Call of Duty: Black Ops II Multiplayer Preview
First impressions of the multiplayer mode in Call of Duty: Black Ops II, covering new scenarios, class customization, and tweaks to the classic killstreak system.
After roughly ten minutes in line to pick up the game, the first stop was the multiplayer lobby. The November 2012 launch build of Black Ops II introduces a refreshed set of maps and a more flexible loadout editor that changes how players build their soldier before dropping into a match.
New Multiplayer Scenarios
The launch lineup of maps brings varied environments, from tight urban corridors to wider outdoor layouts. Vertical play and destructible cover pieces reward players who learn sight lines, while secondary routes open up flanking options that older entries in the franchise did not offer.
Building a Class in Black Ops II
The Pick 10 create-a-class system returns with a cleaner interface. Perks, weapons, attachments, and equipment all draw from a shared pool of ten points, encouraging trade-offs rather than stacking bonuses. Players can choose a long-range primary, a sidearm, and a single piece of lethal or tactical gear, or push the build toward speed and awareness with extra perks.
Killstreak Changes
Killstreaks have been replaced by Scorestreaks, which now reward objectives, assists, and other team play in addition to raw kills. The change shifts the focus from lone-wolf fragging to coordinated squad play, and the streak rewards themselves range from familiar UAV support to newer remote-controlled drone options.
- Refreshed launch map lineup with vertical and destructible elements
- Pick 10 class system with shared point budget
- Scorestreaks that reward objective play and assists
- Broader weapon and attachment variety