Multiplayer Game Types — Call of Duty: Black Ops II Guide

Multiplayer Game Types

Welcome to the ultimate guide for dominating the multiplayer arenas of Call of Duty: Black Ops II! Understanding each game type's objectives, strategies, and optimal loadouts is crucial for climbing the leaderboards. This section breaks down the core multiplayer modes, offering actionable advice to give you the edge.

Team Deathmatch (TDM)

The quintessential Call of Duty experience. Two teams battle to reach a kill limit or have the most kills when time expires. Simplicity is its strength, but strategic play separates the good from the great.

• Objective: Accumulate the most team kills.
• Key Strategies:
  • Map Awareness: Learn common enemy spawn points and flanking routes on maps like Nuketown 2025 or Hijacked. Anticipate enemy movement.
  • Team Play: Stick with teammates, especially if you're not confident in 1v1 engagements. Overwhelming isolated enemies is a quick way to rack up kills.
  • Killstreaks: Prioritize killstreaks that support your team or provide area denial. The UAV is invaluable for revealing enemy positions, while a Lightning Strike can clear out objective areas or clustered enemies.
  • Loadout Focus: Versatile assault rifles like the AN-94 or SMGs such as the MSMC excel here. Consider perks like Ghost to stay off enemy UAVs and Scavenger to maintain ammo supply during long killstreaks.

Domination

A tactical objective-based mode where teams compete to capture and hold three designated flags (A, B, and C) across the map. Holding more flags earns your team points over time.

• Objective: Capture and hold two or three flags to earn points and reach the score limit.
• Key Strategies:
  • Flag B is King: On most maps (e.g., Raid, Standoff), Flag B is centrally located and often the most contested. Controlling it is paramount for victory.
  • Flanking Routes to Flags: Utilize less obvious paths to capture flags, especially A or C, which are typically closer to spawn points. A well-timed flank can secure a capture while the enemy is focused on B.
  • Defensive Posturing: Once a flag is captured, don't just run off. Take up a defensive position nearby, using cover to protect the flag from recapture. Equip a Tactical Insertion to quickly return to a contested flag.
  • Loadout Focus: SMGs and shotguns are excellent for close-quarters flag defense. LMGs like the LSAT can provide suppressive fire over open flag areas. Perks such as Hardline (for faster killstreaks) and Toughness (to reduce flinch) are highly beneficial.

Hardpoint

Teams fight to control a rotating "Hardpoint" location on the map. Points are awarded for time spent inside the Hardpoint. The Hardpoint moves to a new location after a set duration.

• Objective: Control the Hardpoint for as long as possible to accumulate points.
• Key Strategies:
  • Pre-Positioning: Learn the Hardpoint rotation order on maps like Slums or Express. Move to the next Hardpoint location *before* it becomes active to secure an early advantage.
  • Anchor Players: Designate one or two players to "anchor" the Hardpoint, focusing solely on staying inside and defending it.
  • Entry Denial: Use grenades (Frag Grenade, Concussion Grenade) and tactical equipment (Trophy System) to block enemy access points to the Hardpoint.
  • Loadout Focus: SMGs and shotguns are ideal for close-quarters combat within the Hardpoint. The Assault Shield can be invaluable for blocking entryways or providing mobile cover. Perks like Flak Jacket (for explosive resistance) and Tactical Mask (for resistance to tactical grenades) are essential.

Search & Destroy (S&D)

A round-based, single-life mode where one team attempts to plant and detonate a bomb at one of two sites, while the other team defends. Eliminating all enemies also wins the round.

• Objective: Attackers: Plant and detonate the bomb or eliminate all defenders. Defenders: Defuse the bomb, prevent planting, or eliminate all attackers.
• Key Strategies:
  • Stealth and Communication: This mode rewards careful, coordinated play. Use suppressed weapons (e.g., MP7 with a Suppressor) and perks like Dead Silence to move undetected.
  • Bomb Site Selection: Attackers should analyze enemy tendencies and choose the less defended bomb site or split up to pressure both.
  • Post-Plant Defense: Once the bomb is planted, defenders will rush. Set up crossfires and use equipment like Claymores or Bouncing Betties to protect the planted bomb.
  • Loadout Focus: Precision is key. Sniper rifles (e.g., DSR 50) can be devastating for picking off enemies at range. Assault rifles with good accuracy are also strong. Perks like Awareness (to hear enemy footsteps) and Engineer (to spot enemy equipment) are highly recommended.

Kill Confirmed

Similar to Team Deathmatch, but kills only count towards your score if you collect the Dog Tags dropped by fallen enemies. Collecting enemy tags earns points, while collecting fallen teammates' tags denies the enemy points.

• Objective: Collect enemy Dog Tags to score points, and deny enemy points by collecting friendly Dog Tags.
• Key Strategies:
  • Risk vs. Reward: Don't just chase every tag. Assess the situation. Is it safe to grab that tag, or is it a trap?
  • Tag Denial: Prioritize collecting friendly tags, especially if you see an enemy moving towards them. This prevents the enemy from scoring.
  • Aggressive Tag Collection: After securing a kill, immediately move to collect the tag. Use tactical equipment like a Smoke Grenade to provide cover while collecting.
  • Loadout Focus: Fast-moving SMGs (e.g., PDW-57) are excellent for quickly getting to tags. Perks like Lightweight (for increased movement speed) and Extreme Conditioning (for longer sprint duration) are invaluable for rapid tag collection.