins. For more news and guides on Warzone and CoD in general, check out our Call of Duty hub for all the latest information and help!

5 best Holger-26 classes and attachments loadouts in Modern Warfare The Holger 26 LMG is one of the newest weapons in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare Season 1. For it, we’ve put together our top-five best loadouts and combinations of attachments that cater to a variety of play-styles. The Season 1 post-launch content drop on December 3 features a lot of new content in Modern Warfare, including two new weapons – the Holger-26 LMG, and RAM-7 assault rifle. Both weapons are to everyone across all platforms, as the Holger-26 can be unlocked upon reaching Tier 15 of the Season 1 Battle Pass, and the RAM-7 at Tier 31. The Holger-26’s official description in-game reads: “versatile fully automatic 5.56mm light machine gun. Modular design can be configured for a broad range of engagements.” As that description suggests, this gun can actually be made to perform well in all kinds of situations when fitted with the right attachments, which is what we’ve aimed to do with our top-five classes. Each offers a specific quality, whether it be mobility, range & accuracy, or balanced, and there’s also an assault rifle mod and Overkill class as well. Best aggressive Holger-26 class (SMG build) ATTACHMENTS Barrel: FTAC 8.98″ Spitfire – Stock: No Stock – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Ammunition: 30 Round Mags – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – Combat Knife PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Tune Up – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stim – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence or Tactical Insertion Modern Warfare’s design doesn’t really accommodate aggressive play-styles too well, especially with an LMG. However, thanks to the Holger-26’s versatility, it can be turned into what is essentially an SMG, which makes it a lot more suitable for running and gunning. The attachments all maximize movement and a bit more control, while only taking a little away from both accuracy and range, which aren’t really needed for this play-style anyway. Double Time and Combat Knife help you run around faster, and Stim ensures that you can heal up as quickly as possible and get back into the action. Dead Silence is a good Field Upgrade to have, since it also increases movement speed, but Tactical Insertion can also be an option for larger maps so that you can spawn back in closer to hot zones. Best longer-range Holger-26 class ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Optic: Integral Hybrid – Stock: FSS Ranger – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Granulated Grip Tape – SECONDARY – M19 Handgun PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D. – Perk 2: High Alert – Perk 3: Scavenger – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Munitions Box If you’re the type of player who wants to engage in gunfights at longer ranges, then this class was built for you. The attachments all work together to greatly boost accuracy, range, and control – the three things needed to be effective at long range. Consequently, mobility is reduced in this loadout, not that you need much of it anyway. For the Perks, E.O.D. ensures enemies can’t eliminate you with cooked grenades, High Alert notifies you if someone is aiming at you from a blind spot, and Scavenger comes in handy to resupply your ammo if you survive too long. Speaking of extra ammo, Munitions Box is definitely a good Field Upgrade for this style of play. If enemies get too annoyed with you and start to push your position, the Claymore will watch your back while the Smoke Grenade can be used to open up an avenue for escape. Best balanced Holger-26 class (Objective modes) ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Compensator – Barrel: FTAC 8.98″ Spitfire – Stock: FSS Ranger – Underbarrel: Ranger Foregrip – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – JOKR Launcher PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D. – Perk 2: Ghost or Pointman – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Trophy System For a well-balanced weapon build, the three most important stats are accuracy, mobility, and control, because those three ensure that the weapon performs decently in all situations. The attachments in this class evenly boost up all three, with the only stat taking a slight hit being range, but that’s compensated for with the increased accuracy. While this balanced build can be used in virtually all loadouts, the rest of this loadout is designed for objective-based game modes, starting with the JOKR Launcher for getting rid of enemy streaks. Whether you go with Ghost or Pointman depends on your playstyle in objective modes. If your plan is to directly attack the objective and rack up points for your team, then Pointman is ideal here. However, if you’re more of a flanker and sneaky player who tries to get eliminations on distracted enemies, then Ghost is probably a better option. Smoke Grenade and Trophy System are both essential. One will give you great cover for capturing objectives and/or breaking through enemy blockades, while the other will prevent the other team from showering you with explosives while you’re racking up points. G36c replica build for Holger-26 The G36C is a well-known assault rifle in Call of Duty, having featured in all three of the original Modern Warfare games. While it’s not available in the 2019 installment, it can be replicated by equipping the Holger-26 with the right attachments. This can also be considered a balanced build, boosting accuracy, mobility, and control with a slight decrease in range. However, the main difference between this and the previous class is that this one functions as an AR, clear distinctions being the 30-Round Mags and the increase in agility. This G36C replica build comes courtesy of GFINITY Esports. As for the rest of the loadout, we’ve included what we feel are the most viable Perks and equipment, but you can always change it up based on your own preferences. ATTACHMENTS Barrel: XRK Ultralight – Stock: XRK Axis – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Ammunition: 30 Round Mags – Rear Grip: Rubberized Grip Tape – SECONDARY – M19 Handgun PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stun Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Munitions Box Best Overkill Holger-26 class Overkill is a very powerful Perk in Modern Warfare, even more so than other Call of Duty titles, mainly because there’s no pick-10 system in this game. This means that players who use Overkill can build loadouts with two primary weapons fully-stacked with five attachments each. For the Holger-26, a good approach is to pair it with a gun whose primary function is opposite to the LMG’s, creating a combination that can be used in all situations and ranges. Read More: Fastest way to level up MW Battle Pass – For example, if you’re using the SMG build of the Holger-26, then pairing it with a sniper rifle or marksman rifle would be smart. Conversely, the longer-range build should be paired with a shotgun, such as the R9-0 pictured above. The rest of the loadout is up to you, but we would recommend going with Amped, since it can help you swap between your two guns faster. There you have it – the five best classes and attachment setups for the new Holger-26 LMG. Now, load back into the game, build some of these in multiplayer, and let us know what you think! Also, make sure to check out the other guides we’ve done by visiting our Modern Warfare weapon guides hub, which includes the best classes and attachments to use for the M4A1, AK-47, RAM-7, MP5, MP7, and bonus guides, such as the 15 “secret” weapons you can build with Gunsmith.

5 best AK-74u loadouts in Black Ops Cold War for all play-styles TreyarchWhether you prefer to frag while running and gunning, or simply want to rack up time in the objective, we’ve got you covered with the best AK-74u loadouts for every playstyle in Black Ops Cold War. SMGs can dominate the battlefield in Black Ops Cold War. Regardless of which mode you’re playing, or which map you’re on, there’s a perfect loadout for every situation. To get the most out of the AK-74u, however, you’ll want to build a class around your playstyle. Whether you’re an aggressive player looking to rack up high-kill games or you’re someone who prefers to sit back and focus on the win, there’s a way to customize every element of your loadout to match your preferences. From perks to attachments and everything in between, the choice is all yours. We’ve got you covered with optimal setups for five key playstyles in Black Ops Cold War. Take your pick from the most powerful AK-74u loadouts below. Fastest AK-74u loadout for running and gunning Attachments Optic: Microflex LED – Muzzle: Spetsnaz Compensator – Barrel: 10.3 Task Force – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Spetsnaz Speedgrip – Magazine: GRU Mag Clamp – Handle: Speed Tape – Stock: KGB Skeletal Stock – Secondary – Combat Knife Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket – Perk 2: Scavenger – Perk 3: Gung-Ho – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: Trophy System – Wildcard – Gunfighter Up first is perhaps the most common playstyle for the typical SMG player. While Assault Rifles are used from longer ranges to hold down certain angles, SMGs are often the right tool for flankers and aggressive players always on the move. As a result, you want the best attachments and perks to get the most out of your speed. The KGB Skeletal Stock is arguably the most important here as Sprint to Fire Time is vital. The faster you can pull your weapon out from a full sprint, the faster you’ll be able to fire and take down nearby enemies. This makes this setup the perfect loadout for aggressive players who love to run and gun their way around a map. In terms of perks, the first two slots won’t really impact your speed all that much. However, equipping Gung-Ho in the third slot is crucial. Being able to fire while sprinting is a neat bonus, but reloading while fleeing a fight is the biggest factor here. Last but not least, Stimshot is a must in the Tactical slot. Since you’re always moving, you never want to wait around for manual health-regen. Best all-rounder AK-74u loadout Attachments Optic: – – Muzzle: Spetsnaz Compensator – Barrel: 9.3 VDV Reinforced – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Spetsnaz Grip – Magazine: 40 RND Drum – Handle: – – Stock: – – Secondary – 1911 Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket +Tactical Mask – Perk 2: Scavenger + Tracker – Perk 3: Gung-Ho + Ghost – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stun Grenade – Field Upgrade: Trophy System – Wildcard – Perk Greed If you’re looking for the best balance, this is the ideal SMG setup for you. From close range gunfights to crucial mid-range kills, you’ll be able to do it all with this loadout. The goal here is to tick as many boxes without limiting yourself too much. Almost every positive comes with a downside, so this loadout looks to balance everything out evenly. As a result, you don’t want to be picking attachments with major debuffs to the gun. A lot of the base unlocks will help provide smaller buffs without huge tradeoffs. Selecting the Perk Greed Wildcard keeps your weapon in check with just five attachments but lets you buff your operator with six perks. This will keep you comfortable on the map no matter how things play out. Read More: 5 Best AK-47 loadouts in Black Ops Cold War – Need to hold down a hill in Hardpoint? You’ve got Flak Jacket, Tactical Mask, and a Trophy to help out. Need to go on a long flank to break a spawn trap in Domination? You’ve got Ghost and a mid-range weapon to clear out an enemy base. This setup is capable of doing it all so you’ll never feel like your out of your depth in a match. Best OBJ-focused AK-74u loadout Attachments Optic: – – Muzzle: Spetsnaz Compensator – Barrel: 9.3 VDV Reinforced – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Spetsnaz Grip – Magazine: Spetsnaz 50 RND Drum – Handle: – – Stock: – – Secondary – Gallo SA12 Perks Perk 1: Flak Jacket +Tactical Mask – Perk 2: Gearhead + Quartermaster – Perk 3: Ghost + Cold Blooded – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – Field Upgrade: Trophy System – Wildcard – Perk Greed If your aim is to get wins at all costs, you’ll be best off with this OBJ-focused setup. Designed to keep you in the hotspots, hold down sites, and fend off waves of enemies, this is for players who prefer a more methodical approach to their game. Of note, smoke is essential in the Tactical slot. Rather than stunning enemies or popping a flash, using the smoke grenade can cover a wide area on an objective. This will force enemies to run into you where they can then meet the power of your AK-74u. In terms of perks, Gearhead and Quartermaster are the main buffs you’ll want for pure OBJ play. You’re not focused on rushing through the map here. These perks will help you keep a site well and truly locked down. While you’ll have more ammo in a clip than usual, holding down objectives can get dicey for long periods of time. As a last resort, this loadout gives you a beefy secondary in the Gallo SA12 shotgun. If any enemies do push their way onto the objective, you’ll have the tools to deal with them. Most accurate AK-74u loadout Attachments Optic: Kobra Red Dot – Muzzle: KGB Eliminator – Barrel: 9.3 VDV Reinforced – Body: GRU 5MW Laser Sight – Underbarrel: Spetsnaz Grip – Magazine: GRU Mag Clamp – Handle: GRU Elastic Wrap – Stock: Tactical Stock – Secondary – 1911 Perks Perk 1: Forward Intel – Perk 2: Scavenger – Perk 3: Ghost – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: Proximity Mine – Wildcard – Gunfight While SMGs aren’t often thought of for their accuracy, there’s no reason you can’t create a ridiculous laser with your AK-74u. The Gunsmith gives you such a huge amount of freedom to limit recoil, and that’s exactly what this loadout is designed for. All of the attachments are in place to minimize recoil of every kind. Both vertical and horizontal recoil can’t get any better than with this loadout. As a result, you’ll be a bit slower than most standard SMG classes. Though you’ll be able to gun down enemies from much further away than usual. The Forward Intel perk is crucial in the first slot here. It’s a bit of a niche pick, but if your goal is to stand your ground and accurately beam from across the map, this perk will only help in that role. It reveals more of the map than usual so you can see enemy players from afar. Last but not least, chucking on a Proximity Mine can always come in handy. No one likes a camper, but if you’re setting up in a particular location and want some added peace of mind, placing a Mine behind you can keep you safe. Best Law Breaker AK-74u loadout Attachments – Primary Optic: – – Muzzle: Spetsnaz Compensator – Barrel: 9.3 VDV Reinforced – Body: Steady Aim Laser – Underbarrel: Spetsnaz Grip – Magazine: 40 RND Drum – Handle: – – Stock: – Attachments – Secondary: Pelington 703 Optic: – – Muzzle: Infantry Stabilizer – Barrel: 26.5 Tiger Team – Body: – – Underbarrel: Bipod – Magazine: 7 RND – Handle: Airborne Elastic Wrap – Stock: – – Perks Perk 1: Flack Jacket – Perk 2: Tracker – Perk 3: Ghost – Equipment Lethal: Frag Grenade – Tactical: Stimshot – Field Upgrade: Field Mic – Wildcard – Law Breaker Last but not least, if you’re looking for the best of both worlds in Black Ops Cold War, this is the ideal loadout for you. If you want the speed and style of SMGs with the precision and patience of a sniper, you can’t do better. Using the Law Breaker wildcard gives you access to both the AK-74u and the Pelington 703 in one class. This means you can be fast and tactical all at once. Adapting your playstyle to the situation at hand. Other than the weapons, the only major difference here is to run with a Field Mic over any other Field Upgrade. You’re likely going to post up in a hotspot, so no reason not to reveal enemies in the area while you whip out the sniper. If this gun is your favorite on Black Ops Cold War, there’s no reason you can’t dominate in Warzone with it as well. Here’s a rundown on the best AK-74u Warzone loadouts.

