How to Beat the "Blackout" Level in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

The second single-player mission in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare ramps up the difficulty from the first level, but not enough to make the level overly challenging. If you got through the first level in one piece, this level probably won't give you any fits. Blackout is a good place to really get into the stealth and surprise aspects of Call of Duty 4, as well as cement your ability to work in a team.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• XBOX 360 or PS3
• Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare

1. 
    

   Approach the target village. After arriving at the landing zone, you and your team will make a stealthy approach to the village where the hostage you are trying to free is located. Stay with your team, if for no other reason than that it's easy to get lost without them. When you arrive at a set of huts and Captain Price tells you to set claymores by the doors, it's actually much easier to just shoot the enemies with your silenced rifle. Be sure to do this quick enough that the enemies cant get a shot off, or they will alert the rest of the soldiers in the area, but with the element of surprise this isn't too hard to do.

2. 
    

   On the outskirts of the village, you will meet a friendly group of russian soldiers who will help you assault the main village. After a short conversation, you will be directed to a sniping position where you can provide the russians cover as they take a more direct approach. This is the first time the game prompts you to use a sniper rifle. Keep in mind that there is virtually no flight time for sniper bullets in the single player portion of the game. Closer moving enemies should not be lead, and even the farthest enemies should only be led by inches. By clicking down on the left thumb stick, your character will hold his breath and steady the cross-hairs of the sniper riffle. Do this every time you shoot. It will take awhile to get the rhythm down, and you will be tempted to not use it, but once you get the hang of it this will dramatically increase the accuracy of your sniping, a must in later levels. It's best to get good at it now. Listen to Captain Price. He will point out groups of enemies that require your specific brand of attention. When moving between sniping points, you will be attacked by enemy soldiers from the ground and from helicopters. Find cover and shoot the soldiers as they drop into the area from helicopters to take them out without a fuss, and switch to your grenade launcher to cut the numbers of the enemies who attack from the ground.

3. After the Russian soldiers penetrate deep into the village and your usefulness as a sniper comes to an end, you and your team will descend into the village. Follow your team through the village - your automatic rifle will be much more effective than your sniper riffle in this area.

4. 
    

   When you come to the last house in the village (of course the hostage would be located in the very last spot your check), press up on the directional pad to activate your night vision goggles. This gives an insurmountable advantage against the enemies inside.

5. All that's left to do is pick up the hostage to head to the extraction point.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget about your grenade launcher. You've been provided with ten rounds, making you a virtual one man wrecking crew, but only if you remember to use them. This is another weapon that can take some getting used to, so it's better to do it now in an early level then waiting until you're under heavy fire later in the game.
• Don't get too far ahead of your team when you are moving between sniping positions on the ridge. The enemy ambush comes out fast, and you can easily be overwhelmed.