Warzone Game Balancing

[AzChupacabra]

OK....first, I'm the guy that plays so poorly that you guys seek me out to pad your stats. I live in a remote part of the country with horrible internet speeds, and I'm from the generation that DID NOT come out of the womb with a game controller pre-attached to my hand. Having established this, I'd like to suggest the following:
I'm currently working on building a sniper rifle, and becoming very frustrated. I'm simply not accurate enough to snap off split second head shots nonstop like I see the YouTubers doing. It often takes me 3 shots to bring the target down, and then at least one more shot to finish him off. And more often than not, his teammate will simply aim in the general vicinity (amazing how they can always find me almost instantly), aim down their iron sights, and lay in a full spray of fully automatic fire which takes me out immediately.
I get this is totally normal play for a bunch of you younger generation types. And I wouldn't ever take away from the fun for you guys. But I think Activision really needs to take a look at their algorithms for identifying player skill (I've literally raw-grunted my rank up to 155, but that's no indication of my skill level) and do a better job of matching players like me in groups that don't include kids who can leap in the air, spin 180 degrees, put a full burst directly into my head, spin back around 180, land on their feet, and keep on running.
Let the kids enjoy the challenge of playing with other kids, and let us old farts play with people on a par with our skillz.

...one other thing......
The very nature of a sniper involves a certain amount of camping. But if I spend more than just a minute or two in one location, the game kicks me out for inactivity.
Not all of us enjoy running around the map like meth heads.
I wonder if Activision would consider changing the "inactivity kick" for snipers?

 

[freakdaddy64]

well here goes nothing, im 56 yo used to play counterstrike 20 years ago, nephews play codmw on xbox and im a pc guy so i upgraded pc to play codmw and it played but i did not do my research so i upgraded again. when i started playing it was unlike anything i played before and i understand what you are saying,with that said i had to get smart about it. first off i go in lobby and select quick play and play whatever maps it goes with which has and is getting me very familiar with the maps i am at rank 108 btw so you at 155 so im assuming that you know the maps. this helped me to know where opposite team is coming from and ive learned where they camp cause i camp too hehe, and i like the ak47 with the sniper scope i do very well with it and i can snipe or not snipe,to not get kicked for non activity when camping i just strafe back and forth a little and that solved that issue. it helps to have a decent gaming rig. i see it as very challenging which keeps me into it and theres always going to be players of any age that are just better then i with reflexes and thats ok cause get them too just not as much.keep your spirits up and try to outsmart some of them and good luck. one more thing some of these maps are off the chain with places to hide and different ways you can go its absolutly in sane of a game and i love it whether i get 0 kills or 30 im having a blast.

 

[AzChupacabra]

well here goes nothing, im 56 yo used to play counterstrike 20 years ago, nephews play codmw on xbox and im a pc guy so i upgraded pc to play codmw and it played but i did not do my research so i upgraded again. when i started playing it was unlike anything i played before and i understand what you are saying,with that said i had to get smart about it. first off i go in lobby and select quick play and play whatever maps it goes with which has and is getting me very familiar with the maps i am at rank 108 btw so you at 155 so im assuming that you know the maps. this helped me to know where opposite team is coming from and ive learned where they camp cause i camp too hehe, and i like the ak47 with the sniper scope i do very well with it and i can snipe or not snipe,to not get kicked for non activity when camping i just strafe back and forth a little and that solved that issue. it helps to have a decent gaming rig. i see it as very challenging which keeps me into it and theres always going to be players of any age that are just better then i with reflexes and thats ok cause get them too just not as much.keep your spirits up and try to outsmart some of them and good luck. one more thing some of these maps are off the chain with places to hide and different ways you can go its absolutly in sane of a game and i love it whether i get 0 kills or 30 im having a blast.

Thanks for the reply. I've only been playing the free version but I'll probably upgrade at this point. I used to play all games on the PC but got tired of having to do the $$$ thousand + dollar upgrades every couple years just so I could keep playing....eventually went to XBox. Now I have to contend with the awkward controller I'm not used to. I guess every platform has its own quirks, right?

 

[CMCFLYYY]

Thanks for the reply. I've only been playing the free version but I'll probably upgrade at this point. I used to play all games on the PC but got tired of having to do the $$$ thousand + dollar upgrades every couple years just so I could keep playing....eventually went to XBox. Now I have to contend with the awkward controller I'm not used to. I guess every platform has its own quirks, right?

