Call of Duty: Black Ops 6is the upcoming game in theCall of Duty: Black Opsseries. It is currently in its open beta stage, but these tips will be relevant for the full game as well. TheCall of Dutyfranchise is one that needs no introduction, and theBlack Opsseries is possibly the most beloved one in theCall of Dutylineup.Black Ops 6is set in the 1990s, and is a direct sequel to the events ofCall of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. As expected, the game will feature a campaign, multiplayer,and a zombies mode, although the beta is just multiplayer as of this writing.
Black Ops 6continues the fast-paced formula gamers expect from theCall of Dutyseries, and is most similar toCold Warin style and gameplay.Black Ops 6is especially unique as it contains the first major movement overhaul in recent series history. This takes the form of omni-movement. This feature is an omni-directional movement system that allows players to maintain their speed when running backwards or side-to-side. It also comes with a full 360 supine prone, as well as a dive into prone, not dissimilar to theMax Payneseries.Fortips on making the most out of omni-directional movement and everything else inBlack Ops 6,read on.
6Understand Damage Multipliers
Body Shots Are More Effective
It is a staple ofmost FPS gamesthat body parts have different damage multipliers. This may mean that some body parts have more health than others, or more commonly, damage taken to some body parts is greater than damage taken to others. For example, most games have a high headshot damage multiplier, meaning players will both deal and take greater damage to the head than the body. Similarly, the legs and arms usually take less damage than the torso.
This is not strictly true inBlack Ops 6, a crucial piece of knowledge worth having. InBlack Ops 6, there are no damage differences between limbs and torso. This means that players will deal and take the same damage regardless of whether they are shot in the foot or in the chest. Similarly, the headshot multiplier on most guns (if players aren’t using an attachment that multiplies headshot damage) is not much greater than the damage dealt to the torso. This means that players are incentivized to just start shooting, be it at the feet, legs, or arms, as they are dealing the same or nearly the same amount of damage regardless of shot positioning.
5Know How To Use The Mini-Map
The Mini-Map Isn’t Just For Red Dots
The Mini-Map is a crucial feature in theCall of Dutyfranchise, acting as the main point of intelligence between players, be it through various reconnaissance gadgets, scorestreaks, death icons, or teammate icons. This series staple is ever-present, although not always consistent in its implementation. Some concepts, however, remain important for players to understand.
One of the most important tips for using the mini-map is to always be aware. This means not just looking at it when a UAV or other intelligence scorestreak is active, as a plain mini-map can inform players just as much as one covered in red dots. A crucial example of this is in teammate positioning. Players can likely ascertain enemy positions through the absence of their own teammates, meaning if their team is not in one lane, nor are encountering enemies in their own, then players can safely assume enemies are occupying that first lane or location.
4Don’t Just Play To Win
Play To Learn
Beta periodsare common throughout theCall of Dutyfranchise, and allow players to experience the game hands-on before its full release whilst providing developers with much-needed testing opportunities. Players can use the beta to try the game and ascertain whether they are willing to purchase it, but one crucial element is often ignored.
All progress gained in the beta will be deleted and not transferred to the main game upon release. This means, for statistic-conscious players, they do not have to try to maintain a successful Win/Loss or K/D ratio. This gives players the unique opportunity to experiment and learn, be it trying out different guns and perks,finding map secrets, or mastering movement.
3Keep Moving
Quieter Footsteps Make For Easier Traversal
Call of Dutygames are known for their fast-paced and frantic gameplay, often promoting a run-and-gun mentality that became the core identity of the franchise. This, however, shifted with therelease ofWarzone, wherein footstep sounds and audio cues became more prevalent, inadvertently promoting a slower playstyle that withdrew some of the fast-paced nature ofCall of Duty.
Black Ops 6, in this sense, is a return to form for the franchise, as footstep audio has been reduced significantly. This means, for those who have played the last few entries in the series, adaptation may be required. Players will likely see more success in the implementation of a faster playstyle, throwing caution to the wind and ensuring they remain in constant motion. This is because players are less likely to remain stationary and listen for enemies, as the reduced footstep sound means players cannot rely exclusively on audio.
2Experiment With Weapons
It’s Okay To Be Off-Meta
When a newCall of Dutyor its beta releases, there is often an abundance of weapons to try. Be they Marksman Rifles, Pistols, LMGs,Assault Rifles, Sniper Rifles, or SMGs, these weapons are often distinct, even within their own category, and offer a multitude of attachments that allow them to handle differently.
Despite this variety of weapons, the PvP nature ofCall of Dutygames means that players often gravitate to the best-performing guns, be they slightly statistically better or blatantly overpowered. However, when taking this approach, players often miss out on the opportunity to use a fun weapon or even one that may perform better for them. This is why players should ensure they try out a range of weapons and see what fits their playstyle, as they may find far more opportunity for fun or success, rather than just chasing what is perceived to be the meta. This is especially true as balancing changes often occur quickly, shifting the meta constantly.
1Don’t Overuse The Dive
It Looks Cool But Is Not Always Advantageous
TheCall of Dutyfranchiseis one that often understandably sticks to its successful formula. This ultimately means little deviation in core features or mechanics between series entries. Despite this, some games have experimented with movement, be it the ‘exo movement’ era in games likeAdvanced Warfare, or the prominence of complex ‘movement tech’ that arose inWarzone. No other movement feature, however, has fundamentally shifted the core gameplay than the implementation of omni-directional movement inBlack Ops 6.
The omni-directional movement has introduced a whole new way to play and move, with a reworked diving mechanic coupled with 360-degree supine prone movement providing a cinematic experience. This, alongside the fast backwards and side-to-side movement, makes the game feel faster and more fluid. Despite the fresh and cinematic nature of the diving system, it often leaves players helpless and in the open if they overly rely on it. Whilst players have momentum at the start of their dive, they quickly come to a halt and their prone body creates a large target for enemies. With this in mind, players should only use the diving situationally (or for the cool factor).
