CoD MW3 maps: Full list of multiplayer maps & key details
From Afghan to Wasteland, here's all 16 maps in Modern Warfare 3.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is here, along with its multiplayer component that has seen players getting sweaty like it's 2009 on its classic MW2 maps.
We've got the full list of said maps and all the key details to get you in the loop, with that in mind.
As well as featuring familiar game modes such as Team Deathmatch and Search and Destroy, there's also the new Cutthroat and revamped War mode.
There's the MW3 Zombies mode to sink your teeth into, too, if standard multiplayer isn't doing your stats and KTD ratio any good.
More will be upcoming with the MW3 Battle Pass, so keep your eyes and ears peeled to keep up to date with all things Call of Duty.
Perhaps you'll play better if you have an exclusive MW3 Burger King skin or if you upgrade your computer to meet the minimum and recommended PC specs - that is, if you can even fit the download on your hard drive.
There's also the short campaign to jump into with its linear and open-ended missions that see you chasing down Vladimir Makarov alongside the rest of the MW3 cast, if you haven't already played it during the early access.
With so much to go over, we've answered the call to duty for all things Call of Duty just below. Read on!
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CoD MW3 multiplayer explained: All the key details
Modern Warfare 3 is made up of various multiplayer modes, with 20 maps at launch – 16 of which will be taken directly from Modern Warfare 2 (2009).
Following this, 12 new maps will be added post-launch. The multiplayer modes confirmed so far include:
- Control
- Cutthroat
- Domination
- Free for All
- Ground War
- Gun Game
- Hardpoint
- Invasion
- Search and Destroy
- Team Deathmatch
- War
The newest addition to Call of Duty is Cutthroat, a new 3v3v3 mode that looks to build off Modern Warfare's Gunfight mode, which was first introduced in 2019.
Three teams fight it out to eliminate one another, with either the last team standing or the team that captures the flag in overtime going home the winner.
War mode returns after making its debut in 2017's World War II. This sees two teams of 12 split into attackers and defenders as they battle it out across one huge map. The aim is for the attacking team to complete a number of objectives, while the defending team's goal is to stop them.
Everyone's favourite multiplayer mode, Zombies, has returned too. Treyarch has developed a new story, missions, new features and the biggest Call of Duty Zombies map to date. Up to 24 players will work together in three different squads to survive.
MW3 maps: Full list of CoD MW3 multiplayer maps
There are 16 maps at launch for multiplayer in Modern Warfare 3. These comprise a mix of new locations and classic maps that previously appeared in the series. See below for the full list:
- Afghan
- Derail
- Estate
- Favela
- Highrise
- Karachi
- Invasion
- Quarry
- Rundown
- Rust
- Scrapyard
- Skidrow
- Subbase
- Terminal
- Underpass
- Wasteland
Four further maps will be included as part of the Ground War/Invasion and War modes. These include:
- Launch Facility (War)
- Orlov Military Base (Ground War/Invasion)
- Popov Power Plant (Ground War/Invasion)
- Resort (Ground War/Invasion)
Afghan
"Battle in the arid desert canyons around a crash site, encircled by bunkers and cliffside anti-air batteries poised to take down incoming aircraft. The uneven terrain presents risk and opportunity, from the high cliff face above to the dark cave below." - Activision
Derail
"Snow blankets the forest surrounding a railway town and its facilities. At the centre, a trainwreck has scattered railcars over the landscape. Take the lead on this large map and leave your enemies out cold in the woods." - Activision
Estate
"Head to a secluded getaway in the Caucasus Mountains, where a pristine lodge overlooks an expansive woodland property. Fight from the main living quarters or utilise the various outbuildings and fields to engage enemies from the perimeter." - Activision
Favela
"Drop into the slums of Rio de Janeiro as bystanders scramble to escape the scene of the oncoming skirmish. Brave the tightly clustered centre, fire down on enemies from the rooftops or stick to the perimeter and eliminate enemies from afar." - Activision
Highrise
"Whatever you do, don’t look down. This midsized map consists of two opposite facing buildings over a central rooftop worksite. Tunnels wind below the surface and an imposing helipad offers access to some of the map’s best vantage points, alongside other perilous crossings for the brave and foolhardy." - Activision
Karachi
"Keep your eyes sharp and your head on a swivel; this map challenges Operators with a compact urban setting packed with climbing opportunities and routes for every play style. A keen understanding of the layout will help you prepare for your next drop into this medium-sized multiplayer map." - Activision
Invasion
