Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s action-packed multiplayer trailer placed plenty of focus on fancy new animations, underbarrels, and game modes, but it also showcased the latest iteration of the tactical nuke. Modern Warfare 4’s take on the nuke addresses a common criticism of the iconic streak: that players have to die themselves in the explosion.
While there have been numerous takes on the nuke in Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games Call of Duty titles, little has actually changed about the way the nuke functions besides its name and the kill count (which bounces between 25 and 30). However, it seems like Infinity Ward wanted to make the latest version of the iconic killstreak just a bit more special this time around, as after calling in the explosion, players will hook themselves up to a skyhook and flee the battlefield. Though everybody else perishes to the nuke, the player who called it in escapes, and they even flip off the opposition as they fly away.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4’s New Nuke is One of Many Promising Additions
Aside from being a neat visual that further highlights how a player dominated a lobby, this trick will seemingly allow players to keep their perfect games, assuming they’ve gone 30-0 prior to calling in the bomb. This gives it a gameplay benefit beyond just following “the rule of cool,” as it always felt a bit odd that players were essentially sacrificing themselves by calling in a nuke despite clearly not needing the help. Now, it will feel like a proper reward for a huge streak, with the players who earn a tactical nuke dropping it and getting out unscathed.
Everything else about the tactical nuke remains the same, such as the iconic siren noise that plays when it’s called in. The nuke isn’t the only streak featured in the trailer, either; what looks like a gigantic drill charge missile is shown hitting the roof of a building and digging its way through several floors, killing everything in its path. A mini-gun wielding tank drone resembling the A.G.R. of the beloved CoD game Black Ops 2, albeit more grounded, is also shown. Lastly, a futuristic-looking shotgun weapon is depicted, which seems like it will be a handheld killstreak.
It’s currently unclear if Infinity Ward will stick to its preferred killstreak system or offer a scorestreak option like MW2 and MW3.
Drag weapons to fill the grid
Drag weapons to fill the grid
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Apart from killstreaks like the new-and-improved Tactical Nuke, the trailer highlights game modes such as the evolving battleground of Kill Block and the Battlefield-like Ground War. Apex attachments are highlighted, which seem to function like the powerful underbarrels seen in older CoD games. A riot shield is also spotlighted that can be either held by the soldier or deployed as a piece of cover, suggesting that the slower and more tactical gameplay of titles like MW 2019 can be expected from Modern Warfare 4’s multiplayer.
With the new tactical nuke animation adding insult to injury, though, it’s clear that Modern Warfare 4 is willing to have a bit of fun here and there. Activision and Infinity Ward may have promised grounded MW4 skins, but tonally, the middle finger animation suggests Call of Duty isn’t getting anywhere near mil-sim territory.
- Released
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October 23, 2026
- Multiplayer
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Online Multiplayer, Online Co-Op
