Improving SLOWLY!

[SeaBass]

The first Call of Duty Game that I played was Black Ops, and during the first several months of game play I did really bad, especially in TDM, and I still have difficulty with that game mode, but it's getting better. But eventually I was able to bring my K/D:R up over a period of time. Then MW3 came out and I was playing under my old gamertag VonReichenau (PS3) and for the first several months I sucked pretty badly, and I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. So then I decided to start all over and created my new gamertag, and since everyone on IPC knows me as SeaBass, it was an easy way for people to find me. Even after creating my new GT, I still sucked at the game, and then one day it just started clicking for me, and low and behold I started to get better which brings us up to current time.

Bringing up my K/D:R hasn’t been too difficult of a process. I’ve been doing a lot of research online, as well applying my own techniques to up my K/D:R. Below is a working list of tips and tricks that you can apply to your own game to help you improve, and don’t be too concerned if it doesn’t work out right away. The best way to improve is to practice, practice, practice. Now let’s get to those tips!

1. If you find a game mode you really enjoy, stick with it and learn how it plays: Drop Zone is by far my favorite game mode on MW3, because it allows a lot of different game styles, i.e. run-n-gun, defense, mob rushing as I like to call it. The battlefield always changes to different areas of the map every minute, and even though they are “pre-determined” where they are going to drop, they never follow the same order from match to match.

2. Find guns that fit YOU: I’m currently running through all of the SMG class this prestige. So far I’ve achieved 1,000 kills on both the MP7 and the P90, and I’m about 100 kills away on the UMP45. Next I will probably end up using the MP5 just because it’s one of the “weaker” SMG’s and I want to challenge myself a little bit, so we’ll see what happens.

There’s a second part to this tip. Not only do you need a gun that fits you, but you need the right proficiency and attachment/s as well. The UMP45 is pretty difficult to use right out of the box, because it has a pretty heavy recoil for an SMG, it likes to travel up and slightly left on me. So I went through all of the attachments and completed the challenges as quickly as possible. For me personally, the best setup for the UMP45 is to run Attachments proficiency with Silencer and Rapid Fire, but it still retains pretty noticeable recoil and it still likes to run up and slightly left. So to compensate for this rise in the barrel, I normally aim slightly below waste on a target and let my barrel ride up through the enemy’s body.

3. Learn how to play objectives: This is a tough subject, because a lot of people don’t always play the objectives, especially when you’re with randoms. So you need to find a group of friends to roll with, or you need to make your own roll when you are playing with randoms. When I’m playing with randoms, I will hold down the Drop Zone when I’m the only person there. However, as soon as 2 or 3 randoms finally make it to the DZ, then I’ll move up and “hold point” as I like to call it and do my best to prevent the enemy from being able to engage my team mates inside the DZ.

When I’m playing with my friends I’ll go inside the DZ and hold my point from there. Because when we roll as a team, we usually drop up to six trophy systems inside the DZ and at any given time we usually have about 4 players inside the DZ so it’s pretty easy to maintain a strong holding point. But from time to time, I’ll cut out and move up and intercept incoming enemies. But I will play whatever roll I need to, to help my team to win.

4. I can't stress how important strafing is: Learn how to move left and right when you are engaging a target. If you are moving, you are harder to hit.

5. Aim where you want to go: I never used to do this; I would always be aimed at either the sky, or slightly to the side of where I was headed. Make sure your white cross hairs are always aimed at the center of where you want to go. If you see a doorway, aim at the center of the doorway. If you are turning a corner, let your cross hairs lead you around it.

6. Learning when to fire: I used to not know when to fire. A lot of times I would get into an close engagement trying to ADS before I started firing to increase my "accuracy". If you are in close quarters combat, hip fire and then ADS, or just continue to hip fire until you take them out. Also you don't want to hip fire at target at long distances. Aim down your sights when you have a long engagement.

7. This can be extremely hard for people to learn and apply well. Lead your target...99.99% of the time when you are playing MW3, targets are moving. So don't try to stay in one spot while engaging a target. He's going to be moving and you're going to be missing. Instead watch the direction your target is heading, and be ever so slightly in front of said target. This way, you're target runs into your bullets.

8. Learn to cut corners: When you are approaching a corner, don’t just turn in there and expect things to go well. Work your way around the corner. For example on Hardhat, you are coming from the supply section of the map, and you are turning right to approach the center of the map from the large concrete “sewer” pipes. Instead of just hugging the concrete, take a wide approach away from the pipes and start to sweep the corner as you turn through it. I’ll make a video of this so you can understand exactly what I’m talking about.

9. Learning when to reload: If you watch the videos I’ve posted, you see that I reload WAY too often, but of course that was just with the P90 and it has high capacity magazine, so you don’t always have to reload after every single time you shoot somebody, and when you do reload, hit the ground or find some cover.

10. Don't play angry: I used to get angry at the game, and therefore my game, team and K/D:R would suffer. The best suggestion I can offer is to step away from the game for a few minutes, or even a day if need be. Remember it's only a game, once I started to use that mind set I noticed that I did better and I was able to relax while playing.

