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Does vs Bots Level Up Guns in Call of Duty? A Comprehensive Guide

The short answer is yes, playing against bots in Call of Duty does level up your guns. However, the specifics depend heavily on the particular Call of Duty title you’re playing, the game mode, and what exactly you’re trying to accomplish. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of how bot kills contribute to weapon XP and how you can maximize your weapon leveling efficiency.

Understanding Weapon XP and Bot Interactions

Weapon XP is the lifeblood of unlocking attachments and camos in Call of Duty. The more you use a weapon and earn XP with it, the faster you’ll progress. While blasting away at AI opponents might seem like a shortcut compared to the cutthroat world of PvP, it’s crucial to understand how and when it’s most effective.

In many Call of Duty games, AI kills contribute to your weapon XP, but often at a reduced rate compared to player kills. Game modes specifically designed around fighting waves of AI, like Modern Warfare’s Spec Ops Survival or MWII’s Invasion, are designed to let you accumulate weapon XP. It is essential, however, to acknowledge that the weapon XP gained against AI might be significantly less than in PvP. This means that while bot-based modes are easier and less stressful, they might not always be the fastest way to level up your arsenal.

Optimizing Bot-Based Leveling

If you choose to pursue bot-based weapon leveling, there are ways to optimize your strategy:

Choose the Right Game Mode: Game modes like Invasion in Modern Warfare II feature a mix of AI and player opponents. Focus on eliminating the AI en masse, especially those that travel in groups, as they offer a relatively easy source of XP.
Target Objectives: Some modes reward you with bonus weapon XP for completing objectives, even if they are completed using AI kills. Capture points, defend objectives, and complete contracts – anything that earns you extra points will also boost your weapon XP.
Maximize XP Boosts: Don’t forget about Double Weapon XP tokens! These tokens temporarily double the amount of weapon XP you earn. Popping a token before heading into a bot-heavy game mode is a surefire way to accelerate your progress. Also, playing on PlayStation in a party might give you a bonus XP.
Experiment with Loadouts: Certain loadouts can make bot farming even easier. Using decoy grenades helps.

The Nuances Across Different Call of Duty Titles

It’s important to remember that the effectiveness of bot-based weapon leveling can vary significantly across different Call of Duty titles. For example:

Modern Warfare (2019): Cooperative Survival missions were a popular method for leveling up weapons due to the sheer number of AI enemies.
Modern Warfare II (2022): Invasion became a go-to choice for many players as it featured a large map populated with both AI and player opponents.
Warzone: Weapon XP is accumulated by killing AI soldiers or completing contracts in the Battle Royale and DMZ modes.

Always check the latest community insights and patch notes to see if the weapon XP rates for AI kills have been adjusted. Developer updates often tweak these values to balance gameplay. The Games Learning Society has some excellent research on understanding how game design impacts player motivation and behavior in different game modes. Visit GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more.

The Case Against Bot-Based Leveling

While leveling up guns against bots is viable, it isn’t always the most efficient method. Here’s why:

Reduced XP Rates: As mentioned before, AI kills generally award less weapon XP than player kills.
Lack of Skill Development: Playing against bots won’t improve your skills in PvP combat. You’ll still need to hone your aim, movement, and tactical decision-making in real player encounters.
Camo Challenges: Many camo challenges specifically require player kills. You can’t unlock these camos by solely farming bots.

Ultimately, the best approach often involves a mix of both bot-based and PvP gameplay. Use bot-based modes to get a head start on unlocking attachments, and then transition to PvP to master the weapon and complete camo challenges.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do AI kills count towards camos?

No, only player kills count towards camos. Camos are unlocked through achieving certain challenges, such as getting a certain number of headshots, longshots or kills while sliding. AI kills do not apply.

2. Do bots count towards weapon XP in MW2?

Yes, bots do count towards weapon XP in Modern Warfare 2, particularly in game modes like Invasion and DMZ. AI kills will give you weapon XP, and this is the most effective way to earn XP.

3. What is the fastest way to level up guns in MW2?

The fastest way to level up your guns in MW2 includes: creating a custom loadout with the weapon you are leveling and a Tactical Insertion, utilizing Double Weapon XP Tokens if available, and playing on PlayStation in a party if possible for a bonus 25% Weapon XP. Take out any AI (Invasion) and player-controlled enemies that you can with the gun, stay alive until the Tactical Insertion is usable again, and continue doing this with the chosen gun until it is at max level. Repeat the process with all guns until they are maxed out.

4. Does killing AI in DMZ level up guns?

Yes, killing AI in DMZ does level up guns. DMZ mode is great for weapon XP by eliminating AI and completing mission objectives.

5. Does MW2 spec ops spoil campaign?

Spec Ops are a two-player co-op series of missions and can spoil parts of the story.

6. Does cooperative level up guns?

In Modern Warfare, the easiest method to level up your weapons if you own a copy of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is to play the cooperative Survival missions online. This isn’t necessarily the fastest method, but it’s certainly the easiest since the mode only features AI as your enemy.

7. Do I get weapon XP against bots?

Yes, you do get weapon XP against bots, particularly in modes with a high density of AI opponents.

8. Do AI kills count in MW2?

In terms of camo challenges, no, AI kills do not count.

9. What is the hardest hitting AR in MW2?

The Kastov-74U hits harder than any other Assault Rifle in MW2, with a whopping 77/42/38/35 damage profile to head, torso, stomach, and limbs at close range.

10. Are battle rifles fully automatic in MW2?

Battle Rifles are defined by the use of a semi-automatic or fully-automatic mode combined with mid to long range effectiveness, with high damage but high recoil.

11. Why is everyone using decoy grenades in MW2?

Players are spamming decoy grenades in different modes in Modern Warfare 2 because of their ability to get you free weapon experience points.

12. Does killing AI in DMZ level up guns?

Yes, DMZ is good for weapon XP, since you can take out AI and completing mission objectives.

13. Does MW2 have double XP codes?

Modern Warfare 2 players can get double XP tokens from redeeming Mountain Dew codes printed on the inside of 12-pack cases.

14. Do decoy grenades help weapon XP?

Yes, decoy grenades help with weapon XP.

15. What is the fastest game mode to level guns in MW2?

Target AI in Invasion game mode, because they usually travel in small groups, are very easy to kill, and will provide you with the most amount of XP within the game mode.

Final Thoughts

Leveling up guns against bots is a viable, though not always optimal, strategy in Call of Duty. By understanding the nuances of weapon XP gain and the specific mechanics of each game mode, you can effectively utilize bot-based gameplay to progress your arsenal. Remember to combine bot farming with PvP matches to hone your skills and unlock those coveted camo challenges. Happy gaming!

Does vs bots level up guns?