Community: Message List - why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 17:28:49 GMT

right on man. my support streaks are almost always:

flak vests, sam, recon drone

mostly for the xp and because i know it is an advantage for my team. i also shoot down every uav, counter, auav, chopper i have the stingers on my back for.

after 7 prestiges tho, i was looking to try something new and i had no idea how much of an xp boost this package can be!

great point about not dying in KC. i take the approach of kill more than you die and always try to balance your deaths by grabbing at least 1 tag in the process. I think I have around 16K+ kills in KC and 14K+ confirms.

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:56:04 GMT

What people need to remember is that Specialist has it's place and time. Meaning in games like HQ DEMO or Dom it is not your best bet. Yeah, you can maybe get to unlock the 2nd perk or even to the "Promised Land" (all perks). But at the same time you might not be helping your team out and it might cost you the match. Now if you are running with a squad that will pick up the slack with support streaks and what not, then by all means, run specialist.

Hey, I wouldn't run a game of FFA w/o specialist and that pretty much goes the same for TDM And KC, where not dying is more important then getting kills (strange, I know most won't grasp this concept). But objective games are different and need different considerations.

Also don't be disuaded by the XP, support streaks pay off just as much if you are smart about it and at the same time, you are helping your team.

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:36:42 GMT

DaveW wrote:

I think your better off saving the double xp and switching this one when you've unlocked the specialist class you'll rank up quicker ....promise!

hadn't even thought of this but i like your suggestion! i was amazed by the xp bonuses popping up when i started in on the specialist streaks. 2XP must be unreal

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:30:14 GMT

I think your better off saving the double xp and switching this one when you've unlocked the specialist class you'll rank up quicker ....promise!

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:25:15 GMT

DaveW wrote:

Well i suppose I had to use the standard kstreaks until i unlocked it at lvl 20, but having said that to me i think they're great

yeah my strategy has been to use a token at level 1 to get 2XP. I usually get to 27 or very close before my 2 hrs runs out. i had a tough time without assassin this prestige as playing almost all KC has left me in the top 6000. this leads to a lot of clan matchups and higher ranked folks. assassin is a must

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:24:12 GMT

I only use it to get HL Pro... otherwise, it's too much of a "me" thing in a team game.

Perfect for FFA but hurts teams too much IMO.

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:21:49 GMT

Well i suppose I had to use the standard kstreaks until i unlocked it at lvl 20, but having said that to me i think they're great

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:21:25 GMT

the bonus of the stingers [and hardline pro] means cooking a frag while moving in to a high traffic area can net you a kill [or assist "kill"] putting you right in to assassin immediately upon respawn.

if not, shoot down a uav and you're off the radar again. i also found myself playing more cautious on a streak which is tough to adjust to as my play style is more rushing/flanking. staying in one place for more than a few seconds doesn't suit me

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:18:29 GMT

I used nothing but specialist for the last 2 prestige's. Apart from the fact that you uprank quicker i actually find this more enjoyable. I think they should do a playlist where you can only earn specialist streaks only this would be the definitive gun on gun game for MW3

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:15:40 GMT

I agree that it is kinda selfish, but it's definitely a lot of fun. I play demolition, and I'll usually run my Support class for round 1 so I can obtain a few rewards (AUAV, Stealth Bomber, EMP), then I'll switch to Specialist for rounds 2-3. Once all perks/proficiencies are unlocked, you're a one man wrecking crew. Good times!

Re: why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:15:38 GMT

Lol same here. I stayed away from it for the longest time because I had heard it was for better players. I have to say that's not true at all. Getting every perk in the game after a 7 pointstreak, (if using hardline), is not difficult at all. It's a hell of a lot easier than getting the high Assault streaks.

I'm more of a team guy but since I play Merc 100% of the time, sometimes it just makes sense to go with Specialist. I generally use it when TDM or KC confirmed come up in the rotation.

why did I wait so long to run SPECIALIST ??

donotreply@activision.com — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:10:35 GMT

I tried it out for a few rounds and found it cool but ultimately felt it was selfish so I switched back to using streaks that helped my team more.

For 7th prestige I decided to give this a true chance and WOW. I have to say I am leveling up about 1.5 - 2 times faster using specialist/hardline and stingers.

I'm kind of surprised this isn't talked about more. I actually understand how some folks managed to get to 10th so quickly now

Do you use specialist? what perk chains do you use and why? Here's a couple i'm using:

pp90m1 silenced with rapid fire

stingers

frag/emp

blind eye

hardline

stalker

strike perks: assassin > sleight of hand > steady aim

barrett 50 cal w/ kick no attachments

fmg9 silenced

throwing knife/scrambler

blind eye

hardline

marksman

strike perks: assassin > sleight of hand > quick draw