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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3has made many small changes to MW2’s systems, ranging from movement to how progression works. Each change is small when taken in isolation, but when you look at MW3 as a complete package, it plays quite differently from Modern Warfare 2 and similar titles.
If you’re just jumping into MW3, it can be daunting to understand every little change. In this guide, we’ll provide multiple beginner tips on how to get better at Modern Warfare 3, explaining every important gameplay and progression system change to help new and returning CoD players find their footing.
Learn How To Slide Cancel
Modern Warfare 3 has brought back MW2019’s slide cancel mechanic, and it’s easily the strongest movement tool you’re able to use in Multiplayer and Warzone.While sliding, press the jump key to immediately stop your slide animation.You can then start sprinting, ADS your weapon, or chain another slide in a different direction to disorient your opponent.
Nearly every movement technique in MW3 takes advantage of slide canceling in some form, most of which we cover in ouradvanced movement guide. Get comfortable slide canceling, and you can throw off your opponent’s aim with ease.
Aim For The Torso
This year’s Call of Duty hasraised the HP of all players to 150 HP,encouraging players to aim for the head and pace their shots more carefully. If you spray in an enemy’s general direction in this game, you’ll lose nearly every gunfight. That’s why youshouldaim for the opponent’s torso when possible, not their head.
Despite the higher time-to-kill (TTK) shift,most weapons in MW3 have upper torso damage modifiers that encompass theentirechest regionand, on some weapons, the enemy’s arms. Aiming centermass is the safest and most efficient way to kill an opponent in MW3. Only aim for the head if you’re using a marksman rifle that can one-tap.
Unlock MW3 Weapons First
Unlike most CoD titles, MW3 has brought forward every weapon from Modern Warfare 2 2022. This is great for veteran players that played MW2, but this makes catching up as a newer player a complete nightmare. We have a few tips for catching up that we’ll cover later, but our number one tip is tofocus on unlocking the MW3 guns first.
This is because all MW3 weapons feature minimal visual recoil, muzzle smoke, and are generally easier to control. The above images show a good example of this.Generally, MW3 weapons have minimal visual recoil, muzzle smoke, and have more competitive TTK values.They also have better attachment options for barrels, stocks, and grips.
Play MWZ To Unlock New Gear
Modern Warfare 3 is the first modern CoD title to feature a Zombies mode, and it just so happens to be an excellent way to unlock new weapons and gear.Every weapon and gear piece you extract in MWZ will be unlocked in Multiplayer and Warzone, including MW2 weapons.
This applies to any weapons, lethal equipment, and tactical equipment you extract with—not including MWZ exclusives like the Ray Gun. Even weapons from MW2 can be earned from MWZ. Check out ourMWZ guidefor more details on how this mode works and how to successfully extract.
Use Covert Sneakers
The Covert Sneakers perk is arguably the strongest perk in Modern Warfare 3. Unlocked through the Armory Challenge system,Covert Sneakers completely eliminate your character’s footstep audio. Footsteps are incredibly loud in MW3, so being able to mute them entirely is extremely powerful for aggressive and passive playstyles alike.
Unlike older CoD titles,there’s no way to counter Covert Sneakers.The Bone Conduction Headset, effectively MW3’s version of SitRep, doesn’t actually increase footstep audio or do anything to counter Covert Sneakers. Put on this perk, pair it with Ghost, and you will gain the upper hand in virtually every gunfight.
Pick Your Armory Unlocks
When you reach Level 25, you will unlock the Armory Unlocks system.Most weapons, perks, and equipment in MW3 are unlocked through the Armory system.You can view it under the daily challenges section of the MP, MWZ, and Warzone lobby menus.
As you complete daily challenges and win matches, you will progress through your Armory unlocks. To ensure you’re getting the right unlocks,be sure to select your Armory Unlock rewards before starting a game.This will ensure your progress will go towards something you actually care about. We explain how to do this in ourArmory Unlocks guide.
The Best Gunsmith Attachments
Modern Warfare 3’s new Gunsmith attachmentsare substantially better than what was available in MW2. There are tons of great muzzles, underbarrel grips, and optics to choose from this year. The sheer number of options available can be daunting, but there are only a few attachments you need:
These attachments offer great accuracy bonuses with minimal ADS penalties. We especially recommend theShadowstrike Suppressorfor core Multiplayer to stay off enemy radar while firing. If you need to reduce your weapon’s recoil, you can’t go wrong with theBruen Heavy Support Gripand theL4R Flash Hider.
Complete Weekly Challenges
Not to be confused with Armory Unlocks, the Weekly Challenge system is a great source of XP and your primary means of unlocking Aftermarket attachments. You can view all active Weekly Challenges from the Menu -> Challenges -> Weekly tab.
Completing five challenges in a given week will award a new attachment or weapon.Some examples include optics with integrated lasers, conversion kits for MW3 weapons, and even exclusive cosmetics. We cover how the challenge system works in ourWeekly Challenges guide.
