Best Field Upgrades | Field Upgrade Guide

Field Upgrades are equipment in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 that can grant certain advantages on the battlefield but need to be manually activated. Read on to learn what the best field upgrades are, how to use them as well as the different types of field upgrades available.

Best Field Upgrades

Jump to a Field Upgrade
Portable Radar Deployable Cover Munitions Box Loadout Drop Dead Silence

Portable Radar

Operator Archetype	Offensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 6
Official Description	Emits a periodic radar ping to detect nearby enemies.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Hardpoint Team Deathmatch Free-For-All Kill Confirmed

As the first Field Upgrade you unlock, the Portable Radar lets players plant a radar that pings nearby enemies on your minimap. For game modes like Hardpoint or Control, deploying this can help you protect an area by marking any enemies trying to sneak an attack.

Deployable Cover

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Unlocked by default
Official Description	Portable, rapidly deployable ballistic cover.
Recommended Loadout	MCPR-300
	P890
Recommended Game Modes	Team Deathmatch Domination Search and Destroy Hardpoint Headquarters

While there are players that regularly rush, there are also players that prefer holding down an area and waiting for enemies to come to them. Setting up the Deployable Cover allows players to safely wait for their targets and pounce at the perfect moment.

Munitions Box

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 16
Official Description	Deploy a box of ammo and equipment for you and your teammates.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Viable in any game mode.

Ammo and throwables are the most vital resources you have in a match and running out of both can spell disaster for a player. Deploying a Munitions Box lets you (and your teammates!) replenish these necessary resources and continue playing on.

Loadout Drop

Operator Archetype	Reactive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 45
Official Description	Call in a team-based loadout crate with limited uses. Each player can only use it once.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Team Deathmatch Search and Destroy Hardpoint

Another Field Upgrade that you can share with your teammates, the Loadout Drop lets you call in a crate that you and your teammates can use to swap out their current loadout. Each player can only use this once so make sure you're swapping out for the right loadout!

Dead Silence

Operator Archetype	Aggressive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 51
Official Description	Temporarily makes your footsteps silent. Gun, melee, and throwing knife kills refresh duration.
Recommended Loadout	FSS Hurricane
	P890
Recommended Game Modes	Viable in any game mode.

Dead Silence returns as a Field Upgrade and is still one of the best upgrades players can equip. Taking away audio cues in a game where knowing your enemy's location is the key to getting an advantage only makes it worse for the opposing players. Adding to the fact that certain eliminations refresh its duration and you've got yourself an unstoppable player

List of Field Upgrades

Jump to a Field Upgrade
Deployable Cover	Tactical Insertion	Trophy System
Portable Radar	Battle Rage	Suppression Mine
Loadout Drop	Tactical Camera	Munitions Box
Smoke Airdrop	Inflatable Decoy	Recon Drone
DDOS	Anti-Armor Rounds	Dead Silence

Deployable Cover

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Unlocked by default
Official Description	Portable, rapidly deployable ballistic cover.
Recommended Loadout	MCPR-300
	Expedite 12
Recommended Game Modes	Domination Search and Destroy Hardpoint

Should you find yourself with nowhere to hide or would just like to have more cover, the Deployable Cover could provide the safety you need. Utilizing this shield can also act as a mountable surface for to shoot weapons more accurately.

Tactical Insertion

Operator Archetype	Reactive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 43
Official Description	Marks a location as your next spawn point.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	Expedite 12
Recommended Game Modes	Control Domination Free-For-All Hardpoint

Tactical Insertion works best in Ground War maps where objectives are located far away from deployable areas. This is also viable for carrying out sneak attacks by marking your spawn point behind enemy lines.

Note: Tactical Insertion does not have an effect in one-life modes.

Trophy System

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 8
Official Description	Deployable autonomous defense system that destroys up to three nearby pieces of equipment and projectiles. Some larger targets may take multiple shots..
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Domination Hardpoint Team Deathmatch Free-For-All Kill Confirmed

Perfect for those setting up camp in a particular area, the Trophy System acts as your first line of defense when securing objectives. Since there are targets that take multiple hits, it would be good to fight alongside this as to maximize its damage output.

Portable Radar

Operator Archetype	Offensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 5
Official Description	Emits a periodic radar ping to detect nearby enemies.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Hardpoint Team Deathmatch Free-For-All Kill Confirmed

Proactive players will find the most success with the Portable Radar as you can play off its pings. Pairing this with the Birds’ Eye perk ensures that while enemies can try to run, there is no place you wouldn't be able to locate them.

Battle Rage

Operator Archetype	Aggressive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 24
Official Description	Experimental stimulant that gives you an adrenaline rush. Health regenerates quickly, Tactical Equipment is resisted, and Tactical Sprint is constantly refreshed.
Recommended Loadout	FSS Hurricane
	P890
Recommended Game Modes	Team Deathmatch Free-For-All Kill Confirmed Team Deathmatch Free-For-All Kill Confirmed

Battle Rage is great for rushing into enemies and taking control of areas especially when you work with your team to set you up. On the other hand, this could also work for getting yourself out of a tight spot since you can continuously Tactical Sprint while resisting Tactical Equipment.

Suppression Mine

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Unlocked by default
Official Description	Trip mine that, when triggered, emits a constant sound wave that disrupts enemy vision and slows their movement.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Team Deathmatch Free-For-All Kill Confirmed Team Deathmatch Free-For-All Kill Confirmed

The Suppression Mine helps players control areas of interest on the map. Secure objectives and protect yourself from enemies trying to sneak an attack.

