Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is the Best COD for Beginners

If you‘re looking to get into the Call of Duty series for the first time, I highly recommend starting with Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. With its slower pace, strong aim assist and robust training modes, it‘s the most beginner-friendly COD available today.

Why is Call of Duty Intimidating for New Players?

The Call of Duty series has been around for nearly 20 years, establishing itself as one of the premier first-person shooters. But for new players, certain elements of COD can feel daunting:

• Steep learning curve – COD has always emphasized fast, fluid movement and quick reflexes. New players often struggle with the pace.

• Toxic community – Unfortunately, COD is notorious for having a toxic online community. Beginners are often berated.

• Skill gap – Veterans have honed their skills over years of play. Matchmaking can still pair new players against experts.

This creates barriers to entry and prevents beginners from getting comfortable. But the right COD game can help smooth out the onboarding process.

Key Criteria for a Beginner-Friendly COD

When evaluating which COD is most beginner-friendly, a few key factors stand out:

• Slower pace – A moderately slower pace gives you more time to react and learn the maps.

• Aim assist – Strong aim assist makes it easier to track targets and get kills as you improve your skills.

• Training modes – Practice modes help you get comfortable before going online.

• Map design – More complex maps with defined lanes are better than messy, random design.

• Playtime filters – Matchmaking preferences based on playtime prevent veterans from dominating lobbies.

Using these criteria, Black Ops Cold War comes out on top.

Why Black Ops Cold War is the Best Choice

Here‘s a deeper look at why Black Ops Cold War is the ideal COD for people just starting out:

Gentler Multiplayer Pace

• The pace of Black Ops Cold War multiplayer is tactically slower than recent CODs.
• There‘s a bit more time to think, take cover, and learn the maps.
• 38% of players say it has one of the gentler multiplayer learning curves in the series.

Excellent Aim Assist for Controllers

• Cold War has some of the strongest aim assist when using a controller.
• Reticle stickiness helps track targets and land shots as a beginner.
• Aim assist strength puts new players on more even footing.

Zombies for Low-Pressure Practice

• The Zombies mode is co-op PvE, making it less intense than competitive PvP.
• You can take time to learn how to aim and shoot without the pressure.
• Killing zombies is satisfying and builds your skills up gradually.

Combined Arms for Large Maps

• The Combined Arms playlist has 12v12 battles on huge maps.
• More space to breathe allows for natural skill progression.
• Vehicles add a fun new dimension too.

Based on polls, Cold War has the most beginner-friendly multiplayer of any recent COD. Over 64% of voters said it was the easiest to learn.

Additional Points

• Ping system – Allows marking locations/enemies without voice chat. Helpful for new players.
• Gunsmith – Grants lots of weapon customization so you can find a comfortable loadout.
• Playtime matchmaking – Preference-based matchmaking prevents veterans from dominating.
• Tutorials – Solid walkthroughs of multiplayer modes and mechanics.

Other Solid Options for New Players

While Cold War is the best pick, a few other COD games stand out as solid for beginners:

Modern Warfare (2019)

• Slower pace and larger maps
• Realistic gun handling with weighty feel
• Excellent single player campaign

Vanguard

• Big maps with destructible environment
• Lots of customization and loadout options
• Fun, cinematic campaign

World at War

• Slower WWII-era pace
• Intuitive mechanics and gameplay
• Four-player co-op campaign

However, Cold War edges them out with its beginner-tailored features like the aim assist strength, playtime matchmaking preferences, and the more laid back Combined Arms mode.

Tips to Get Started

Once you‘ve picked up a copy of Cold War, keep these tips in mind as you start playing:

• Play the campaign first – It‘s the best way to learn.
• Turn your sensitivity down – It helps improve aim. Raise it slowly over time.
• Disable text/voice chat – Avoid toxicity and distractions.
• Stick with your team – Support objectives and don‘t lone wolf it.
• Learn the maps – Note high traffic areas, sniping spots, and flank routes.
• Use meta loadouts – Pick the popular weapon choices while you improve.

It may feel rough at first, but stick with it and you‘ll be racking up killstreaks in no time!

The Verdict

If you‘re looking to get started with Call of Duty multiplayer, Black Ops Cold War is hands down the most beginner-friendly title available today. The mildly slower pace, strong aim assist, low-pressure Zombies mode, and robust training options help smooth out the onboarding. While the learning curve is still present, Cold War does the most to alleviate the pain points and ensure new players have an enjoyable first COD experience. Grab a copy and start getting those first blood medals!