5 best AK-47 classes & attachments in Modern Warfare for all play-styles The AK-47 is a powerful option when it comes to assault rifles in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare multiplayer, so we’ve put together some of the best loadouts and attachment combinations for a variety of different play-styles. One of the most recognizable weapons in history, the AK-47 assault rifle, has proven to be a very viable choice in Modern Warfare multiplayer. While its recoil and slow rate of fire could take time to get used to, its ruthless power makes it dominant in many different kinds of gunfights. The AK does unlock at level 53, so new players will need to put in quite a bit of playing time if they want to use it, but the grind is definitely worth it for one of the stronger guns in the game. The great thing about it too is that certain combinations of attachments can actually turn it into almost totally different weapons, like the AK-74u SMG and RPK LMG, details about both of which can be found below. So, without further ado, here are the best classes for the AK-47 to use with five different play-styles – run-and-gun, slow and powerful, balanced, stealth, and Overkill. Best run-and-gun AK-47 class (AK-74u) ATTACHMENTS Barrel: 8.1″ Compact Barrel – Laser: 5mW Laser – Stock: Skeleton Stock – Ammunition: 5.45 x 39mm 30-Round Mags – Perk: Sleight of Hand – SECONDARY – Combat Knife PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stim – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence While running and gunning with an assault rifle isn’t really recommended in Modern Warfare, if there’s one AR to do it with it’s the AK-47. That’s because the weapon can actually be turned into a faster-paced gun resembling the AK-74u SMG using a few key attachments. Of course, the huge boosts to fire rate and mobility mean that accuracy, damage, range, and control slightly take a hit, but those stats aren’t really needed if your plan is to run around. The 5mW Laser really improves the weapon’s agility and hip-fire accuracy, and it’s not really a concern that it gives your position away. The Sleight of Hand weapon perk is also key here since it considerably improves the reload speed so that you can quickly get back into the action. The Combat Knife and Double Time perk both help improve movement speed, and the Stim tactical is very useful when you don’t have time to let your health regenerate on its own. Best slow and longer-range AK-47 class (RPK LMG) ATTACHMENTS Barrel: 23.0″ RPK Barrel – Optic: Integral Hybrid – Stock: Field LMG Stock – Underbarrel: Bipod – Ammunition: 75 Round Drum Mags – SECONDARY – M19 Handgun PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D – Perk 2: High Alert – Perk 3: Tune Up – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Claymore – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Stopping Rounds Much like the AK-74u from the previous class, this set of attachments also turns the AK-47 into almost a whole new weapon – a powerful mini-LMG that resembles the iconic RPK. This class is the polar opposite of the last one, in that it heavily prioritizes accuracy, damage, and control, with mobility being the stat that takes the huge hit. Since this class is designed for longer-range gunfights, the Integral Hybrid optic sight helps with your accuracy, while the M19 Handgun comes in very handy should you be forced into a closer-range encounter. As for the rest of the class, the High Alert perk notifies you if you’re getting pushed from a blind angle, while Tune Up helps you get your Field Upgrade faster, which should most definitely be Stopping Rounds. You will be able to watch your own back with a Claymore, and if things start to get too messy around your position, the Smoke Grenade is perfect for a quick getaway. Best balanced AK-47 class (for objective modes) ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Muzzle Break – Barrel: Spetsnaz Elite – Stock: Skeleton Stock – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Rear Grip: Rubberized Grip Tape – SECONDARY – JOKR Launcher PERKS Perk 1: E.O.D or Quick Fix – Perk 2: Pointman or Ghost – Perk 3: Battle Hardened – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Stun Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Trophy System This class is for those who want to use a more balanced AK-47 setup, as the attachments give accuracy, range, mobility, and control all a relatively even boost while making sure none of the other stats get reduced. The weapon setup itself isn’t limited to any single mode, as it’s viable for a variety of uses, but the rest of the class is ideal if you’re playing objective-based modes. The JOKR Launcher is great for taking out enemy streaks, while the Trophy System Field Upgrade is very useful in mitigating enemy equipment. As for the perks, you have a variety of options. E.O.D is obviously good for making sure enemy equipment doesn’t kill you, but Quick Fix might be the way to go if you’re one who likes to capture objectives. For perk two, Pointman helps get streaks a lot faster, since a lot of what you do in these modes earns you points, but Ghost is also useful if you tend to flank the enemy team using less-crowded routes. Best stealthy AK-47 class ATTACHMENTS Muzzle: Monolithic Suppressor – Laser: 1mW Laser (not pictured) – Stock: FORGE Tac Ultralight – Underbarrel: Tactical Foregrip – Rear Grip: Stippled Grip Tape – SECONDARY – 0.50 GS Handgun PERKS Perk 1: Double Time – Perk 2: Ghost – Perk 3: Tune Up – EQUIPMENT Lethal: Semtex – Tactical: Smoke Grenade – FIELD UPGRADE: Dead Silence For players who want to be on the move but don’t really have the skill or reaction time to go full run-and-gun, this class gives you the ability to play that style. Much like the previous loadout, this combination of attachments really does a nice job in making sure several stats get small boosts without reducing any of the others. The Monolithic Suppressor, Double Time and Ghost help move around swiftly and not get detected, while Tune Up ensures that you get Dead Silence more frequently. The 0.50 GS pistol carries its own weight in terms of packing a punch, and the Smoke Grenade can stir even more confusion among enemies, or provide you with a quick exit if you need one. Best Overkill AK-47 class Overkill is even stronger in Modern Warfare than in the previous Call of Duty titles because there’s no pick-10 system, meaning you can technically have two primary weapons each stacked with the maximum five attachments. If you want to go the Overkill route with the AK-47, then it’s best to pick a build from one of the classes above and pair it up with a primary weapon that has an opposite-style function. For example, you can use the AK-74u ‘run-and-gun’ build with a longer-range gun, like a Sniper Rifle or Marksman Rifle. On the flip side, you can pair the slower mini-LMG setup with a faster-paced weapon, such as the MP7 SMG (pictured above), or the annoying 725 shotgun. In either case, your best bet is to use Amped as your third perk, since it speeds up weapon switching, while the equipment and Field Upgrade is really up to you, and depends on your preferred style. There you have it – the five best classes and attachment setups for the AK-47 assault rifle. Now, load back into the game, build some of these loadouts in multiplayer, and let us know what you think! Also, make sure to check out the other guides we’ve done for Modern Warfare: 5 best MP7 classes and loadouts – 15 secret weapons you can build using Gunsmith – 5 best MP5 classes and loadouts – 5 best Overkill classes and loadouts – 5 best M4 classes and loadouts – Best quick-scoping classes – How to unlock all Operators – How to get free in-game items by watching Twitch – How to lean while aiming – How to unlock Gold, Platinum, and Damascus weapon camos –

