General Black Ops tips - LAUNCH (Team Deathmatch)

Class I am using with this discussion:
L96A1 with Variable Zoom - with Ghost, Scout, and Ninja
Dual Pythons as secondary
Claymores as equipment

Launch is a large map that can be a little frustrating at times.  You spawn really far back (C5 and C2 respectively), and it takes time to run to the other side of the level to flank the enemy.  This map offers some good fast paced action near the middle of the map, while also having several areas for sniping.  I usually roll with the perks Ghost (invisible on enemy radar), Scout (Hold breathe longer), and Ninja (silent movement).  All pro if possible.

As I said earlier, the spawns start at C2 and C5.  When the game starts most people clash at D3 and it's just a slaughterhouse.  Most people already know the tactics to use around this part, so I'm going to find some other areas of interest.

No matter which spawn you start at,  start off by running to the rocket at B3.  Camping underneath the rocket is possible but someone can easily jump down on you from above.  Instead, run up the stairs and go to the very top level.  After you decide which area to go to, by looking at the radar and determining their spawn, place a claymore for protecting your backside.  I've seen this done before but for those players who don't know it already, it is possible to jump over and crouch on the beams.

From this birds eye view you can easily pick off the enemy as they run down the path towards the rocket.  If you position yourself just right, you'll have the upper hand here, as they will be mainly focused on the lower part of the rocket pad.  If that claymore goes off, quickly switch to your pythons and lay waste.  

Another strategy is to stay behind the concrete barriers at C3 and snipe from here.  As I said before, the D3 area is pretty well occupied for the duration of the match.  If you sit here long enough you will get a chance to snipe for some easy kills.  

Remember to place claymores behind you because the area you're sitting in  has a bit of traffic as well.  One thing to remember when sniping is that people HATE getting killed by you.  They would almost rather get killed by a noob-tube, than die from across the level by a sniper.  Keep moving after a couple kills.  Try switching between these two strategies.  If you camp long enough you will be shot from some revengeful player.   

Other than sniping I'm sure there's a good chance you're just going to be run and gunning with an assault rifle or sub-machine gun, which is completely do-able.  I just feel that's what most people do on this map so I'm trying to lighten up some other areas.  On another note, when choosing killstreaks, I switch to rolling thunder and dogs instead of a chopper gunner and gunship.  There are so many places for cover on this map.  The dogs can work very well around all of the angles and a B-52 can clean up the D3 area quite well. As you can see below, I forgot to switch up my killstreaks and had a chopper gunner.  It was wasted as the enemy just bunkered down in a building.  

 Must have had host LOL.  32-3!!

Thanks for reading and feel free to post comments on your own strategies!

General Black Ops tips - JUNGLE (Team Deathmatch)

Class I am using with this discussion:
Famas/AK47 with silencer - with Ghost, Slight of hand, and Ninja
Strela (rocket launcher) as secondary
Claymores as equipment

Jungle is a fairly large map that divide two groups of people.  People who dominate and people who get owned.  I'd like to think I fit into the first category on this one.  When it comes up in a playlist, about half of the time it gets re-voted for those reasons.  This map offers some good fast paced action near the village, while also having areas for patient sniping (I.E. sitting on the rock).  I usually roll with the perks Ghost (invisible on enemy radar), Slight of Hand (fast reload), and Ninja (silent movement).  All pro if possible.

The spawns start relatively at B4 and D2.  Either one has the same goal: RUN TO, AND CONTROL THE RUINS.   The ruins are the main battleground for this map.  Yes, there are other areas where firefights occur, but I'm going to stick to the ruins with this strategy. 

If I start at D2 I quickly run, cook a grenade, and throw it over the huts when getting close to D3.  This same thing can be done when starting at the other spawn.  I will, if my team is still guarding my flank, go prone and try to get kills through a small opening in a trough (see below).  As long as you have your teammates looking behind you (see below for more info), this is a good starting point. 

From here it's all about guarding the path coming up from the river, as well as the enemy that have climbed up into the hut on your left.  Cap em' as they try to move in.  I then move a little further ahead but still stay within the ruins.  As you can see in the picture below, you can easily pick off the enemy as they move up the path.  They will throw stun and flash grenades but with the boxes in front of you just quickly kneel down and they won't affect you.  You can also throw a grenade from here and bounce it off the fence and it will roll down the hill if you have some skill with those. 

 No matter which spawn you start out at, the point is to control the ruins.  But this has to be a team decision.  If you're the only one out there these things may work but the chance of getting stabbed in the back enhances greatly.  There's one other strategy that gets me 10+ kills easily.  While still in the ruins, return to the pillar and boxes in the middle of D2/D3.  The enemy will actually spawn down near the river and come up directly at you and place themselves right in your cross hairs.  You will only have a little bit of your head showing while they will be completely vulnerable.  You can either pick them off as they come up the ruins (see picture below), or get them as they run up the path to the right.  There's actually a notch in the pillar to help you out even more when you do this.

