Call of Duty MW 3 Guide: How to play & More

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Developed by Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games with assistance from Raven Software and published by Activision, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III marks the eighth installment in the Call of Duty series. 

Following the logical sequence of its predecessor, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, where Russia continues its invasion of the USA, this version features a European offensive including England, France, and Germany, with some campaigns involving participation from countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Africa.

In this version, players engage in various wars occurring within a specific timeframe, assuming multiple roles of different characters during the war. This dynamic shifts the game’s perspective throughout the storyline. 

Campaigns in this edition span multiple days, with each day featuring a distinct sequence of missions tailored to the user’s needs, ranging from planting explosives in enemy buildings to simply reaching a command post to eliminate enemies.

New game modes were introduced in this version, such as Kill Confirmed, where players must collect military dog tags from slain targets before confirming their kill. 

Read on to find out more about what’s new in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III!

How to Play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3)

1. Getting Started

• Install the Game: Ensure you have Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 installed on your PC, PlayStation, or Xbox.
• Update the Game: Make sure the game is updated to the latest version for the best experience and to access all content.
• Create/Log into Account: If you’re playing online, log into your Activision account or create a new one.

2. Understanding the Basics

• Controls: Learn the default controls or customize them to your liking.
  • PC: Keyboard and mouse.
  • Console: Controller layout.
• HUD (Heads-Up Display): Familiarize yourself with the HUD elements, including health, ammo count, mini-map, and objectives.

3. Game Modes

• Campaign Mode: Play through the single-player story missions.
• Multiplayer Mode: Compete against other players in various game modes.
• Special Ops: Engage in cooperative missions with another player.
• Survival Mode: Fight against waves of enemies alone or with a friend.

4. Multiplayer Tips

• Choose the Right Loadout: Customize your weapons, perks, and equipment to match your playstyle.
• Map Awareness: Learn the layout of the maps to gain strategic advantages.
• Teamwork: Communicate with your teammates and work together to achieve objectives.
• Scorestreaks: Earn points to unlock powerful rewards like UAVs and airstrikes.

5. Advanced Strategies

• Movement: Master techniques such as sliding, crouching, and jumping to evade enemies.
• Aim and Shooting: Practice aiming for headshots and controlling weapon recoil.
• Positioning: Use cover and high-ground positions effectively.
• Adaptation: Be ready to change tactics based on the situation and enemy behavior.

6. Special Ops and Survival

• Special Ops Missions: Complete specific objectives with a partner, requiring coordination and strategy.
• Survival Mode: Defend against increasingly difficult waves of enemies, using earned currency to buy weapons and equipment.

Game Modes in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 offers a variety of modes for players to enjoy, whether solo or in teams.

Take a look at the game modes!

Campaign

This mode allows players to experience the game’s story as it unfolds, featuring a series of combat missions. Players can assume various characters and engage enemies in multiple global locations.

Survival

Introduced in this new edition, this mode pits players against increasingly challenging opponents across a variety of maps. As they complete missions, players earn significant amounts of money, which can be used to purchase weapons, equipment, and skins.

Team Deathmatch

In this mode, players battle against another team, typically in a six-versus-six format. Participants strive to complete missions such as capturing flags, destroying targets, or simply eliminating opponents.

Free-for-All

The objective here is simple: kill as much and die as little as possible. The goal of this mode is to eliminate as many members of the opposing team as possible within the shortest time frame.

Domination

Players compete to secure a designated perimeter in the game, earning points as order is maintained amidst chaos.

Gun Game

In this mode, players progress through a series of weapons by scoring kills. The first player to cycle through all weapons wins the game.

Kill Confirmed

This mode has returned as mentioned earlier. Players must eliminate opponents and collect their military identification tags (dog tags), with each tag collected earning points for the team. Conversely, the opposing team can retrieve their fallen teammates’ tags to deny the opposing team points.

These are just a few of the exciting modes available in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, offering diverse gameplay experiences for players of all preferences.

What are the difficulty levels in MW III?

The Modern Warfare 3 campaign has a total of 4 difficulty levels: Recruit, Regular, Hardened and Veteran.

Characters in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

This version comes with a captivating plot and a compelling story, featuring several important characters who play significant roles in the campaign narratives.

Captain John “Soap” MacTavish

As one of the protagonists, he is a member of Task Force 141, serving as a leader and mentor to other team members throughout the game’s story.

Captain John Price

Also a member of Task Force 141, he is known for his determination and operational skills, playing a crucial role in combating the Russian army forces.

