Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009): Complete Guide

A full guide to the original 2009 Modern Warfare 2 on PC: the campaign on Veteran, Special Ops, and classic multiplayer (perks, killstreaks, maps and loadouts).

Researched September 2026 — current as of the Steam release (App 10180), still sold on Steam with "Overwhelmingly Positive" recent reviews. Live games change; check the linked sources if something differs.

Which MW2? This is the 2009 Infinity Ward game. It is not the 2022 reboot, and it is not Modern Warfare 2 Campaign Remastered (2020), which has the campaign only, with no multiplayer or Spec Ops. PC multiplayer uses Activision's IWNet matchmaking with no dedicated servers, and lobbies top out at 18 players.

Quick Start

1. Play the campaign first. It is short, with 18 missions over three acts, and it teaches you the weapons you will use in multiplayer.
2. Veteran is a different game. Enemies hit very hard. Play from cover, throw flashbangs and pick targets one at a time.
3. Spec Ops is a co-op highlight. It has 23 missions across five tiers. You earn stars by beating missions on higher difficulties, and stars unlock later tiers.
4. In multiplayer, pick killstreaks you can actually reach. A reliable 3-4-5 setup (UAV, Care Package or Counter-UAV, Predator Missile) earns more than chasing an AC-130 you never get.
5. Stopping Power, Lightweight and Cold-Blooded are the Tier 2 perks that define most classes.
6. Watch the minimap. Red dots mean enemies firing without suppressors, which is exactly how you will be found too.
7. "No Russian" can be skipped. The game asks before the campaign starts whether you want to skip disturbing content. It does not affect completion.
8. Be careful with community lobbies. Old peer-to-peer CoD games have had security problems over the years. Keep your game updated through Steam and your PC patched.

Campaign

Mission list (in order)

The missions are split into three acts in the menu; the order above is what matters for replaying.

You play as Pvt. Joseph Allen (the opening missions and No Russian), Sgt. Gary "Roach" Sanderson (Task Force 141), Pvt. James Ramirez (US Army Rangers) and, near the end, Captain "Soap" MacTavish. The story follows the hunt for Vladimir Makarov while Russia invades the US east coast.

Veteran tips by mission

• S.S.D.D. / The Pit: Your time on the training course sets the recommended difficulty. Ignore it and pick your own.
• Cliffhanger: Stealth is optional but much easier. On the snowmobile section, keep your speed up and do not stop to fight.
• Takedown: The favela is full of enemies firing from rooftops. Move slowly, and stay out of open streets.
• Wolverines!: Use the Predator missile and the Stingers to deal with vehicles. Stay behind the Burger Town building.
• The Hornet's Nest: The final run to the helicopter is famous for Veteran deaths. Sprint, and do not stop to trade shots.
• The Only Easy Day... Was Yesterday: The oil rig hostage rescue. Take the slow-mo breaches carefully, and use thermal scopes when the smoke comes out.
• The Gulag: Long and tight. Use the riot shield section carefully and trust the shotgun indoors.
• Contingency: Stealth section in the snow. Use suppressed weapons, the UAV Predator and patience.
• Loose Ends: Widely thought of as the hardest Veteran mission. Place claymores at the entry points, use the house's upper floor, and do not stand in doorways during the defend phase.
• The Enemy of My Enemy: The airplane graveyard (the "boneyard"). Keep moving between cover and let the two enemy factions thin each other out.
• Endgame: Mostly a boat chase followed by the scripted finale. There is little combat at the very end.

Intel

There are 45 enemy intel laptops hidden across the campaign. They count toward achievements. You can collect them on any difficulty and replay missions from the menu for any you missed.

Special Ops

• 23 missions spread across five tiers: Alpha, Bravo, Charlie, Delta and Echo.
• Each mission awards up to three stars depending on difficulty (Regular, Hardened, Veteran). Earning stars unlocks later tiers.
• Two players can play online co-op. Many missions can also be played solo, though some need a partner.
• Tips:
  • In timed missions, route planning matters more than aim.
  • Veteran stars are the hard part. In co-op, split up the jobs: one player covers while the other moves on objectives.
  • The AC-130 missions need clear callouts between the gunner and the ground player.

