The second half of Season One for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is underway.
The Season One Reloaded roadmap revealed that there would be another classic Black Ops map returning to the franchise for the first time in eight years.
First appearing on Black Ops 2, Express is the latest 6v6 map to arrive on Black Ops Cold War.
Set in a high-speed rail terminal, Express is often overlooked but often plays host to action-packed, high-intensity gameplay.
In this guide, find everything you need to know in order to master this iconic map.
Map Overview
Map Design
Despite its unusual shape, Express is a traditional three-lane map with several chokepoints inside the station and inside the building which overlooks the south side of the map.
With numerous lines of sight, it is very easy to dominate the opposition using a variety of weaponry but it is also extremely important to pay attention to the threat of a flank from the bridges crossing the train track.
It’s also important to be aware of the trains. During the course of a match, the barriers blocking specific areas of the track will be lowered to make way for a passing train. You don’t want to be stuck on the track when the train comes speeding past!
Key Hotspots
Ticket Office
Located in the centre of the map, the ticket office is a small shelter often used by players to escape the chaotic action happening around them.
Players can enter the office through an open doorway or by climbing through a window but it can be extremely easy to be caught out by a proximity mine hidden just out of sight.
This part of the map is all about close-quarters combat. Equip a shotgun or a rapid-fire SMG to secure control of the area for you and your team.
The Bridges
Crossing the central train tracks are two bridges complete with a balcony that provide a sightline from one side of the map to the other.
These particular features of the map often play host to cross-map sniper battles or those attempting to secure longshot medals for their camouflage challenges.
When in control of either bridge, be aware of the corridor that leads from the middle of the map. It can be very easy to focus on a target on the opposite bridge and disregard any possible flank that is likely to oust you from the balcony.
The Train
While one train whizzes through the station at breakneck speed, a stationary one is parked up on the south side of the map.
With several entrance and exit points, inside the train is often full of players attempting to dodge any incoming fire or trying to make a flank without the opposing team realising.
There are numerous ways to achieve success within the train. Stand at one end picking off any intruders with a sniper rifle or opt for a more aggressive approach by selecting a high-damage assault rifle to rack up the kills.
Read More: Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War: More Map Remakes Are Coming
How To Play
The Halfway Line
When in control of a game, it can be very easy to get overly aggressive and push closer to the spawn points of the enemy. Doing this often results in the spawns flipping, giving the opposition a chance of clawing their way back into contention.
To avoid any spawn flips while maintaining control of the map, hold your half of the map and do not push past any higher than the middle stairs.
Even though you’re not getting up close and personal with the opposition, it’s still easy to achieve a high score and a lot of kills.
Silent But Deadly
For this particular strategy to work, equip a suppressor to your weapon of choice and Ninja in the Perk 3 slot before the match begins.
Rather than heading towards the centre of the map, dart inside the stationary train to the opposite side of the map. Once there, head across the bridge, eliminating anyone before they realise you were even there and head into the centre, taking out anyone that attempts to halt your progress.
Doing this at the start of the game is a sure-fire way of getting some early kills on the board as well as some significant progress towards the Scorestreaks that you are using.
Best Classes
Here are some of the weapons that we recommend using:
- MP5
- M16
- Pelington 703
- RPD