Call of Duty: Modern Warfare comes with familiar killstreak rewards in multiplayer and enhances a good game with really strong abilities. Here you will find a list of the killstreaks and some tips on how you can also work successfully with the arsenal.
How do the killstreak rewards work in Call of Duty? The soldiers of the current Call of Duty have access to not just a bunch of weapons, equipment, and perks. A significant impact on the gameplay is made by rewards for the killstreaks.
The rewards are unlocked through consecutive kills. The gadgets acquired with a higher streak become increasingly valuable. While 4 consecutive kills provide a reconnaissance drone that is helpful but not particularly dangerous, a patrolling attack helicopter at 11 consecutive kills is already a tough opponent.
Modern Warfare 2019 again with killstreaks
Every soldier can select 3 of these rewards and significantly influence their game. Check out the list of streaks and get some tips on how to get better at handling the heavy war machines.
What does the arsenal look like? Currently, the war machinery of Modern Warfare includes 20 support actions, all of which are nasty in their own way. Some are already available for selection, while for others, you will need to level up first to unlock them.
3 killstreak
- Personal Radar
- Small support drone for personal use. Shows enemies on the mini-map and gives audible signals upon detection.
- Available from the start
- Shield Turret
- Deployable 360° turret for capturing tactical positions. Usable by other players as well.
- Available from the start
4 killstreak
- Recon Drone
- Marks enemies across the entire map and makes them visible to the team. Vulnerable to rockets.
- Available from level 9
- Counter Drone
- Interferes with enemy devices for enemy detection like the drone or the targeting system of a cruise missile. Also vulnerable to missiles.
- Available from level 36
- Supplies
- Gives a random killstreak from a supply drop, but must be called in and collected. Can also be stolen (by friend and foe).
- Available from level 28
5 killstreak
- Cruise Missile
- Powerful missile strike with a large damage radius. Player is temporarily disabled but can target enemies in the target view. Speed can be increased with a button press.
- Available from level 45
- Cluster Strike
- Area marked by a laser pointer is struck by multiple cluster bombs. Long-lasting bombardment of the area.
- Available from the start
- Precision Airstrike
- Marked area is hit with two airstrikes. Relatively small area with high damage.
- Available from level 15
7 killstreak
- Infantry Tank
- Mobile platform, requires time-consuming capture. Provides security, two seats, and a limited number of shots.
- Available from level 44
- Wheelson
- Controllable mini-tank with limited range and health, player becomes incapacitated while controlling.
- Available from level 23
- Auto Turret
- Deployable turret with mini-gun and automatic targeting device. Good for holding the position.
- Available from level 13
8 killstreak
- TJOL-Jet
- Robust attack jet that strikes the marked target. Then guards the area selected by the player for some time.
- Available from level 20
- Emergency Drop
- Delivers three random killstreaks from crates, which must be fetched and collected one by one.
- Available from level 41
10 killstreak
- White Phosphorus
- An elongated area on the map is bombarded with burning white phosphorus. These areas are deadly for players. Accurate control is very difficult due to the spread.
- Available from level 51
- Helicopter Gunner
- Bombardment of the map from a support helicopter. Enemies are marked, player is incapacitated during use. The helicopter can also be moved.
- Available from the start
11 killstreak
- Helicopter Support
- Heavily armored helicopter flies over the map for some time and reliably takes out enemies in its line of sight.
- Available from level 5
12 killstreak
- Improved Recon Drone
- Shows enemies and their movement direction on the map. Orbital reconnaissance cannot be achieved with missiles, however, the counter-drone interferes with the reconnaissance.
- Available from level 48
- Gunship
- Control of the cannons of a large AC-130 gunship with three different weapon types and enemy markings. The player is incapacitated during use.
- Available from level 31
15 killstreak
- Juggernaut
- Heavily armored combat suit with mini-gun and radio. Endures a lot of fire and lets bullets fly. However, the player is significantly slower and less flexible in the suit. The package with the suit must be called in, but can be quickly collected.