How to watch $40K Baka Bros Warzone event: Baktober Bash schedule, format, teams Activision / eFuseWarzone’s popular Baka Bros Trio of DiazBiffle, Repullze, and Lucky Chamu are set to host their own massive tournament over Halloween so here’s all there is to know about the $40,000 Baktober Bash. Baka Bros hosting their first major Warzone event – $40,000 prize pool on the line – Competitors also judged on their Halloween costumes – In a month stacked with near-endless Warzone events, the Baka Bros are closing things out in a big way. Their very own tournament is set to see Halloween out with a whopping $40,000 up for grabs. From when it kicks off to how Trios will be competing, here’s everything there is to know about the Baktober Bash. $40K Baktober Bash Warzone event: Streams & Schedule With the Baka Bros hosting in partnership with eFuse, you’ve got plenty of options on where to watch the Baktober Bash. The official eFuse Twitch page will likely serve as a hub stream throughout, and similar can be said for Biffle, Repullze, and Lucky Chamu if they’re not competing themselves. As always, individual player POVs will all be live during the tournament as well, letting you tune into your favorite streamer directly. It all gets underway on Friday, October 29 and will likely run for a few hours. The first lobby is set to begin at 2 PM PT / 5 PM ET. $40K Baktober Bash Warzone event: Format Little is known about the Baktober Bash format for the time being, though we do know the event is dropping Trios into six custom lobbies. The sixth and final lobby will be a $4,000 winner takes all game. So it is likely that it will be similar to the Solo YOLO drop from Twitch Rivals. The only rule given is players must be wearing a costume. Whether it’ll be standard rules or Iron Trials modifiers in effect, we’ll have to wait and see. There’s also no telling exactly how the prize will be split for this particular event. Introducing the BAKTOBER BASH w/ @eFuse 🙌 💰 $40,000 in prizing 👻 LIVE Costume contest 🪂 Trios custom lobbiesWho’s got the Halloween spirit?! 👀 pic.twitter.com/fsOxoVjtba — DiazBiffle (@DiazBiffle) October 21, 2021 While most of the $40,000 prize will be for the Warzone tournament itself, some could be going to the costume contest winners as well. We’ll keep you up to speed right here as exact details are confirmed. $40K Baktober Bash Warzone event: Teams & Players Given we’re still a few days out from the Baktober Bash, we’re yet to see many teams form. We’re sure to hear plenty over the next few days, but it’s safe to expect the usual suspects. From Tommey, Aydan, and HusKerrs, to Swagg and JoeWo, the biggest streamers are unlikely to miss out on a huge $40,000 prize pool. Check back closer to the event for a full list of confirmed teams.

4 tips & tricks to surviving Warzone Zombie Royale LTM ActivisionOne of the biggest features added to Call of Duty: Warzone during the Haunting of Verdansk event is the Zombie Royale LTM, which is easily one of the more unique modes the game has seen to date. Here are some tips to help you out in this undead-infested game-type. [jwplayer uc1VZt4E] The Haunting of Verdansk Halloween-themed event is finally here and its brought along with it a ton of content. Players can finally drop into a night version of the map, collect special Halloween-themed items, and get jump-scared in hilarious fashion by surprise chests. Out of all the content added, however, Zombie Royale is easily the most different. Players jump into a sectioned off version of the map, and fight like normal to get to the top. The catch, however, is that there’s no Gulag; instead, all players automatically get revived as Zombies that have special abilities. This might be a bit intimidating but luckily there’s some things you can remember to help you out. Use your abilities to their fullest potential Dying and turning into a Zombie in the new LTM may seem like a disappointing experience at first, but you’ll soon learn that the undead have special abilities surviving players don’t. For instance, Zombies are able to throw a gas grenade at an enemy to incapacitate them. You also have an EMP pulse, which will take out enemy electronics with ease. The most unique ability, however, is the Charged Jump, which easily helps you take out other enemies as they’ll be thrown off by how far you fly. You can use it to get away from an opponent that’s about to take you out or fly to get the drop on them quicker. Find Antiviral syringes as quickly as possible Once you turn into a Zombie, the fight still isn’t over. Undead players can find an Antiviral item by killing enemies – two of these consumables allow you to respawn with your loadout and rejoin your squad. The best part about this is that, when playing as a Zombie, you can see the locations of all the Antivirals around the map at the same time in your minimap. This means that you technically don’t even have to kill someone if you want to come back, you can just set out to find these syringes. Don’t stop fighting until your whole team is wiped In the normal version of Warzone, if you win the Gulag, you’ll get one more shot at survival but after you die again, you’re done. With this LTM, if you come back as a human, you can go back to being a Zombie for as many times as you keep dying. The last squad that has a surviving Operator wins, even if everyone else has turned into a Zombie, which means it’s always worth playing for the win even if the circumstances seem dire. Even if you turn undead in the first few seconds, you still have close to the same chance of winning as someone who dies later on in the game – just make sure to keep looking for syringes to return and help your surviving teammates out. Increase your pace when playing as a survivor Zombies possess incredible speed in this LTM, allowing them to catch up to players in very little time. As a survivor, the best way to combat this is by building loadouts that don’t have as much weight. For example, it might be smarter to run classes that feature an SMG and a combat knife rather than a bulky LMG or rocket launcher. A perk like Double Time suddenly becomes a lot more important to have equipped, doubling the duration of your sprint and decreasing the cooldown of Tactical Sprint. There you have it – some tips and tricks to help you not only survive the Zombie Royale LTM, but to also start winning some matches!

4 things the Call of Duty League can do to improve viewership MLG / CDLDespite the millions invested into the Call of Duty League and Activision’s backing, the viewership has not been what many would have hoped for. But, hope is not lost. There are a handful of things the CDL could do to maximize viewership and capitalize on the Call of Duty series’ monumental player-base. The Call of Duty League’s second season is reaching a climax and, despite the heightening of tensions and prize money, its YouTube viewership is still leaving a lot to be desired. With millions invested by orgs, owners, sponsors and more, viewers regularly touching 6-figures would have been targeted. Unfortunately, it has struggled to come anywhere close, with viewership generally hovering anywhere between 10,000 and 50,000 viewers. It has fallen lower though, sitting at a woeful 8,000 during the ROKKR’s Stage 5 home series. So what can the CDL do to improve viewership? Here are a few things we’d like to see that would be conducive to reeling in a bigger audience. Format changes First up is something totally with in the league’s control – format changes. The current system sees a number of weeks of regular matches in groups, which go on to decide seeding and starting brackets for the end-of-stage major tournaments. The problem is that there’s generally very little on the line in these matches. A lot of viewers are simply not interested in Florida versus Paris to decide who’ll get the slightly easier Losers’ Bracket match. With the ROKKR home series in Stage 5 – and the fact that only 8 out of 12 teams qualify for Champs – a number of teams (Seattle, London and others) actually have nothing to play for. They can’t qualify, so what’s the incentive to watch matches? The format should eliminate these ‘dead-rubber’ games as much as possible. Better in-game Ranked System This is not a particularly new idea, with prominent CoD figures like CouRage calling on developers to spend more time on in-game ranking systems. The main thing lacking in CoD’s competitive modes is consistency. Some have League Play, some Arena Mode, while some never get more than a CDL ruleset playlist. Black Ops Cold War’s League Play is also incredibly confusing. Players are placed into incomprehensibly named divisions, and assigned seemingly random rewards points and diamonds at the end of cycles. A good in-game ranked system would encourage players to engage with the competitive aspects of Call of Duty titles and, naturally, drive them towards the CDL. We’ve seen it in action before too – Black Ops 2’s League Play being the prime example. Improved CDL broadcasts Next up is the broadcasts themselves. Not only do they happen frustratingly late in the day for anyone east of New York (viewers in Europe are expected to stay up until the early hours every night to see matches conclude), but the broadcasts themselves are dominated by adverts for mobile games and countdown timers. Plenty of fans tune in to watch Call of Duty, but it feels like more time is spent hearing how Cesar ‘Skyz’ Bueno is investing in his game. The need for advertising is obvious, but better filler segments and the reduction of countdowns could be a simple yet significant improvement to retaining viewers. Use Warzone’s popularity The popularity of Warzone appears both a blessing and a curse for Activision. Millions playing is any publisher’s dream, but playing a spin-off BR rather than the CDL’s annual title seems to be hurting viewership. With players dropping into Verdansk rather than Checkmate Hardpoint, there’s not the interest in Cold War that there could be. The answer, then seems simple: use Warzone to promote competitive CoD and the CDL. We’ve seen some efforts on this front, but plenty more can be done. Offer in-game rewards (both BOCW and Warzone) for watching the CDL, promote broadcasts and Champs through in-game events and generally get creative. If Warzone is an advert with millions of daily viewers, use it, and them.

