Call of Duty: World at War Search & Destroy map guide

The Call of Duty franchise has been a staple for hardcore gamers everywhere, but despite its popularity, the Call of Duty games tend to have a relatively steep learning curve when it comes to multiplayer. That’s why GGL is releasing this Call of Duty: World at War Search & Destroy guide.

A little about me: I have been a hardcore CoD player since the first one came out way back in 2003 and play tons of shooter games. With this guide I hope to help new players get familiar with map layouts and common camping spots so that they can have an enjoyable time playing Call of Duty: World at War.

Before we can even discuss maps and tactics, I feel like I should include some information for first time CoD players. When playing online, you are rewarded for scoring multiple kills without dying. If you get three straight kills you will be rewarded with a recon plane, lasting 30 seconds, which shows enemies on your radar. After 5 straight kills you will have access to an artillery barrage. Lastly, after a seven kill streak, you can unleash a pack of dogs (which can be killed) for one minute.

On to the maps!

Airfield
Size: Large
Vehicles: None

Airfield is a tricky map due to the amount of debris and the wide open area. It is very easy to hide and pick people off, which is why snipers love this map. In order to succeed, it is important to stay out of sight. Stick to the underground tunnels to avoid sniper fire. If you have to work you way though buildings, stay away from the windows.

Site A: When dealing with bomb site A, try and coordinate an attack with two squads. It is much easier to take if you have multiple teams, one hitting it straight on from the north and another group hitting it from the south.

Site B: When entering Bomb Site B, keep an eye out for Bouncing Betty land mines. If you find one, back away from it and shoot it. This will cause it to prematurely explode and allow you safe passage.

Recommended weapons: Stick to rifles if you are a good shot. Find a nice spot to hide and pick off a few before making your move to plant the bomb. If an automatic is more of you style, use a sub-machine gun. Stick to cover and use sprint to close the gap quickly

On defense: Use sniper rifles and heavy machine guns. Find a good spot to go prone and start picking off the enemy.

Asylum
Size: Medium
Vehicles: None

Asylum is a fast paced map due to its relatively small size. Most of the fighting is going to be up close due to the small hallways. It is important to stay inside the building; there are a lot of windows, which means that snipers can pick off anyone careless enough to step into the courtyard.

Site A: When entering Bomb site A, throw a smoke grenade or flare into the far corner of the room, heavy machine guns love to sit prone there. Personally I would recommend trying to take this site over site B because it has easier to cover entrances and is relatively safe from sniper fire.

Site B: If you have to attack bomb site B, make sure you hit it hard and fast. If you give the Defending team time to set up, it is a futile cause. Saturate the area with grenades and smoke to push the attackers out of cover. Once the site is open plant the bomb in a spot that can be covered from multiple locations.

Recommended Weapons: Sub Machine guns truly shine on this map due to the close quarters. If you can control your rate of fire, you’ll have no problem hitting your enemy, even if he is at the end of a long hallway.

On defense: Heavy machine guns will keep the attackers at bay while sub machine guns and rifles flank them. Just make sure you have your back covered.

Castle
Size: Medium
Vehicles: None

Castle is a hard map to start out on. There are a lot of tall plants that provide a great hiding spot to the Defending team. What also makes this map difficult for beginners is the color scheme. By this, I mean that every place that looks like an obvious spot has a white background, which makes you stick out like a sore thumb. To make matters worse, every location on the map has at least three entrances, which makes covering a room by yourself impossible.

Site B: If I had to pick a bomb site to hit, it would b site B. It is indoors, which cuts down on sniper fire, it’s easier to get to from the attacker spawn, and is in a small enough room that grenades and flares can be used to clear it out.

Site A: If you absolutely have to take site A, make sure you have some good snipers on your team. Site A is out in the open and is surrounded by a building covered in windows. Your best bet would be to either flank the building and clear it out, or have your snipers pick off the enemy while you plant.

Recommended weapons: Everything is viable on this map. There are close quarters for sub machine gun play, wide open areas for bolt action rifles and everything in between.

On Defense: split your team into two groups and rush the bomb sites. Once there, set up and pick off whom you can. Remember though, always work with a buddy; there are too many entrances for you to cover by yourself.

Cliffside
Size: Large
Vehicles: None

Much like Airfield, Cliffside is one giant kill zone. The middle area is completely open, giving snipers free reign to pick and choose whomever they want. Both side routes give some protection, but they are so closed in that grenades become a huge hazard. I would suggest taking (on our map) the south most pathway. From here you have access to the bunker in the middle of the map, giving you a better chance at finding enemy snipers and picking them off.

