Hit Harder, React Faster, Play Better: The Ultimate Guide To Modern Warfare 2 Online

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's online multiplayer mode is proving to be much more challenging than any of the previous CoD games. Modern Warfare 2 currently has the largest number of players online; and a lot of players means a lot of good players. Since Modern Warfare 2 it seems that everyone has upped their game and staying alive long enough to achieve a good kill streak is a challenge.

For those of you who are finding multiplayer really difficult then I'm sure you've welcome the death streak system with open arms. You can customize your death streak by selecting 'create a class' and choosing 'death streak'. Certain death streaks are only unlocked when you reach a specific level.

The death streak system comes in to play when you die a certain number of times in a row without getting a kill.

The death streak option you start with is 'Copy Cat' which starts once you die 4 times without a kill. Copy Cat allows you to copy the class of the player who killed you; if you are only struggling up the ranks then you can use this to get yourself a loadout of higher-level weapons but if you've unlocked most of the weapons already this perk become almost useless.

Painkiller is the second option which allows you a health boost when you spawn (it's basically Juggernaught – a health extension perk from the previous Call Of Duty Games- for a limited period). While it's active Painkiller is very useful, just beware of snipers as the one-shot-one-kill rule still applies if they have good aim.

The 'Martyrdom' option will have your character drop a live grenade after you die; it also sets into action once you've died 4 times. If you're playing a Hardcore match it's only polite to tell your team mates you have this perk on, otherwise you may find yourself surrounded by angry team mates, or even dead if you're playing hard-core ricochet.

The final option is 'Final Stand' which allows you a limited bleed out time once you've been killed. You will have your pistol equipped to ward off nearby enemies and if you survive long enough you will stand back up. Final stand can be a good perk depending on how far away your enemy shot you from - if you've been shot point-blank ready yourself for a very limited Final Stand as your enemy finished you off. If you've been shot by a distant sniper on the other hand you have a better chance of surviving as you could possibly crawl to safety before they have time for a second shot. Final Stand is only worth while if you have a good reaction time - you must be ready to shoot the second you fall into Final Stand.

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Unlike the death streak option which is customizable for each class, the kill streak option is an overall choice that effects all the classes. The 'Call sign and Kill Streak' option is available at the Multiplayer Menu.

When you first start playing you will only have 3 kill streaks unlocked. Only three can be in use at one time so choose carefully.

Kill Streak rewards only come into effect once you have killed a certain number of enemies in a row without dying.

Unless you are confident that you can easily achieve a high kill streak it is advisable to choose the lower rewards.

For players finding it hard online the best reward to choose is 'Care Package' which you will obtain after 4 kills. When you activate the reward a package will be dropped to the location of your choice. The package will contain ammo or another kill streak reward. This can be a great opportunity to score some more kills – Predator Missiles are a Care Package favourite. Just remember if you do kill any enemies using a reward dropped in a care package it won't be added to your current kill streak.

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The pre-set classes are filled with average level weapons that'll take you a while to unlock for yourself but the starting weapons in each category aren't bad. There's also a new class – 'Riot Shield' which literally does what it says on the tin – it's a riot shield. The shields aren't indestructible but they can withstand a hell of a lot of fire, but they will crumple under an RPG or a grenade so watch out!

The Secondary Weapons categories have all been changed from the previous games. Shotguns have now become a secondary weapon, and this time there's a lot of them to unlock.

There's also a lot of new Equipment - stick grenades (Semtex) and throwing knives seem to be the most popular new additions. Throwing knives have the added advantage of being reusable – you can pull them back out of your newest victims fresh corpse and continue hunting.

The Special Grenades section hasn't been changed though. Stun grenades are always the best choice because they slow your enemy down and stun them temporarily.

Modern Warfare 2 has a large range of unlockable attachments for all the primary and secondary weapons, but unlike the previous CoD games your won't lose them if you decide to Prestige.