4 players to watch during CDL 2021 Super Week Call of Duty League / DexertoThe Call of Duty League’s 2021 season continues after a brief scheduling hiccup, as Weeks 2 and 3 get blended into CDL 2021 Super Week — and four player storylines may define the weeklong action. The CDL 2021 season has already proven to be full of surprises and this is, without a doubt, not your typical week of action. With 20 games split across a full seven days, the entire landscape of the league should shift dramatically by week’s end. Considering the Atlanta FaZe Opening Week’s theatrics, it should be no surprise that there are some prominent names and teams to keep an eye on in this blended double-week. From possible roster changes to championship contention concerns, significant expectations may move by Week 3. Considering the first week of gameplay, upcoming matches and overall season projections — here are four players who should be monitored during CDL Super Week. Anthony ‘Shotzzy’ Cuevas (Dallas Empire) The Dallas Empire won CDL Champs in 2020 largely because Shotzzy proved to be the deadliest rookie in the league. But his 2020 MVP form looked, at times, like a thing of the past in the Empire’s 2-3 loss to the Minnesota ROKKR during Week 1. Dallas came into this season as favorites and continue to sit near the top of power rankings, but they’ve already dropped one spot and may drop more if Shotzzy’s form fails to return. In the team’s 3-0 win over the Seattle Surge, he posted a 1.40 K/D, but in the ROKKR loss, managed just a 0.98 (including a disappointing 5-13 in SND). This week, Dallas faces the London Royal Ravens, New York Subliners and Los Angeles Thieves — presenting three opportunities to prove they’re still the team to beat in 2021. Obaid ‘Asim’ Asim (New York Subliners) The Subliners lost Tommy ‘ZooMaa’ Paparatto to injury before the season started and have yet to play with Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez due to visa complications. The undermanned unit therefore has Asim and Conor ‘Diamondcon’ Johst in their starting lineup, but many wonder if the currently 0-1 team will make a change once HyDra arrives. The question is if it will be Asim or Diamondcon hitting the bench and both are already establishing their worth — and Asim has an opportunity to cement his already-budding impact. Despite being swept by the Thieves, Asim posted a 1.17 K/D in the match, proving the sharpness of his SMG play. During Super Week, New York faces London, Minnesota, Dallas and Seattle. In fact, when we asked RØKKR’s Lamar ‘Accuracy’ Abedi who he thinks is the biggest threat on the Subliners roster, he told us that Asim is their best player. If that sentiment is shared by the rest of his peers, Asim could be the difference maker for New York. Seth ‘Scump’ Abner (OpTic Chicago) When the media began doubting LeBron James due to his age, he co-opted the “Washed King” as his self-effacing moniker. In CoD, a similar situation arises as Scump may need to begin contending with Donut King concerns. After sweeping the Paris Legion and notching a 1.04 K/D, OpTic fell 2-3 to FaZe and Scump struggled to a 0.82 K/D — including a donut, zero-kill effort in the first SND and a 0.55 K/D on SND overall. That loss is by no means any one player’s fault, as FaZe are an elite team and 2-3 is a tight match. Still, when OpTic face the Toronto Ultra, Los Angeles Guerrillas and Florida Mutineers this week, eyes will be on Scump (as they always are) to show some youthful thumbs, especially on SND. Peirce ‘Gunless’ Hillman (Seattle Surge) The 2020 benching drama, the Pokimane hype and, now, the monitor mania. There is no Gunless without some amount of colorful circumstance these past two seasons and the storylines write themselves. 40 FOR @GUNLESS 🔥 Looks like switching from 60hz last night is already paying off 😅https://t.co/Fn8Wf07pw7 pic.twitter.com/T7eu76hr42 — Dexerto Esports (@DexertoEsports) February 14, 2021 In Week 1’s first match, the Surge got smacked 0-3 by Dallas and Gunless posted a 0.75 K/D. Then, he realized his monitor was set to 60 Hz, got it fixed overnight and dropped a 1.13 on 240 Hz during a 3-2 win over London the next day. Against Minnesota and New York during Super Week, fans and opponents alike will be dying to find out if 40-bomb Gunless has been officially unleashed by the hardware upgrade and can push Seattle to heights the franchise hasn’t yet seen.

4 biggest storylines ahead of CDL Major 3 qualifiers: Week 1 Call of Duty LeagueThe CDL Major 3 qualifiers are right around the corner, as Call of Duty’s finest players head towards the business end of the season and start looking towards the Call of Duty world championship event. Major 3 could prove to be a monumental one for the 2022 Call of Duty League season, as the top-ranked teams look to ensure their spot at Champs, while those towards the bottom of the table know they have to put some serious work in to earn one of the eight spots available at the event. While the CDL power rankings give a good insight into the best and most in-form teams, you never truly know what is going to happen in Call of Duty. There are some key things to look out for, though, as Major 3 qualifiers kick off. Here are the most important storylines to keep track of. OpTic without iLLeY It’s unlikely at this point that OpTic Texas fail to qualify for Champs, and they will be a threat all season no matter who’s on the roster. iLLeY has been an instrumental player for the side, though, with a CoD IQ far beyond his years and the raw talent to match. With Prolute now in the fold, OpTic might not be as dominant as before — but he’ll want to make sure the team doesn’t lose momentum approaching the tail end of the year. Crimsix’s crowning championship moment It’s almost impossible to deny that Crimsix is the Call of Duty GOAT — but he’s after even more accolades, a perennial winner with nothing but trophies on his mind. For several years now, Crim’s goal of becoming the most celebrated player in console esports history has been discussed among fans and peers alike. With his 38 major championships, he is two behind Halo legend Tom ‘Ogre2’ Ryan — now the general manager of Florida Mutineers. The New York Subliners’ CDL Pro-Am victory may have been the start of Crim’s final push to the top. Though unlikely, wins at Major 3 and 4 LANs would tie him with Ogre2 and, should they qualify for Champs, Crimsix could make history with 41 console esport championships as well as an incredible four world championships. Minnesota RØKKR redemption While New York are only slightly ahead of RØKKR in the chase for Champs qualification, they’ve shown a lot more promise than the Minnesota side. Read More: Reverse Sweep: OpTic is in FaZe Clan’s head – It’s impossible to fully count out any team right now, but Minnesota RØKKR are looking very unlikely to make the tournament, a far cry from where they were at towards the end of the 2021 season. Major 3 needs to mark the start of a huge comeback from RØKKR, and the key to that will have to be new recruit Colt ‘Havok’ McLendon, as he makes his official CDL debut for Minnesota. Toronto Ultra — One season wonder? Toronto Ultra were a unanimous number two team in the 2021 CDL season, one of very few teams able to get the better of Atlanta FaZe — and most expected that to continue into 2022. They’re not running out of opportunities to prove they’re still a top CDL side, and if they don’t turn things around during the Major 3 qualifiers, they can say goodbye to any hope of their season ending strongly. They currently sit in 9th place in the CDL standings, meaning things are starting to get desperate. Their main saving grace, though, is that the three teams above them — Seattle Surge, Florida Mutineers, and LA Thieves — have only 10 more CDL points. It’s still all to play for.

4 features Warzone desperately needs in Black Ops Cold War Infinity WardWith season 6 of Warzone out for fans to enjoy and Black Ops Cold War on the way, we’re still excited to see what content updates will drop in the future. Here are four things we want to see added to Call of Duty’s battle royale title. Warzone’s blisteringly fast kill times, highly customizable loadout drops, satisfying killstreaks, and addictive gunplay makes it one of the most unique entries in the BR genre. Of course, like all good battle royale games, Warzone needs a constant stream of fresh content updates and unique modes to keep players invested. Fans are now looking forward to Warzone in the upcoming Black Ops Cold War, releasing on November 13, 2020. We’ve seen some fantastic additions to Warzone already in Modern Warfare, but there are still some things that would be perfect to heighten the experience for players. 1. Return of classic guns The Call of Duty franchise first graced our screens back in 2003 and since then, players have fought their way through the gritty battlefields of WWII, stopped a nuclear cold war, taken down terrorist regimes, and even ventured into the very depths of space. Each Call of Duty game has introduced a wave of new weapons, attachments, cosmetics, and killstreaks that fans can equip themselves with when venturing into the highly competitive multiplayer arenas. As a result, there have been a vast number of historical, modern-day, and futuristic guns added to the franchise over the years. While Warzone’s current arsenal of deadly weaponry is nothing to frown at, we’d love to see some iconic Call of Duty guns return to the scene. Fortunately, our prayers have been answered with the release of the CR-56 AMAX (Galil), so there could be a very good chance that we see other fan favourites make their way over to Warzone. After all, we’d love to run around Verdansk with our trusty Thompson SMG at our side. 2. Dynamic weather conditions Battle royale fans have wanted dynamic weather conditions for ages and while PUBG has toyed around with various climate conditions, we’ve yet to see other battle royale games take the same leap – after all, Modern Warfare’s multiplayer already has night variants of maps like Azhir Cave, Hackney Yard, Gun Runner, and Rammaza, and Verdansk with The Haunting of Verdansk Halloween event. While these maps may not feature any new content, the added veil of darkness really helps bring a new dynamic to the overall gameplay. Having a nighttime mode for allows for some brilliantly chaotic moments, particularly when you never know who is lurking in the shadows. Watching enemy tracer rounds light up the sky, hearing nearby footsteps, and jumping at shadowy silhouettes is exhilarating and terrifying. Further dynamic weather effects would only enhance these emotions. For example, weather effects that reduce player visibility would call for the use of NVGs (Night Vision Goggles), laser pointers, thermal optics, and Flash Grenades. Having various weather effects would also force players to adapt their current playstyle, drastically switching up the current meta and creating new opportunities for different weapons/attachments to truly shine. 3. Continued Seasonal events With Halloween’s ‘Haunting of Verdansk’ now live on Warzone, we’ve got a great taste of seasonal content that incentivizes players to play. We think it would be a fantastic opportunity to expand on these events with further seasonals, such as a Holiday event featuring holiday bonuses; a thick layer of snow or a blizzard draping the map, with special cosmetics focusing around the time of year across different cultures. These weather changes to Verdansk will force players to restrategize and approach their matches differently, requiring them to rethink their weapon add-ons such as optics, and differing perks like Cold Blooded. 4. Further map updates Warzone players have been busy opening the various bunkers dotted around the map, collecting the rare loot inside, and scrutinizing details in order to uncover the game’s secrets. The opening of a few bunkers may seem small, but it’s this kind of change that helps keep the map interesting for new and veteran players. Epic Games and Respawn are constantly adding, removing, and even destroying vast sections of their battle royale maps, so we’d love to see Verdansk receive the same treatment. Read more: Best MP7 Loadouts for Call of Duty: Warzone – For example, Warzone’s Gora Dam could begin to crack under the pressure as the frozen reservoir begins to thaw, leading to a catastrophic event that sees vast sections of the map partially destroyed or flooded. Not only would this make for an awesome in-game spectacle, it would also drastically alter the way players traverse their way around Verdansk. We’ve seen cool additions to Verdansk’s map as of late with the Football stadium opening, and a new train traversing the map, both allowing players new POI experiences in-game, but constant graduating changes to the map will keep it fresh and appealing for returning players. New aquatic vehicles could even be introduced to further supplement this change. The possibilities are seemingly endless and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for Warzone when Black Ops Cold War releases.