Yuri

With a dark past and personal involvement in the story’s events, this character is a former Russian intelligence agent who joins Task Force 141, playing a significant role in seeking revenge against the game’s antagonist.

Nikolai

A veteran member of Task Force 141, he is a skilled helicopter pilot who provides aerial support to the protagonists, leveraging his military experience to assist in mission logistics.

Vladimir Makarov

As the main antagonist, Vladimir is a ruthless and dangerous Russian terrorist seeking to sow chaos throughout the game, aiming to destabilize the world. He is responsible for much of the chaos depicted in the game’s storyline.

Derek “Frost” Westbrook

The youngest soldier of Task Force 141, he is remembered for his bravery and dedication in facing the mission’s objectives.

Sgt. Sandman

A member of the Delta Force, known for his calm demeanor in chaotic situations and prowess in combat.

These are the main characters, but the game’s story features many other secondary characters as well.

Maps in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

In “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III,” the TAC Map and Mini Map are essential features that provide vital information to players during the game. Here’s an explanation of each one:

TAC Map:

• Provides a detailed visualization of the in-game map;
• Enables strategizing and coordinating attacks;
• Highlights points of interest, objectives, and player spawn points;
• Used to mark important locations and anticipate tactical movements;
• Access is typically done through a specific key on the controller or keyboard.

Mini Map:

• Presents a simplified representation of the in-game environment on the screen;
• Assists in player orientation and identification of nearby enemies and allies;
• Displays the current player position, allies, and enemies;
• Shows visual indicators of gunshot and explosion sounds;
• Can be customized with different settings, such as size and transparency.

The update features a catalog of at least sixteen maps, including several classic maps to reminisce about old times, each offering memorable challenges and unique architectures.

Afghan

A mix of open and closed terrain, this layout strongly resembles the desert mountains of Afghanistan, providing combat opportunities both up close and at long distances, ideal for snipers.

Derail

Ideal for close combat, the action takes place on the scene of a derailed train in rural Russia, with a wide-open area for combat.

Estate

Set in a luxurious mansion, ideal for close-quarters combat and setting up ambushes due to the enclosed perimeter, featuring outdoor areas like gardens, pools, and living rooms. For those who enjoy strategy, this is the right map.

Favela

Reminiscent of Rio de Janeiro, its architecture includes various alleys and narrow streets for close to medium-range combat.

Karachi

With a mix of buildings, alleys, and open areas, ideal for all types of combat and strategy, this map bears resemblance to the city of Karachi in Pakistan.

Highrise

Vertical combat is the best choice here, as the scene is set in a skyscraper in New York City, favoring vertical combat due to missions taking place between floors of the map.

Invasion

Set in a Russian military base, featuring tunnels, map-within-a-map elements for teams to devise strategies, and a variety of locations for ambushes.

Quarry

With rocky areas and an industrial landscape, this map’s main feature is a quarry, ideal for various types of confrontation, with camouflage strategies and high locations suitable for snipers.

Rundown

With dilapidated buildings scattered in an abandoned village in Ukraine, the map offers various open combat areas and decaying structures for tactical combat.

Rust

Located in an oil field in Kazakhstan, this map is characterized by intense combat and players’ quick and precise movements, with no time to waste on mistakes.

Scrapyard

Set in an abandoned industrial facility, this map features a variety of metal structures and vehicles for cover and combat.

Skidrow

With narrow alleys and areas with abandoned buildings, this map, based on a degraded construction area, is ideal for tactical combat.

Sub-base

Inspired by a Russian submarine base and ideal for ambushes, though due to lack of space, close combat must be very precise, with short-range weapons favored on this map.

Terminal

Featuring a large outdoor area, set in an international airport in Russia, this architecture offers various points for long-distance combat.

Underpass

Inspired by the undergrounds of New York, this map is a true maze, with various tight spots, ideal for close-quarters combat with trap setups.

Wasteland

With little natural cover, resembling the semi-arid areas of Iran, ideal for long-distance combat and the use of vehicles to complement team mobility and strategies.

Each map offers a different tactical scheme, and it’s recommended to play on all of them to improve your versatility as a player.

New Features inCall of Duty: Modern Warfare III

With the new version, the updates are essential in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III:

Gulag

Introducing a gameplay mechanic that grants players a second chance to re-enter the match after being eliminated, set in an environment inspired by Soviet prisoner camps. Players engage in one-on-one battles, with a new feature allowing players to win the match by climbing up a rope.

