If you’re transitioning from classic multiplayer games like Counter-Strike, Activision’s Call of Duty Warzone 2 is surely a thrilling experience. And since Al Mazrah’s map supports 150 players to contend with, beginners may often feel overwhelmed. Luckily, you can quickly find the way to success by learning the basics of how to move, load-outs, the new DMZ mode, and more. Whether you're new to Warzone or already a veteran, here’s how to beat the odds on the Al Mazrah battlefield:

Getting Started With Warzone 2

Just like any other game, beginners may need a rank boost in Call of Duty Warzone 2. Still, getting some time to adjust to the environment and game mechanics can also do the trick. If you’re just starting, you may need a bit of determination and following a few tips:

Adjust Your Settings

Adjusting your pre-game settings is a crucial part of the user experience and the key to success in Warzone 2. If you have experience with the first installment, you’ll quickly configure your device. If you’re completely new, start by turning on “Texture Streaming” to improve your graphics quality without sacrificing performance. Set "Field of View" to at least 95 for better situational awareness. And enable "Auto Sprint" so you're always ready to move quickly.

Choose Your Loadout

Weapon load-outs are another maker or breaker in Warzone 2. Since they can determine your playing style, having the right set of weapons can give you an advantage on the battlefield. A balanced loadout with an assault rifle, submachine gun, and sniper rifle will serve you well across most scenarios. Attach suppressors to stay off enemy radars, extended magazines for less reloading, and optics for precision. Don't forget lethal and tactical equipment like grenades, C4, smoke screens, and heartbeat sensors.

Communicate with Your Squad

Playing with friends or talking to random squadmates in-game chat gives you a huge edge. Call out enemy locations and items you need. Ask for backup when engaging opponents or revives when downed. Coordinate to capture objectives, ambush other squads, and gain strategic positions. Even basic communication makes a big difference.

Keep Practicing

With massive maps, a horde of players, and endless weapons and equipment, Warzone 2 surely has a steep learning curve. Still, you shouldn’t lose enthusiasm and should keep practicing to improve your speed, accuracy, and decision-making skills. Additionally, you can learn strategies from streamers and YouTubers and then develop your own techniques to dominate the field.

Key Gameplay Mechanics and Controls

Movement

Mastering movement in Warzone 2 is crucial to success. Use the left analog stick to move your character, and click it to sprint. Double-click to slide, allowing you to move quickly while avoiding enemy fire. Crouch with B (Xbox) or Circle (PlayStation) to make less noise and present a smaller target. Prone by holding the crouch button to lay flat; this hides you best but limits your mobility.

Combat

Warzone 2 uses hitscan weapon mechanics, so aim carefully and fire with the triggers. Adjust sensitivity to suit your playstyle. Hip-fire in close quarters, but aim down sights for accuracy at range. Learn each weapon's effective distance to gain an advantage.

Settings and Controller Tips

Adjust control settings to optimize your performance. Increase sensitivity for faster turns and turn off vibration for less distraction. Use the tactical button layout, and consider back paddles for more input options. An elite controller provides further customization.

Ranked Play

Ranked play in Warzone 2 introduces new challenges. Loadouts are restricted to prevent overpowered combinations, encouraging the use of different weapons and strategies. The player count increases to 200, creating an even more chaotic experience. Perks and killstreaks are also regulated for competitive balance.

Choosing the Right Loadout

Remember - your loadout can make or break your game. That’s why you must pay extra attention to your equipment. Here are some tips to adjust your equipment according to the map, mode, and playstyle:

Primary Weapon: Assault Rifle or Submachine Gun

Arguably, M4 is the most popular choice for most Warzone 2 maps and modes due to its accuracy and damage. Compared to other options, it’s a no-brainer that’s equally effective at medium and long range. Alternatively, you can pick up an MP5 or an MP7 submachine for better close-quarters combat.

Secondary Weapon: Sniper Rifle or Marksman Rifle

Long-range combat is not everyone’s specialty, but having the right gun can significantly improve your chances. In open-area maps like Verdansk, rifles like Victus XMR, HDR, and Kar98k will give you a considerable advantage with their zoom optics. The result is usually high damage and enemies you can easily pick off from a distance.

Equip Lethal and Tactical Grenades

Surprisingly, grenades can be decisive in many situations, especially when you’re trying to flush out enemies or create distractions. Depending on your playstyle or specific map, you should have frag and Semtex grenades to kill opponents. Alternatively, you can lean on tactical grenades like flashbangs, stun grenades, and smoke grenades. While they don’t do damage, they can help you escape or gain a strategic advantage.

Choose Perks to Suit Your Playstyle

The perks you select also significantly impact your effectiveness. Perks like Overkill allow you to carry two primary weapons, while Cold-Blooded hides you from thermal optics. Ghost makes you undetectable by UAVs, allowing you to sneak around the map. Select perks that complement your preferred playstyle and game mode.

Top 3 Tips for Surviving Longer

Undoubtedly, survivability is one of the metrics that can make you stand out from the crowd in Call of Duty. From improper positioning to lack of proper load-out, you’ll certainly find it challenging to stay alive. If you want to excel in terms of performance, these top 3 Warzone 2 tips will help you finish in the top 10:

Use UAVs Strategically

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, are great for scouting areas and revealing enemy locations. You can usually use a UAV in the final circles to identify crowded areas and opponents' positions. The UAV will show you the location of enemies on the mini-map so you can avoid those areas and move to a safer position in the zone.

Focus on Positioning

Good positioning is key to surviving longer in Warzone 2. Typically, high ground and cover like rocks, trees, or buildings will give you the best advantage. Stay away from the middle of the circle because you might get trapped in crowded areas. Moreover, you should reposition constantly to avoid becoming an easy target and have the surprise on your side at all times.

Ditch the Shotgun

Shotguns can be a tempting choice at first, especially given their high damage. However, they are virtually useless unless you rely on engaging in close-range combat. In this regard, it’s best to avoid picking shotguns and instead go for assault rifles like the M4A1 and a sniper rifle like the AX-50. The combination will significantly improve your efficiency and survival ratio.

Conclusion

If you are keen on taking challenges, you will surely face a steep learning curve with CoD Warzone 2. Still, sticking to the basics will help you survive longer and significantly improve your success score. Of course, mastering your movement mechanics and learning the gunplay requires a lot of patience and even a certain level of dedication. Ultimately, sticking to a few simple fundamentals will help you dominate the top positions in the ranking in no time.