3D printed Damascus Kar98k brings Warzone Verdansk favorite to real life ActivisionWith a lot of disappointment over the direction that Warzone 2 is currently taking, one player decided to pay homage to the original title by 3D printing a Kar98k with the Damascus camo, and it’s genuinely incredible. Warzone 2 has divided players for months at this point, ever since it launched, but many have stopped playing and taken to calling out the devs over the state of the game. This was amplified even further by the Season 3 update, following which streamers had even been getting death threats for “overhyping the update.” While some players have opted to go back and play Warzone Caldera to get their fix and try to enjoy the battle royale again, content creator Wash went one step further, bringing OG Warzone to the real world. After 3D printing a Kar98k, looking exactly like the original one from Modern Warfare 2019, Wash then spent 15 hours painting it to give it the perfect Damascus camo look. Damascus was one of the highest tiers of camo available to unlock in Modern Warfare 2019 and Warzone, requiring gold camo on every single weapon in the game. It was highly revered and when you saw someone using it, you knew they had grinded to earn it. After receiving mass support from the playerbase and other streamers, Wash revealed that he does do some commissions, so before long there may well end up several of these real-life Damascus Kar98s cropping up as fans of the game buy them up. Wash said he’ll likely hang it up in his stream room, certainly a unique ornament that will impress viewers, but also suggested he might do a giveaway for it.

Team Aydan wins $35K Warzone Battle of the Titans event: Full results ActivisionWith Godzilla and Kong now tearing up Caldera, $35,000 was up for grabs as Warzone’s top teams competed in the Battle of the Titans event. While it was Team Aydan that walked away as the top Trio on the day, here’s a full recap of the overall results. Aydan, zSmit, GorgoKnight crowned top Trio on the day. – Team Kong secures overall win ahead of Team Godzilla – $35,000 prize pool. – In what’s quickly becoming a stacked month full of Warzone competitions, another major event just played out on May 12. With Operation Monarch finally taking center stage, eFuse hosted a $35K tourney to mark the occasion. The Battle of the Titans included many of Warzone’s top streamers as teams represented either Godzilla or Kong. If you missed any of the action, we’ve got you covered with the full results below. $35K Warzone Battle of the Titans: Final Results (Top 8) $35K Warzone Battle of the Titans: Streams & Schedule As this is an official Call of Duty event, Battle of the Titans broadcast featured on the main Twitch channel akin to World Series of Warzone and other major competitions. Seven matches played out across Thursday, May 12. $35K Warzone Battle of the Titans: Format Warzone’s Battle of the Titans event came with a rather unique format. While most of the prize pool was split as you would normally expect for Warzone tournaments, with the top five Trios awarded for their efforts, a bonus $12,000 was divided based onTeam Kong and Team Godzilla’s collective efforts. Read More: Top 20 highest-earning Warzone players – With seven Trios in each team, a $7,000 bonus was split among the winning team overall, while a further $5,000 bonus was also split based on kills in the last round. WELCOME to the Battle of the Titans $35K w/ @CallofDuty and @GodzillaVsKong 🏆 Who do you want to see as our main captain representing #TeamKong? How about #TeamGodzilla!? 👇 pic.twitter.com/qWry8EggeK — eFuse.gg (@eFuse) May 9, 2022 Seven custom games were played all up and here’s how the top five Trios were rewarded: 1st – $12,000 – 2nd – $6,000 – 3rd – $3,000 – 4th – $1,500 – 5th – $500 – $35K Warzone Battle of the Titans: Players & Teams Similar to the format, a full list of specific teamswas not confirmed prior to the event. With things now wrapped up, however, we’ve finally got a full rundown on everyone that was involved. Below is a look at all Trios that dropped into the Battle of the Titans event.

Team Joewo wins $30K Warzone 2 DMZ Gauntlet event: Final results ActivisionThere have been plenty of Warzone tournaments in the past, but Activision just hosted the first official DMZ event. While it was ultimately Team Joewo who came out on top, read on to catch up on the full results. OpTic Texas hosted the first major North American Warzone 2 tournament days after the game’s release. WarsZ & zColorss won the Champ Bracket, while cloakzy & Daltoosh walked away victorious in the Creator Bracket. In December, The Royal Air Force emerged on top at the third annual Call of Duty Endowment Bowl. The competitive Warzone 2 scene has experienced a little bit of a drought, but Call of Duty answered the bell by announcing the first-ever DMZ event. It was team Joewo that proved to be ahead of the curve in this PVP/PVE hybrid mode, walking away the most points when all was said and done. But if you missed any of the action, we’ve got you covered below with the full DMZ Gauntlet results. $30K DMZ Gauntlet results Warzone 2 DMZ Gauntlet schedule The DMZ Gauntlet went down on January 17 at 12 p.m. PST. All up, the broadcast ran for a few hours as teams battled through multiple rounds in the DMZ. DMZ Gauntlet prize pool 16 teams of three battled it out for a chance at a piece of the $30,000 prize pool. Captains included the likes of Swagg, ShawnJGaming, Repullze, and DrLupo. With this event the first of its kind, there’s every chance we see more DMZ competitions down the line as Warzone 2 continues on into 2023.

Tommey & Almxnd win $30k Jack Link’s Warzone Season 2 Invitational: Final results Activision / Envy GamingVeteran Warzone duo of Tommey & Almxnd closed out a dominant performance in the Envy Gaming and Jack Link’s $30K Call of Duty: Warzone tournament on March 16. Here’s how all the action unfolded. Tommey & Almxand continue their impressive form, taking out yet another Warzone event win as a duo. – Up and coming duo of Warz & Fifakill made a big splash in second place. – Aydan & Rated fell out earlier than most anticipated. – $30K Jack Link’s Warzone S2 Invitational: Placements A huge $30,000 prize pool was up for grabs in the latest Jack Link’s Warzone tournament. As always, the most talented duos came out in full force to compete for the top spot. 16 teams started out in the event though only one came away with the lion’s share of the cash prize. $30K Jack Link’s Warzone S2 Invitational: Results & recap The latest Jack Link’s Warzone event took place in a single day as action kicked off on Tuesday, March 16 at 2PM ET (11 AM PT) and lasted for more than nine hours. 16 teams dropped into the duo tournament and it took just about all day to narrow down the field. Big names like Swagg & Booya along with Teep & DougisRaw found themselves knocked out without winning a series. Meanwhile, certain duos went on an absolute tear through the event. It was Tommey & Almxnd who made a clean run through the upper bracket, winning four matches back to back. They were met was Warsz & Fifakill in a grand final rematch shortly after beating them in the winner’s finals. Despite a bracket reset coming through in the last series of the day, it was ultimately Tommey & Almxnd who closed the show. Here’s a look at the final bracket for the $$30K Jack Link’s event. $30K Jack Link’s Warzone S2 Invitational: Teams While rosters are always subject to change, these are the 16 duos expected to play in the March 16 tournament. $30K Jack Link’s Warzone S2 Invitational: Format The Jack Link’s and Envy Warzone Season 2 Invitational followed the traditional 2v2 Duos format in Quads that most top players seem to prefer (given its prevention of lobby RNG). Duo Kill Race (in Quads) – 16-team, double-elimination bracket – Winners Bracket: two matches per round – Losers Bracket: one match per round – The total prize pool for the event was 30K, although it’s unclear how that wase distributed among the teams.

Fifakill wins $100K World Series of Warzone 2022 Solo Yolo event: Full NA Final results ActivisionSeveral months after the last iteration and the World Series of Warzone returned for another round in 2022. This time, a staggering $600,000 was on the line across multiple regions, with Skullface, Mayappo, & Hisoka claiming the biggest prize in North America. Below is a full breakdown of the results, including a look at Fifakill’s Solo Yolo win. Skullface, Mayappo, & Hisoka win NA Finals. – Waartex, BBlade, & savyultras win EU Finals. – BBlade also won $100K Solo Yolo in EU. Fifakill won $100K Solo Yolo in NA. – For the first time since Caldera replaced Verdansk, the biggest tournament in Warzone made its return. Activision’s high-stakes World Series of Warzone (WSOW) was back in focus for the first time since November. The Finals are now in the books, with both the Trios tournaments and the $100k Solo Yolo tournaments in each region changing lives. Waartex, BBlade & savyultras90 won the EU Trios Final, while BBlade also won the EU Solo Yolo competition. Meanwhile in NA, Skullface, Mayappo, & Hisoka won the $300K Trios Finals while Fifakill won the subsequent $100K Solo Yolo. If you missed any of the action, we’ve got you covered with a full rundown below. World Series of Warzone 2022: NA Results (Top 10) World Series of Warzone NA: Solo Yolo In a lobby filled with Riot Shield campers and full-time truck drivers, it was none other than Fifakill who came out on top. A handful of crucial gunfight wins in the final moments secured the historic win. Scump made a solid run but ultimately got shot in the back, failing to repeat his iconic victory from the first Solo Yolo. Meanwhile, the likes of Aydan, Swagg, and Rated, all made it deep into the lobby but couldn’t quite finish the job. World Series of Warzone 2022: EU Results (Top 10) World Series of Warzone EU: Solo Yolo 120 competitors entered, but only one left $100,000 richer in the EU Solo Yolo competition. BBlade miraculously followed up his Trio victory and won in pulsating fashion. The EU Warzone player earned over $116,000 from six games of Warzone, potentially going down in history as one of the best Warzone performances ever. World Series of Warzone 2022 format After a few weeks of qualifiers, some marred by cheating scandals and major technical difficulties, the online qualifiers saw 20 teams qualify to join the 20 invited teams in each region. 40 trios will then jump into Caldera and juke it out through five matches, earning points through both kills and placement. Here’s how the scoring system works: 1 kill = 1 point – 1st place = 2x multiplier – 2nd-15th place = 1.5x multiplier – 16th-40th place = No multiplier – For a bit of fun at the end, the iconic SoloYolo competition is also making a return. Top talent in both regions will be fighting in this winner-takes-all round with $100,000 at stake, immediately after the Trios tournament. World Series of Warzone 2022 streams No different from last year, the 2022 WSOW event was broadcast live on the official Call of Duty Twitch channel. While individual players were also streaming their own POVs too, this central hub was the best way to keep on top of the action as it unfolded. We’ve embedded it here so you can catch up on the VOD. $300K World Series of Warzone 2022: Players & Teams With qualifiers out of the way, 40 teams in each region were locked in. Here are some of the teams we saw dropping into the NA and EU finals. NA WSOW Finals teams These are some of the key teams to look out for in the North America tournament: Apathy, Slacked, Flanked – Swagg, LuckyChamu, Booya – BBreadman, JoeWo, Fifakill – Tdawg, Censor, Nero – Rated, Shifty, Ottereyes – TimTheTatman, Scump, Methodz – HusKerrs, UnRational, ScummN – Aydan, Enveiled, Zsmit – ZLaner, Sage, Destroy – SuperEvan, Repullze, Biffle – Tommey, Almond, Newbz – Presenting the #WSOW Finals Invited and Qualified Teams for NA 🔥 — Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) September 5, 2022 Which Trio are you rooting for? 🏁 https://t.co/dNm1qEYEy9 pic.twitter.com/uIoeAh6wBo EU WSOW Finals teams These were some of the key teams to look out for in the Europe tournament: Jukeyz, Lenin, Oekiy – WarsZ, Primzvh, Prxdigy – Vapulear, Abwizz, Omit Jr – BennyCentral, Jaff, Qwiker – ImAngelikaa, Zachar, Pikaczuu – Chowh1, 1Odier, Mystktv – Emz, Kai, Geodaub – Kayzahr, Cpentagon, Fuzzn – MethodzSick, Camzzz17, LouiCM – Moonryde, Berritv, Paralize – Presenting the #WSOW Finals Invited and Qualified Teams for EU 🙌 — Call of Duty (@CallofDuty) September 5, 2022 Which Trio are you rooting for? 🏁 https://t.co/dNm1qEYEy9 pic.twitter.com/Q61hSdwC6R

