I suck at COD - help

JonnyF · 15-02-2010 05:33PM #1

i've been playing CODMW2 for the last three months, not a lot but maybe for 4 or 5 hours a week. My big problem is that i just don't seem to be getting any better at it, I'd have thought I'd start picking up stuff by now but haven't at all.

I still really like playing it but obviously would like it a bit more if I wasn't getting demolished repeatedly.

I play with the Scar-H silenced, have the heartbeat sensor but found that too distracting. Averaging about 3 or 4 kills a game but getting wiped out about 19 to 20 times. I play mainly domination and headquarters pro.

Any helpful tips?

shawpower · 15-02-2010 05:40PM

How do you find yourself getting killed mostly? As in, do you tend to lose 1v1 shootoffs a lot? Or do you get picked off as you move aroung the map?

When you are playing, what signal strength do you get on your connections? Anything less than 3 green bars can cause problems with Lag.

Lastly, what times do you normally play at? For example very late at night usually see's you in US lobbies, which can also cause problems with Lag.

JonnyF · 15-02-2010 05:42PM

i usually play in the early evening after work. don't think i'm getting lag problems, think i'm just not quick enough on the draw. i get picked off occasionally and get taken out by choppers and harriers but it seems to be mainly that i come around a corner and someones there and I get dropped before i get a shot off, or a spray a few rounds at them and then pop me back.

Enigma IE · 15-02-2010 05:43PM

OP, without knowing your class setup or playing style, I would suggest the following class:

Primary Weapon
SCAR-H (ironsight or your preferred attachment e.g. red dot or holo) - use short sharp bursts to minimise recoil.

Secondary
PP2000

PERK 1 - scavenger
PERK 2 - stopping power
PERK 3 - steady aim or ninja

Steady aim is very handy for shooting from the hip. It saves time and will get you more kills. Remember also, switching to your secondary weapon is always faster than reloading.

Ninja - when your hip fire improves, switch steady aim to ninja. This makes you invisible to heartbeat sensors and silent footsteps (pro).

Don't stand around too long in any place and stay close to walls or any object you can quickly take cover behind.

Heartbeat Sensors tend to distract you more than anything and while you can pickup a few kills, tend to hinder your development - I think anyway.

Silencers - much reduced pwoer and you typically will need headshots to kill your opponent before he kills you...

Use silencers in a stealth class later on, with cold blooded and stinger for shooting down air support.

Sod'o swords · 15-02-2010 05:45PM

JonnyF wrote: »

Any helpful tips?

Don't run around corners.

Simple, but the best adivce you can follow.

robz18 · 15-02-2010 05:46PM

Never run around out in the open in the middle of maps, stay close to cover as much as possible, that being said, do keep moving around the map when possible.

Dymo · 15-02-2010 05:47PM

What level are you at now? I only started playing MW2 before Christmas and I'm still pretty **** at it. Some good games but mostly terrible I only play FFA. I'm putting it down to being a late beginner with console games (Started before Christmas). I'm at level 35 now and my goal to to Prestige once.

Apart from you tube videos here's a good walkthrough for single layer mode.

http://nextgenwalkthroughs.com/Modern_Warfare_2_Beginners_Guide_to_Veteran

Shammy · 15-02-2010 05:48PM

If your playing domination or h/q i would suggest marathon on medium to small maps and sleight of hand on the bigger ones, the latter when it goes pro helps yu aim a lot quicker.
Good luck.

shawpower · 15-02-2010 05:50PM

JonnyF wrote: »

i usually play in the early evening after work. don't think i'm getting lag problems, think i'm just not quick enough on the draw. i get picked off occasionally and get taken out by choppers and harriers but it seems to be mainly that i come around a corner and someones there and I get dropped before i get a shot off, or a spray a few rounds at them and then pop me back.

A couple of things come to mind.

1. What format do you play? PC/XBox/PS3?

2. Do you run a lot? If you do, it takes longer to get to aim when you finish running, than if you are just walking. So if you run around a corner, the guy has a big advantage time wise to take aim and fire.

3. Weapon choice. If you get taken out at corners a lot, presuming that is on smaller maps like Skidrow or HighRise, why not try out having a secondary as Shotgun. That way you can kill the guy without looking through the sights.