"Deploy to a battle-torn, medium-sized multiplayer map featuring tightknit buildings, close street fighting and long-distance vantage points. In this urban layout, operators must act fast and smart, turning the map’s risks into advantages." - Activision
Quarry
"This open-pit mine in a wide-open map features plenty of long-distance fights down the centre crane and side lanes. Quarry is punctuated by close-range battles in the offices and warehouses. Climbing opportunities abound. Or bring the fight indoors where multilevel buildings provide room to move and windows that overlook huge swaths of the map. " - Activision
Rundown
"Infiltrate a South American village where a low-running river divides the main settlement from its more sparsely populated outback. Group your forces when attempting to make a crossing and watch those corners when weaving through the cluster of buildings." - Activision
Rust
"Located in the oil fields of the Urzikstan desert, Rust is a small, square map dominated by its central tower. Fight for your spot up top or use the map’s various obstacles to stay out of sight while you skirmish on the ground. " - Activision
Scrapyard
"Battle in an aircraft boneyard surrounded by buildings overlooking the wreckage within. Flank enemies by racing through the fuselages and watch your head when sniper battles erupt between the two main warehouses." - Activision
Skidrow
"Deploy to a midsized urban landscape dominated by the central block. Smaller buildings around the perimeter provide further vantage points, and the streets throughout give savvy operators the means to flank and outmanoeuvre their enemies." - Activision
Subbase
"Submarines dock for maintenance and refueling at a naval base on the high seas. Deploy dockside and battle for control over the locale — a midsized map packed with vantage points, flanking routes and a deadly centre ground where only the most stalwart operators dare pass." - Activision
Terminal
"Infiltrate an international airport and battle across one of the most infamous locales of all. Try your luck inside the terminal or take the fight to the apron. All play styles have their place on this midsized, classic multiplayer map, so gear up how you want and get ready for departure." - Activision
Underpass
"Pouring rain has transformed this run-down South American industrial sector into a mud bath, but that won’t stop operator skirmishes. Tromp through the mud, stage an ambush or test your luck on the rain-slicked rooftops. In this large environment, your climbing and ambush options are nearly endless." - Activision
Wasteland
"Battle across an abandoned Wasteland, where wide-open fields encourage sniper battles all around. If extreme close range is more your speed, try your luck in the dugout, a tight underground crossroads where all trenches meet in the middle." - Activision
Launch Facility (War)
"At launch, the first location within Operation Spearhead is the large-scale Urzikstan map, inside a linear corridor within the Orlov Military Base and Kadurin Silo. Clear anti-aircraft defences so armoured vehicles can be airdropped, staying close to the armor to break through to the launch site and set up missile overrides in this thrilling 6v6 battle!" - Activision
Orlov Military Base (Ground War/Invasion)
"Missile silos lie at the heart of the Orlov Military Base, alongside bunkers and facilities built into the mountainous terrain that dominates the northern portion of the map. Scattered barricades throughout provide squads with a means of defence when pushing into the area." - Activision
Popov Power Plant (Ground War/Invasion)
"The workhorse of Urzikstan, Popov Power supplies energy to the growing region. Fight around the plant’s cooling towers and containment structures and utilise the full run of its industrial buildings to flank and ambush enemy squads." - Activision
Levin Resort (Ground War/Invasion)
"Tourists and business travelers alike used to flock to the Levin Resort, enjoying the poolside seating and abundant shopping and services within. It’s now a vacant site, the nearby statues of General Barkov defaced following his downfall. Tread carefully through the resort courtyard, where vantage points from multiple angles present danger to those below." - Activision
CoD MW3 multiplayer trailer
A trailer spotlighting the multiplayer mode in Modern Warfare 3 was uploaded by Activision on 4th October 2023. The video footage provides a preview of the many weapons, characters and 16 maps that we now have our grubby hands on.
Check out the multiplayer trailer below:
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 launched on 10th November 2023 across PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. Head to Amazon to order a copy of the game.
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Authors
Matt Poskitt is a freelance journalist who specialises in arts and culture – be that movies, TV, video games, tech or otherwise. Matt headed up the games and entertainment section at T3 (Future Publishing), alongside being found across The Guardian, CNET, PC Gamer Mag, GamesIndustry.biz, Insider, iNews, IGN, TechRadar, PC Gamer Mag, NME and many more.