$30,000 Zombies World Championship Returns – Featuring NoahJ456, MrDalekJD and More The Zombies World Championship returns for 2018 on August 3-5, boasting a $30,000 prize pool and some of the top Call of Duty Zombies YouTubers and streamers participating. The event will be held at the eSports Arena in Orange County, CA, and will see teams of four squad up in Call of Duty Zombies, on a range of different CoD titles from Black Ops 1 to WWII. Eight players get their spot through online qualifiers, and another eight are made up of the content creators. These players are split into two divisions, with $15,000 up for grabs in each. The event will be casted by mcsportzhawk and MrRoflWaffles, two YouTubers ingrained in the Zombies community. More: Clayster Receives the Perfect Gift from Sledgehammer to Celebrate the Ardennes Forest Tree Conspiracy – Here’s the schedule: FRIDAY — Zombies World Invitational @ 3PM PT / 6PM ETSUNDAY — ZWC 2 FInals @ 3PM PT / 6PM ET You can watch live here!https://t.co/iVkfWqKrDZ pic.twitter.com/Cv0azROEUJ — Zombies World Championship #ZWC2 (@OfficialZWC) July 31, 2018 The Zombies World Championship returns with a bigger, badder, more undead installment: ZWC 2. Gamers across the globe compete in seven Call of Duty: Zombies challenges for a chance to win a trip to Los Angeles and a piece of a $30,000 prize pool on Sunday August 5th, 2018. The event will take place at the eSports Arena in Orange County, CA. The best of the best will compete on one stage with thousands of fans witnessing history! Confirmed attendants: NoahJ456 – FaZe Avery – MrDalekJD – MrTLexify – TheSmithPlays – PackaPuncher – ToProForUGames – JCBackFire – Veskk – GregFPS – Ch0pper – QKnightZ – Codenamepizza – Kuschel – The event will be live streamed on the event’s official YouTube Channel, starting with the Invitational event on Friday August 3rd at 3pm PT / 6pm ET / 11pm BST. More: Call of Duty ‘Days of Summer’ Community Event Also Live in Black Ops 3 – Featured Playlists, Special Camos, and More! – Find out more, and tickets, on the official website. Prize Pool

3-year-old Call of Duty “beast” goes viral and divides the internet Activision/TikTok/darienreneeeA 3-year-old Call of Duty player is going viral for his insane skill at the game, but some people don’t think such a young child should be playing violent video games. Earlier this year, footage emerged on TikTok of the next Call of Duty prodigy in the form of a toddler with an iPad. In the clip, the young boy was actually able to do pretty well and secured a couple frags in the process, showcasing some hidden potential skill. “I wonder how people would feel if they knew a 3-year-old old is playing them in Call of Duty,” the boy’s mother captioned the clip. Needless to say, the results were mixed to say the least. CoD community shocked by three-year-old’s insane skill As the video went viral, the responses on TikTok increased with some applauding the boy for having such skill at a young age while others slammed the mom for letting him play. “If I knew a 3-year-old old killed me on COD, I’d quit gaming forever,” one joked. “Bro is better than me,” said another. However, not all the comments were positive with one taking issue with the boy being allowed to play Call of Duty. “It’s a big NO for me. He should be playing Barney games at this age,” remarked an Instagram user. Yahoo News even spoke to Professor Ofir Turel from Melbourne University about the viral clip where she warned about the boy’s future. “Playing COD at this level obviously requires practice. The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends zero screen time at ages 0-2 and one hour per day of selective screen time, i.e. of educational programs, at ages 2-5,” she said. “Studies found that more screen time in 2-year-olds is associated with poorer cognitive and social development outcomes at 3 years. In my own studies on video gaming in older children, I found links to poor sleep and obesity.” In any case, we can’t wait to see this young lad in the Call of Duty League in 15 years when he’s eligible. Until then, he’s already amassed over 8.5 million views on TikTok alone with reuploads of the video dubbing the boy a “CoD beast.”

3 tips to help you survive Black Ops Cold War’s new Zombies Cranked mode ActivisionWith the release of Black Ops Cold War’s mid-season update, Treyarch has added Cranked into the game’s Zombies mode – and it’s pretty different from the standard version, requiring some completely separate strategies. While Cranked in Call of Duty games is nothing new, having debuted all the way back in 2013’s Ghosts, what is different is a Zombies version of the mode, which was just added to Black Ops Cold War during the game’s midseason update. The concept is simple: You’re given a timer, and when that timer reaches 0, you explode and die. With each kill, however, your timer resets, giving you more time to keep on grinding. It’s an incredibly fast-paced mode in normal multiplayer, and the Zombies version is even more hectic – but there are some tips you can utilize to help you survive longer. Pace out your kills In standard Cranked, players are usually scrambling to get kills. In a 5v5 or 6v6, it makes sense, considering there’s only a limited amount of potential targets, and if you can’t find anyone, you’ll die easily due to the timer running out. With BOCW Zombies Cranked, the opposite is true. There’s always an abundance of enemies and, while it’s not impossible to run out of targets, generally speaking, they’ll keep on spawning (there’s not even a break in-between rounds). Because of this, there’s no need to be mowing down Zombies as one does in the normal mode. Instead, if you’re feeling overwhelmed (or if you want to get something done like Pack-A-Punching your weapon), try running away from the enemies for a while to get your bearings. Remember, all it takes is one kill to reset your timer. If you find it running out, just look behind you at the horde you’ve surely amounted, kill one Zombie, and then move along with your business. Wasting your time mowing down each and every zombie can cost you your game. With all that being said, don’t think you can run away from the Zombies with no problem; if you get too far away, you’ll find yourself struggling for kills, so it’s best if you stay nearby. Use fast-reloading weapons and attachments In normal Zombies, using a LMG is sort of required during late-game conflicts, as it allows you to mow down Zombies with greater power. In Cranked, speed is king, so it might be better to use something smaller like an SMG. Reloading fast is essential in Cranked, as you can easily become overrun. Even though it does have a lot of power, you don’t want to waste your time on the horrendously slow reload time found on LMGs. If you want an even faster reload time, you could even throw a fast-mag onto your SMG, and get it done even quicker. In addition, SMGs have the added benefit of allowing you to run faster, meaning you’ll be able to evade Zombies even better than you would before. Always go for the Timer Freeze power up Treyarch has implemented a brand new power-up that’s exclusive to the Cranked game mode: Timer Freeze. With this, players will be able to stop their countdown timer for around 15 seconds or so, giving them a breather. While this might seem obvious to point out, you’ll want to go for those as much as possible. Getting one at the start of your game is not too important, but it’s especially critical when you get into the late game. As the mode goes on, your timer will get shorter and shorter, meaning every break you get becomes more and more important. Having that 15 second breather seems like an eternity once you get it, so missing out on one can hurt you a lot – sometimes costing you your life. While Cranked is incredibly fast-paced, it’s really not that bad if you know what you’re doing. If you remember these tips, you shouldn’t have as much of a problem.

3 tips to help you crush Black Ops Cold War’s Fireteam: Dirty Bomb mode ActivisionDuring the second weekend of the beta, Black Ops Cold War players got a chance to try out one of the new large-scale modes called Fireteam: Dirty Bomb, and needless to say it’s a bit different from the rest of the game. Here are some tips to put you above the rest. [jwplayer ulMZS35X] With Black Ops Cold War, fans have a variety of classic modes to choose from, including Team Deathmatch, Domination, Kill Confirmed, etc. alongside some larger experiences like Combined Arms. That being said, there’s an even bigger mode called Fireteam: Dirty Bomb, which pits 40 players against each other in an attempt to set off radioactive explosives around a large map. The mode itself is a bit different from the others, clearly taking a bit of inspiration from Warzone with the inclusion of armor, doors, etc., meaning that players of Fireteams: Dirty Bomb might be a bit confused when they drop into the map for the first time. Fret not, however, as there are some things to remember about the mode that just might give you an advantage over everyone else. Use the supply crates found around the map In Dirty Bomb, you have to collect Uranium and plant them at bomb sites around the map. Players can pick it up from fallen foes who drop it, but there’s another way to get it that doesn’t require you to get in a firefight. Scattered around the map are small loot chests, similar to the ones seen in Warzone. Opening these chests will guarantee you a few pieces of Uranium, in addition to extra bonuses like armor plates, kill streaks, and more. The best part is that there are a ton of these located around the map. If you’re having trouble finding them, all you have to do is listen for the clicking sound that a Geiger Counter would make. Tons of people seem to be walking right past these chests in game, so finding one that hasn’t been taken shouldn’t be a problem. Find items and find them fast While the crates drop Uranium, they also have the possibility of giving out some helpful items as well. Right now, there’s a few things that the crates can wield, and it would definitely behoove you to find them as quick as possible: Armor – Armor satchel (allows you to hold more pieces of armor) – Self-revive kit – RC-XD – Counter Spy Plane – Sentry Gun – It’s important to find at least a couple of these items as soon as possible as doing so can put you at a serious advantage over everyone else. Like the Uranium, your character drops all items when you die, so if you get taken out, you’ll have to go find them all over again. Stick to the bomb sites In the mode, anyone can deposit Uranium at the five sites around the map, but once the bomb is planted, it belongs to your team. Because of this, it’s important to stick around the site that you want to take once you start depositing your materials. Don’t take them out right away, however, instead, allow them to plant their Uranium and take them out. This means you can have a fully functioning bomb in no time, without any of the work. Is that evil or dirty (no pun intended)? Maybe, but it’ll allow to detonate the explosive easier and at the end of the day, that’s all that matters. Of course, there are other things to remember while playing but if you follow all these tips, you might just be able to win your Fireteams: Dirty Bomb matches with ease.

