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Tips and Tricks for Every Multiplayer Map
This page is part of IGNs Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Wiki guide and details an overview of every multiplayer map, along with several tips and tricks that will leave you with the upper advantage as you traverse the maps with ease.
Click or tap the links below to jump to a particular map!
Tips and Tricks for Every Map in Black Ops Cold War
Featuring a total of six maps, you will find that each map brings a number of unique traits, that when used correctly, can help aid you in battle. To get the most out of the maps, we have compiled several tips and tricks from our experiences in-game that you may not have known.
Miami
Official Description: Through hired DGI forces, Perseus ambushed and assaulted a prison transport in Miami’s famed South Beach in order to free a trusted ally. Amid the cover of night amongst vibrant art-deco architecture and neon lights, CIA special forces have been dispatched to eliminate remaining DGI forces and identify clues to Perseus’ whereabouts.
Tips and Tricks for Miami
- With multiple different lanes, Miami can often be tricky to navigate and manage your flanks as the maze like alleyways and hotel corridors have several different paths that you can follow.
- If you haven't already noticed, Miami is a popular map for Snipers. So when moving throughout the large open spaces - particularly through the middle of the map, be sure to crouch and move from cover to cover. Just be aware, try not to stay in the same area for too long, as players can cause cars to explode.
- If you're one that likes to lay low, consider using the boat along the beach for cover. Not only is the outer area of the beach often overlooked by many players, but the path along the wall is also a fairly popular route for players to pass through quickly, allowing you to take them out with ease.
- For those Sniping within buildings, be sure to place Field Mics by the entranced to avoid being caught off guard by enemies attempt to flank your position.
Moscow
Official Description: In the heart of the U.S.S.R, a Spetsnaz squad was sent to a compromised CIA safe house in order to secure the area, capture any remaining CIA operatives, and acquire further intel on NATO’s future plans. Initial reports indicate that the area has gone hot and fighting has spilled out into the streets, prompting a second CIA-JSOC team to arrive at the scene as reinforcements.
Tips and Tricks for Moscow
- Make the most of the classic three-lane map design by using the two outer lanes that lead into middle to flank your opponents.
- Take advantage of the tight corners and corridors, as close-range weapons such as Shotguns, SMGs, and Assaults are by far the most effective on this map.
- With plenty of buildings to take cover in, avoid using aerial Scorestreaks as they can easily be countered. Instead, switch it up and use more ground based Scorestreaks such as the RC-XD and the Sentry Turret.
- When holding the middle of the map during Domination, try placing a Field Mic in the corner that is next to the entrance to the courtyard. This will allow the Field Mic to cover several frequently used corners.
- With so many tight spaces, be sure to have your Stun Grenades and Frags on standby, as they are the most effective Lethal's and Tactical's to use on this map.
- It's easy to get caught off guard on Moscow, so be sure to keep an eye on your mini-map for any activity. We found that this particular map often had players camping frequently travelled corners.
Satellite
Official Description: Deep in the deserts of Angola, Central Africa, a top-secret, American-made reconnaissance satellite known as the KH-9 has been grounded, potentially by Perseus. Hired DGI forces are searching for the sensitive intel it holds, while NATO’s MI6 Squadron have been dispatched to secure the site and eliminate DGI stragglers.
Tips and Tricks for Satellite
- Satellite offers the best of both worlds, as the map is split between two drastically different areas - the often tight and close quarter caverns, and the vastly open sand dunes.
- Thriving most in close and long-range combat, Satellite is the perfect map to break out the Milano 821 SMG, the Gallo SA12 Shotgun, and the Pelington 703 Sniper Rifle.
- Be sure to utilize your Tactical's, Lethal's, and Field Upgrades when traversing the map. We would recommend running the Stimshot, C4, and Field Mic.
- The Field Mic is arguably one of the best items to run in the game, for this reason, we highly recommend placing it down in the following areas as they are often frequently populated paths and will in most cases allow you to catch your opponents off guard.
- We recommend placing the Field Mic beneath the wreckage that overhangs the small corridor. You will want to try placing it as close to the wall as possible, which will help it blend into the environment. This placement, will allow you to frequently catch your opponents off guard as the Field Mic covers not only either side of the corridor, but also the upper ledge. Your opponents will rarely ever check the area below them, and with quick access to the top of the ledge, you'll clearly have the upper advantage.
- Spotting Field Mic's on Satellite can sometimes be tricky due to the environment and overall fast pace nature of the map. So be sure to keep an eye out for this sneaky little devices.
- When planting your Field Mic's be sure to place them along the edge of the path, as close to rock walls as possible.
- While Frag Grenades will land you some kills on this map, we found C4 to be most effective due to the maps overall design of frequent level changes, along with the fast pace nature of the map.
