Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) threw players into a frenetic and intense multiplayer experience. While the campaign grabbed headlines, the real action unfolded in the diverse and strategic maps available. This guide delves into the key maps you’ll encounter, offering a tactical overview to dominate the battlefield.
Carryover Chaos: Remastered MW2 Classics
MW3 offered a unique twist: a selection of remastered maps from the highly-praised Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. These “Carry Forward” maps brought back fan favorites with a fresh coat of paint, reigniting classic rivalries and strategies.
Urban Warfare:
Highrise: A skyscraper showdown with long sightlines and verticality. Camp out on the top floor for sniping or battle it out in the close-quarters combat of the lower levels.
Scrapyard: An industrial wasteland filled with shipping containers and tight corridors. Ideal for flanking maneuvers and mastering close-range combat.
Terminal: An airport terminal offering a mix of open areas and strategic choke points. Utilize the baggage carousel for cover and control the central corridor for map domination.
Favela: A dense network of buildings in a Brazilian favela. Perfect for SMG users and those who thrive in fast-paced chaos.
Long-Range Lethality:
Quarry: A sprawling quarry map with ample open space and scattered buildings. Ideal for snipers and those who prefer a more methodical approach.
Wasteland: A desolate wasteland with a crashed airplane as the centerpiece. Offers long sightlines and flanking routes, rewarding strategic movement and map awareness.
Fresh Battlegrounds: MW3’s Unique Offerings
Beyond the remastered classics, MW3 introduced a compelling selection of original maps, each with its own distinct character.
Close-Quarters Chaos:
Invasion: A Parisian street fight with tight alleyways and destructible environments. Perfect for aggressive players and those who excel in close-quarter gunfights.
Underpass: A dark and claustrophobic subway station. Ideal for mastering the art of the shotgun and mastering close-up engagements.
Skidrow: A Los Angeles skid row with plenty of destructible cover and verticality. Offers a frenetic pace and rewards quick reflexes and aggressive play.
Vertical Mastery:
Derail: A train station with multiple levels and a central train platform. Requires mastery of vertical movement and controlling key vantage points.
Sub Base: An underwater naval base with tight corridors and unique underwater combat sections. Offers a unique gameplay experience and rewards strategic use of cover.
Open Warfare:
Afghan: A mountainous Afghan village with long sightlines and plenty of open areas. Ideal for snipers and those who prefer a more strategic approach.
Estate: A French chateau surrounded by rolling hills and open fields. Offers a mix of close-quarters combat in the buildings and long-range engagements in the open.
Post-Launch Additions: The Final Four
A post-launch content drop added four more remastered maps, further expanding the MW3 multiplayer experience.
Back to the Grind:
Rust: A small, symmetrical map centered around a central oil platform. Notorious for its fast-paced, chaotic gameplay. Be prepared for constant action.
Shipment: An incredibly small shipping container yard. Absolute chaos reigns supreme, making it a test of pure twitch reflexes and quick reactions.
MW2 Memories:
Farm 18: A snowy farmhouse with various buildings and open fields. Offers a mix of close-quarters combat and long-range engagements.
Mercado: A vibrant Mexican marketplace with tight alleyways and plenty of verticality. Perfect for mastering close-quarter gunfights and utilizing the environment for cover.
Choosing Your Weapon: Map-Specific Strategies
With so many maps, MW3 offered a diverse playground for various playstyles. Here are some tips to dominate on specific maps:
For Snipers: Quarry, Afghan, Estate – Utilize long sightlines and elevated positions to pick off unsuspecting enemies.
For Run-and-Gunners: Favela, Invasion, Skidrow – Embrace the chaos with fast movement, close-quarters combat skills, and SMGs.
For Strategists: Derail, Sub Base, Estate – Master the verticality, control key choke points, and utilize flanking maneuvers to outsmart your opponents.
FAQ
How many multiplayer maps are there in MW3?
There are a total of 16 maps in the base game of MW3. Four additional maps were added through post-launch DLC.
Do I need to unlock any maps?
No, all base game maps are available from the start. The four DLC maps require purchasing the appropriate DLC pack.
What are some good resources to learn about maps?
There are many resources available online! Here are a few suggestions: * YouTube videos with map walkthroughs and gameplay tips. * Online communities and forums dedicated to MW3 multiplayer. * Interactive map websites that allow you to explore the layouts in detail.
Are there any filters to choose specific map types?
Unfortunately, no. Map selection in MW3 is random, though some game modes might have a higher chance of featuring certain maps.
Can I play only on my favorite maps?
No, there’s no built-in option to choose specific maps. However, some community servers might offer map voting or dedicated playlists with specific map rotations.
Are the DLC maps worth getting?
If you enjoy MW3 multiplayer and want to experience the classic remastered maps from MW2 (Rust & Shipment) or expand your map pool with unique offerings (Farm 18 & Mercado), then the DLC maps might be worth considering.
Modern Warfare 3’s multiplayer maps were a masterclass in variety and cater to diverse playstyles. The remastered classics brought back fan favorites with a fresh coat of paint, while the original maps offered unique challenges and strategic opportunities. Whether you craved close-quarter chaos, vertical mastery, or long-range engagements, MW3 had a map for you.
By understanding the maps and adapting your strategy, you can dominate the multiplayer in Modern Warfare 3. With its diverse offerings and focus on strategic depth, MW3’s multiplayer experience continues to be a benchmark for the Call of Duty franchise.
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