Site A: You definitely want to try and take Bomb site A. It is easier for the attacking side to get to and it only has two entrances, making it easier for you to protect the bomb planter. Make sure to utilize flares when going though the tight corridors. Once in the bomb site, get far enough away from the doors so that grenades and flares won’t be a problem.

Site B: If you have to try and take site B, your best bet is to rush it before the defenders can set up. Sprint up the north most pass and utilize grenades and smoke to protect you from machine gun fire. Once you have it and the bomb is planted, fall back and try your best to protect the bomb.

Recommended weapons: Bolt action rifles are a must to help defend against snipers. Submachine guns and semi-auto rifles will be necessary if you plan on taking the side routes.

On Defense: Because the bomb sites are equidistant from the attackers and defenders, your best bet is to try and pick off as many as you can. One you have the numbers advantage, send half your team to one site and the other half to the other site. Set up Bouncing Betties and satchel charges to halt the attackers’ advance.

Courtyard
Size: Small
Vehicles: None

Courtyard is a fast paced run-and-gun map due to its small size. Attackers should know that the defenders spawn right on top of bomb site A, making it almost impossible to take. I would recommend having your team spread out and get whatever kills you can. Once the numbers are on your side, pick whichever bomb site you think is less defended and flood it with grenades. When the site is cleared out, move in for the plant.

Site A: When taking bomb site A, you best bet would be to try and take the high ground, where the defenders spawn. This can be done if the attackers rush up the east side of the map and climb onto the higher ground. This can be dangerous. A good defending team will put Bouncing Betties on the east side, so keep your eyes peeled.

Site B: When taking Bomb site B, make your way across the map and try to find a good spot to keep the defenders from getting in the west side corridor. A well placed machine gun can keep them at bay, allowing you to plant the bomb. I would recommend putting your MG in the south-west bunker.

Recommended weapons: Machine guns and Submachine guns are your best bet. Semi-auto rifles also fare pretty well due to the low walls on this map. Just sit back and fire away when you see a head pop up.

On defense: There are plenty of good placed to find cover around both bomb sites. Just set up near them and wait. Also, make sure to utilize your grenades, the areas around the bomb sites are tight enough that a well placed grenade can cause some real damage.

Dome
Size: Small
Vehicles: None

Dome is by far the smallest map in World at War. It feels more like a Halo map than a CoD map. What I mean by this is that the map is so small that it had to have been designed with only deathmatch in mind. My only advice is to try and take the high ground. From here you can try and pick off some of your enemies.

Site A: The fastest bomb site to get to is A, however it is very exposed. Your best bet is to use smoke grenades and have a heavy machine gun or two provide cover.

Site B: When taking site B, I would recommend taking the high ground above the bomb site. From here you can pick off anyone guarding site A. When you have a numerical advantage, force them out of site B with the poison gas. Your boys on the high ground should have an easy time picking them off.

Recommended weapons: Anything but bolt-action rifles. The map is so tight that you pretty much need to have an automatic weapon. Personally, I’d stick to using sub-machine guns.

On defense: There really isn’t much you can do except try and play it like a team deathmatch level. Move quickly from cover to cover and shoot any attackers you see.

Downfall
Size: Large
Vehicles: Yes

Downfall is a huge map with lots of open space. Be wary of snipers on this map. The good news is that there are tanks on this map. If you get the chance to get in one, take it. It will not only protect you from sniper fire, but also help you rack up kills.

Site A: I would suggest you try and take bomb site A. There isn’t a lot of cover for the defenders in that area, and it is equidistant from both the attackers and defenders. When the round starts, try and get into a position where you can pick off the defenders who are trying to protect site A. Once they are down, move in for the plant.

Site B: Bomb site B is a lot harder to take. The defenders spawn right near it, giving them plenty of time to set up. To make matters worse, there are numerous locations in the site B bunker for machine guns to deploy their bipods and cut down the attackers.

Recommended weapons: I’d stick with long range guns like bolt-action rifles, semi-auto rifles, and heavy machine guns. You won’t generally get into close enough range to use sub-machineguns and shotguns.

On defense: Your best bet it to rush into the bunkers around the bomb sites. From here you can pick off the attacking team, as well as have some cover from the tank.