I find the M1014 brilliant for this, but the SPAS or Striker are also very good depending on your level. The AA12 is quicker, but it tends to have worse recoil, particularly before you get the Grip with it.

3. The Holographic sight is more forgiving on the autoaim than any other. Maybe try this a bit also?

Other tips for getting kills are:

Claymores, leave them just inside a corner or room. That way when someone walks in they go bam! Scavenger perk is handy with Claymores also, as you can replenish your stock from dead bodies. You can only have 2 out at any one time, but you can leave them behind you as you move around to cut down on people flanking you.

Ninja Pro. Quiet your footsteps. I use this always.

Stopping power. If your shots aren't killing quickly enough, stick this on to boost their power.

There are other tips, but this is a decent start.

JonnyF · 15-02-2010 05:51PM

i'm only on level 16 ( i think) staff sergeant. got a few things to try out tonight, i'll see how i get on.

am i best to stay on the scar or should i try and rank up my m4?

shawpower · 15-02-2010 05:58PM

A few other things came to mind.

Killstreak rewards.
What do you have your killstreaks set up as? If you are struggling for kills, then certainly keep them to UAV/Pred missile/Harrier.

Counter UAV isn't going to help you to get kills as much, but will restrict your enemy.

Care Package just lets the enemy know where you are. So wait till you improve your gameplay before that. It isn't too bad on huge maps like derail or maybe afghan, but on smaller maps it tends to draw the enemy in.

Gameplay
I'd tend to suggest TDM to start with. Or even Mercenary TDM. Just means you aren't scrambling for flags etc and getting picked off. But equally, you can play more defensive on those gametypes and try to pick people off as they go for flags.

shawpower · 15-02-2010 06:06PM

JonnyF wrote: »

i'm only on level 16 ( i think) staff sergeant. got a few things to try out tonight, i'll see how i get on.

am i best to stay on the scar or should i try and rank up my m4?

Level 16 leaves you a bit restricted on the shotguns. I'd suggest to stick with the SPAs for a while to get enough kills to get the grip. Just be aware that you need to reload after each shot. So maybe Sleight of Hand is a good perk 1 slot to put with that gun?

I'm pretty sure Lvl 16 leaves you without SteadyAim or Ninja?? Not sure though. If you have SteadyAim, put that on with the shotgun.

In relation to the Scar v M4, I'd say to try the M4 for a while if the scar hasn't worked. The scar does tend to bounce around a bit due to recoil, so while your first bullet might hit, your others will be over the guys head. You could try tapping the trigger butten either.

But the M4 is a decent gun to start with. Have you tried the FAMAS? I really liked that when I was starting. The burst fire takes getting used to, but it means you are less likely to spray and miss. Plus it's the same bullet damage as the SCAR, so two bullets with this and Stopping power and the guy is dead.

What format do you play? Try to link up with guys from Boards if possible. Playing with people you know makes it easier, as you can call out enemy positions etc.

But if you are going with a Assault Rifle and Shotgun combo, you basically need to swap to shotgun before you come up to corners. Then work your way around the corner slowly.

shawpower · 15-02-2010 06:08PM

Oh, one last tip. Which is a very important lesson I learned when I started.

Try to keep the middle of the screen of your telly, where you expect to come across someone. When you scope, that will be the area that appears. So this will reduce the time spent moving your scope around looking for the target.

I just moved around at will to start with, but then saw from looking at videos, that the good players tend to have the centre point of the telly exactly where an enemy might appear. So they can quick scope and shoot, with minimal movement of the cursor.

JonnyF · 15-02-2010 06:13PM

thanks lads, i'll give it a lash tonight and see what happens. watch this space

Shapey Fiend · 15-02-2010 07:16PM

Enigma IE's advice would be much the same as mine. I like that load out.

Watch some youtube commentary videos. Search for Camp Hutch, or Blame Truth, or someone like that. Or even a couple of the Irish guys like Tallon. I picked up a ton of pointers from those guys.

Lastly, camp if you can. The weapon damages are quite high in MW2 so being aggressive isn't going to get you good scores for the main part. It will some of the time but not consistently, assuming you aren't really good.

15-02-2010 07:40PM

Run around and drop to prone every few seconds. If someone has you in their sights then you're harder to hit.

