Operations (Special Ops)

For challenges in the Operations tier in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare/Call of Duty: World at War and challenges in Call of Duty: Ghosts, see Operations (challenges).

"Choose your role, perfect your loadout, and deploy with 3 other Operators to complete epic story-based operations."

— Mode description

Operations, also known as Special Operations, is a mode within the Special Ops mode of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare which is only playable online.

The mode features large-scale 4-player cooperative missions using matchmaking. The operations also serve as a continuation to Modern Warfare's campaign story, taking place during the War Against Al-Qatala.

In the Co-op menu, players can select between the different Operations, each requiring 4 players to launch. Players can also create their loadout, choosing between perks and munitions as well as selecting their Role when playing any Operation.

In the menu is also featured an Intel tab in which players can read further information about the Operators and the lore of Modern Warfare. A cinematic tab is also available featuring five cutscenes.

Gameplay[]

This mode features several mechanics from Ground War, such as deployable parachutes and vehicles. The HUD is very similar to multiplayer, displaying Compass, Field Upgrade meter and a killstreak tab, the latter two being replaced by Active Abilities and Munitions, respectively. It also includes an Armor Bar and several icons indicating downed, dead players or the time left for the revive plane to appear.

In terms of gameplay, players are tasked to complete several objectives throughout a very large map, such as collecting items, eliminating certain enemies or securing a certain area.

Every set of 2 missions focuses on disrupting the operations of a specific Al-Qatala high value target, the first being an intel acquirement task while the second is based on destroying a certain target related to a specific power broker and the data collected within the first mission. All Operations are unlocked by default and can be completed in any order.

Unlike in campaign, there are no difficulties available for selection. However, different types of enemies can appear during matches, such as Juggernauts, Suicide Bombers, IAVs and Choppers. They also appear mixed in large waves and spawns in all directions with infinite spawning at some objectives. The A.I. is generally very accurate, with Weapons and Damage being based-off multiplayer values, since enemies can destroy armor or down players easily in a few shots when using high-damage weapons like AK-47, FR 5.56, FAL, PKM and snipers. Some enemies can also wear armor, significantly increasing the number of shots needed to kill them.

Players have 30 seconds to be revived if they are downed. Bleeding Out leaves them in Spectator Mode for 1 minute after which they are automatically redeployed into the game, parachuting from a C-130. But if a player dies while the revive timer is counting down, it delays the timer an extra 10 seconds. If all 4 players are downed, the mission is failed and generally must be started over. In some operations, like Operation Brimstone and Operation Just Reward, however, completing certain objectives will create a checkpoint from which the group can restart if they fail. As with the Classic Spec Ops missions, all players must choose to retry the mission for it to proceed. If even one player chooses to leave or doesn't make a choice, the entire group will be returned to the lobby.

As a whole, Operations is considered one of the Hardest Co-op missions to complete in the franchise. For this reason, it is advisable to aim for Headshots, which greatly boost the damage taken by tougher enemies, like Armored Troops or RPG troopers and decreases the time and ammunition needed to kill each enemy. In addition, a combination of teamwork, skill, and good management of Active Abilities and Munitions is required to advance within each section and prevent being overrun by taking fire from all sides or getting trapped with Juggernauts in close quarters situations.

Completing these missions rewards new cosmetic items, ranging from Calling Cards and even new Operators. Furthermore, all missions are playable with any Coalition or Allegiance operators, since both of them are now part of Armistice faction. Completing all 4 operations included at launch (Headhunter, Kuvalda, Paladin, Crosswind) rewards the Liberation achievement.

Plot[]

On March 3rd, 2020, Several months after the deaths of The Wolf and Russian general Roman Barkov, the terrorist organization Al-Qatala, renamed Al-Qatala-Aljahdid, under the new leadership of Khaled Al-Asad, also known as "The Immortal Lion", and heavily supplied by arms dealer and Ultranationalist Viktor Zakhaev, initially known only as "Mr. Z", invaded and occupied the Kastovian city of Verdansk.

As a result, a temporary military alliance, called Armistice, was formed between the Coalition and Allegiance forces in the region under the command of Case Officer Kate Laswell of the CIA and Sergeant Kamarov of the FSB with support from Captain John Price's Task Force 141 and Chimera Leader "Nikolai". Armistice became the only line of defense preventing Al-Qatala from pushing through to Urzikstan.