Hangar
Size: Medium
Vehicles: None

Hangar, from my experience, is one of the most popular maps. Due to its lack of sniping locations, this map is a perfect place for beginners to cut their teeth. It is important to note that the roof of the hanger is full of holes, so if someone calls in an artillery strike, don’t expect to find much cover in there.

Site A: Bomb Site A is going to be the tougher of the two to take. The defenders spawn close to it so they have plenty of time to set up defenses. Your best bet when taking site A is to exit the hanger, going East, clear the northmost hut and then split your squad into two. Then send one on the back side of the Site A hut, heading towards the defenders spawn. The other squad will flank the bomb site by heading towards the center of the map.

Site B: Bomb Site B is, in my opinion, the easier to take of the two. This is because you don’t have to split your team up. Just head out the Southern exit of the hanger and take the two huts there. Use smoke grenades to provide cover for the bomb carrier, and cover him. If the bomb carrier goes prone on the Western side of the target, he is protected from fire.

Recommended weapons: I’d stick with submachine guns on this map. The few spots that might be considered “long range” can be taken care of if you use controlled bursts.

On defense: I recommend holding up in the Bomb Site A hut. On the southern side of the second floor, there is a ladder that drops you down into a pretty well defended bunker. From here you should be able to hold both Site A and Site B.

Makin
Size: Medium
Vehicles: None

Makin is a hard map for beginners due to the lack of light. Because the map takes place at night, it is hard as hell to see enemies creeping up through the plant life. What also makes this map so difficult is that it is relatively open. Stay away from running on the wooden walkways between the huts. Instead stick to the water and stay low. You have a clearer line of sight when you stick to the water, so that if you come across an enemy, you have a chance to defend yourself. If you can, stick a sniper or two in the large central hut. They will have a clear line of sight to both bomb sites and will be able to provide cover to the rest of the team.

Site A: Bomb Site A is the harder of the two. The defenders spawn a lot closer to it than the attackers. Site A is also surrounded by buildings where the defenders can easily set up. There really is no good way to go about taking this site other than creeping up and picking off who you can.

Site B: Bomb Site B is going to be your best choice because it is equidistant from both the attackers and defenders. If you rush along the river, utilizing flares and smoke, you should be able to disorient the defenders enough to rush in and end them. Once you are able to, plant the bomb, spread out and cover the site.

On defense: Split up your team and send half to set up in the buildings around Site A. The other half should rush up to site B as fast as possible. Once there, toss a few grenades over the high rocks by the river. This will catch any attackers creeping up off guard and either kill them or send them retreating. Once you have some room, set up in the surrounding bush around site B and wait.

Weapons: you can get away with using any weapon on this map. There are long open areas for sniping as well as small huts for running and gunning.

Outskirts
Size: Large
Vehicles: Yes

To a beginner’s eyes, Outskirts is a confusing map. There are plenty of bombed out buildings to provide cover and sniping positions. Near the middle of the map there is a church that may seem ideal for sniping. Unfortunately everyone and their mother knows about this spot, so don’t even bother trying to camp there, you will just end up pinned down by machine gun fire. Your best bet is to navigate you way though the maze of bombed out buildings picking off who you can.

Site A: Site A is the easier of the two to take, but that isn’t saying much. Both sites are extremely hard to get control of due to their locations. The defenders spawn near both bomb sites, so attackers are always going to be up against established defenses. When taking site A, your best bet is going to be sweeping all the houses in the area, taking out as many defenders as possible. Once all the houses are clear, move in for the plant. The rest of the attackers should take position in the surrounding houses and provide cover.

Site B: Site B is almost impossible to take because the defenders are always going to have the high ground. My only suggestion is that you utilize the tank to help pave a way for the bomb carrier to get in and do his thing.

On defense: Send half of the team to cover site B from the stairwell. This will give you the higher ground advantage. The other half should set up in the houses around Site A. Make sure to take advantage of Bouncing Betties. Putting these near the staircases inside the houses will ensure that the attackers can’t creep up behind you.

Recommended weapons: Rifles, both semi-auto and bolt-action, really excel on this map. Machine guns as well as sub-machine guns are also useful depending on your play style. Just make sure you keep an eye out for snipers in every window.

Outskirts
Size: Large
Vehicles: Yes

Roundhouse - Size: Medium Vehicles: Yes

Roundhouse is one of the larger medium sized maps. Most of the central area is wide open, and because there are a few secluded tall buildings, it’s a snipers dream. Stick to the outer perimeter of the map, which is where the cover is. Get your snipers up in one of the buildings and wait for them to pick off some of the other team. Once the numbers are in your favor, move in to take one of the bomb sites.