I wasn't even aware they had the free-to-play version available to consoles - I thought that was PC only and consoles had to buy the full game or nothing at all.

From what I've seen, skill-based matchmaking is very weak in this game. I'm not sure what they base it on but I notice vast differences in skill level of the various players I run into. Some feel like they just bought the game yesterday and killing them was never easier, while others feel like they play 18 hours a day and laser beam with ARs from >100m as you describe. I think they do that because stronger matchmaking settings reduces the available player pools to match with so filling lobbies will take longer. Dumping all players regardless of skill in the same lobby ensures the shortest wait times possible.

But if you are having trouble landing headshots when sniping and finding yourself constantly getting overwhelmed by enemies usings ARs at long-distance, you should look to parachute into areas that don't rely so much on long-range combat. Stick to urban areas and stay inside buildings and focus on CQC combat. Unless you really like sniping as a personal preference, I'd suggest switching to an AR like the M4 or Grau, and carrying an MP5 or MP7 with it. That will give you weapons that excel in CQC and mid-range, and you can plan ahead with your parachuting and circle rotating to avoid areas that are heavier on long-range firefights.

If you really do just prefer sniping, then there really isn't anything to suggest other than keep plugging away and work on your ability to hit headshots. Headshots are essential with the .50cal snipers. If you're purposely aiming for bodyshots because you don't feel confident in your ability to hit headshots, with that logic you're never going to improve at headshots. If it takes you 3-4 shots to land 3 bodyshots and down someone, instead take 3-4 tries for a headshot - it only takes 1 to land to down him so 1/4 headshots is just as efficient as 3/4 bodyshots, and the practice will help you improve your ability to get headshots in the future. Soon you may find yourself able to hit 1/2 headshots, which results in faster times-to-kill compared to even perfect aim on 3/3 bodyshots.

 

[AzChupacabra]

I wasn't even aware they had the free-to-play version available to consoles - I thought that was PC only and consoles had to buy the full game or nothing at all.

From what I've seen, skill-based matchmaking is very weak in this game. I'm not sure what they base it on but I notice vast differences in skill level of the various players I run into. Some feel like they just bought the game yesterday and killing them was never easier, while others feel like they play 18 hours a day and laser beam with ARs from >100m as you describe. I think they do that because stronger matchmaking settings reduces the available player pools to match with so filling lobbies will take longer. Dumping all players regardless of skill in the same lobby ensures the shortest wait times possible.

But if you are having trouble landing headshots when sniping and finding yourself constantly getting overwhelmed by enemies usings ARs at long-distance, you should look to parachute into areas that don't rely so much on long-range combat. Stick to urban areas and stay inside buildings and focus on CQC combat. Unless you really like sniping as a personal preference, I'd suggest switching to an AR like the M4 or Grau, and carrying an MP5 or MP7 with it. That will give you weapons that excel in CQC and mid-range, and you can plan ahead with your parachuting and circle rotating to avoid areas that are heavier on long-range firefights.

If you really do just prefer sniping, then there really isn't anything to suggest other than keep plugging away and work on your ability to hit headshots. Headshots are essential with the .50cal snipers. If you're purposely aiming for bodyshots because you don't feel confident in your ability to hit headshots, with that logic you're never going to improve at headshots. If it takes you 3-4 shots to land 3 bodyshots and down someone, instead take 3-4 tries for a headshot - it only takes 1 to land to down him so 1/4 headshots is just as efficient as 3/4 bodyshots, and the practice will help you improve your ability to get headshots in the future. Soon you may find yourself able to hit 1/2 headshots, which results in faster times-to-kill compared to even perfect aim on 3/3 bodyshots.

I appreciate the advice. Frankly, I don't think I'll ever have the skill many of the kids exhibit no matter how much I practice (you're going to be amazed how different your body is after age 45 than it was before age 45), but you're right...practice makes perfect.

 

[ProjectMyhm4130]

Mate. Having bad internet is going to hold you back big time, but avoiding that here's a suggestion...