Loadout Drop

Operator Archetype	Reactive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 45
Official Description	Call in a team-based loadout crate with limited uses. Each player can only use it once.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Team Deathmatch Search and Destroy Hardpoint

Call in a Loadout Drop and swap loadouts for yourself and your team mid-combat. A well-timed Loadout Drop could be the difference between victory and defeat given the fast-paced nature of the game. Players can only use this once per drop so make sure use this wisely.

Tactical Camera

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 12
Official Description	Remote-controlled camera that marks enemies. Use the Field Upgrade command to throw it, then do it again to connect to it. When left on its own, the camera will monitor the area, and warn players of nearby enemies by sound.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Control Domination Free-For-All Headquarters Search and Destroy Team Deathmatch

Operators that excel in teamplay and have good communication with their squad are sure to get multi-kills with the Tactical Camera. Apart from setting up teammates, this is also useful for monitoring an area and will send you a warning if enemies are near.

Munitions Box

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 16
Official Description	Deploy a box of ammo and equipment for you and your teammates.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Viable in any game mode.

Deploying the Munitions Box is useful for any scenario since replenishing your resources is always helpful. While it would be much safer to be use this away from combat, players shouldn't shy away from deploying this at any time especially if the opportunity for a play presents itself.

Smoke Airdrop

Operator Archetype	Reactive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 30
Official Description	Call in a line of drones to deploy a smoke wall at a targeted location.
Recommended Loadout	Expedite 12
	.50 GS
Recommended Game Modes	Control Domination Headquarters Kill Confirmed Prisoner Rescue

Provide cover way from marksmen and snipers by calling in a Smoke Airdrop and shroud yourself from their line of sight. Unless your enemies have the means to see through smokes, these drones are ideal for diverting attention from you.

Inflatable Decoy

Operator Archetype	Defensive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 49
Official Description	Proximity activated decoy mine. Upon activation, the Kevlar target is violently deployed to confuse and distract. Use the Field Upgrade command a second time for manual activation.
Recommended Loadout	FSS Hurricane
	P890
Recommended Game Modes	Domination Kill Confirmed Search and Destroy Headquarters Team Deathmatch

Using an Inflatable Decoy can be useful almost anywhere on maps but can provide the most utility as bait. Operators that are defending an area can play off the decoy since it can be activated manually.

Recon Drone

Operator Archetype	Reactive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Unlocked by default
Official Description	Remote-controlled drone that has manual and auto marking capabilities.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL 46
Recommended Game Modes	Hardpoint Headquarters Search and Destroy Team Deathmatch

While scouting for intel can easily be done by using the Recon Drone, players will be have to find safe areas to do this since entering drone more will leave you vulnerable to attacks. Slapping a C4 on to this can make for a cheeky Bomb Drone.

DDOS

Operator Archetype	Aggressive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 38
Official Description	Activates a device that deactivates electronics, and disrupts enemy sensors in the immediate area for a short time.
Recommended Loadout	FSS Hurricane
	VEL 46
Recommended Game Modes	Control Domination Hardpoint Headquarters Search and Destroy

The DDOS can render any placeable equipment useless since it can detect and destroy them. If an area or objective will be laden with enemy equipment, using this could make all the difference. Combining the Spotter perk alongside the DDOS can easily give your team the equipment advantage on the battlefield.

Anti-Armor Rounds

Operator Archetype	Reactive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 20
Official Description	Gives weapon ammo that applies bonus damage against armored targets; this includes vehicles, equipment, body armor, and targets behind penetrable cover.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL 46
Recommended Game Modes	Viable in any game mode.

Ideal for Ground War game modes where players will be using vehicles frequently, Anti-Armor Rounds gives a weapon bonus damage against armored targets. Equipping weapons that can cover mid to long distances such as LMGs or Sniper Rifles synergize well with this Upgrade.

Dead Silence

Operator Archetype	Aggressive Archetype
Progression Rank Unlocked	Rank 51
Official Description	Temporarily makes your footsteps silent. Gun, melee, and throwing knife kills refresh duration.
Recommended Loadout	M4
	VEL-46
Recommended Game Modes	Viable in any game mode.

Operators that have a stealthier approach to the game might find Dead Silence to be the most optimal upgrade they can use. Combining this with the Ghost perk makes for the perfect assassin on the battlefield.

How to Use Field Upgrades

Jump to a Field Upgrade
Activate Them in Battle Get Kills for Faster Activation Choose an Upgrade to Augment Your Playstyle Synergize With Perks

Activate Them in Battle

There are 15 Field Upgrades in total and each player can initially choose 1 to equip per match. Players can equip a 2nd Field Upgrade when they reach Level 45. To use them, you will need to make sure their meter is filled up then you can activate them.

Get Kills for Faster Activation

In order to use Field Upgrades, you will have to fill up the circle meter at the bottom-right corner of the HUD. This meter fills slowly over time but can also build up faster by getting kills.

Choose an Upgrade to Augment Your Playstyle

Each Field Upgrade was designed to be used with the 3 most common playstyles: Aggressive, Reactive, and Defensive Operators. Aggressive Operators are characterized by their quick plays, ofter rushing enemies.

Reactive Operators observe their surroundings and opt for a more tactical plan of attack. Defensive Operators prefer to hold a position and stand their ground. Whichever playstyle you choose, there is sure to be a Field Upgrade to supplement your gameplay.

Synergize With Perks

Finding combinations for Perks and Field Upgrades can significantly help gun fights go your way. Make sure to check out the different available perks and play around with the different equipment to find the best loadout that fits your playstyle.

Perks Guide: How Do Perks Packages Work?

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