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The MW3 game modes list is pretty extensive, and it only grows with every single season. Season 3 just recently launched, and it brought in some new, fun modes to the fold. The developers are always bringing in new ways to play to keep the game fresh as they power through seasons, and they don’t show any signs of slowing down.
MW3 Season 3 game modes
Season 3 just arrived in Modern Warfare 3. It brought in the usual new weapons, new items, new operators, and more, but it also introduced several new game modes. Capture the Flag and One in the Chamber are already in the game now.
Capture The Flag
There are two teams of six fighting for space in this classic Call of Duty mode. You and your team are tasked with infiltrating the other team’s base and, as the name suggests, capturing their flag. Don’t devote too much to that, though, because you have to defend yours as well.
One in the Chamber
As the name of this mode suggests, players in One in the Chamber have a single bullet and a few lives to play with. To get more ammo, you can eliminate others. The person with the most points at the end of the time limit wins!
Additionally, Minefield, Escort, and Vortex Playlist will be coming later. The Season 3 roadmap has them planned out for later on, potentially in a Reloaded update. Either way, you’ll be able to experience these modes soon.
MW3 Season 2 game modes
Much like Season 3, Season 2 also introduced new game modes. The following were added in the previous season, giving you plenty of great options to try.
- Team Gun Game
- Snipers Only
- Hordepoint (was available for a limited-time)
- Juggermosh (was available for a limited-time)
- Bounty
- Vortex: Decay’s Realm playlist (was available for a limited-time)
Team Gun Game
While the ‘get one new gun per kill’ has largely been a free-for-all affair in MW3, Team Gun Game shakes things up. With base Team Deathmatch rules in effect, each team cycles between a set of eight weapons. Ten team gun kills give your entire team a new gun, which is reduced to five for the final weapon (75 points in total). Knife melees and Finishing Moves can dock points from enemy teams so use that to your advantage!
Snipers Only
With only sniper rifles allowed, expect this quick scope frenzy to test the very best players out there. Expect these Team Deathmatches and Domination rounds to test your skills and your patience. With only sightlines and scopes to worry about, you’ll never know where the next bullet will come from.
Hordepoint
Pair Hardpoint with neutral zombies and elite zombies. Hordepoint was first introduced in WWII back in 2017, opening up a portal when a player goes near a Hardpoint. This sends zombies barreling your way. It’s a neat spin on two traditional game modes. Killing zombies can let you Pack-a-Punch your weapon or even offer Max Ammo and Instakill pickups against them. And yes, five zombie kills count as a regular one when it comes to killstreak acquisition.
Juggermosh
Juggernaut combat in third-person, paired to Kill Confirmed, Domination, and Hardpoint. There’s a lot to like here, especially the OHK (one-hit-kill) melee weapon in the middle of the map. You can also pick up armor from fallen enemies to buff your defenses. Fall damage is traded away with a new ground pound move and only air support killstreaks are available alongside Juggernaut-specific perks.
Bounty
The player with the most kills from each team will be marked as an HVT (high-value target). While you get points from regular kills, beating this player will give you more points. Think of it like a remix of the standard Team Deathmatch.
Vortex: Decay’s Realm
Vortex: Decay’s Realm features Team Deathmatch, Domination, Kill Confirmed, and Hardpoint on rotation. As for the maps, you’ll be playing on Tetanus, Satan’s Quarry, Sporeyard, and the new map variants Skidrow and Terminal. An event will arrive alongside this playlist.
Expect most players to try the latest playlists
If it’s taking a while to enter matches from the MW3 multiplayer lobby, consider opting for more popular playlists and game modes instead.
Previous MW3 Season game modes
These are the game modes that were released during previous MW3 Seasons:
- Gunfight (at launch of Season 1)
- All or Nothing (at launch of Season 1)
- Vortex (LTM, mid-season 1)
All Modern Warfare 3 game modes at launch
These are all of the MW3 game modes that were available at launch in the base game:
- Cutthroat (3v3v3)
- Team Deathmatch (6v6)
- Domination (6v6)
- Search & Destroy (6v6)
- Kill Confirmed (6v6)
- Free-for-All (6v6)
- Hardpoint (6v6)
- Control (6v6)
- War (6v6)
- Gun Game (6v6)
- Ground War (32v32)
- Invasion (32v32)
Cutthroat Mode
The newest addition to the MW3 game modes list is the exciting 3v3v3 mode called Cutthroat. This match offering is pretty straightforward, as three teams with three members each face off against one another to reach the round-win limit.
Team Deathmatch
The quintessential Call of Duty multiplayer experience returns once again with Team Deathmatch. The goal for this classic 6v6 mode is as easy as it gets: the team that accumulates the target amount of kills the fastest wins the match.
Domination
Your objective in Domination mode is, well, to dominate. As a team, you’ll be tasked with preventing enemy operators from occupying three specified areas while holding the area yourselves to score points gradually. The first team to reach the score limit wins.
Search & Destroy
A classic Counter-Strike experience, but in Call of Duty. As the attacking team, your goal as a group will be to plant and detonate a bomb at either of two specified spots on the map. The defending team, on the other hand, will have to prevent the enemy from reaching the bomb sites. A high-stakes, no respawn game mode that is commonplace within competitive CoD circles.
Kill Confirmed
A game mode somewhat similar to Team Deathmatch but with a twist. Instead of simply fragging out and racking up kills in a match, you’ll be tasked with collecting as many dog tags as possible, which are dropped after an enemy dies. You can also prevent your opponent from gathering your teammates’ dog tags by grabbing them yourself.
Free-for-All
Tired of playing with a team? Then Free-for-All is the mode for you. This game mode’s name is self-explanatory: every man and woman for themselves, and the first player to reach the score limit is crowned the victor.
Hardpoint
Hardpoint is a mode similar to Domination, but instead of occupying three separate areas, you only need to control one as a team to score points. The specified location will be available for a certain amount of time, after which it will move to a completely different area. The first team to reach the score limit wins.
Control
Control is a mode that’s a mix between Search & Destroy and Hardpoint. But instead of taking a site to plant a bomb, teams simply alternate between attacking and defending the objective. As always, the first team to reach the score limit wins.
War
Originally exclusive to Call of Duty: WWII, War tasks one team with progressing through objectives “to push the battle line and win.” The opposing team, of course, will attempt to prevent their enemies from completing their tasks successfully.
Gun Game
Gun Game has consistently been one of the most enjoyable game modes in the CoD series to date. This unique match offering requires players to get a kill with each weapon they’re provided. The fastest player to reach the last weapon (typically a knife) and get a kill with it wins.
Ground War
This massive 32v32 mode tasks teams with capturing and holding objectives to score points, which are made easier by the inclusion of usable vehicles. Captured objectives provide additional spawn locations for your teammates.
Invasion
Another 32v32 mode that pits a team made up of real players and AI against another team composed of the same members. The first team to reach the score limit wins. You can use many from the MW3 operators list.
MW3 game modes FAQs
Can I access old game modes when a new Season drops in MW3?
Yes, older game modes and maps will still be accessible.
How many game modes are arriving with MW3 Season 2?
Players can expect five new game modes and one new playlist.