New Account vs. Old Account:

[WherezYourHeadA]

So earlier tonight I was online and playing with @Beardnor, we were playing a mix of TDM and Kill Confirmed. I was seriously getting my ass handed too me, I think I may have played 5 or so games with him and Slider, and every game ended negative.

So I took a break for a few minutes and then decided to come back and play a few matches of Drop Zone (a few matches is more like 20) In those matches, something changed...I couldn't explain it, but I had only 3 or 4 negative matches though out the entire night. I did a quick calculation, and I carried a 1.22 K/D:R, which is pretty damn high from my normal .85 K/D:R. My overall K/D:R went from a .85 to a .87.

So you're probably wondering what I'm doing that's different and helped me to be successful.

1. If you find a game mode you really enjoy, stick with it and learn how it plays: Drop Zone is unique in the fact that you are running to new capture points every minute. I'd say I've play over 300 to 400 matches of DZ, and I'm just learning some of the best areas to cover and where most of the enemies won't be looking.

Perfect example - On Fallen, if you start on the top side of the map next to the car in the little court yard. Instead of heading directly for the DZ. Take that back ally side or that side street and haul ass back there, and mantle the fence. But get your sights up as soon as you get into that area, there's likely to be a few enemies. I've gotten really good with this tactic that I've wiped out the entire team once while they were engaging all of my team mates in the court yard.

2. Find guns that fit YOU: This is an important one. I'm old and slow, so I need as much speed as possible. I normally choose to use the SMG class, because it has a very quick ADS time, and it allows you to get into the action a lot quicker. Also make sure you chose attachments that work with your gun. Not all attachments are created equal, choose attachments that compliment what you're using, unless of course you just want to complete the challenges.

3. Learn how to play objectives: You don't always have to play directly on top of the objective to win. If you have 3 or 4 players guarding an objective, go and play the intercept role, pick up the guys that might be coming in to attack your team. Or if you do decide to play on top of the object, just make sure you have someone covering your back.

Lack of cover happens a lot when it comes to randoms, so learn a little bit to rely on yourself when you're in a random pub.

4. I can't stress how important strafing is: Learn how to move left and right when you are engaging a target. If you are moving, you are harder to hit.

5. Aim where you want to go: I used to do this a lot. I'd be running towards an objective and my sights are somewhat aimed at the sky. Take a quick second and center your white cross hairs on your screen. Let them lead you where you want to go.

6. Learning when to fire: I used to not know when to fire. A lot of times I would get into an close engagement trying to ADS before I started firing to increase my "accuracy". If you are in close quarters combat, hip fire and then ADS, or just continue to hip fire until you take them out. Also you don't want to hip fire at target at long distances. Aim down your sights when you have a long engagement.

7. This can be extremely hard for people to learn and apply well. Lead your target...99.99% of the time when you are playing MW3, targets are moving. So don't try to stay in one spot while engaging a target. He's going to be moving and you're going to be missing. Instead watch the direction your target is heading, and be ever so slightly in front of said target. This way, you're target runs into your bullets.

I'll probably update this from time to time the more and more I play. Now remember, these are tactics that work for me. I still currently have a negative K/D:R, but if I continue to apply these tactics eventually it'll go positive. Funny thing is, it's taken me a lot less time to start "getting better" at MW3 then it did for Black Ops. I didn't go positive in Black Ops until MW3 was released and it took me forever.

So just remember, keep practicing and stay positive, you'll eventually get better.

Shouldn't this be in tips? Btw taking breaks will improve your reaction and concentration, and also sleeping enough may help. But it all comes down to practice if you want to improve, even if you understand everything and you can't aim there's no point D:

[uClumZy]

Nice man! Hope ya continue to improve.


Sent from my iPhone 4S.

[RLusher]

Some very good tips there [MENTION=17097]SeaBass[/MENTION], enough to help any type of player get better. Nice one.

[SeaBass]

[MENTION=17758]JontheGeekGuy[/MENTION] - [MENTION=40147]WherezYourHeadA[/MENTION] suggested moving this to tips??? It's up to you.

[JontheGeekGuy]

Moved!

[dodelijkebig]

good job keep improving it ;p but its more important to just have fun becuese if you only game for you K/D ratio you will have less fun i think

[HOOShenry]

Thanks for the tips [MENTION=17097]SeaBass[/MENTION] . I always have trouble hip firing in close combat situations. Its just instinct to aim then shoot. I seem to lose a lot of these because i'm too slow.

[Beardnor]

Lol [MENTION=17097]SeaBass[/MENTION] you weren't doing that bad. You're a callout machine stirring up the hornets nest constantly. I think Slider was having an off night too and Stbrown was half in the bag for sure. But you were a strong team player :P You did better when it was just you and I in KC though.

That being said, I know DZ is your jam. lol
I think you'd probably be able to get into some other gametypes that have objectives with strong pull like that.

Good tips though dude.

[SoNiC_HD_TriCkZ]

I loved Tip #4. I always strafe left and right whenever I encounter an enemy shooting back at me, especially when I encounter them in front of my face.