3 stats that show how HyDra can make NY Subliners even better in the CDL ActivisionFrench phenom Paco ‘HyDra’ Rusiewiez is rumored to be joining the New York Subliners starting roster for CDL Stage 3, and if these stats are anything to go by, he could make them even stronger championship contenders. While HyDra has already made his mark on the European Challenger’s scene, there was some speculation as to how he would adapt to the game in North America. Those concerns have been squashed as quickly as his fans expected, with 2nd, 3rd and 1st place finishes in NA Challengers tournaments. All this, despite being moved from his natural Entry SMG role to an AR, and still putting on a show for the NYSL Academy. Now, he’s rumored to be replacing Mackenzie ‘Mack’ Kelley on the starting roster. On Reverse Sweep Round 11, Andrew ‘Enigma’ Campion took a look at the key areas HyDra will make New York Subliners a better team. First up is the all-important Entry SMG/Flex relationship, something that Enigma previously reported on as a major reason behind Minnesota RØKKR’s incredible improvements since adding Eli ‘Standy’ Bentz to the mix. While Subliners had a near-perfect Entry/Flex relationship in Stage 1, this fell seriously in Stage 2, and Enigma suggests adding HyDra to the mix will help sort out any pacing issues in the New York camp. Campion then looks at two other key metrics that will make HyDra an important addition to the New York side. One of these is simply his raw slaying power. Mack has struggled of late, negative in both respawn modes, while HyDra has continued to show that his gunplay is hard to match. Finally, Search and Destroy has been an issue for New York. They’re 10-10 at the time of writing, but HyDra’s SnD prowess is undeniable. In the Stage 1 European Elite, he was the top-rated Search player, and with him on the map, New York could be looking to put serious pressure on other teams. While HyDra joining the Subliners starting roster is still purely speculation, there’s a huge case to be made for bringing him in after their abysmal Stage 2 Major performance. The question is, will he live up to the hype?

3 lessons Black Ops Cold War can learn from CoD Mobile ActivisionWhile Black Ops Cold War has been met with its fair share of praise, there’s a good amount that the premium title could learn from its free to play counterpart in CoD Mobile. Call of Duty being on an annual cycle comes with its pros and cons. On the plus side, fans get an entirely new game to sink their teeth into every 12 months. Though on the other side of the coin, such small development periods leave little room for innovation. Developers have to tick all the right boxes to keep fans happy. From Zombies to Warzone and everything in between, these are massive projects that lean on hundreds of developers. Meanwhile, CoD Mobile comes from a smaller team that is consistently able to build upon the one title. The mobile devs are able to invest more resources knowing that their game won’t be made redundant in a few months time. With that in mind, here are three key ways in which Black Ops Cold War could take inspiration from CoD Mobile to improve the experience for everyone. Reusing more classic maps from CoD history First up is to fall back on some fan-favorite maps from over the years. Season One reintroduced Raid to BOCW and it instantly became the highlight of the update. We often see a handful of returning maps with each release but CoD Mobile handles things better than every mainline title in this regard. Instead of playing favorites with certain developers, CoD Mobile features maps from every studio. You’ve got Black Ops classics in the same playlist with Modern Warfare staples. There is a huge assortment of popular battlegrounds to sift through and this leads to a more enjoyable experience overall. Having BOCW – and well, every main entry moving forward – feature a broader selection of maps from previous years would be ideal. Not just for online multiplayer, but for the competitive scene as well. Certain iconic maps could be locked into the professional rotation while one or two new additions are slotted in with each passing year. Going the extra mile with weapon camos and Operator skins It’s no stretch to say that CoD Mobile features some of the most impressive cosmetics in CoD history. With each big update comes new skins, dynamic camos, and more ways to personalize your in-game appearance. BOCW lets you apply a few different weapon camos and some Blueprints have their own styles as well, though none ever stand out quite as well as CoD Mobile’s. While leaks have shown us what Warzone is capable of with dynamic camos, we’re still yet to see it come to fruition. CoD Mobile features all sorts of animated skins to spice things up. There are weapons that change their appearance with each kill in a streak, while others will literally make your enemies explode in the final kill of a round. There is a good amount of room to experiment here. It’s just a matter of developers pulling the trigger on some more flashy visuals for the otherwise fairly tame set of cosmetics in BOCW. A constant rotation of events to keep players coming back One thing that CoD Mobile has always done particularly well is timed events. Essentially every time you login there will be some kind of limited-time event taking place. These can vary in scope from small weapon-based events to major spectacles that split the entire community into two warring factions. In BOCW, we get the odd seasonal event to celebrate Christmas and of course, Warzone had its fantastic Halloween-themed takeover in 2020. Though huge gaps in between could have players dipping away to other titles until new content comes around. Read More: ZooMaa names his top 3 CDL teams – Constantly having something new to login for, whether it’s a new unlock to grind out or a larger goal you’re working on, keeps the experience fresh every day. XP Challenges are one way of keeping your community active, but a more consistent influx of new events would help keep the game thriving.

3 CoD: Warzone tips & tricks to help you run faster than other players Infinity WardMovement is one of the most important aspects of Call of Duty: Warzone, so here’s a mini-guide on how to increase your running speed in the new battle royale. Warzone has been all the rage in the Call of Duty community, and since it’s so brand new, players are discovering tricks that improve their gameplay almost on a daily basis. The latest tips are for movement speed, which is obviously crucial in a game such as this, as it comes into play when you’re trying to run from the gas, get to a certain spot as fast as possible, or escape from enemies trying to chase you. Turns out that there are certain steps you can take to help you run faster than others, some more obvious but others lesser-known. Below, we’ve listed three tips and tricks that will help you move quicker in Warzone. 1. Equip a lighter weapon It’s become quite clear that the speed at which you run in Warzone is heavily influenced by the weapon you have in your hands. With lighter guns, you will naturally move more nimbly, and thus get to where you’re going in less time. So, if you have a light weapon like a pistol or SMG in your inventory, make sure you have that equipped when sprinting, instead of a heavier gun such as a sniper rifle or LMG. An in-depth look at how much each weapon type slows you down can be found in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber TheXclusiveAce. 2. Use Double Time Double Time is a Perk 1 that really offers three distinct movement boosts. The first is that it doubles the duration of Tactical Sprint, which is that extra gear you can briefly go into while running that increases your speed by 1.5x. The regular duration of this is four seconds, which means Double Time bumps it up to eight seconds, a considerable difference. The second boost is .it lowers the cooldown for Tactical Sprint, which means you can recover faster after one spell ends and get back to running fast sooner. The third, and perhaps the least talked-about advantage, is that it increases crouch movement speed by 30%. When you crouch walk, your footsteps make no noise, so being able to do that 30% faster is actually pretty significant. 3. ADS Slide Cancel Slide-cancelling is a trick that a lot of pro players have been using in competitive multiplayer matches, and there’s a variation of it that can increase your movement speed in Warzone. The idea here is that you use your Tactical Sprint until it runs out, at which point you go into a slide, and right at the start of the animation, you briefly aim down sights with your weapon. What this does is that it allows you to maintain the fastest sprint speed without losing it, and the point of the ADS at the start of each slide is to cancel out that slight delay you get when you exit the slide before you can run again. TheXclusiveAce tested this out in-game and determined that this technique actually allows you to get from point A to B approximately 6.6% faster than if you just tried running without any tricks. A visual demonstration of this can be found in one of his recent videos, which we’ve included below: There you have it, three tips and tricks that will guaranteed improve how fast you move and sprint in Call of Duty: Warzone. Now, load into a match, try them out, and let us know what you think!

3 Black Ops weapons that should return in Cold War & Warzone Season 2 ActivisionCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War & Warzone Season 2 is just a few days away at this point and details about the season are scarce, so we thought it would be interesting to break down the guns we’d like to see return from previous COD games during Season 2. Black Ops Cold War Season 2 is set to start on February 24, 2021, and just like the previous season, it’s more than likely set to bring new multiplayer maps, new Zombies experiences, and new weapons to the game. Despite only being 9 days out, we have no official confirmation about what the season will bring, and only an unverified leak about a couple of weapons that might be released. But what about weapons that could return from previous CoD games, namely Black Ops 1? Considering the return of the MAC-11 in BOCW, it’s entirely possible that old weapons make a comeback once again in Season 2. Here are three from the first game that we want to see. Dragonov Right now, Black Ops Cold War is in desperate need of a new sniper rifle. Currently, players are still forced to work with the three that launched with the game – Pellington, Tundra, and M82 – and while they are formidable, it’s clear that the sniper section needs some love. Because of that, and because the game currently doesn’t include a decent semi-auto sniper choice, the Dragonov from BO1 would fit perfectly. While the weapon hasn’t been an extremely popular choice in past CoD games, there’s a chance for the weapon to really shine here in BOCW, especially depending on the maps we get. If they do add the Dragunov, let’s hope it’s not similar to the Modern Warfare counterpart, which was known for being one of the weaker weapons in the game. Galil This one is a no-brainer. The Galil is easily one of the most popular Assault Rifles in Black Ops history due to its high rate-of-fire, low recoil, and decent handling. It’s so popular that it’s made an appearance in one way, shape, or form in all four previous entries in the Black Ops series, almost making its inclusion in BOCW an inevitability. While the game just got an assault rifle in the form of the Groza during Season 1, the Galil’s inclusion in Season 2 could help transition people away from the current metagame, and could even provide a new viable option within Warzone as well. HK21 Rounding out our list is an LMG. Like the sniper category, the LMG selection is pretty limited in Black Ops Cold War, with players only having access to the same 3 available since launch. Because of this, a new one would be perfect for the game, specifically the HK21 from Black Ops 1. For those that remember it, the weapon had a solid rate of fire, as well as some of the lowest recoil in its class. If Treyarch brought the same weapon over to BOCW, it has the potential to be a powerhouse. LMGs aren’t really highly-used weapons within Black Ops Cold War, so it’s possible the release of a new one could have the potential to change that – regardless of whether or not it’s the HK21, There you have it – three classic Black Ops guns that we believe could have a nice spot in Cold War & Warzone. Let us know which weapons you’d like to see added in Season 2 by tweeting at us @Dexertointel.

