Combat Survival

Words don't do justice to describe the sheer mayhem that is Activision's Call of Duty 2. From the first skirmish alongside your Russian comrades to your North African tour, there's never a dull moment to be had. Utter intensity and epic chaos is the closest description of the raw carnage, ear-shattering explosions, and bloody ground warfare you experience in the game.

Mission accomplished.

But don't curl up in shellshock, soldier. There's a war to be won, and your help is needed on every front. Pick yourself up by your bootstraps, grab your firearm, and follow my advice. These Xbox.com combat survival tips are just what you need to turn the tide and send Gerry back to the fatherland.

Look Alive, Men!
It only takes the hot sting of one lead slug to realize you need to be smart, alert, and nimble in combat.

You develop an uncanny sense of awareness each time you survive a battle. Your enemies are numerous and hide in every nook, cranny, and foxhole imaginable.

This may sound like obvious advice, but it's worth restating: Don't charge blindly into open areas—snipers, machine gun nests, and grenades will put a quick and tragic end to your heroic dash in a heartbeat. Follow the cues of your fellow soldiers and watch how they move. They hide behind cover and take aim when it's safe.

Soldiers that aren't aware of current battle conditions get their remains sent home in a flag-draped casket.  Don't forget to listen to the constant battle chatter from your squad mates, they’ll have crucial updates, key warnings and vital commands.

If you're riding shotgun (or in the gunner's seat) of a tank or other vehicle, you need to check up high for bazooka and rocket-propelled grenade fire. Rooftops are dangerous places, and whoever has the high ground has the advantage of a clear shot at you.

A few solid hits from a pesky rocket launcher is all it takes to turn your iron horse into a twisted metal coffin, so scour the environment for hostiles and check your radar if you get confused.

Smoke 'em if You Got 'em
Smoke grenades are nothing more than noisy party favors that stink up a room—but they're also your best friends in combat. While you won't eliminate clusters of Nazis when a smoker goes off, you will create a temporary screen in which to hide your movement.

Sure, you could try to pick off every foe from a distance with your rifle, but you'll likely burn through all of your ammunition before you finish the job (especially when you consider the reinforcements that show up to replace fallen enemy troops). Instead of wasting ammo on errant shots, cloak your escape route in fog.

Keep moving or you'll be an easy target.

Pull the pin on a smoke grenade and wind up your pitching arm. Aim in the general direction of your planned route and let one fly. You'll hear the signature pop and hiss when it goes off, but stay calm and stay put; let the smoke build into a thick cloud until you can barely make out human shapes on the other side. Then haul ass and pray that your enemy doesn't fire blindly into the dark blanket of smog.

This tactic works extremely well when assaulting a stronghold, evading machine gun nests, infiltrating buildings, and crossing large, open areas.

Why, You Lazy Bunch of So-and-Sos!
It's hard to get a good night's rest in a muddy trench, especially when you've got tanks rolling practically on top of you. That doesn't mean you shouldn't take every opportunity to lie down and catch your breath. In fact, kissing the dirt is a great way to not only increase your shot accuracy, but it also minimizes your profile. Lay low and pick your targets off whenever you can.

Your squad mates can provide covering fire.

Taking a periodic rest also regenerates your health. Each time you take a hit, your vision turns red and cloudy, and your breathing becomes labored. Retreat to safety and wait for your body to work its magic. After a few moments of rest, you regain lost health and become fit to rejoin your mates in combat.

Article by Bobby Stein