- Available from level 55
30 fat kills in a row
- Tactical Nuke
- The already familiar nuke from previous installments is also part of the killstreak mechanics. However, it doesn’t need to be selected separately and is automatically added to the inventory for anyone who achieves a 30 killstreak. The use ends the current game with a victory for your team!
Changing and Using Killstreaks
How can I change the streaks? Before the game, you can choose your rewards. By selecting the multiplayer mode, you gain access to the weapon menu, where you will find the menu item “Killstreaks”.
And how to use them? In the game, the achieved rewards are displayed directly in the middle of the screen in the normal modes. On the right side, you have a progress display and can see which bonuses you have selected and which are currently available.
Key Bindings
- PS4 / Xbox – D-pad Right
- Radial menu: Hold button
- PC – Deployment: Number key 3/4/5/6
- Radial menu: K
Except for the standard and improved reconnaissance, the counter-drone, and the support helicopter, all streaks require additional commands and a simple activation of the abilities is not sufficient.
Using the Skills – Planning is Everything
What should I consider when using the streaks? To deploy the weapons efficiently, it is first and foremost important to assess the situation correctly.
Obtaining Killstreaks
- Each kill, without falling yourself, is part of a killstreak.
- The HUD gives hints on how high the current streak is and which ability will be unlocked next.
- Once unlocked, you can use the streak even after you have fallen.
- Kills made with other killstreaks do not count towards the streak. (possible with perk)
- Only one support per number of kills is allowed.
Using Weapons
- Some killstreaks do not have their own control system and require manual inputs. During this time, you are incapacitated. So be sure whether teammates are protecting you or the position is calm enough.
- The tank, the supplies, and the juggernaut must be collected first to utilize the benefits. This sometimes long interaction can leave you exposed and should also be planned carefully.
Tactical Analysis
- Before using, think carefully about in which situation you want to deploy the valuable support. A drone is quickly earned, helpful, and can often be deployed immediately. An automatic turret, however, can be completely useless in the wrong location, and a hastily fired cruise missile can totally backfire.
- Wait patiently for the right opportunity until you can pressure at least two enemies simultaneously with the attack, as that can quickly escalate to more.
Map Conditions
- The environment also influences the effectiveness of attacks. Since the killstreaks involve air support, the open sky is almost always part of the action.
- Supplies are dropped and helicopter strikes only hit visible enemies from the outside. Pay attention to the surroundings and remember spots on the maps where enemies tend to hang out or where you think is a good spot.
Killstreak Overkill
- When the match has been going on for a while, there’s often an excessive use of reward streaks. Also, at the beginning, some players tend to release their drone to gain an advantage. Before deploying your support, see which streaks are currently being used by your own and the opposing team and adjust the activation accordingly.
- If a drone is already in the sky, you don’t need a second one. It is also not helpful to deploy a cruise missile when a friendly helicopter is patrolling.
Utilizing Synergies
- The streaks work well together, whether solo or in a team, the killstreaks should be coordinated.
- Use reconnaissance to support other killstreaks. This way, you can ensure that the attacks have the desired effect.
- Wait for someone to initiate an airstrike and place your turret near the enemies’ hideout.
- Watch for synergies between the streaks, your playstyle, and team members’ support and utilize them.
Using Perks in CoD Modern Warfare
- There are three perks in Call of Duty Modern Warfare that make achieving the killstreaks a bit easier for you. The abilities all belong to the red perks and cannot be selected simultaneously.
- Hardliner (available from the start) – This perk reduces the required kills by one. Drones then only need 3 kills to unlock.
- Kill Chain (available from level 34) – With this perk, kills made with killstreaks also count towards the other killstreaks. However, only kills with attacks that you have unlocked in the current life count.
- Point Friendly (available from level 49) – Perk number 3 replaces the killstreak system with a points system. Rewards are assigned points, and upon reaching the score in the game, they can then be deployed. Each reward can, however, only be used once per game.
