While many fans of the Call of Duty franchise have been with the series for years now, there are always going to be brand new players who buy Black Ops 2 and who don’t have a clue what they’re doing. Or perhaps they’re players who have just taken some time off and need a refresher before they jump back into the battle online. Treyarch has decided to take extra steps toward orienting these people and getting them comfortable by introducing a special Combat Training element to Black Ops 2’s multiplayer experience.
Combat Training is essentially an extended introductory mode. Many FPS games include some kind of introduction or tutorial level, but this is one that will orient players to multiplayer gameplay and not just single-play gameplay. Players will be able to earn their initial experience points and start leveling up. It’s like the newbie level in an RPG in that sense, introducing players to Create-a-Class and helping them to build their characters and equip before hitting the battlefield. Players will fight against bots and human players during Boot Camp and will level up to 10. It’s possible to graduate before level 10, but not after—once players hit level 10 it’s time to either play through the Objective mode of Combat Training or join in the standard fighting.
The Objective mode allows two teams of six to compete in objective-based game modes. There are three bots per team and three players per team. Players can keep earning XP in this mode, but only half as much as they would if they were playing online in proper matches, which should encourage them to get out there. There is also a mode called “Bot Stomp” which allows a team of six players to fight against six bots in any gametype. This mode doesn’t award any XP. It’s a great way to learn the different game modes however, and to learn basic skills.
Matchmaking services are included as part of these modes, just as they are included in the standard modes. That way new players can play with and against players who are similarly unskilled. This prevents them from getting discouraged early on or not being adequately challenged as they move up in skill before graduating. It should also help with their initial placements post-graduation so that they don’t get dumped into combat with highly skilled players right from the off. This should ensure that their transition goes more smoothly and enjoyably.