Multiplayer

Progression

• Ranks go up to level 70, and there are 10 prestiges.
• Weapons unlock as you rank up. Attachments and camos unlock through weapon challenges.
• Titles and emblems come from challenges and accolades.

Create-a-Class basics

Each class has a primary, secondary, lethal and tactical equipment, three perks (one from each tier) and a deathstreak.

Each perk has a Pro version that you unlock by completing that perk's challenge. Pro versions add a second benefit. Cold-Blooded Pro, for example, also hides your name from enemies.

Deathstreaks: Copycat, Painkiller, Martyrdom, Final Stand.

Killstreaks (kills needed)

You pick three streaks. Hardline lowers each one's requirement by one kill.

Proven loadout templates

The popular secondaries are machine pistols (dual or akimbo), shotguns (Model 1887, which is famous for dual-wielding), and launchers (Stinger or Javelin for air streaks).

Maps

Base game (16): Afghan, Derail, Estate, Favela, Highrise, Invasion, Karachi, Quarry, Rundown, Rust, Scrapyard, Skidrow, Sub Base, Terminal, Underpass, Wasteland.

DLC: The Stimulus Package added Bailout, Salvage, Storm, Crash and Overgrown. The Resurgence Package added Carnival, Fuel, Trailer Park, Strike and Vacant.

Map tips

• Terminal: Fight for the plane and the bookstore. Watch the stairwells.
• Highrise: Control the offices and the crane. Snipers love the rooftops.
• Rust: A small map with nonstop action. Controlling the central tower wins close games.
• Favela: Lots of verticality. Keep checking rooftops.
• Afghan: Snipers take the ridge, rushers go through the plane.

Settings and PC Tips

• There is no FOV slider in the options, and the default field of view is narrow on modern monitors. Many players simply live with it in multiplayer; be wary of third-party FOV tools online, since anti-cheat may not tolerate them.
• Use a steady frame rate cap and turn off V-Sync to lower input latency.
• Multiplayer uses IWNet matchmaking, so you cannot browse dedicated servers.
• Remember that PC multiplayer maxes out at 18 players per match.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Running the AC-130 or Chopper Gunner without being able to reach them. Pick streaks that match how you play.
• Firing without a suppressor while playing stealth. You show up on the enemy minimap.
• Holding doorways on Veteran. Grenade spam will wipe you.
• Overlooking Spec Ops. It has some of the game's best content.
• Ignoring Counter-UAV and EMP. When the enemy has air support, shutting it down wins matches.
• Trusting random lobbies. Be careful with modded lobbies and cheat offers.

Advanced Tips

• Pair Scavenger with a launcher. You can keep your launcher topped up against air streaks.
• Use Danger Close with care. It boosts your explosive damage, and the Pro version also boosts air support damage, so it pairs well with the Stealth Bomber and Harrier.
• Shoot air streaks down. A Stinger lock with Cold-Blooded or Scrambler support turns the match around.
• Care Package tricks: Drop packages in safe spots and use them to rebuild your streak chain.
• On Veteran, let AI allies push first. Enemies often switch focus to them.
• Spec Ops Veteran: Learn the enemy spawn triggers and do not trigger the next wave until your partner is set up.

FAQ

Does MW2 (2009) multiplayer still work on PC? The game is still sold on Steam, and recent reviews are strongly positive. Multiplayer runs through IWNet peer-to-peer matchmaking, so whether you find matches depends on who is online in your region and at what time.

Is the Campaign Remastered the same game? No. The 2020 Campaign Remastered is a separate purchase that has only the campaign, with no multiplayer or Spec Ops.

How many intel items are there? 45 across the campaign.

Can I skip "No Russian"? Yes. The game asks before the campaign starts. Skipping does not stop you from finishing the game.

What is the level cap? 70, with 10 prestige levels.

How many Spec Ops missions are there? 23, spread across five tiers.

Sources

• Steam: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) (App 10180)
• Steam: MW2 (2009) global achievements (intel count, Spec Ops stars, mission names)
• Wikipedia: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)