COD: MW3 - Survival Mode - Pros and cons of the Squads

The main purpose of this guide is to explain the pros and cons of the two squads available in the mode, Delta and Riot squads.
There's no doubt that some players are curious about which squad is more useful and what are their main differences.

Overview

In SOLO play, the player can summon one squad maximum. This limit can be increased through cheats, trainers, etc. Only possible for offline mode.
In DUO play, each player can summon one squad maximum. This limit cannot be altered in any way.

There will never be more than two squads spawned on any map without altering the game's script which is a bannable offense if used online.


Similarities between the two:
Both squads use similar Health Points. In addition, they don't have any Health Regeneration like the player(s) do.

Each squad always has 3 members.

Both squads come with spawn protection once they are deployed on the map. The spawn protection seems to last about 20 seconds which starts immediately after they are placed on the ground. During spawn protection, they receive little to no damage from any attacks therefore they will never die for 20 seconds. Their chances to win hand-to-hand combat seem to be high but will always lose against a Juggernaut.

Both will drop their weapons upon death and aren't pickable by any player for balance reasons. Riot Squad's shields can be picked up though, whether they got destroyed or not.

Both will coordinate, attempt to seek cover (if applicable), follow the nearest player and throw grenades against enemies.

Both can be killed by the player, whether accidentally or not. This can be useful if you are trying to kill the last soldier of a squad to refresh a new team. In addition, both can be killed accidentally by sentries.

Delta Squad

Delta Squad is an American elite force that consists of three well-armed members. Members within the squad are armed with an M16A4 which is a three-burst fire assault rifle and a Five-Seven pistol when the situation requires it. A triangle logo will be displayed above their heads.

Delta Squad members will move freely with the player (if the player moves around), seek the nearest cover, coordinate and attack visible enemies. Thanks to their powerful and accurate rifle, they can kill enemies in quick succession at longer distances even on higher waves and difficulty but their rate of fire is terrible which means they may miss shots at moving targets.

They are best used if the player does NOT move around the map too frequently. As in, they are usually better if the player plans to camp in a specific area for a long time because the Delta Squad can easily be killed while moving with the player due to their poor rate of fire and lack of proper protection, especially since their Health will not be regenerated.

If an area has lots of cover, they are good at using it. With their rifle, they can deal high damage to any enemy and have better accuracy to targets in long distances. They may sometimes throw grenades and will throw back enemy grenades when possible.

However, Juggernauts and Little Birds can wipe a team entirely in quick succession. Attack Dogs have a 50-50 chance of killing a member. Protect them at all costs when those special enemies are spawned.

A Delta Squad is unlocked at Rank 14 for 3.000$

Pros:
- Uses M16A4. This three-burst fire assault rifle deals HIGH damage to any target if hit. Their high accuracy allows them to hit targets at longer distances.
- Uses Five-Seven. This pistol has a high rate of fire whenever the member uses it.
- No speed penalty. They can move around without delay or slow down.
- Can utilize any cover. They can fire from their cover, through windows, etc.
- Can throw grenades back. As in, if a grenade lands on their feet, they can pick it up and toss it back, saving you and/or other members from harm. Can also use grenades by themselves.
- Somewhat cheap.

Cons:
- Very short-lived. They can die fairly easily, especially at high waves / high difficulty where enemies deal a lot of damage.
- Vulnerable. The squad is not to be used if the player moves around a lot as they will die while following the player.
- The M16A4 has a very slow rate of fire as it's a three-burst fire weapon. As of result, Delta Squad members cannot be trusted for moving targets as they tend to miss them a lot even if their rifles are highly accurate.
- The Five-Seven deals less damage.
- Constantly moving around when an enemy is in sight. Members of the squad often leave their cover and move around as they fight enemies. This may result in their deaths.

Riot Squad

Riot Squad is a French elite police force that consists of three well-armed and well-armored members. Members within the squad are armed with an MP5 submachine gun and a USP .45 pistol when the situation requires it. A star logo will be displayed above their heads.

