The Call of Duty League format was revamped for its return last weekend, April 10. It features “the world’s greatest Call of Duty esports players representing 12 teams across four countries, battling for a Championship title.” The brand-new “Home Series Weekend” is live-streamed on the league’s official YouTube channel, highlighting both the breakneck gameplay speed of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare as well as the lively team trash-talking.
Hoping to one day run pro with the masters? Check out tips of the trade below:
In the Nick of Time
Game mode “Search and Destroy” is a known challenge, but like first-year pro Paris Legion’s Luke “Louqa” Rigas, it’s possible to learn his intuitive technique to defuse bombs with stealth and distractions.
His teammates provided a distraction by rushing enemy combatants and keeping them engaged. Louqa snuck around, located the bomb, and defused it, thus changing the tide of the match. Timing of such a move is integral: too early and you risk being spotted and snuffed out, too late and your opponents land a victory.
Attention to Detail
Prefer to run-and-gun? Coach of CoDL’s top-ranking Atlanta FaZe, James Crowder, emphasizes the importance of ensuring your equipment complements your weaponry. “Make use of lethal and tactical equipment in every life. They can assist on kills for teammates and yourself,” the former player advised.
This will come in handy when you’re surrounded and need to swing the odds in your favor, fast. Rather than madly empty your clips at enemies, why not pop a smoke grenade? Find uses or your throwables that save you time and ammunition.
Keep Your Ears Open
It is well-known that Modern Warfare boasts incredible sound design and state-of-the-art sound effects, but using these features to your advantage is underutilized! Seattle Surge player Ian “Enable” Wyatt stressed the importance of careful listening: “use your hearing as an advantage…I always set my audio to 60% game, 40% voice.”
A surround-sound headset is the best place for hopeful pros to start. Enable also turns down the music and dialog in favor of focusing on communication and audio cues.
Set Your Sights High
New York Subliner’s Lamar “Accuracy” Abedi spoke on playing around with your aiming sensitivity before committing to it entirely. “Use whatever’s comfortable to you and commit to it. Don’t be changing it every day. Stick to one sensitivity. Don’t try to copy what other people or pros are using.”
Good Communication
The Chicago Huntsmen, ranked second (!), coordinate and communicate on the battlefield to secure the win. The team’s pro player Gunless practices his competitive skills in non-competitive multiplayer matches. He emphasized the importance of proper communication. “Objective players need to be telling their teammates when to push up, when they are getting time, and when they are doing all the important stuff on the map to make sure they can get the flag or Hardpoint. If you improve on that, it will generally help you get more objective time or be able to secure flags. Just make sure you’re communicating.”
With the right set of skills, any casual player can become pro. Meet this year’s league teams here!
Photo Credit Call of Duty
