A good Call of Duty player knows that to win, you need to use every available advantage at your disposal. The difference between victory and defeat can sometimes be as small as your equipment.

While not lethal, tactical equipment can help you gain an advantage by either helping you stave off death or disorienting enemies long enough to allow allies to gain kills and capture the objective.

Mastering these tacticals is a must for every player who wants to take their game to the next level. Here’s a handy guide to show you how to improve on the way to prestige.

What are Tacticals?

Tacticals are in-game objects that keep you alive via literal tactical advantages. They include throwables (stun grenades), health boosts (stimshots), and more throwables (flashbangs).

Here’s a list of the five tacticals in the game.

• Stun Grenade – This throwable disorients your enemies and slows them down. It detonates shortly after it hits something. Unlocks at level 4.
• Stimshot – A quick stimulant that starts healing right away. Unlocks at level 6.
• Smoke Grenade – Produces a screen of smoke to reduce enemy visibility by up to 50%. Unlocks at level 17.
• Flashbang – Loud explosion that impairs sight and hearing for a short amount of time.
• Decoy – Sounds like footsteps in a ploy to confuse enemies. Unlocks at level 47.

Stun Grenade Tips

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Use the stun grenade as a precursor to an attack. It works best in enclosed spaces when there are a number of enemies around. It also is better when you’re a support player, and not the one out front getting kills. Using the stun grenade and switching to a shotgun is a good tactic, just make sure you remain calm and plan accordingly.

How to counter: Equip the Tactical Mask perk. This reduces the grenade’s blur and length.

Stimshot Tips

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The Stimshot is more useful in some modes than others. If you’re playing a mode where death isn’t a big deal, then there’s not really any reason to use this, and you’re better off using your resources elsewhere. It takes about 10 seconds to reload.

However, for a mode where rushing is important, it can be a great ally.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Stimshot, and when to use it, from FavstaR:

Smoke Grenade Tips

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The smoke grenade is one of the more versatile tacticals. It can be used both offensively and defensively. The grenade activates when it hits the floor, so that means you can bounce it off walls for more strategic placements. Use it to cover your assault or help you out of a tight situation.

Even better, use the smoke grenade with thermal optics for seemingly invisible attacks. Throw it at a chokepoint or in front of you and just mow down enemies as they run forward. Beware though, it is inconsistent.

...match against some sweaty kids with lots of smoke grenades. Subjectively, thermal sights allowed me to see through smoke about half of the time. The enemies' flashlight attachments did a better job at highlighting me than my thermal sights did on them.

— Drift0r (@Drift0r) December 7, 2020

Flahbang Tips

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When you throw a flashbang, the enemy’s screen turns white for about two seconds. This is a good tactical for aggressive players and is great against campers. Make sure to throw it in an area that’s unobscured, because it can be blocked.

In order to reduce the effects of the flashbang, the player either needs to hide behind something or use the Tactical Mask perk, which lowers the effects of the bang. Turning your back does nothing.

If you’re trying to decide between the stun grenade and the flashbang, the stun grenade is better for defensive play.

Here’s a video from Reverse OCV that goes deeper into the conversation.

Decoy Grenade Tips

Image Source: Activision

This throwable sticks to anything, so place it behind furniture and on the ceiling. It can be destroyed by enemies as well. Unlike previous games, it no longer simulates gunfire or shows up as a red dot on the radar. The sound plays for about 14 seconds, so make your time count.

Here’s an in-depth analysis of decoys from YouTuber Gaaba: