One of the more interesting multiplayer modes in Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is VIP Escort. It’s fast and fairly straightforward.
The new objective mode requires communication between team members to get results. We’ve put together a handy guide to help you eliminate the opposing team and shepherd your VIP to safety.
How VIP Escort Works
This mode is played with up to six players on each team. The objective is either to get the VIP to one of two extraction points or eliminate the VIP.
The VIP team will lose if they are eliminated or cannot get the VIP to an extraction point within the 2:30 time limit. One player is chosen randomly as VIP and teams switch roles every round.
If the opposing team cannot stop the VIP team, or they are all killed, the round is over. Each round is worth one point. The first team to four wins the match.
There are no scorestreaks, and players use personal loadouts except for the VIP, who has a pistol, two frags, two smoke grenades, a field mic field upgrade, and a spy plane.
When players get taken out, they enter a downed state and teammates can revive them. Otherwise, there’s no coming back from elimination.
Strategies to Win
Be aggressive. The VIP team should spearhead the attack, with the VIP behind. The VIP should lay low and try to avoid conflict when possible.
Spy Plane. Take advantage of the extra intel provided with the spy plane to coordinate an attack. Do not use it right away. Instead wait until you’re in a crunch near the extraction point, down players, or under heavy fire.
As the defending team, decide on a strategy. There are two types of attacks: offensive and defensive. The offensive involves going after the VIP Team and trying to overwhelm them. A more defensive plan would be to leave a man or two at both extraction points to make sure they’re covered.
Try the decoy method. As the VIP team, rush toward one extraction point aggressively and let the VIP head toward the other. Chances are it won’t be as heavily guarded. Drop a smoke grenade to help hide your position.
Use what you have. A VIP should make use of the field mic and grenades when traveling with the team. Smoke grenades are especially effective. Field mics are great for close quarters.
Let them live. If you down an enemy, back off and use them as bait to take out another. Patience is key for this tactic.
They will come. Remember that the VIP team is always going to head toward the extraction points because of the time limit. Use this to your advantage, and set up in a strong, unpredictable position.
Be aware. It takes a few seconds to successfully pull off an extraction, and there’s always the possibility of a last-minute sniper kill from someone who knows what you’re doing. Save your resources for those last key moments.
Don’t lose hope. Even if you’re the VIP and the last one standing, it is still possible to win! Use your smoke grenades, suss out enemy positions, flank, and keep moving.
Know your enemy. The great part of this mode is it’s fairly predictable. With skill and patience, you can dominate because you know exactly what an opposing team will do, or what strategy they’re using as the game continues. Most players won’t adapt massive strategy overhauls, especially if they aren’t communicating in pubs.