Several Operations were mounted to find, fix and finish off high-value targets of Al-Qatala's network in Verdansk with the purpose of stopping and crippling the organization access to weapons, funds, intelligence and hardware. These mission were carried out by the Arm-4 team who successfully eliminated Almalik and his warehouses, stopped the Banker leaving his accounts and money frozen, prevented El Traficante's weapon shipment from leaving Verdansk and retrieved a nuclear core from the hands of Al-Qatala. However, Al-Asad and Zakhaev, also serving as his advisor, remained at large, thus still representing a serious thread in the region.

At some point after the invasion of Verdansk, an Al-Qatala cargo chopper carrying chemical weapons was shot down by Operator Nikto, under the command of Kamarov, somewhere several kilometers outside of Faridah in Urzikstan. Coalition forces under the command of Lieutenant General Lyons and led by Operator Mara were sent to investigate. A skirmish occurred between the two factions.

Back in Verdansk, Al-Asad watched the ensuing conflict through a monitor in a TV Station as Al-Qalata was seizing the building with hostages. When asked about the gas, Al-Asad replied they still possess more than enough gas at their disposal.

While operations conducted by the Arm-4 against Al-Qatala had proven successful, it was ultimately not enough to stop Al-Asad and Zakhaev. After the remaining of the terrorist organization left the city, massive gas clouds were deployed in Verdansk and Armistice members began fighting amongst themselves in a desperate bid for survival. Simon Riley was one of the only survivors. This proved to be the death blow to the fragile alliance and soon enough, Armistice was officially disbanded.

Loadouts[]

Munitions[]

Munitions found inside an Operation appear as boxes, except for the Trophy System, as of Title Update 1.14. Players can hold a maximum of three Munitions. Any Munitions collected within an Operation aren't kept afterwards.

Players can also select up to three munitions before starting an Operation. After killing enemies and completing Operations, players will be rewarded with points that can be used to buy munitions.

When a player dies, the unused munitions that they brought into the match will be saved when they respawn, but any munitions which were collected in the level will be lost. Munitions unused after completing an Operation will be carried over into the next one unless the player remove them.

Munitions	Cost
Ammo Crate	Free
Armor Crate	Free
Grenade Crate	Free
Trophy System	100 points
Deployable Cover	100 points
UAV	200 points
Shield Turret	250 points
Cluster Strike	300 points
Cruise Missile	400 points
Precision Airstrike	400 points
Respawn Flare	500 points
Sentry Gun	500 points
Juggernaut	1000 points
Chopper Gunner	3000 points
Gunship	3500 points

Roles[]

Every role has its unique Active and Passive abilities. Active abilities work similar to the Field Upgrades in multiplayer, being ready to deploy after a certain recharge time which is shorted by getting kills, while Passive abilities are essentially built-in perks to each specific role.

Role	Active Ability	Recharge Rate	Passive Ability
Heavy	Team Armor Give teammates heavy armor	Slow	Launcher Ammo+ 100% more ammo in launchers
Recon	Recon Drone Remote-controlled drone that marks enemies	Fast	Steady Aim Weapons have very low recoil
Demolition	Thermite Launcher Grenade Launcher with Thermite Rounds	Medium	Scavenge Grenades Enemies drop grenade pickups
Medic	Team Revive Revives all down teammates	Slow	Quick Revive Revive downed players faster
Assault	Team Stopping Power Gives all team members stopping power rounds that deal extra damage	Medium	Fast Reload Reload your weapon much faster
Engineer	EMP Drone Launch and control a drone that disables enemy vehicles and equipment	Fast	Armor Piercing Extra Damage to Armored Targets and Vehicles.