3 beginners tips to help you in the Black Ops Cold War Alpha Activision[jwplayer TRTnHw0w] The Black Ops Cold War Alpha is officially here for PlayStation 4 players, and it very feels pretty different when compared to other Call of Duty games. Here’s some beginner’s tips to help you out the next time you jump into the pre-release version. The Black Ops Cold War Alpha is finally here for everyone on PlayStation 4. After being available for press, media, and content creators a couple weeks back, Activision decided to make the pre-release version of the game available to all PlayStation 4 players, regardless of whether or not they pre-ordered the game. If you jumped into it, however, you’ll notice that it’s very different to other Call of Duty games, especially when you compare it to something like Modern Warfare or Warzone, the most recent entries in the series. Because of this, we compiled some tips to help you out in this fresh landscape. 1. Throw out all your strategies and play-styles from Modern Warfare For better or for worse, Black Ops Cold War is an entirely different beast when compared to Modern Warfare. Whether its the way guns behave, the felling of movement, etc., the game feels nothing like the 2019 title. Even features that carry over from that game, like the Gunsmith, feel relatively different overall. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj4F0Z1bf58 Because of this, it’s a good idea if you just leave that all behind. Seriously, forget everything you learned while playing Modern Warfare, because it won’t help you with this one. Instead, it’s better if you just play a couple matches and get feel for the everything the game has to offer. You’ll be better off that way. 2. Don’t mess around with Create-A-Class right off the bat This one is a bit strange, but it’ll help you get used to the way the game feels. When you jump into the title for the first time, don’t mess around with the Create-A-Class options. You won’t know how anything handles, and you’ll just generally not have a good time. Instead, you should play a couple matches and get used to how the game controls and feels. Because its so different than last year’s title, players of those games might have a hard time deciding what they want to use, even if the Create-A-Class systems are extremely similar to one another. https://twitter.com/CallofDuty/status/1307061985742184449?s=20 3. Play your objectives if you have them This might be obvious, but it’s vitally important in Black Ops Cold War. Playing your objectives in this game will not only help your team win the match, but it’s now crucial if you want to get your scorestreaks. While these rewards have always required more than their kill-based brethren, they now have insanely high requirements. RC-XD’s require 600 points, Spy Plane’s require 800 points, and, worst of all, large-scale streak’s require a few thousand points. This means that, unless you really want to spend the time getting 6 kills to get your RC-XD, you’ll have to play your objectives. All in all, these tips are only partially useful. Obviously, practice makes perfect when it comes to this kind of stuff, but it’ll allow you to not have as frustrating of a time when you jump into your first matches.

$25k Warzone tournament ruined as pros slapped with random shadow bans ActivisionA $25,000 Call of Duty: Warzone tournament was derailed as a number of competitors got struck down by shadow bans out of nowhere. Reacting to their bans on Twitter, the pros seemed absolutely shocked. For the first major Warzone tournament of 2022, BoomTV decided to host a $25,000 Code Red 2v2 event. With a number of top-tier competitors and a co-ed team format, the event was highly anticipated. Unfortunately, that excitement soon turned to concern as the tournament was beset by a number of issues. While players enjoy the Duo Quads format, allowing for teams of two to run rampage on public lobbies, there are some drawbacks. One issue that popped up early involved stream sniping, but the second was even more troublesome. Several of the event’s duos had their games ruined by seemingly random shadow bans. Warzone tournament derailed by shadow bans Thank you for the shadow ban mid tournament I’m only playing for 25gs its no bother hahahahhaha @Activision — Li (@Jukeyz) January 5, 2022 Competing for a cut of $25,000 is no small deal, and players understood the gravity of that situation. This was sarcastically reinforced by Jukeyz, one of Warzone’s all-time highest earners, when he tweeted about his shadow ban. In Jukeyz’s tweet, he thanked the devs for his “shadow ban mid-tournament,” continuing on to say he’s “only playing for 25gs, it’s no bother.” got put out unfortunately, love @boomtv for the invite and grateful at the opportunity but it’s very saddening when things are out of my hand like acti having all the issues today. we regain i guess 👊💜 — Overgirl (@Overgirl) January 5, 2022 While Jukeyz tried to laugh through the pain, other competitors tried to focus on their gratitude despite unfortunate circumstances. As Overgirl explained, she is “grateful at the opportunity, but it’s very saddening when things are out of my hand like Acti having all the issues today.” In the replies to Jukeyz and Overgirl, a number of users reacted with shock at the bans. There were also some since-deleted tweets from other pros, who weren’t thrilled with the spontaneous punishments. Raven Software have yet to respond to these bans or explain them, but they typically haven’t done that in the past anyway. Fortunately, it seems that each player was able to resume play after the morale-breaking problems.

Almond & kenzrosey win $25K Toronto Ultra Warzone Payout event: Final results Activision / Toronto UltraThe latest $25,000 Toronto Ultra Warzone Payout event just went down as Almond & kenzrosey secured the win in the second biggest Warzone tournament of the month. If you missed any of the action, we’ve got you covered with a full look at the results below. Almond & kenzrosey win without dropping a single map. – $25,000 prize split among top four teams. – Double-elimination kill-race format. – Toronto Ultra’s Warzone Payout series just returned for another round. As high-stakes events closed out the month of March, this $25K tourney came just hours out from the $100K Caldera Challenge finals. As expected, all the usual suspects lined up to compete as Warzone’s finest looked to take home another chunk of change for their efforts. From who performed the best to how you can rewatch the tourney, we’ve got you covered with a full breakdown of all there is to know. $25K Toronto Ultra Warzone Payout: Final Placements (Top 8) $25K Toronto Ultra Warzone Payout: Results & Recap As one of the biggest tournaments of the month, Ultra’s latest Payout event was stacked with elite talent. 24 Duos loaded into the opening round ready to give it their all, but Caldera wasn’t exactly kind to all visitors on the day. For the likes of Warzone stars like HusKerrs, Rated, and Tommey, their runs came to an unceremonious end. Before they could find their footing, these accomplished pros were all knocked out in the first lower bracket round. Meanwhile, pushing through the upper bracket, was none other than Almond & kenzrosey. Together, the Duo had a flawless day, cruising through five rounds of competition without dropping a single map. Only needing to win one best of three in the finals, it was just a matter of time before Almond & kenzrosey cleaned house, taking out Dirty & Slacked to secure the top spot. $25K Toronto Ultra Warzone Payout: Streams & Schedule The latest Toronto Ultra Payout event kicked off at 3PM EST | 12PM PT on Monday, March 28. As kill races are always impossible to time, this particular event ran for just over eight hours in total. No different from usual, the $25K tournament was streamed live on the official Call of Duty Twitch channel. Though as always, fans could also tune into their favorite players directly, as all competitors were required to stream their POV. $25K Toronto Ultra Warzone Payout: Format & Prize Pool The $25K Toronto Ultra Warzone event featured a standard double-elimination kill-race format. 24 Duos clashed in Caldera as players pushed for the most kills possible in every map. Read More: Top 20 highest-earning Warzone players – While $25K was on the line, only the top four teams walked away with cash in their pockets when all was said and done. Below is a quick breakdown of the full prize pool payout: 1st Place – $12,500 – 2nd Place – $7,500 – 3rd Place – $3,000 – 4th Place – $2,000 – $25K Toronto Ultra Warzone Payout: Players & Teams Given the caliber of this Warzone event, the scene’s top streamers and pros were all lining up to compete. The biggest names like Aydan, Tommey, and Swagg were just the tip of the iceberg. While Aydan seemingly leaked the full team list ahead of time, it appears plans changed in the lead-up to the event. More teams were allowed in and various Duos were shaken up before action got underway. Here’s a full look at everyone that dropped in for the event. We’ll be sure to update you here if any changes are announced ahead of the event.

$250K CoD event comes under fire for “embarrassing” LAN setup Twitter: _TheRotationThe Call of Duty Challengers Finals 2022 event, a tournament featuring eight teams from around the world with a $250K prize pool, has come under fire for its “embarassing” setup with low-grade equipment and minimal production value. After a full year of competing online at the amateur level, CoD’s best up-and-coming teams from North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region have been flown out to Los Angeles. Eight squads are now in town for the year-ending tournament. With a $250K prize up for grabs, it’s the biggest amateur LAN competition of the Vanguard cycle. Though just from looking at the setup, you wouldn’t think as much. Photos of the Challengers setup have surfaced online and it’s safe to say the CoD community isn’t happy with the quality. “This is the entire Challengers setup in LA for Champs,” The Rotation said on Twitter as the account shared a first look at the LAN setup. Gaming PCs are set up directly across the table from one another in just a few square meters. There’s no big screen for fans to watch along, no stage elevating the players, and nothing in the hall to signify the event. To any member of the general public passing by, they’d have no idea a CoD event is in focus, let alone the most high-stakes tournament of the year with the winners securing a six-figure payday. Making matters worse beyond the raw visual, players also reported the gaming equipment itself wasn’t up to snuff. For those competing at the very highest level, they’re often decked out with top-of-the-range equipment to maximize their performance. At this $250K event, however, players aren’t even competing on 240hz monitors. Naturally, the quality of this setup has been the point of ridicule far and wide across social media. “[$250K] prize pool and this is the venue they’re getting? That’s embarrassing” one fan said on Twitter. “Whoever is in charge of putting this together looks bad, sad stuff for a franchise league,” another chimed in. Call of Duty League officials are yet to address the backlash. Given the Challengers Finals get underway in just a few hours, there’s little time left to make any last-minute improvements.