Aug 2, 2011
If you have been fortunate enough to spend any length of time playing with PCP, you know that the favorite game type (by a large margin) is Domination. By now I hope you have read Old Velcro’s great Domination beginner’s guide, and are having fun while being among the community’s best. To help get you there, I have again enlisted the help of PCP’s most fearsome to shed light on how they end up on top of the scoreboard more times then not. Let’s meet them:
Hoturkysandwsh: One of the first in the clan to reach 15th prestige, he plays like an absolute animal; holding down entire areas of the map single-handed for longer than one would think was possible.
Slee: He plays to win and is one of the most objective conscious players I have played with. He is also one of only five players in the clan to get a triple double, (Double digit kills, captures, AND defends in one game.)
Snafu: Another objective minded player, Snafu lives for B in domination. Come hell or high water, he will always find a way to make sure his team controls the majority of the flags.
Old Velcro: A truly versatile player, he can adopt any role his teams needs, and play that role with brutal efficiency. He is also well-versed in all things Black Ops, and wrote a great guide for players new to the domination game type here.
What is your favorite domination specific weapon(s)? Which attachments?
Turky: The weapons I use for any one domination game really depend on three things; the map we’re playing on, the skill level of our opponents, and if I’m confident in my own teammates ability to hold B.
My two favorite weapons for domination are; the Famas and the AK-47.
I use the AK47 on almost every match if I’m playing defense like I usually do. It has awesome knock down power, a good sized clip, and is very effective at short to medium range. Its also decent at long range if fired in small bursts.
The Famas is my go to gun, I think it’s the best weapon in the game even after it being nerfed (when the game’s latest patch decreases the effectiveness of a weapon to balance it) recently. This weapon has an incredible rate of fire, it shoots like a SMG but has the range and accuracy of an assault rifle. The Famas has about the same range of the AK-47, but if I need something for medium to long range I’ll use the AK or my trusty M16 with an ACOG.
For attachments I use; the grenade launcher. Why? I find it very useful in domination for getting people off B, a good tool in hunting and killing campers, but where I use it the most is to help me when I’m up against multiple opponents; eliminating a few with the tube, then finishing off the rest with my clip.
Slee: The FAMAS is my favorite all around weapon even after Treyarch decided to nerf it. I usually stick with its great iron sights with the dual mag for quicker reloads. The suppressor is OK on it but does not seem to help much with the accuracy as it does with the AK47 and the Galil. For smaller maps I prefer the AK74u. With the grip and steady aim it makes shooting from the hip a cinch. To me it really rivals the FAMAS in its versatility but with a little more knock down power at close range.
Snafu: I tailor my weapon set-up to the map; on long range maps I use a modified sniper set-up WA2000 (great for one or two shot kills and very little recoil) with extended mags and variable sights. Medium maps I use an assault rifle iron sights and dual mags and flak jacket for capture. The main thing is to be adaptable if you have a couple of killers on your team you need to adapt to a support role. If you have guys on the team that capture and hold you need to watch the flanking routes and run interference so your hold guys have a buffer.
Velcro: M14 with grip and red dot, or specter with rapid fire.
What are your favorite domination specific killstreaks?
Turky: I use two different combinations of kill streaks in domination; the first one is: Napalm, Mortars, and a Cobra. This kill streak is for a lower end streak more for domination of B or just a containment of your enemy . The second one is: Blackbird, Chopper gunner, and dogs. This kill streak is reserved for when my teammates need a little extra help and when its time to totally dominate the other team and possibly take all three flags.
Slee: I love the smell of Napalm in the morning! I am not an Onslaught, Old Velcro, or AdrianisGodly type. I need to help my team win through capturing and defending flags while they cause our opponents to “rage quit.” I normally roll with 3,4, and 5 killstreaks (spy plane, counter spy plane, and Napalm; the essential domination perk!) Favorite is definitely Napalm! Great way to defend or cap a highly contested flag!
Snafu: I run napalm, mortar team, and bomb run. They all lend themselves to covering the capture points and cutting off approach routes and can’t be shot down.
Velcro: Spy plane, counter spy plane, and napalm strike.
What is your favorite lethal grenade, tactical grenade, and equipment?
