MW3 Maximized: Strike Packages

Welcome to another episode of MW3 Maximized with Guy Beahm!

Sledgehammer Games and Infinity Ward have just released an all new Call of Duty: MW3 Strike Package video containing exclusive Developer insight on the brand new strike packages available in MW3. Take a look here:

Additionally, Robert Bowling and Michael Condrey teamed up for a blog that dives a bit deeper into Strike Packages: http://www.callofduty.com/community/mw3/blog/2011/10/20/call-of-duty-modern-warfare-3--developer-qa-strike-packages

Strike Packages add so much to how you approach MW3 MP gameplay, I couldn't resist weighing in myself.

When it comes to punishing the other team with tactical point streaks, for my play style, the Assault Package is where it's at. All of you MW2 players know that feeling when you call in your PAVE Low - in MW3, it's all about packaging a chain that's designed for more direct damage. The teams at IW/SHG have also created a Strike Package that rewards support-oriented players called the Support Package - while these do not chain, they do not reset upon death, enabling players to stay more focused on helping their team rather than being driven purely by the desire for a high kill rate. Since your point streaks don't reset when you die, you'll keep unlocking progressively more powerful strikes throughout a match. The great thing about that is you can focus on objectives and your team goals without sacrificing your kill streak. Now that's pretty sweet!

Last but certainly not least, is the new Specialist Strike Package. This one is the most intriguing to me currently, and I thought I'd go a little deeper into this package to share some of the lessons I've learned so far.

The way the Specialist Package works is simple: Get two kills in a row, unlock a 4^th perk. Get four kills in a row, unlock a 5^th perk. Get six kills in a row, unlock a 6^th perk. You can choose which perks to unlock and the order at which you receive them. But get this, as mentioned in the video if you get eight kills in a row, you unlock them all! I find this package extremely fun to use because there are so many perk combinations you can pick and choose from. It also provides a good challenge and the rewards are fantastic. Seriously, when you get eight kills in a row and you unlock all the perks, you really become a super soldier, but be warned that they reset upon death.

I tend to find myself playing in an overly aggressive manner at times and the Specialist Package plays right into that style. During play sessions in the studio, I'm rocking the submachine gun with rapid fire attachment and range proficiency. The three perks I choose to start off with are Sleight of Hand, Quickdraw, and Steady Aim. Understanding the tempo at which I play, I know two kills will definitely be obtainable. I also know that my position may be given away from the shots fired so that's why I've chosen the Dead Silence as my 4^th perk allowing me to either escape quietly or remain occupying the area with more focus. With two more guys being taken out while using rapid fire on my submachine gun, there is a strong possibility I can be low on ammo at this point which is where my 5th perk, Scavenger, comes in so handy. I wouldn't choose this perk for one of my 3 in Assault Package, but for my 5^th perk it becomes super valuable. With a replenished ammo supply, I'm now pushing even more aggressively allowing me to pick off two more guys. What better way to remain a threat by adding the hidden abilities of Assassin as the 6^th perk.

If played correctly, now I am rolling with Sleight of Hand, Quickdraw, Steady Aim, Scavenger and Assassin. I'm hard to beat, and just two more kills away from unlocking all of the perks. Because this package resets upon death, this is definitely a high risk / high reward scenario. Again, this is just one combination I've been testing out. There are a ton of recipes for a variety of play styles and weapons and it's quite rewarding, and the combinations that I can tailor to the game mode or weapons class I am using are near-endless!

Check out the previous episode of MW3 Maximized where we discuss Spec Ops: Survival Mode - http://sledgehammergames.com/blog/view/82