1. Some people aren't snipers. Just in case you're one of them (as I am), don't force it. I'm quite lucky to play in a regular squad with two very good snipers, one who has been the designated sniper in almost every fps that we've played over the last few years.
I'm pretty mean with an AR but also found that I can really round off the team by carrying a shotgun as my secondary. When it comes to clearing buildings or flanking around the more urban areas I can really pull the team through.

Find out what you're good at and focus on that while you prop up your weaknesses over time

 

[Mr Fishy McFIsh]

Hey AzChupacabra!

I have been playing FPS games since I was 15/16 and that was a long time ago but I've even I've felt myself get 'lazer-ed' in this game a lot more often than in other COD's. I think the biggest problem is what they call the 'Time To Kill' is the shortest of any COD game. Basically it doesn't take long for you to die and takes very few bullets, so people who are very accurate kill you very quickly!

Some of my tips to help would be:
a) If you're using Wifi, plug the PC straight into the Router with an ethernet cable (I'm sure you might be already doing this but you'd be surprised some people don't know about it still)
b) Do some research on what is the best class set-up for the gun you want to use, most people read forums now and have their guns set up to maximize how they use them. If you know you have your setup with the attachments that make the gun the best, it might help give a bit more of an advantage.

For example, if you're going to run the AX-50 there's a few different ways you can set it up that are all very usable but obviously you'll want to pick the best one for you! I prefer if I'm sniping to use a thermal scope as I find it gives me a big advantage but some people prefer quick scoping and going for attachments that make that possible. Play to your strengths for sure!

Also as Project Myhm said, maybe you just aren't cut out to be a Sniper? I'd love to be a good sniper, but I'm the same as Myhm that I'm just not accurate enough. I'm much better with an AR / Sub machinegun combo and better at flanking or playing position than long range enounters!

 

[CMCFLYYY]

For example, if you're going to run the AX-50 there's a few different ways you can set it up that are all very usable but obviously you'll want to pick the best one for you! I prefer if I'm sniping to use a thermal scope as I find it gives me a big advantage but some people prefer quick scoping and going for attachments that make that possible.

I do a lot of sniping and I much prefer the 3.5-4.0x mid-range scopes. Not having the visible glint on the longer scopes giving away your position is a huge advantage when sniping. I also don't like Thermals because when you do run into people using Cold-Blooded they're practically invisible. Plus Thermals don't work though glass, so you'll be walking around breaking windows in order to see and giving away your position that way too.

This could be part of the problem AzChupacabra is having. If he's taking all 3 body shots to kill and using an 8x scope, that is a lot of time spent with the glint visible to the players he's shooting and, and if those players are halfway decent that's plenty of time to return fire with an AR and put him down. I know whenever I spot a sniper glint it's like an immediate bullseye for me - they stand out so much.

You'd also be surprised how much that glint gives away your position. If you scope in ANYWHERE in your enemies FOV they will immediately see that glint - it's almost impossible to miss. But if you scope in with a 3.5x scope all they get to see is a bullet tracer, and if that comes from outside their direct line of sight (they're looking down the middle or right of their FOV and your shot comes from the left, etc) they could miss the tracer entirely. Not only that, sniper tracers are so fast it's hard to pin down where they came from, so if you have good cover and just pop off a shot every 5 seconds, they'll have difficulty finding you.

Just yesterday I was in Trios and took potshots at guys on top of the Train Station. Put two of them down within 10 seconds of each other, they crawled away and got res'd. But another guy down 30 seconds later when he began popping his head back up, he crawled away and got res'd again. Did the same another 30 seconds later - they had no clue where I was and didn't fire at me once. Whereas if I had scope glint they probably locate me before I fire the 2nd shot.

 

[AzChupacabra]

Mate. Having bad internet is going to hold you back big time, but avoiding that here's a suggestion...

1. Some people aren't snipers. Just in case you're one of them (as I am), don't force it. I'm quite lucky to play in a regular squad with two very good snipers, one who has been the designated sniper in almost every fps that we've played over the last few years.
I'm pretty mean with an AR but also found that I can really round off the team by carrying a shotgun as my secondary. When it comes to clearing buildings or flanking around the more urban areas I can really pull the team through.

Find out what you're good at and focus on that while you prop up your weaknesses over time

Great advice, thank you, Sir!

 

[freakdaddy64]

get you an ak47 with a sniper scope and 50 round mags and camp some windows and you will be fine. kill or be killed