More Weapons

This version boasts the franchise’s largest arsenal, inheriting all weapons from previous versions and introducing 30 new pieces of equipment.

Progress Transfer

Players can transfer progress, including unlocked or purchased items, from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 and Warzone to the new game, including equipment.

Aquatic Combat

In addition to the painting, various improvements have been made to aquatic combat, providing clearer visibility both in and out of the water.

Classic Maps

As promised, the new version features five classic maps from previous versions: Favela, Rust, Estate, Skidrow, and Highrise.

Zombie Mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

In this new edition, the zombie mode has been completely revamped, offering a new experience in fighting the undead. The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III features an open map allowing players to pursue various objectives.

Contracts

Players can undertake contracts to obtain special items and rewards. Contracts provide XP to level up and rewards, offering different missions such as eliminating a specific target, protecting a location, or delivering/protecting a cargo.

Skins Call Of Duty: MWIII

Known as “camouflages,” skins are a player customization option allowing them to apply different looks to their weapons. These customizations don’t affect player or equipment performance and are purely aesthetic, enabling users to express their style during battles.

Map Zones

The zombie map is divided into three zones: Simple, Orange, and Red. Each zone presents different levels of zombie resistance, with the Red zone being the most challenging. Players should start in the Simple zone and progress towards the center of the map as they strengthen their equipment to defeat stronger enemies.

These new features enhance gameplay and provide players with exciting opportunities to explore and engage in various challenges within the game.

Ranks: Modern Warfare III

As with any good military game, hierarchy is essential within the military process. Ranks are used to determine the user’s level of experience. They don’t undergo significant changes from one version to another, as the military hierarchy follows a global standard. What may vary are the advantages, abilities, and other details that can be provided to the player. The ranks include:

• Private
• Private First Class
• Specialist
• Corporal
• Sergeant
• Staff Sergeant
• Sergeant Third Class
• Master Sergeant
• Second Sergeant
• Master Sergeant
• Warrant Officer

Unlocking the Arsenal

Weapons play a crucial role in the game’s performance, and there are two ways to enhance your armament effectiveness. The first is by using them in missions, where they receive XP and evolve upon completion. The second is by completing daily challenges or winning matches to earn specific items from a list.

Knowing how to use your weapon is key, as different maps feature various architectural layouts, meaning not every weapon is suitable for all locations.

For instance, in a confined space, it’s not ideal to have an assault rifle but rather a pistol, providing stability and mobility. Conversely, if you’re in a high and open area, you should use precision rifles to increase your effectiveness without exposing yourself to warfare.

6 Tips for Success in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III is one of the most popular titles in the Call of Duty series, known for its intense action, thrilling gameplay, and competitive multiplayer modes. Here are some tips for success in this game:

1. Know the Maps

Familiarize yourself with the game’s maps to understand advantageous points, flank routes, and high-traffic areas. This will help you move more efficiently and anticipate your opponents’ movements.

2. Master the Weapons

Experiment with different weapons available in the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III to find those that best suit your playstyle. Practice regularly with your favorite weapons to improve your accuracy and recoil control.

3. Stay Mobile

Avoid staying still for too long, as this makes you an easy target for your enemies. Keep moving, use cover, and always be aware of your surroundings to avoid ambushes.

4. Teamwork

If playing multiplayer modes like Domination or Team Deathmatch, work as a team with your teammates. Communication and coordination are key to success, so use voice chat or messages to effectively communicate with your team.

5. Utilize Unlock Strategies

Take advantage of unlock strategies available in the game to unlock weapons, equipment, and additional perks as you progress. Choose unlocks that complement your playstyle and adapt to the current situation.

6. Practice Regularly

As with any game, practice is key to improving your skills. Dedicate time to practice regularly, both in single-player campaigns and multiplayer modes, to hone your aiming, movement, and strategy skills.

By following these tips and practicing regularly, you’ll be on your way to becoming a skilled and successful player in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III.

Tips for Improving Performance

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III demands both intellectual and motor skills, but certain behaviors can be crucial and lifesaving. Always check corners, as the likelihood of encountering enemies or ambushes is high. It’s almost automatic to move toward a corner to hide. Try to move close to walls and other obstacles, keeping your back against the wall for better visibility and protection against potential enemy attacks from behind.

Don’t overlook your equipment; improving your vest, goggles, and protective gear can increase your resilience in battles.

Stay attentive to details; even though the game is set in a war zone and chaos reigns during battles, paying attention to details can make a difference. Use replays to review where you went wrong and avoid making the same mistakes in the next match.