If your team is working as a unit you will dominate.  As I reviewed this game in theater mode I noticed how many time BDockSaint, Shmink, and Mojo Fett covered my back.  As I was getting a kill looking down the path, BDockSaint killed someone trying to flank me.

On a side note: I also carry a Strela, because if the enemy gets any sort of air support this game will tip dramatically in that persons favor.  There is no cover and you're killed as soon as you spawn.

Teamwork is important and as you can see below, this strategy works.  Thanks again for reading and don't be afraid to post a comment!

General Black Ops tips - Joining a Clan

The MOJO clan

If you're the stray lone wolf player that's awesome.  Kudos to you!  But if you're interested in taking your game to another level I suggest joining a clan.  How do you do it?  When playing, just ask around to see if people are looking.  If you're good enough you will have people ask you to join up with them to play a match together.  This has happened to me a couple times when being on top of the scoreboard for several matches in a row.  Other than that, it's just about getting out there and being vocal and making friends.  THAT'S WHAT ONLINE PLAY IS ALL ABOUT!!!  One thing's for sure though, you can't play like a team if you're all mic-less running around doing your own thing.  That's when my clan comes in and clean house.

If you have a clan and want to play clan vs. clan don't be afraid to leave a comment below.

General Black Ops tips - NUKETOWN (Team Deathmatch)

Class I am using with this discussion:
AK-47 w/grenade launcher - with Flak Jacket, Sleight of hand, and Ninja
Dual Pythons as secondary
Claymores as equipment

Nuketown is a small map that I think most people enjoy, but not entirely just because they like the map itself.  When you purchase contracts for XP and COD points for “X amount of kills in X amount of time”, this map is perfect.  A small map means a lot of kills quickly.  Playing this map twice in a row is like getting 40 kills in ten minutes instead of a map like Array where it would take you 20 minutes or more.  You can see why this map is used in it’s own playlist for double XP weekends.  Leveling up is way faster.  Most of the time when it comes up in a playlist it's voted to be played again as well.  It offers some good fast paced action (some would call it chaos), and if your good at it, can be loads of fun.  But, there’s some basic rules you need to follow to get ahead. 

The first basic thing to note are the spawns.  Everyone who plays this level has said more than once “SOMEONE JUST SHOT ME IN THE BACK!!!”.  When the game starts the two teams usually rush one another.  As each teams advances the dead players need to respawn.  If your team has rushed beyond the bus or semi, then there’s a good chance the game is going to start throwing the enemy behind you. 

If starting at A3, rush straight for the opening in the moving truck at C3.  From here you can control 3 of the 4 choke points: the garage, the side path near the garage, and the front door to the house.  You’re still on your side of the map so when they die they should respawn back in the garden. Just shoot in bursts to control your recoil and you should be able to pick off at least 4 or 5 people from here.  One disadvantage is the top window in the house.  Be careful because it only takes one look from the enemy in this room and your history (but more often than not you’ll have someone in your house on the second floor watching your back).  You can also move towards that 4^th choke point, towards the right side of the house, and use the truck as protection while killing the enemy as they try to route down this path.  This is a pretty good way to start off the game and if your team stays back, you won’t have to worry about being stabbed from behind.

When I spawn at E3, I usually do one of two things.  First, run to the front of the garage and stand by the flowers (Choke Point #2) and try to kill people that are using the method I stated above.  You can also help watch the people coming from the right of the bus.  These are the people who don’t obey the “STAY BEHIND THE BUS” rule.  Or secondly, I run up to the second floor and get (2) quick kills with my grenade launcher by shooting out the window (remember if either jeep explodes you still get credit for the kill).  If you do this make sure you put a claymore in the room behind you.  Place it far back enough so it covers both doors.  It may not kill the enemy, but should give you ample time to turn around from the window and blast them.  

I also sometimes lay down in the grass in front of the garage by C3.  When everyone is running around and things get chaotic, sometimes the best thing to do is lay still!  You can easily pick off the people coming down the path at B4 or the ones flanking by the monument sign.  

I think the Flak Jacket perk is pretty needed here as grenade tossing is a re-occurring event.  Remember to wait to move when the game starts as people have "timed out" how long it takes you to get to the middle and are pro's at grenade tosses.  Also if you can get a B-52 or higher killstreak the game will almost always go in your favor.  But I will recommend putting your killstreak rewards to the lower ones as you will probably die so often you wont even see a higher killstreak.  This way at least you've got spy planes and counter spy planes running throughout the entire match.  Thanks for reading!

General Black Ops tips - FIRING RANGE (Team Deathmatch)

Class I am using with this discussion:
Sniper - with Ghost, Slight of hand, and Ninja
Dual Pythons as secondary
Claymores as equipment

Firing range is a small to medium map that i think most people enjoy.  When it comes up in a playlist most of the time it's voted to be played again.  Not as small as "Nuketown", but still offers some good fast paced action without having to run around for 2 minutes to find someone to shoot.  Let's get one thing clear right off the bat.  I usually roll with the perks Ghost (invisible on enemy radar), Slight of Hand (fast reload), and Ninja (silent movement).  I will also have a backup class that includes Flak Jacket (dampens explosion damage) if things start to get hairy with grenades.

