While much of the focus during the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare multiplayer reveal event was on the feel of the game and the new modes like Gun Fight, there were some more concrete details unveiled about the game’s key mechanics. Specifically, we got to see what the new Killstreaks are in the game and how they will give players advantages in combat.
Over the last few years, Call of Duty has tried different things with Killstreaks, like renaming them, repackaging them, and taking them out altogether. For Modern Warfare, Killstreaks are back in the form that most will remember from the COD 4 days, albeit with a slight change.
There are 17 different Modern Warfare multiplayer Killstreaks available, and players are free to choose three to use. They can’t, however, pick two Killstreaks from the same “group” like two, single-use missile strikes.
Some of the Killstreaks will benefit the individual player, some (like the classic UAV) will benefit the team, but all fit into that familiar framework of rewarding the player for getting X amount of kills in a row. There is a perk that carries over one kill after death, but for the most part, these Killstreaks are unlocked in the traditional way without any special boosts. And kills with one Killstreak do not count towards unlocking the next one.
Personal Radar (3 Kills)
Escort drone that enables the radar for the owner, and pings nearby enemies.
Counter UAV (4 Kills)
A drone that constantly emits a scrambling signal, disabling enemy mini maps and incrementally disrupting their senses the closer they get to it.
UAV (4 Kills)
UAV recon ship that enables the map for all allies, and reveals enemy locations.
Care Package (4 Kills)
Call in a random kill streak care package to your location.
Cluster Strike (5 Kills)
Signal for a number of cluster mortars to hit the designated location.
Cruise Missile (5 Kills)
Control a long range cruise missile with boost capabilities.
Precision Airstrike (5 Kills)
Call in twin jets for a precision strike along the best available path.
Wheelson (7 Kills)
Remote controller UGV with a powerful airburst turret.
Infantry Assault Vehicle (7 Kills)
A manned light infantry vehicle with a .50 cal machine gun on top.
Emergency Airdrop (8 Kills)
Call in 3 random kill streak care packages to your location.
VTOL Jet (8 Kills)
Release an initial missile barrage before guarding a location of the player’s choice.
Chopper Gunner (10 Kills)
Control an assault chopper armed with a turret and air to land missiles.
White Phosphorous (10 Kills)
Cover the battlefield with white smoke flare canisters that will disorient the enemy, and burn any that wander too close.
Support Helo (11 Kills)
Call in a heavy assault help with twin turrets to patrol the map.
Gunship (12 Kills)
Heavy assault gunship with three types of armaments.
Advanced UAV (12 Kills)
Orbital UAV that reveals the enemy’s direction on the mini map.
Juggernaut (15 Kills)
Call in a care package that contains the Juggernaut assault gear.
Having not used all of the Killstreaks it's impossible to know how well balanced or advantageous one might be over the other. There are a few that are ripped right from Call of Duty's past and some new ones that fit well with the modern combat theme. Yes, the White Phosphorous killstreak is creating controversy, but the others are a little less aggressive.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare releases October 25, 2019 for PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
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