Similar to Delta Squads, Riot Squads can move with the player but at a very slow pace. This is due to the fact that they always carry their riot shields with them which slows them down a lot but with increased protection from enemy attacks.

While their MP5 is weak and inaccurate, it can be a devastating weapon in any Close-Quarter-Combat as the members will spray at nearby targets, often killing them in quick succession. In addition, they can effectively hit moving targets, unlike the Delta Squad thanks to their rate of fire. Finally, they can hold down any area, particularly the open ones where natural cover is lacking.
Members may sometimes throw a grenade by themselves and will run away when an enemy grenade lands on them.

Riot Squads can be utilized in any area but they are best used in open areas where there's little to no cover. Members of the squad will open fire at any target they can see while using their shields as protection against gunfire.

However, attack dogs can pin down members and eventually kill them if the member fails to kill it by themselves. In case they survive the dog attack, they will abandon their shield and behave just like a Delta Squad member: Move around freely, seek and utilize nearby cover, etc.
In addition, if a riot shield soaks a lot of damage, it will break, forcing the member to drop it.

Furthermore, a Juggernaut and/or a Little Bird can eliminate entirely a team but not without suffering enough damage.

Riot Squad is unlocked at Rank 21 for 5.000$

Pros:
- Well-armored / well protected. Their riot shield can protect them from any gunfire they face on their front. Members of the squad will quickly relocate themselves if they get flanked. In addition, the squad can move around the map without much issue as their shield protects them from bullets. Members will always face the enemies as they move to the player.
- Uses MP5. The weapon has a very high rate of fire, able to deal devastating attacks to nearby targets.
- Uses USP .45. The pistol deals higher damage if used by any member.
- Has a much better survival ratio. Thanks to their riot shield and MP-5, they tend to survive a lot of waves even if they are not protected by the player. They can also survive waves with increased difficulty.
- Can melee nearby targets.


Cons:
- Somewhat expensive. Can waste a lot of money if the squad is not used properly.
- MP5 deals low damage which can be a problem if used against powerful enemies. Furthermore, it's also inaccurate so the unit is prone to miss targets in long distances.
- USP .45 has a slower rate of fire if used.
- Their survival chances drop to 0 if they lose their riot shield for any reason.
- Very slow. While you can trust them to move around the maps with little problem, their speed can "kill" them if several enemies flank them as they will not stop moving to attack nearby enemies until they are close to the player.
- Cannot throw grenades back. As in, if a grenade lands on them, they will not toss it back at enemies. Instead, they will run away from it. This might be a problem as it may injure nearby members or player(s).

[Duke Nukem]

Thanks for the info, mate!

[Terminator54]

And a lot of us are still playing this gem. Thanks for the guide info, even though I have thousands of hours in this game, mostly in Survival and Missions, this is real handy information. Cheers, mate!

[»SoD« Thekillergreece]

@Sir_Strazzen
"Riot Squad's shield can be picked up though, whether it got destroyed or not."

[Sir_Strazzen]

I forgot to ask ; When used by you - If a Riot Squad member dies does his "Shield" fall / drop down to the ground so you can pick it up yourself ? Was just a bit curious

[Sir_Strazzen]

Well Riot is better in certain scenarios & situations while Delta Force is better for others. Me, I tend to camp a lot , used the M16A4 IRL when I was in the US military back in the Op DS/DS eras & like the fact that if I have to Bug Out & bolt fast they will keep up with me . Once there we sit tight & their 3-rnd burst fie goes back into good use & effect. Also being 2k $ cheaper than the Riot Squad means for every 3 times I get Riot Squad I could afford to get Delta Force 5 time for the same money. But in the end it really depends on the Players needs and what Scenario/Mission they are planning on using them on ?

[senkld]

obviously riot squad better tbh cuz its the delta squad wiht a shield

[RagerRiley]

Nice

[Dabadibadooba]

nice

[Sheev Palpatine sups.gg]

props to you for keeping this updated in 2021 lol

[»SoD« Thekillergreece]

Fixed a discrepancy.