What I don't see very often on this map is people hauling around sniper rifles.  Yeah, I know, not everyone is great with them but if you can hone your skills a little you'll find this map can be sweet with the L96A1.  That is pretty much the only sniper rifle I use.  Right off the bat, no matter which spawn you are, you'll have the chance to get that coveted "First Blood" medal.  With a spawn at B2 and one at E3, there's almost a 99% certainty that you can look down along the trailers and scope someone out. 

If you start out at the E3 spawn, quickly run to your left and jump up on the ledge inside the bunker.  You can aim down the trailers and pick them off as they try to flank you.  After this just sit tight (where that Ghost perk comes in handy), and set your scope down the long covered tunnel going from E4 to E5.  (Please note: This is considered camping and will get you yelled at by the opposing team after the match.)  But it will help you get that Kill/Death ratio higher as well.  Depending on where the enemy is spawning, they will start to pour in coming straight at you from D5.  With a sniper rifle, and on your perch, you will be able to spot them before they spot you.  One shot kills can easily be made and garner you those higher kill streaks. I've gone 25+ with minimal deaths, just sitting in this one spot.  Just make sure you protect your backside with a claymore.  Claymore's are not only good for killing the enemy, but also give you an early detection when they're getting close.  A hit marker will appear on your screen when it goes off, giving you time (if set far enough away) to turn around and cap 'em.

On the other hand, if you spawn at B2, you can also use the straight-away to go for that first snipe kill as well.  What I do here is quickly run towards the car to the right.  I go prone and lay down in the weeds.  I have had many games where (when I had Ghost on for the extra camouflage) the enemy has run right past me because I blend in so well.  You use mostly the same strategy as previously discussed.  Claymores in this instance might actually give away your position though so be careful of that.  Also there is not as much cover from the left C4 area so be careful when turning from left to right as you aim around.

Other than sniping I'm sure there's a lot more strategies but I won't go into much more here.  Usually, after I snipe for a while and gain some kills, I will switch to a run and gun class with Flak Jacket.  This map is pretty chaotic and not really meant for sniping (although it can be done with awesome results using the above strategies.).  One thing to note that I don't see much on my killcams (yes I do die), is when people are camping in the trailers at C2 and D2.  Don't forget that you can bounce cooked grenades off of the door frame for easy kills.  I have never seen this done to me but I kill campers all the time using this strategy.

Thanks for reading and feel free to post comments on your own strategies!

General Black Ops tips - USING THE RADAR

Black ops can decimate you in so many areas and this can be pretty frustrating to the average player.  The first thing I find that's crazy is when people say they don't use the radar.  WHOA??? 

When you look at the radar (which you should be) you can see the locations of all the other players on your team.  When someone is speaking through the mic, lines will encompass their triangle.  This can help you when someone randomly screams for help but doesn't specify where they are at.

Also, when someone on your team is shooting their triangle will solidify.  When you see a bunch of solid triangles and then one disappears you can tell they were just in a firefight and which direction they were shooting before they died.  If you're close, this will help you locate the close range of where the enemy will be. 

Another way the radar can be used is to guess the enemies spawn.  Take for example "Team Deathmatch" which has "random" spawns throughout the level.  If you look at your radar and all of your green or blue (if in a party) triangles are on one side of the map, then there's a pretty good chance the spawns will switch and you will soon be encompassed by the enemy.  When I notice all my team is moving to one side of the map, I will turn around and be patient.  90% of the time people will start to show up right in my cross hairs. 

As far as basics, when an enemy fires their weapon it will show up as a red dot.  Black ops has a nice piece of equipment called Decoy that will simulate enemy fire on the radar map.  An easy way to spot this is if no green triangles are present in that area and you see 4 to 5 red dots all appearing in a close area, it usually means someone is baiting you into their trap.  Also, if you approach these firing dots, you will notice that the simulated gunshot also sounds hollow.  The decoy always sounds the same and in my opinion is different from the actual guns in the game.

The one disadvantage to the radar screen is the perk called "Ghost".   Players using this perk will not be seen but don't forget the spawning system.  Just because they have Ghost on doesn't mean they won't spawn near their teammates.  So remember when you see a lot of red dots on the radar someone with Ghost could be nearby.

It takes a lot of practice to perfect the radar.  But after you get the level designs in your head you can walk throughout the entire level without even looking at the game play screen.  With all of these tactics (and I'm sure I haven't covered them all) you can see why the radar is so important and why I give the WHOA? response to those players. 

Black Ops Tips and Tricks - Intro

I've been playing black ops from day one and I've learned some things along the way and I'm going to share some of those things with you so that when you're out on the battlefield you don't get completely owned.  I love to play COD, but I know it can get very frustrating spending 60 bucks on a video game and then being stressed out every time you play because you're getting your head blown off every minute.  In the blogs to come I will post not only tips on how to be a more efficient player, but give you some advice on those levels you may not be so good at.  If you wish to leave a comment on my strategies then be my guest.  What works for me may not work for you but if we're both talking COD then we have something in common!