Call of Duty: Know Your Maps!

I’m about to tell you the number one secret to success in Call of Duty. Well, I actually already have, but there is no harm done in repeating it: Know Your Maps!

There are many things separating veteran players from the novices, but the most important and apparent difference surfaces when looking at how they move.

Much like in life, knowing the details of your surroundings in any first person shooter is critical, but especially so in Call of Duty. Knowledge of the map can grant you harbors of safe passage, or strict lanes of carnage.

Efficiency of Movement: Not knowing your maps well in Call of Duty is similar to Harry Potter not knowing the secret passages in Hogwarts; your movements will be predictable, and most often be slower and more dangerous than if you knew the map well. When you are truly comfortable with a map, you will be able to get where you want to be safely and quickly.

Lines of Fire: Knowing your maps well will ensure that you know most lines of fire. Throughout each map, there are usually long, drawn out corridors which are perfect for snipers or campers, and short passages connecting them, where most of your tight close quarters fighting will take place. Knowing your lines of fire can help you avoid death when necessary, but can also help you decimate the enemy whenever you want.

Spawn Locations: The topic of spawn locations is a very sensitive subject for some, as spawn killing can become quite frustrating. However, there is nothing worse that finally sneaking behind the enemy team only to see on the killcam that the person who just knifed you in the back had only just spawned there. When you know where the enemy spawns, you will be able to avoid situations where you can become compromised instantly from behind. While some merely camp spawn points from across the map, doing so is widely frowned upon, and I would highly recommend against it.

How Can I Learn My Maps?

The answer to this question is practice mixed with reflection. Next time you are playing, perhaps take a minute or two to spectate other players to get a feel for how they move, and which areas they avoid or flock to. This is especially true in Search and Destroy matches, where spectating others has revealed a great deal of secrets to me.

Why Do I Need To Know My Maps?

In order to be an effective player and help your team win, you will need to have knowledge of the map. When you can efficiently get to where you want to be, know where the major chokepoints and line of fire are, and have knowledge of where the enemy team will spawn, you have all the right ingredients for a successful match.

Overall, just practice up, and try to watch videos or spectate veteran players who can (and will) often show you knew paths, new chokepoints, and new strategies for succeeding in Call of Duty.