In previous Call of Duty games, players earned killstreaks by getting a certain number of kills in a single life. Modern Warfare 3 introduced Point Streaks where players earn points by not just getting kills, but also by completing objectives, i.e. capturing Domination flags and planting S&D bombs, and by destroying enemy killstreak rewards, i.e. UAVs and Sentry Guns; these points in turn give rewards. However with Scorestreaks, players now earn rewards for earning a certain amount of score in a single life. This means actions like kills, captures, completing objectives, shooting down enemy air support, assists, and assists with certain scorestreaks count towards the earning of new scorestreak rewards. Like in previous Call of Duty games, the player's streak will reset upon death.
The player's Scorestreak rewards can be obtained multiple times in one life, but only if the player uses his/her scorestreak prior to receiving the same scorestreak again. For example, if the player earns the Swarm scorestreak, chooses to save it, and they earn the Swarm again, the first Swarm will be lost, being replaced by the second Swarm received by the player.
Unlike most previous games, dying does not impede progression by called in streaks. While any points gained are lost upon death (except in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War), the player may still receive points through streaks (most of them except UAV, Counter-UAV, Orbital VSAT and EMP systems assists) called in before being killed or by calling in streaks that they have saved up. As long as points are awarded after death, it doesn't matter when a scorestreak has been called in nor when it has been earned.
Using the perk Hardline in some games, the score towards the player's scorestreak is increased by 20% meaning this perk is extremely beneficial for obtaining the higher rewards. For example, if one was trying to receive a Swarm and was using Hardline, they would only require a 1585 scorestreak rather than 1900. This equates to three fewer kills in Team Deathmatch.
Using the Persistencetrait in Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare allows Scorestreak progression to continue after death, but the amount of score to obtain a certain streak is increased.
List of the Scorestreak rewards in Black Ops II.
In Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, progress towards each scorestreak is no longer lost upon death. The points required are much higher, but getting consecutive kills grants bonus points towards unlocking score streaks. All scorestreaks except Air Patrol have a cooldown to prevent being used to often.
Shows enemies on the mini-map. Adds 10 points to the player's scorestreak for each kill their team gets while it is active (UAV Assists). Can be shot down.
Remote-controlled car strapped with explosives that the player can boost and explode at will. Adds 25 points per kill (RC-XD Kill). Can be destroyed by enemy players.
Airborne drone that seeks out and destroys a nearby target. Adds 25 points per kill. Will also take out enemy scorestreaks (only UAVs, counter UAVs and care package couriers) for the appropriate amount of points if thrown in the right general direction.
Air-drop a random Scorestreak reward. Ability to get another random scorestreak if the player discards the first scorestreak with the Engineer perk. Also available to hack with "Black Hat"
Temporarily disables enemy radar. Adds 10 points to the player's scorestreak for each kill their team gets while it is active (Counter UAV Assists). Can also be shot down.
Projects a microwave field which stuns, impairs, and slowly damages enemies. As the Guardian damages enemies, the player will earn 10 points per two damage increments (Guardian Supress). Adds an additional 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill (Guardian Kill).
An air-to-surface missile which can be scattered into a cluster bomb while falling. Adds 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill (Hellstorm Missile Kill). The missiles can be shot down by the enemy (only if the cluster is not yet deployed).
Launch a coordinated and rapid airstrike on three locations. Adds 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill (Lightning Strike Kill). As of 1.4, there is a .9 second delay between call-in and arrival.
A handheld Minigun. Does not go away until all of its 200 ammo has been exhausted. Can be put away and brought out again. Adds 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill.
Grenade launcher with rapid, semi-automatic firing. Does not go away until all its 12 ammo has been exhausted. Adds 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill.
Air-drop an autonomous ground robot that searches for and destroys enemies. Can also be remote-controlled if the player would like to. Adds 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill. As of the latest patch, mobility is increased and close range machine gun damage is decreased. The AGR is equipped with rocket launchers and mini-guns.
Call in a stealth helicopter which does not appear on the enemy's mini-map and is very distracting to enemies trying to take it down. Adds 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill (Stealth Chopper Kill). Takes two shots to destroy.
Shows both enemy position and direction on the mini-map. Cannot be shot down. Also gives 10 score towards the player's scorestreak whenever a player on their team kills an enemy (VSAT Assist).
Temporarily disables enemy electronics and HUD and destroys scorestreaks that are active at time of detonation. Also gives 10 score towards the player's scorestreak whenever a player on their team kills an enemy (EMP Assist).
Fast jet aircraft that provides close air support via several strafe runs using its avenger cannon and rocket pods. Adds 25 points to the player's scorestreak per kill (Warthog Kill).
Control a powerful VTOL armed with dual explosive round miniguns and rockets. Has the capability to switch positions. Adds 15 points to the player's scorestreak per kill.
Spawns attack dogs that hunt down the enemy. Dogs will continue to spawn if one is killed. Adds 15 points to the player's scorestreak per kill (K9 Kill). Dogs can be shot.
Call in a swarm of lethal Hunter Killer drones that search and destroy enemies as well as enemy aircraft for the appropriate number of score. Adds 15 points to the player's scorestreak per kill (Swarm Kill). Lasts for 45 seconds, can be destroyed with EMP systems
Pilot an anti-personnel drone that is equipped with missiles capable of locking onto enemies and Scorestreaks. Will also detonate upon impact with a surface.
A powerful orbital laser that shoots down from the sky and moves along the route specified by the player. The laser can penetrate roofed structures and buildings if enemies try to hide inside.
Disables all enemy electronics. All items in enemy HUD will be removed and field of vision will be affected. Enemies affected cannot use throwables, Scorestreaks or Operator Skills.
A beam shaped, non-lethal, area denial weapon. Enemies entering the beam have similar effects to a stun grenade, reduced movement speed, blurred vision, and removed UI.
The Intelligent Munitions System is loaded with 4 smart explosives that eliminate enemy personnel and vehicles within range. When triggered, it will eject an explosive upwards, which then locks onto its target and propels towards them.
Juggernaut Recon gear delivered by care package. The suit is equipped with a Radar that pings nearby enemies. Contains a riot shield, Haymaker, and smoke grenade.
An unmanned rocket equipped drone loiters over the targeted areas. On each activation the drone selects the targeted location with the largest number of viable targets to bombard with rockets. Can be activated up to three times.
Heavily modified gunship equipped with multiple cannons, rocket pods, and a Daisy Cutter bomb.
Trivia[]
In Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, even if the player adds scorestreaks to the preset loadout for the Survivors in Infected mode in Private Match, they will not show up in the Survivors' loadouts during gameplay and will not be given to the players when they reach the required score amount.
In Call of Duty: Black Ops II, when the player reaches the required score to unlock a scorestreak or receives one via a Care Package, a sound relating to the scorestreak will play, such as car noises for the RC-XD and radar sweeps for the UAV.