Turky: My favorite and only combination of special grenades and equipment are: the frag grenade, Nova Gas, and the claymore. I use the frag grenade because you never know where these things will end up when tossed out onto the battlefield, they roll, they bounce, and they explode in the craziest places. Nova Gas I use because not only is it the only tactical grenade that totally cripples your opponents ability to react but it also creates a cloud of smoke that your enemies can’t see through. And last but not least the most important part of your equipment; the claymore. I use the claymore for everything, it can be used to defend a flag, guard your unprotected flank, or just to be used as a alarm system behind you.
Slee: Semtex, semtex, semtex… PRACTICE tossing semtex! I recently had 17 defends on Stadium because I know my range with a good semtex toss. Triple kills are not uncommon with a well tossed grenade! Wiley Pete/smoke for capturing points and Nova gas for defending.
Snafu: Semtex, nova gas, and C4.
Velcro: Frag, smoke or nova gas, and claymore.
How often do you use your mini map?
Turky: Your mini-map is very important but can also be very fatal if relied on too much. Your mini-map can really help you know where the majority of the enemy team is as well as campers but never totally rely on the map because it doesn’t show the freshly spawned players nor the players running ghost/suppressors. I watch it out of the corner of my eye but always stay alert to my screen.
Slee: I use it the entire game; well, most of the game. I watch for the enemy trying to flank, and anticipate their spawn points.
Snafu: I use the mini map often to look for flankers, but make sure you don’t look so much you lose sight of what’s in front of you.
Velcro: Not much, because most pigs communicate so well. Because so many players use ghost in BLOPS, I use it more to see where my team mates are.
Do you use different classes for defending and capturing? What is their setup and how do you play them?
Turky: I use mostly one setup for my classes for domination ( I’ll deviate from this setup if I’m playing Nuketown or providing flanking for my team); first perk would be ALWAYS Flak Jacket Pro. This class is a essential when playing domination because when I’m laying on B or just defending, no grenades, tubes, or napalm can touch me! Second perk would be Sleight of Hand Pro, nothing like quick reloads, and faster ADS. Third perk would be Tactical Mask Pro which protects me from Nova gas plus stun and flash grenades have no effect on me. If you use all three of these perks together on domination you will be a huge asset to your team when capturing flags.
Slee: When I put my “capping” pants on….
AK74 w/grip
Pistol as secondary so I can boogie to the “B” flag
Smoke (Wiley Pete)
Semtex (every class)
Flak Jacket
Steady Aim (I put this on most “go-to” classes)
Marathon: I want to get to “B” as quickly as possible though the dreaded Second Chance perk seems to be a logical alternative.
My Defending class…
FAMAS with iron sights and dual mags or suppressor, depending on how stealthy I need to be
Secondary- LAW
Semtex- If you want to defend flags practice tossing grenades to defend flags.
Claymore- Because I friggin’ love claymores!
Ghost Pro
Steady Aim (The FAMAS’ rate of fire makes it a solid hybrid weapon so I shoot from the hip quite a bit.)
Marathon- I have to get myself to the flashing flag as quickly as possible.
Snafu: I always run flak jacket pro to capture with tack mask pro so I can run through flames and gas and it has the added benefit of surprising guys that like to throw flash and stuns because they don’t effect you as much.
Velcro: I use running classes with smoke for games where we are having to cap flags over and over. I use warlord pro (2x grenade and nova gas) classes for games where we are holding things down and mostly playing defense.
What is the best single piece of advice you can give players looking to get better at Domination?
Turky: My best advice for players looking to get better at domination is to have great communication with your team and use cover. Tell your team when you’re capping the flag, to cover you while you are capping it, encourage others, and always ask for help when you need it. Also ALWAYS use cover, whether you are just reloading or capturing a flag. If the other team is racking up kills because you’re not using cover it makes it all that much more harder for your team to win!!
Slee: Always take the “C” flag! Only a real douche would say otherwise.
Seriously though…
Have fun and do not worry about the post-game scoreboard. It is a team game and every capture, defend, or kill you can make will help secure the victory.
Snafu: Slow down and look before you leap. Watch the corners and try and clear the area before you enter it. The main thing is to be adaptable. Be ready tailor your killstreaks to the map, and switch them when the maps change.
Velcro: Learn the call outs (red hotel, yellow hotel, fountain, etc.,) and don’t be shy about communicating w/ team mates. It will help you become more aware of what’s going on in the game.
Special thanks to Hoturkysandwsh, Slee, Snafu, and Old Velcro for taking the time to share their secrets.
Great write up, and great advice!