Use your creativity to study the maps and find specific points to set traps, delaying your enemies’ advance.

Requirements to run Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III

Learn about the main requirements to run the following game!

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i5-6600 or AMD Ryzen 1400
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960 / GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 470
• Memory: 8 GB
• Storage: 149 GB including COD HQ + Warzone (78 GB for MW III only)
• High-resolution Texture Space: 32 GB

RECOMMENDED REQUIREMENTS

• Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i7-6700K or AMD Ryzen 5 1600X
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti / RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600XT
• Memory: 16 GB
• Storage: 149 GB including COD HQ + Warzone (78 GB for MW III only)
• High-resolution Texture Space: 32 GB

ULTRA REQUIREMENTS

• Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit or Windows 11 64-bit
• Processor: Intel Core i7-8700 K or AMD Ryzen 7 2700X
• Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 / RTX 4070 or AMD Radeon RX 6800XT
• Memory: 16 GB
• Storage: 149 GB including COD HQ + Warzone (78 GB for MW III only)
• High-resolution Texture Space: 64 GB

Read also: Best Graphic Settings To Increase FPS In COD Warzone II (PC Guide)

Account Setup

The Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III itself doesn’t have a login platform, requiring users to create an account with Activision. You’ll need a valid email to receive game information and generate an ID to connect to matches.

How to get a better ping in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 with ExitLag?

Ping has a direct impact on the online gaming experience, for example, a lower ping offers fewer delays in movement and server response. A high ping, on the other hand, causes more delays in the game and less precision.

Therefore, to play more responsively, you need a low ping. Find out how to improve your ping in COD MW3 with ExitLag:

1. First, install ExitLag on your computer and create an account.
2. Select the game and choose your server. It’s important to note that ExitLag has several server options to suit your preferences. 
3. After adjusting the ideal connection route according to the server you prefer, activate ExitLag before starting Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 to enjoy the game without high ping.

How do I fix lag on Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 with ExitLag?

Lag refers to a delay or latency in online games during an action. Lag can occur due to a number of factors, including network problems such as high ping, hardware limitations and so on. 

ExitLag helps you solve lag in COD MW3 by simply installing the software on your computer and configuring it. Once downloaded, you can select the best server from the available options, preferably one closer to the game server or with better routing for your connection. 

Activate ExitLag in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 with the connection route settings to optimize the game and reduce lag. This will give you a better gaming experience!

How to avoid packet loss in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 with ExitLag?

Packet loss occurs when data packets sent from your device to the server (or vice versa) are lost until they reach their destination.

Packet loss can cause a number of problems during online games, such as:

• Interruption of the game, from freezes, to sudden movements;
• Delayed responses, which can impair your game play, such as moving or shooting;
• High levels of packet loss can make your connection to the game server unstable, leading to frequent disconnections or rubber-banding.

To avoid packet loss in any game, including Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3, using ExitLag, simply select the server that is closest to the game server or offers better routing for your connection. This can help reduce packet loss and improve overall network stability.

Therefore, always activate ExitLag before starting Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 to avoid packet loss during the game.

ExitLag was developed to optimize and improve your gaming experience. With multiple connections around the world, ExitLag helps players by offering the best way to connect to each game’s servers. 

This solution decreases latency, reduces packet loss and improves ping, generating lag-free gameplay. This makes ExitLag an indispensable tool for anyone looking for advanced performance in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3.

How to Use ExitLag in COD MW3

ExitLag offers some customization options. You can explore them in the settings menu, but the default settings are usually a good starting point.

1) Download and Install

• download the software (exitlag.com/download).
• Install it following the on-screen instructions.

2) Create an Account (or Login)

• You’ll need an ExitLag account to use the service. You can either create a new account or log in if you already have one.

3) Open ExitLag and Find Your Game

• Open the ExitLag app. You’ll see a list of supported games.
• Search for the game you want to improve ping for.

4) Analyze and Apply Routes

• Click the “Analyze” button next to your chosen game. ExitLag will scan for optimal connection routes.
• Once the analysis is complete, click “Apply Routes” to activate ExitLag for that game.

5) Launch Your Game

• ExitLag should take care of optimizing your connection in the background.
• Launch your game as usual and see if you experience a reduction in lag.

Important Notes:

• The free trial might be 3 days for the desktop version and 7 days for mobile, but this can change depending on your region.
• You don’t need to enter any credit card information upfront. This allows you to try the service without any financial commitment.

Need Help?

The ExitLag website offers a wealth of resources, including FAQs, tutorials, and customer support.

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