How can I become a better CoD player?

Question

I've been playing CoD games on my Xbox for a few years now, and I feel like I've hit a plateau. At first I got shot up so quickly it made my head spin, and I'd easily die 20 times a round and perhaps get one kill.

These days I can hold my own, and I typically average around 1.4 K/D (If I'm playing K/D focused). However, I still feel like there is a class of player that is far beyond my skills. I encounter these players and they win against me 90+% of the time, and I don't understand why. Sometimes I feel like I may as well toss a coin at the start of the round to determine whether I crush the other team or they crush me.

I generally just blame it on lag, or perhaps that other people practice more or have better reflexes. (kids these days, get off my lawn, etc) However, I feel like I'm missing something here that's preventing me from doing better.

If you're an "excellent" or "pro" CoD player, what's the secret? How do you consistently win encounters with other players? Are there any specific strategies you employ? Is there anything I can do besides practice more, and hope for the Lag Gods to shine down on me?

Currently I'm playing MW3, so any MW3 specific strategies are welcome, but I feel like there's enough overlap between CoD games (which has its ups and downs) that even generic advice would be useful.

Answer

Take your time

It's slightly heading towards being a camper, but take your time. You don't need to run all the time, only run at times where you know you are very unlikely to be shot or can do anything about it if you are. It's a little bit frustrating, but then balance that with having to respawn.

For example, stairwells - no point walking slowly up them as someone at the top will slot you more than likely.

If in doubt, flash the corner.

Heard gunfire? Seen dots nearby? Flash a corner before running round it. You always get more flash grenades at respawn :)

This includes areas that you know there's a likelyhood of someone being there. Going to a point in Domination? Flash it. A flag in CTF? Flash it. Even if you don't actually get the person properly disabled - the hit markers will indicate someone there.

Look for gaps that others won't.

MW3's terrain is quite complex, and there'll be spaces in the fences or gaps in bushes that you'll see before you are seen. Not saying you should hang around them - but they can be useful as you move forward.

Stick to the shadows.

Simples. More difficult to see you if your opponent is in the light and you are in the dark. Also, if you can, mix it up with crouching, dropping or sidestepping on encountering an enemy. Take the initiative from them, make them react.

Think about the map.

Where are the kill zones? Should you be in the kill zones? No, thought not. Big wide open spaces with areas of cover all around? Why go through the wide spaces? Always run that way? Why? Do you think other people will do the same? Probably. What about trying a different route?

Just some things to think about.

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