A really interesting and fun game mode in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is the “Domination” mode. This mode requires a bit more thought and strategy than the Team Deathmatch, and your usual tricks may not be enough to win. In this strategy guide, I’ll explain how I use some tips and tricks to give my team the best chance of winning in Domination.
The object of the game is to capture and control 3 points scattered around the map. These areas are labeled A, B, and C on your map. The first team to 200 points, the fastest, wins the round (unless of course someone uses the tactical nuke). To capture a control point, all you need to do is stand near the flag and wait for the “Capture” meter to fill up. Every time you help capture a flag you earn 150 points and enemy kills are only worth 50 points. Each team starts the round closest to a given area and their first move should be to move as a small group towards their ho. Note that unlike other modes, this online game mode requires your team’s cooperation and is likely to fail if your team tries to do their thing.
Depending on your playstyle, you may want to choose a client character class with the Marathon and Lightweight perk. This will help you cover a lot of ground and possibly give your team the advantage of getting the middle flag first. Often this midpoint “B” will be the most contested area of the entire match. On certain maps, such as Rundown and Highrise, you may need to use a riot shield to survive an attempt at point B. To get the best of both worlds, I’ve created a custom class that uses a riot shield, Marathon, Lightweight. Secondary gear is whatever you feel comfortable with and the grenades I use are smoke and semtex grenades. This custom class allows me to run to the central checkpoint and outlast any marksman or sniper with my riot shield. The smoke is used to help cover my position from any grenades or explosives and the semtex will help take out existing enemies at the checkpoint when I get there.
Once the central checkpoint is secure, I would switch to a more offensive custom class and defend the checkpoints vigorously. You should have two control points before you think about switching to this one and building up a 20-50 point advantage over the other team. Once this advantage has been accumulated, take note of your team’s trend on the map. If they tend to spread out, pick a checkpoint and defend or possibly take the fight to the last checkpoint for maximum points. If your team is more cautious about taking the last flag, you could take the fight to the enemy team’s last checkpoint. Alternatively, if your team is more offensive at this point in the game (which happens with an advantage), be sure to watch out for your most vulnerable checkpoint. Often your team will leave the last checkpoint completely unguarded, so this is where you need to jump in and save the day.
I prefer Claymore mines strategically placed at the vulnerable checkpoint and move into a hide until I hear the explosion. Sometimes you’ll kill a single attacker, but other times your Claymore will give you advance warning that an attack is imminent. If you have other explosive weapons such as a grenade launcher or thumper, now is the time to use it and aim directly for your flag once you hear the game tell you that you are missing the checkpoint. This could get you some multi-kills at 100 points each and you’ll look like a hero.
Another thing that can really turn the tide in a Domination game is the use of killstreaks. I often save a Predator Missile or Harrier attack when one of my team’s checkpoints is under attack. If you’re able to get a powerful Killstreak like Chopper Gunner or AC-130, you can really disrupt the other team and help win the game. You can rack up the kills much easier in this game mode due to the rushed nature of the game versus a Team Deathmatch situation where more people are camping and hiding.
Keep in mind that sometimes you just can’t win certain Domination matches, either the opposing team will be too organized and skilled or your team will be content to play the game as a simple online deathmatch game. Hopefully, these basic strategies will give you a good guide to help you win the majority of your Domination matches.