Site A: Site A is equidistant from both the attackers and the defenders. This means that if you can rush a sniper up into the central sniper platform (the broken down silo) he should have a clear line of sight to the defenders moving in to cover Site A. If your sniper can pick off a few of these stray defenders, send in the rest of the team to clean out the surrounding areas. Plant the bomb and set up to defend it.

Site B: Site B is the harder of the two to hit. The defending team spawns right next to it, and therefore has plenty of time to set up. However, this doesn’t mean it’s impossible to take. If you split up your team and send half to rush into the south sniper building, they will have a direct line of sight to the bomb site. The other half of the team should then push though the middle of the map and try to flank site B. If you coordinate you attack right, you will catch the defenders from both sides.

On defense: Send half the team to cover Side B. You have the speed advantage, so try and find good spots to camp. Wait for the attackers to move in and ambush them. The other half of the team should make their way along the western side of the map to Site A. Set up in the rubble just outside the bomb site and get ready to toss flares, gas and grenades. Once you make contact with the attackers, flood the site with any throwing weapons you have. Move in and defuse the bomb.

Recommended weapons: Rifles and heavy machine guns really shine of this map due to the size. Just remember to bring along some satchel charges, a bazooka or No 74 St anti-tank grenades.

Seelow - Size: Large Vehicles: Yes

Seelow is a great map for beginners because it’s very straight forward. You have a raised train track dividing the map into two. There are 2 underpasses, one with a river. Try to avoid the water if possible; it will slow you down, making you an easy target for snipers. There is an often overlooked tunnel that goes under the train tracks, and should help you avoid sniper fire. Both sides of the map have buildings that you can snipe from, but the real place to look out for snipers is on the train tracks. The wooden walls along the tracks have cracks that snipers can utilize. If you are having a problem dealing with these snipers, send the tank their way. It should make short work of them.

I should note that while the Western half of the map is pretty much barren in Search & Destroy mode, a good team can utilize it as a trap for anxious, kill hungry tank drivers or an aggressive defensive team. Just retreat back over the train tracks and wait for the greedy players to come hunting. Once you pick a few off, you can move in and take a site.

Site A: Despite the defenders spawning right on top of site A, it is the easier of the two to take. This is because there is only one farm house they can use as cover. If you stick to the southern side of the map and utilize your throwing weapons, you can take the site easily. Just be careful of enemy tanks, the defenders spawn near both of them.

Site B: Site B is surrounded by houses the defense can use as cover. My only recommendation is to travel west of spawn, get up on the train tracks and try and snipe any straggling defenders. If you manage to get the numbers on your side, move in and clear the houses.

On defense: Split your team up into the surrounding farm houses. You should be able to get in and set up before the attackers move in. Deploy your machine guns and have riflemen watch their backs. Sit back and wait for the attackers to show up and them mow them down.

Recommended weapons: Much like Roundhouse, Rifles and machine guns fare pretty well on this map.

Upheaval - Size: Large Vehicles: None

Upheaval is a lot like Outskirts. They both have plenty of houses to use as cover and have a similar style of run and gun action. One difference from Outskirts is that combat will occur at a variety of ranges. Just stick to the houses and try to stay away from exposed areas.

Site A: The defending team is always going to beat the attackers to either site due to distance. This means that the attackers are at a real disadvantage. The only real method of taking Site A is to move from house to house cleaning out what defenders you can. Once all the houses have been swept move in for the plant.

Site B: Much like Site A, the only real way to take this site is to move from house to house and pick off defenders. I would prefer to take Site B because there are fewer houses for the defenders to hide in. Just make sure to utilize your grenades and keep an eye out for Bouncing Betties.

On defense: Stick to the houses around the bomb sites. Make sure to cover all the entrances with Bouncing Betties so that you won’t get shot in the back.

Recommended Weapons: All weapons are viable due to the variety of combat distances. Just make sure you have a buddy with you that has a different style of weapon so that you aren’t defenseless in the wrong situation.

There you have it, folks, my beginner’s guide to Call of Duty: World at War Search & Destroy. If you want to discuss this guide, or add tips of your own, be sure to join GGL’s Call of Duty: World at War community. If you are feeling confident enough, try your hand at joining one of the GGL’s ladders or instant-challenge one of our members.

Take it from me, you haven’t really played a game until you have played it competitively.