Killstreaks have long been a staple of Call of Duty.
In Modern Warfare 2, several familiar options make a return. If you’ve been dominating your lobby, the game will give you the option to rain down fire and brimstone from the sky, just so you can beat everyone else further down into submission.
Modern Warfare 2 offers 19 different killstreaks (or scorestreaks, if you prefer), but not all of them are created equal. You can equip a total of three in any one game — here’s a look at the best killstreaks to bring into battle.
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The top 5 killstreaks in Modern Warfare 2
The killstreak you choose depends a lot on your individual playstyle. Some killstreaks will reliably net you kills, while others benefit your team as a whole.
UAV (4 kills)
The UAV recon ship pings enemies and reveals their location in the form of red dots on the minimap. It gives you a ton of value, despite requiring only four kills. With the haphazard spawn locations and confusing layout of many maps, the UAV can be a godsend in preventing you from getting shot in the back.
However, it can be countered with the Ghost perk, so you don’t want to rely on it completely. Enemies can also deploy a Counter UAV that scrambles the minimap.
Precision Airstrike (6 kills)
Precision Airstrike calls in twin jets for a targeted strike at the area you mark. Unlike the Cruise Missile, you don’t have to pilot it and leave yourself vulnerable.
However, because it doesn’t provide any information on where enemies are, it is best used when your team has a UAV active, or when you know for sure that enemies are in the vicinity.
It is the most effective on open maps like the Santa Seña Border Crossing, Taraq, and some segments of Mercado Las Almas and Zarqwa Hydroelectric.
VTOL Jet (8 kills)
The VTOL is one of the most deadly killstreaks in the game. It releases a pair of precision bombs at a location of your choosing. Following that, you can press “F” constantly to have it follow you as you sprint around the map. Alternatively, you can just leave it to guard a specific location.
It shreds players and provides oppressive air cover. And when opponents are busy trying to shoot it out of the sky, it provides the perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with them.
But like the Precision Airstrike, its use will be limited on maps that are played primarily indoors, such as Breenberg Hotel.
Chopper Gunner (10 kills)
The Chopper Gunner lets you pilot an assault chopper armed with a turret and air-to-land missile. Enemies are highlight for you, so you don’t have to squint to find them. Opponents using the Cold-Blooded perk will not be highlighted, but you can still see them.
You can easily double your kill count in a single run, sending enemies fleeing for cover. At 10 kills, it is also slightly easier to get than the Gunship, and almost just as powerful.
Gunship (12 kills)
If you’re feeling confident in your ability to string together kills, the Gunship is an amazing choice. It is absolutely devastating, with a laser-tracking missile, and standard 40mm and 25mm canons.
You can shoot through gaps in building roofs or gun down enemies in the open, taking out multiple targets with a single shot.
Either way, there is little escape from this monster in the sky. It can also destroy other killstreaks. However, it is not as maneuverable or agile as the Chopper Gunner.
READ MORE: The best perks to use in Modern Warfare 2