Kintarō Hattori · 15-02-2010 10:06PM

JonnyF wrote: »

i'm only on level 16 ( i think) staff sergeant. got a few things to try out tonight, i'll see how i get on.

am i best to stay on the scar or should i try and rank up my m4?

Personally I found the Scar pretty poor. It doesn't carry too many rounds and you find yourself reloading at the wrong time.

I use the TAR-21 which is a viscous litte thing when you use the red dot or holographic sights. Give it a whirl and see what you think. Perk wise I use the following:

Perk 1 - Bling (red dot sight and FMJ)
Perk 2 - Stopping Power
Perk 3 - Steady Aim

Another rifle I really like is the FAL but this isn't to everyone's taste as it's single shot only and it's not suited to some maps.

Jev/N · 15-02-2010 10:28PM

No need to bother with bling unless you're going to use silencer and FMJ as most of the iron sights, particularly on the TAR and ACR, are brilliant

Paparazzo · 15-02-2010 10:30PM

I have a shotgun (M1014) or the .44 magnum as secondarys, I always switch to them when I'm inside a confined space. Or if you're upstairs shooting out a window and someone is coming up the stairs to get you switch to the shotgun, it always wins in close range quick duels.
Also, (for me anyway!) some guns are better for some levels. For instance on skidrow i was getting hammered using my favourite gun (ACR) and I changed to a P90 (with rapid fire) and got loads of kills. Easier to move around with the p90 and big mags helped, people always seem to be in the hallways inside.

Have a look here at the maps, gives you a good idea of the layout of a level.
And if you don't mind leaving a game if it's a level you HATE. Probably not a good idea to keep leaving games and only playing the 2 levels you like, but I can't stand Underpass and always end up leaving a game when it comes up! Life's too short to play levels you hate

ironictoaster · 15-02-2010 10:31PM

Try ACR with red dot and silencer. Removes recoil completely.

tbh · 15-02-2010 10:44PM

what I did was change my strategy from trying to get as many kills as possible to trying to get as few deaths as possible.
I stopped legging around the maps and started dashing from cover to cover. It takes a while, but slowly you get to know the maps, know where the cover spots are, so you figure out where people are hiding. It sucks, but you gradually start to get more kills and less deaths.

If you're getting killed quickly, then give yourself as much chance in that 1v1 as you can - i.e. stopping power.

Never run into a room without throwing in a flash bang

If you have a second controller, start a private match, no timelimit, no killcam and no score limit. run around and use the guest player as target practice. try all the different guns and see which one suits you best.
I have the m16 w/ stopping power, ninja and bling pro (noob tube and FMJ).

also, as the lads have said, if you're in a lobby and you're getting creamed - switch out.

jeffred · 15-02-2010 11:57PM

I only started in january (on PC) and started playing TDM & HQ but like yourself was getting killed lots. The matchmaking seems to put you in with lots of much higher ranked people. Started free-for-all in the last two weeks and find the match making much better - getting more kills and ranking up much quicker, so getting better weapons. With the better weapons and getting to know the maps I've have improved on TDM but still need lots of work.

Sneak · 17-02-2010 01:51PM

ok i can tell u from experience that it takes practise... i played cod4 for a very long time (probably 30 days or more of playing time).. throughout cod4 i learned practically everything u need to know in playing FPS's.. i played search and derstroy a lot as i got to play and interact with some of the best players throughout europe... i then moved on to cod5 ([EMAIL="w@w"]w@w[/EMAIL]) where i reached 10th prestige level 65 in less than 8 days... all these experiences made my transition to Mw2 very helpful... my two favourite guns in the whole game are the FAMAS and the UMP45.. these guns are just pure class.. once i familiarised myself with the maps this game became very easy.. i hav gotten like 15 nukes already and i only hav 2days and 11hours clocked up.. so my advice would be just to stay playin, practise and u will eventually start to dominate :P

shawpower · 17-02-2010 02:17PM

No word back from the OP as to how he's doing...

Detrimental2u · 17-02-2010 03:16PM

Play Team Deathmatch if you're new at this game. Domination and HQ Pro do not lend themselves to beginners.