Perks[]

Like in Multiplayer, Perks are featured in the Special Ops mode. Some perks are adapted to the Spec Ops mode and offer different effects than their Multiplayer versions.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare - Special Ops Perks
Tier 1 Perks
Name	Unlock Lvl.	Effect	Icon
Double Time	1 (Default)	Double the duration of Tactical Sprint. Increase crouch movement speed by 30%.
E.O.D.	1 (Default)	Take reduced damage from explosives and fire.
Scavenger	18	Resupply ammo from dead enemies.
Cold-Blooded	29	Enemy vehicles takes longer to target you.
Kill Chain	34	Kills increase Role Ability charge.
Quick Fix	42	Consecutive enemy kills will increase your health regeneration rate.
Tier 2 Perks
Name	Unlock Lvl.	Effect	Icon
Restock	1 (Default)	Recharge lethals and tacticals over 25 seconds.
Hardline	1 (Default)	Consecutive enemy kills will earn random munitions (Ammo, Armor, or Grenade Crates).
Overkill	8	Carry two primary weapons.
High Alert	11	Your vision pulses when high damage enemies outside of your view see you.
Ghost	24	Patrolling enemy visual detection range reduced.
Pointman	49	Amount of time between "consecutive" enemy kills is increased.
Tier 3 Perks
Name	Unlock Lvl.	Effect	Icon
Tune Up	1 (Default)	Reduces the charge time of Role Ability by 33%.
Amped	1 (Default)	Faster weapon swap and rocket launcher reload speed.
Shrapnel	13	Spawn with an extra piece of lethal equipment.
Battle Hardened	26	Reduce strength of enemy flash, stun, EMP, and gas effects. Immune to snapshot grenades.
Engineer (Spotter)	38	See enemy equipment through walls. Mark them for your team by looking at them while aiming down sights.
Tracker	51	Patrolling enemies are outlined for a time after they leave line of sight.

Operations[]

Operation Headhunter[]

Main article: Operation Headhunter

"Infiltrate, expose, and eliminate the terrorist network of Almalik - AQ's slumlord-in-chief."

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to eliminate high value targets then capture and defend several objectives.

Operation Kuvalda[]

Main article: Operation Kuvalda

"Assault Almalik's base of operations and mark his weapons for airstrike, spiking the AQ foothold in Verdansk"

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to find and mark objectives.

Operation Paladin[]

Main article: Operation Paladin

"Go behind enemy lines, extract Dr. Linda Morales, and use her intel to hunt "Mr. Z" - benefactor and source of AQ's new arsenal."

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to rescue a hostage, escort an APC and mark and defend several objectives.

Operation Crosswind[]

Main article: Operation Crosswind

"Infiltrate the AQ-occupied Verdansk Airport, board the hijacked 747, and recover its deadly cargo."

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to infiltrate the Verdansk airport to capture objectives, board a plane to steal its cargo, then jump to escape its wreckage, fighting Al-Qatala forces on the ground to reach extraction.

Operation Harbinger[]

Main article: Operation Harbinger

"Gather intel on the whereabouts of local informant MAGE and verify his reports of a "major shipment" leaving Verdansk."

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to gather intel before rescuing and exfiltrating a hostage. This operation was released on November 22nd, 2019.

Operation Brimstone[]

Main article: Operation Brimstone

"El Traficante's train has left the quarry carrying explosives. Fight your way through the railyard, recall the train, and rig it for detonation."

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to capture and defend objectives, eliminate high value target, rig a train with explosives and fight Al-Qatala forces before exfil. This operation was released on November 22nd, 2019.

Operation Just Reward[]

Main article: Operation Just Reward

"Cut off AQ's money supply in Verdansk and target the head of their financial operation - the Banker."

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to collect four phones, chase a HVT with a helicopter to capture and interrogate them before hacking several devices and exfil. This operation was released on December 3rd, 2019 as part of the Season One of Modern Warfare.

Operation Strongbox[]

Main article: Operation Strongbox

"Push into the Verdansk Bank, cut open the vault, and find the key to AQs financial network. If the banker is there, capture or kill."

— Mission briefing.

This operation requires players to approach and breach the vault with a saw, find the crypto private key inside it, eliminate a HVI and defend the bank's rooftop until extraction arrives. This operation was released on December 18th, 2019 as part of the Season One of Modern Warfare.

Intel[]

Intel gathered in Operations missions contain further information about both Allegiance and Coalition Operators, some earlier operations by Armistice factions conducted in multiplayer maps, as well as memento objects scattered around the battlefield containing information regarding Al-Qatala's invasion of Verdansk. These mementos, including SMS text messages and messages written on scraps of paper, provide insight into the human toll of Al-Qatala's invasion. In order to access those files, it is necessary to collect intel pieces around the map during an Operation. Each operation includes 5 pieces of intel.