Crossroads
Official Description: At a pivotal route to Afghanistan deep in Uzbekistan, NATO forces are mobilized to ambush a large Soviet military convoy comprised of mobile ICBM launchers. With the backdrop of a frozen Soviet Wilderness, an MI6 Squadron are ready to combat any Spetsnaz forces in order to secure the top-secret intel held on the convoy, as well as any necessary supplies for future operations. Use tanks to blow up enemy positions or snowmobiles to zip behind the enemy and break their lines.
Tips and Tricks for Crossroads
- Lookout for Snipers hiding in the large buildings at either end of the map. You will also find them frequenting the higher ground towards the Northern end of the map as they use the train carriages for cover.
- Avoid crossing through the large frozen lake in the middle of the map. With little to no cover, this will leave you vulnerable for enemies to easily pick you off.
- Tanks are deadly and can clear entire areas with a single shot. For this reason, it's important to remain in cover and out of sight. You will find one tank spawn at each side of the map.
- Near the middle of the map, you'll find a small bridge. Beneath this bridge is a small path way that is often overlooked. You'll even find a small patch a grass that can be used to conceal your location when Sniping any enemies that cross through the middle of the frozen lake.
Armada
Official Description: Based on Operation Azorian, U.S. and Soviet forces arrive in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean in search of a prototype nuclear submarine. The scale of the Cold War could be tipped in favor of whoever salvages it, whether it be the Soviets reclaiming it or the U.S. intercepting it. Zipline from ship to ship or command gunboats to turn the tide of the fight.
Tips and Tricks for Armada
- Along the edges of the three largest ships, you will find Gun Turrets. These are extremely effective against the Waverunners and Gunboats that will frequent the waters.
- Don't try to outgun a Gunboat though, as you'll always lose. Instead, step back and wait for them to move on before you jump back on the Gun Turret.
- Don't be afraid to jump into the water, as it can act as great coverage when trying to escape from tricky situations.
- While swimming can be effective to lose your opponents, it's always best to use ziplines when traversing between the ships, as swimming is much slower, leaving you vulnerable.
- You can not pass through other players when using the Zipline. So, if another player happens to be coming towards you when using the Zipline at the same time, you will both be knocked off into the water below.
- When navigating the ships interiors, you will find that a Shotgun or SMG will be most effective due to the tight space. When outside though, be sure to have a Sniper or Assault Rifle equip as you'll be facing enemies primarily at long-ranges.
- If you're holding one of the buildings at either end of the middle ship, be sure to keep an eye on the middle building, as you'll frequently find Snipers popping their heads through the small windows. This is a popular Sniper point as it allows them to view both ends of the ship - which are often objective points in Domination.
- You'll be surprised to know that Field Mic's can be used under water. We found that placing a Field Mic on the wings of the submarine to be extremely effective, as opponents will frequently use the water as cover when caught in tricky situations. With the Field Mic well below the water, your opponents will rarely ever find it and you'll always have eyes beneath the water to find their exact location.
- When leaving the interior of the ships, always be weary when rounding the corners as they are frequently watched by Snipers.
Cartel
Set in the jungles of Nicaragua, players will find themselves inside of a remote cartel compound that follows the traditional three-lane map design.
Tips and Tricks for Cartel
- Medium and close range weapons such as SMGs and Assault Rifles are extremely effective on Cartel.
- As controversial as the bushes may be, use them to your advantage by crouching through them as you navigate the middle of the map. The bushes can also come in handy when coming face to face with an opponent. If you're losing the battle, don't be afraid to crouch or go prone as you use the bushes to conceal your location. With little visibility when moving through them, you'll quickly throw off your opponent, making it easier to regain health and gather your composure.
- Following the traditional three-lane design, Cartel is the perfect map for trying to flank your enemies as the two outer paths have plenty of points that you can use to split off to the middle.
- We recommend placing Field Mics in the following locations as they best utilize several corners that are often
- During our experience, the Southern path that travels through a small creek was one of our favorites, as the large rocks provided great cover. This path is often quite populated, so try placing Field Mics along the edges of the large rocks to help cover your corners.
- Frag Grenades are very handy on Cartel and can be used to clear the overly populated middle path that often becomes congested with players. These are also handy for clearing the small buildings that are used as objective points in Domination.
- Keep a close eye on the Watchtower that is located in the middle of the map. When crouched in the tower, players are often quite hard to see, so look carefully for any heads that may just be sticking out.
- With plenty of buildings and large rocks filling the environment, rounding a corner has never been more dangerous.
- While Motorcycles may make you a target, they are often a hard target to hit and can take out players by simply running them over.
- The Plane Hangar is often frequented by campers, so be sure to enter with caution as you'll often find players hiding on top of crates and in dark corners by the entrances.