Paparazzo · 17-02-2010 08:48PM

Another good one is to mute all the people in the game (especially in free for all) so you can hear where they're shooting from. Works if you have surround sound of use headphones

JonnyF · 18-02-2010 10:53AM

sorry for not getting back sooner , it's tough to get a run at the telly with the roommate about but i've managed to log a bit of time.

First off I've switch to the Famas. I'm using it with the grenade launcher for the time being. once i got used to the 3 shot burst i was able to really appreciate the fact that a well aimed burst drops any futhamucka in the joint rather than with the SCAR where you had to empy half a clip into them.

My load out is as follows

FAMAS w/grenade launcher (not bling yet and find grenade handy to clearing rooms and graggin people running away)
SPAS-12 w/red dot sight (no real reason for the sight but better than nothing)
Frag Grenades
Flashbangs

Perk 1 - Scavenger Pro
Perk 2 - Stopping Power Pro
Perk 3 - Steady Aim Pro

I've taken on board most of the tips got. Playing a lot of free for all and find I'm ranking up a lot quicker than before and have gone from being paddy last in every game to mid table mediocrity. I'm still getting killed a lot but my kill/death ratio is looking a lot more favourable.
I haven't really gone for the camping side of things, more just roaming the edge of the map and only occasionally moving deeper into the map when i think somethings on.

so to sum up, new weapon, liking it a lot, new tactics definitely helping me too (i've even been getting a fair few melee kills every game which i wouldn't have before)

cheers lads

shawpower · 18-02-2010 11:04AM

Fair play. Looks like a good set of tactics you've employed. Just keep practising really. You will gradually improve as you play more. Certainly what I found anyway.

Do you find yourself getting many Frag kills? If not, maybe swap to Claymore? If you learn to position it right, you can normally get 2-3 kills every game. (TDM anyway). Basically you want to place it just around corners or inside doors. Just don't let the red bars be visable from a distance. So as the enemy comes into the room, it clicks and BOOM!! He can't get back out of the room in time, and he hasn't seen it on his approach.

There are some really nice spots such as on Favela, in the Barber shop. It's a high traffic area so you don't normally have to wait long for a kill. I find the best place is downstairs behind the sofa, pointing inwards towards the stairs. Guys coming into the building can't see it behind the sofa and it'll get them as they go up the stairs, while guys coming down the stairs find it hard to see it before it's too late. There are loads more spots around different maps, but the key is to stick them in high traffic areas, but also concealed so people can't see them from a distance.

The only maps where the frag/semtex is more useful imho, is on open ones like Wasteland, and Afghan. You can still make the claymore work for you, but it's not as easy.

One other possible tip is that maybe when you are happy that you've improved your aim/kill speed, switch over to games of TDM or MTDM. There is less camping on these gametypes, so you should see a bit more action and hopefully get more kills than you do in FFA.

shawpower · 18-02-2010 11:26AM

JonnyF wrote: »

SPAS-12 w/red dot sight (no real reason for the sight but better than nothing)

As mentioned before, try to keep switching to the shotgun when you are in corridors, rooms and alleys etc. However one other important point, that I don't think has been mentioned yet, is that you really want to try to get as many kills with the SPAS as quickly as possible so you can unlock the grip attachment. I'd go so far to suggest using it as your primary and forget about k:d ratio for a few games. This is by far the most important attachment for any shotgun, and transforms the gun imho. It hugely improves the aim, and nearly eliminates the recoil. I've found that effectively it means that you don't need SteadyAim as much. This in turn will open up the Perk3 slot for you. Once you have the Grip unlocked, you won't use any other attachment again.

The SPAS is a really nice shotgun, but is a little slow to shoot compared with later level shotguns. When you get to the AA, the Striker and eventually the M1014, you'll find you can get multiple shots off quicker than with the SPAS. This'll mean that if you miss with the first blast, you'll still have a chance to kill the guy with the next shot. However, the grip is vital for these guns as it greatly reduces the recoil between shots.

My preference would be to stick to the SPAS even when you open up the AA12, then maybe jump to the Striker when you unlock that. Really nice gun. Not automatic, but a big clip and time between shots is a lot less than the SPAS. But the M1014 is the top dog. Only downside is the small clip size, but with good reload timing (when you reload, rather than how fast) or even Sleight of Hand perk, it is the dogs up close. You just blast guys across the room with one shot. Fabulous fun.

