Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare is one of the best multiplayer games ever created, requiring tactics, strategy, skill and a little bit of luck. I decided to put some tips together as I consistently see players making basic mistakes that, more often than not, result in the loss of a round. This small guide is for players who duke it out on Team Deathmatch, though much of the information can be applied to any mode.

Find What You Like

Because of the great level-up system in CoD4, not all guns are available to you from the start, so your initial choices are limited to a few basic weapon types. It's important for you to determine which gun type you're most comfortable with. Some players prefer to hide on the edge of a map or on a second floor balcony and take pot shots with a sniper rifle, while others prefer the up-close-and-personal approach of SMGs, or, like me, prefer the middle ground of an assault rifle.

Pay close attention to the ratings of each weapon and how the various modifications influence a gun. An ACOG is great for adding range to any weapon, but adding an ACOG to an UZI is a questionable tactic indeed. Most guns have a default iron-sight that tends to obscure a clear view, so I highly recommend you level up any weapon just enough to get the Red Dot Sight. This affords you a clear view of the action while adding slightly more range. Just about every weapon can benefit from a Red Dot upgrade.

Short-Burst = Success

I see a lot of players holding the trigger down, firing an entire clip at an enemy and the result is usually the same: the enemy lives, the shooter is reloading....and the shooter is then stabbed in the throat. It's imperative that you get into the habit of firing short bursts, no matter what gun you are using. Sustained firing of any weapon spells doom for your aim, especially on the larger guns. Shorter bursts will improve your accuracy and earn you more kills, simple as that. Just remember, it doesn't take a full clip of ammunition to kill someone...it only take a few bullets to the body and a couple to the head. Get in to this habit and you'll find your kill ratio rising.

Radar is Your Friend

I probably watch the radar in the top-left of the screen more than I watch the actual game view. If you're not paying attention to what the radar is displaying then you're in big, big trouble. Every time an enemy fires a weapon they appear on the radar as a red dot, unless they are using a special perk or wielding silenced weapons, which few bother to do. Once you see a red dot, then you know where to find your prey. This is especially important when a member of your team initates a UAV radar sweep, revealing the location of all enemies on the map. Take advantage of this time to press the attack and remember: you know where they are, they don't know where you are.

Flanking

I tend to be a lone-wolf in Call of Duty 4, heading off by myself or with a teammate with the intent of flanking the enemy. When you see a swarm of red dots on the radar and have an idea where the combat is taking place then this your opportunity to leave the pack, sweep around in a wide arc, and ultimately appear behind the enemy while they are occupied with your main force. Once you're behind them, the world is your oyster. A well-placed grenade can take out multiple enemies while you clean up the rest with your weapon. Incorporate a flanking maneuver in to your repertoire and I guarantee you'll be racking up twice as many kills.

Last Stand

This is my favorite perk and one players can get fairly early in their career. It's made a huge difference so many times that I can no longer live without it. Ask yourself, how many times have you died on a 4-kill streak, losing your chance at calling in an Air-Strike? Probably a lot. That's where Last Stand comes in. If you can manage to take down the enemy with your pistol while Last Standing, then that kill will count towards your streak. If you're a really good shot with the pistol, you can actually stretch your streak to 7 and call in a helicopter, all while you're bleeding out on the ground.