Tips for Beginners: Support the Team
How should I proceed as a beginner? The points listed are a good foundation for using the arsenal. At the beginning, the selection of rewards is still very limited. You only have access to:
- 3 kills: Personal Radar, Shield Turret
- 5 kills: Cluster Strike
- 10 kills: Helicopter Gunner
The personal radar is quite helpful at the start. However, you should level up quickly and unlock more rewards. Choose your killstreaks according to your preferences, but also pay attention to synergies and mutual enhancements.
- Solo: Alone you can try things out and support your teammates as best as you can. Take the supplies with you; this way, you have the chance for better rewards and can test them out. Skip the 5 kill reward and try to aim for the 7 kills from the start so you’ll have a really good reward once you achieve your first longer killstreak.
- 3 kills – Personal Radar
- 4 kills – Supplies
- 7 kills – Infantry Tank
- Team: In a team, as a beginner, you are often the weakest link and should try to support your teammates as much as possible. Place the shield turret at critical spots and use the reconnaissance or counter drones at the right time. With the cruise missile, you can briefly see and announce enemy soldiers during the approach. Ask the quartermaster for a rocket launcher and take care of the enemy team’s drones, and you will soon be a valuable team member.
- 3 kills – Shield Turret
- 4 kills – Counter Drone
- 5 kills – Try all
Tips for Advanced Players: Tactical Approaches Lead to Victory
I’m already grown! What can I do as an advanced player? As an advanced player, the reconnaissance drone is part of the absolute standard inventory. Decide together with your team or according to your playing style which streaks are best suited.
- Solo: As a lone actor, a careful and calm approach is the key to victory for many players. Protect yourself from enemy reconnaissance with perks or the counter-drone, and once you have achieved the streaks, defend an area with the auto turret to secure even more kills.
- 4 kills – Counter Drone
- 7 kills – Auto Turret
- 8 kills – TJOL-Jet
- Team: With teammates, you can be a bit bolder. Not everyone needs to take the drone. Let your teammates take the front line and try to achieve high kill streaks. If you want more risk, the aforementioned perk Point Friendly is a good choice. That way, you can be eliminated more often and continue to gather for the streak.
- 8 kills – Emergency Drop
- Can be good for traps
- 10 kills – Helicopter Gunner
- 11 kills – Gunship
Which rewards might not be that good? Some of the killstreaks are difficult to use or do not provide the right value for the effort. Better avoid these abilities:
- Shield Turret – 3 kills: The turret is unfortunately rarely helpful. The player gives up mobility for its use and can hardly participate in the hectic game. When defending points, it plays its trump card, but the personal radar is usually still the better choice.
- Improved Drone – 12 kills: This item offers the least utility compared to the effort and can safely be ignored. Better use the streak for one of the damage abilities.
Tips for Veterans: Nuke as the Ultimate Hardcore Goal
My expectations are even higher, what do you recommend? For the upper echelon of the food chain, the tactical atomic bomb is the measure of all things. Ending the game with a button press and thus securing the reward for absolute top performance is something special.
The aforementioned perk Kill Chain is extremely helpful here since kills from streak rewards also count towards the nuke. With the help of the drone, you can aim for your first 10 kills in a row, and with a bit of luck, the other abilities can help you fill the rest.
- 4 kills – Recon Drone
- Strong skill for many kills
- Solo: Helicopter Support – 11 kills
- Team: Gunship – 12 kills
- 15 kills – Juggernaut
But don’t lose your concentration in the moment of triumph. The nuke still needs to be activated, and you should not get caught when entering the code for the annihilation of the battlefield.
CoD is a Tough Challenge for Beginners
Any other wise advice? Every beginning is hard, and that’s why we have compiled some tips for the start. Check here if you want to take on the Call of Duty PvP.
What do you think, which killstreaks are the strongest? Do you have a combo you can recommend?