Btw, witches, beware!! I had a hilarious moment yesterday. I had gotten knifed by a guy in Karachi using Marathon/Lightweight/Commando, so I knew he was about. Over by the A flag, I went around a corner and saw him running towards me. I just stood still, waited for him to get closer as he ran directly at me, and then BAM! Off he flies. Sweet. (Tip for those who like to Witch: You'll never win a 1v1 when you are spotted, so run away rather than towards the enemy!!!)

Anyway, hope this helps a bit too.

Kaos Theory · 18-02-2010 01:56PM

Hi OP, I only recently started playing MW2 (like in the last couple of weeks) and like you was getting slaughtered in nearly every game. This was the first time I'd played online on the PS3. After a while I copped onto a few things so I'll list them out in the hope they'll be some help, some of these may be me just repeating what others have already said though...

1. Stop tearing round the map like a rabbit on speed.

From the word go I was horsing it around the place and usually getting a face full of lead for my troubles. Slow down, take your time, if you're full on sprinting around a corner and run into an enemy, there's a split second delay between when you can slow down and aim/fire your gun (even off the hip) If the other guy is only walking along, he has the advantage and can get a burst of fire off before you. Even if you get a shot off, you're likely only to wound him, while he kills your ass and then just takes a second to recover his health.

2. Don't go lone wolf.

On TDM anyway, I found sticking with a random team mate or 2 increased my chances of A. Staying alive and B. Getting a kill. Picture this, you start a round and stick with a couple other players, the three of you encounter an enemy and he opens fire, now, thats one set of incoming hostile fire, while the poor bastard has 3 sets of return fire heading for him. A good result is he dies, only one of you gets injured and you 3 carry on, bad result, one of you kicks the bucket but then there's still the 2 of you to fight on and one of you just got a kill plus the other probably got the assist.

3. Hug the map edges.

Picture a top down view of the map you're playing, on open maps, after sprinting down the middle, fire can come from (for the sake of argument) 8 directions (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW) however, if you hug say the left side of the map, fire can no longer come from the SW, W, or NW (unless they're inbound in a chopper! :eek: ) so you've now reduced the area you need to worry about/monitor by 37.5%. Look inwards towards the centre of the map, see that clown that used to be you tearing right down the middle too busy trying to cover all angles to notice you? Nail'em. :P

4. CQC (Close Quarter Combat) weapons.

I know its been covered but worth repeating, suit your weapon to your situation, yes, assault rifles are kind of the do-it-all waepon but up close & personal, I love nothing more then storming into a building, meeting an enemy and as they try to bring their rifle to bear, feeding them a face full of buckshot.

E.g. There's no point going 1vs1 with a sniper rifle unless you're both either side of a map!

5. Flash'em

No, no, no, put that thing back in your pants (is it cold out today?

) Flash and stun grenades are underrated, when I started out I never used them but then realised how incredibly god damn annoying it was to be flashed/stunned so I started giving as good as I got and have gotten quite a few kills from it. Practice throwing to learn how a grenade will arch in flight, last thing you want is to try and put a stun grenade through a window only for you to mis-judge it and have it bounce back off the wall beside the window and stun yourself or worse, your teammates. Voice of experience here.

6. Mute the mics.

My first game all I heard was a bunch of freakin kids bitch, moan and whine about everything. Unless you're playing with friends and are actively working together (you can selectively mute other players BTW) just mute everyone, it allows you to concentrate on the game and you'll be able to hear things like enemy footsteps approaching instead of little Timmy bitching that his Mom is on his case to get off the computer an go to beddy bies. :rolleyes:

7. Hostile Air.

FFS shoot it down as quickly as possible, no arguments, just do it. Nobody likes getting taken out by a chopper and the balance of a game can quickly shift because you and your team are ignoring the guy in the sky.

Thats all I can think of off hand, if I remember any more I'll add them in later.

Kaos

adrian522 · 18-02-2010 02:49PM

Is there anyway of auto muting other players or do you have do each one individually for each game?

also sick of getting nailed when trying to take down a chopper in FFA. At least wait till I take out the chopper beofre shooting me in the back...

I suck at COD - help

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