COD MW2 Kit: Intervention w SP

Kit Name: Intervention w SP
Title: Modern Warfare 2
Game Context: Public
Kit #: 0404


Kit Details:

• Primary Weapon: Intervention with FMJ Attachment
  
• Secondary Weapon: M93 Raffica with Akimbo Attachment
  
• Equipment: Claymore
• Special Grenade: Stun Grenades / Smoke Grenade
• Perk 1: Sleight of Hand
  
• Perk 2: Stopping Power
  
• Perk 3: Ninja

Description:
When it comes to One-Hit-Kill (OHK) sniping, the general community consensus revolves around two Sniper Rifles: the Intervention and the Barret .50cal. In respect to damage statistics, the Intervention and the Barret .50cal are identical due to their shared/common damage multipliers. Their damage multipliers coupled with Stopping Power (SP) provide the largest OHK kill zone (everything sans the limbs results in a OHK). So in a nutshell, if you're an OHK kinda sniping guy/gal you're going to roll with an Intervention with Stopping Power or Barret .50cal with Stopping Power.

So if damage statistics are the same, which Sniper Rifle is the OHK King? In my opinion they both deliver and deciding which to run with boils down to the non-damage characteristics. In other words, decision factors should be based on characteristics like Idle Sway, Reload Time and Clip Size. In respect to Drop/Raise Time, Idle Sway, Rate of Fire and Clip Size, the Barret .50cal has the advantage (faster drop/raise time, less idle sway, higher rate of fire, and 2:1 ratio advantage in clip size). The only discernible functional advantage the Intervention has over the Barret .50cal (per Den Kirson's Weapons Chart), is simply the Reload Time (the Intervention has more than a one second advantage). So advantage Barret .50cal...right? Right?

Not necessarily. There's one more advantage that the Intervention has that can't be quantified with numbers and isn't captured in Den's bible chart. And that's accuracy. To describe it in the most confusing way possible, the Intervention is inexplicably inaccurate accurate. Translation: the Intervention generously registers hits when it appears that you've missed. With the larger kill zone, the Intervention is the perfect starter Sniper Rifle. From my personal experience, the hardest part in transitioning from Assault Rifle to Sniper Rifle is finding a way to line the cross hairs accurately in an efficient time frame. Of course, this issue is alleviated by the Intervention's accuracy advantage. So if you're looking to get your feet wet as a sniper, give this kit a whirl...once you're comfortable and confidant with the Intervention you can graduate to the other Sniper Rifles to see if you take a liking. And if you're not pairing well with the other rifles, the Intervention is a perfectly legitimate and respected weapon.

Note, the Intervention's accuracy advantage has been confirmed through game play experience both personally and by numerous forum/message board peers. It should also be noted here that the listed Intervention and Barret .50cal comparisons only represents a snapshot of deltas - there are other advantages/disadvantages not listed in this kit article.


Kit Breakdown:
For the Intervention attachments, Full Metal Jacket, Thermal Scope, and Heartbeat Sensor are all viable. Full Metal Jacket (FMJ) is recommended since it is generally the most aggressive attachment (after all, this kit is centered on OHKs). If you're having trouble locating targets (e.g., color-blinded by Wasteland), replace FMJ with the Thermal Scope attachment - just be wary of pesky Cold-Blooded users. If you're looking for an offensive/defensive attachment, then the Heartbeat Sensor is recommend - it'll provide generalized enemy location which can be used for both offensive and defensive advantages.

The recommended secondary weapon are the Akimbo M93 Rafficas. Coupled with the Stopping Power Perk (perks are covered in the subsequent paragraph) and quick raise times, Akimbo Rafficas provide plenty of flexibility and firepower, even at mid-range distances. In respect to damage, at short range with Stopping Power, only two bullets from the two 3-round bursts (6-shots total) need to connect to put your target down. The fact that you can't Aim Down Sights (ADS) is actually somewhat of an advantage in short range skirmishes (strafe and hip fire). Personally, if I'm running with Stopping Power, I'll typically sport Akimbo Rafficas as my secondary.

In respect to perks, generally Sleight of Hand is the requisite Tier 1 Perk for all sniper kits. The faster ADS property of Sleight of Hand Pro gives snipers the capability to quickly locate-aim-shoot (not necessarily referring to quick-scoping here). Note, in a previous paragraph, Extended Mags weren't recommended - the rationale is that Sleight of Hand's reload benefit helps negate the Clip Size shortcomings. The Tier 2 Perk is permanently fixed on Stopping Power (as mentioned previously) to widen the OHK kill zone. And finally for the Tier 3 Perk, Ninja is recommended for both defensive purposes (beating the Heart Beat Sensor) and for offensive purposes (silent movement). To the latter point, snipers aren't necessarily statically positional players, especially since Akimbo Rafficas with Stopping Power provide a confidant standing chance given an unexpected encounter. Note, Steady Aim is also highly viable in the Tier 3 Perk slot. Steady Aim enhances the hip fire accuracy of the Akimbo Rafficas and Steady Aim Pro allows you to hold your breath longer (steady your aim) when you're sniping. This latter point is certainly beneficial for beginner snipers.

Note: all damage statistics were sourced from Den Kirson's data (resource).