- Scorestreak System: In call of duty black ops ii killstreaks are earned via points from kills, assists, and objectives rather than just raw kills.
- Point Thresholds: Rewards range from the UAV at 350 points to the devastating Swarm at 1900 points.
- Strategic Selection: You can equip a maximum of three rewards at once, which reset upon death.
- Looping Mechanics: Streaks can be earned multiple times in one life, but must be used before the cycle restarts to avoid being overwritten.
- Objective Priority: Capturing a flag (200 pts) is often more efficient for earning streaks than a standard kill (100 pts).
Understanding the Scorestreak Evolution
The transition to the Scorestreak system represents one of the most significant mechanical shifts in the franchise. Unlike traditional titles where only kills progressed your rewards, call of duty black ops ii killstreaks reward comprehensive team play. This system incentivizes players to capture points, defend positions, and provide support via assists.
For instance, while a standard kill grants 100 points, contributing to a team goal like capturing a flag provides 200 points. Furthermore, active support streaks like the UAV provide "assist points" every time a teammate secures a kill while your radar is active. This creates a feedback loop where support players can reach high-tier rewards through utility rather than pure combat prowess.
| Action Type | Point Reward | Tactical Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Kill | 100 Points | Basic progression toward rewards |
| Flag Capture | 200 Points | High-value objective play |
| UAV Assist | 10 Points | Passive income while active |
| Destroying Equipment | 50-100 Points | Denies enemy utility while gaining points |
| Major Assist | 50 Points | Rewards teamwork and damage dealing |
If you are struggling to reach high-tier streaks like the Lodestar, focus on high-yield objectives. Capturing a single point in Domination is equivalent to two kills, significantly accelerating your progress toward the next reward tier.
Low-Tier Streaks: Information and Early Pressure
Low-tier streaks are the backbone of any successful loadout. These rewards, typically costing between 350 and 600 points, provide essential battlefield intelligence or quick, low-risk kills. They are designed to be earned multiple times per match, maintaining constant pressure on the opposition.
The UAV remains the most critical tool in the game, providing 30 seconds of radar coverage. However, players must be aware that it can be easily countered by launchers or the Counter-UAV. The RC-XD offers a more direct offensive approach, allowing remote control of a small explosive vehicle that can navigate tight corridors to find hidden enemies.
UAV (350 Pts)
- Type: Reconnaissance
- Duration: 30 Seconds
- Best for: Team awareness and tracking flankers.
RC-XD (450 Pts)
- Type: Controlled Explosive
- Control: Manual
- Best for: Clearing campers from objective rooms.
Hunter Killer (525 Pts)
- Type: Autonomous Drone
- Targeting: Nearest Enemy/Vehicle
- Best for: Instant, fire-and-forget kills.
Always keep an eye on the sky. A Counter-UAV (600 Pts) can completely nullify your team's radar for 30 seconds, making your UAV investment useless during that window.
Mid-Tier Streaks: Area Denial and Precision Strikes
Mid-tier call of duty black ops ii killstreaks bridge the gap between early-game support and late-game dominance. These rewards, ranging from 650 to 1100 points, focus on controlling specific zones of the map or delivering precise, high-damage attacks.
The Guardian is a standout for objective defense, projecting a microwave field that slows and disorients enemies. For offensive players, the Hellstorm Missile and Lightning Strike offer the ability to wipe out entire teams clustered on a capture point. These streaks require more tactical timing than low-tier options but can swing the momentum of a match instantly.
| Scorestreak | Cost | Primary Function | Control Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guardian | 650 | Area Denial / Microwave Field | Deployed Turret |
| Hellstorm Missile | 700 | Precision Air Strike | Manual (Cluster option) |
| Lightning Strike | 750 | Three-Location Bombing | Map Selection |
| Sentry Gun | 800 | Automated Defense | Autonomous or Manual |
| Death Machine | 850 | High-Power Minigun | Personal Weapon |
| Dragonfire | 975 | Quadrotor Drone | Manual Flight |
Unlike most rewards, the Death Machine and War Machine persist through death. If you die while holding one, you can reactivate it upon respawning with the remaining ammo intact.
High-Tier Streaks: Game-Ending Firepower
Reaching the highest echelons of call of duty black ops ii killstreaks requires a combination of skill, objective play, and survival. These rewards, starting at 1200 points, are designed to be overwhelming. The Orbital VSAT is arguably the most powerful support streak, showing enemies in real-time with the direction they are facing, and notably, it cannot be shot down.
At the very top, the K9 Unit and Swarm provide autonomous devastation. The Swarm calls in dozens of Hunter Killer drones that hunt every enemy on the map simultaneously, often resulting in a complete lockdown of the opposing team.
Secure the VSAT
Reach 1200 points. Activating the Orbital VSAT is the catalyst for higher streaks, as it provides perfect intel for your team to safely secure more points.
Deploy Air Support
Use the Lodestar (1500) or VTOL Warship (1600) to rain fire from above. These manual controlled vehicles can rack up 10+ kills in a single deployment.
Unleash the Swarm
At 1900 points, deploy the Swarm. This is the ultimate "win condition" in multiplayer, as it consistently kills enemies as soon as they respawn.
The Orbital VSAT is the only aerial streak that cannot be destroyed by launchers or EMPs. It is the most reliable way to ensure your team maintains map control.
Tactical Loadouts and Selection Strategy
Choosing the right combination of streaks is as important as earning them. Players often fall into the trap of picking the three highest-cost rewards, which results in many games where they earn nothing. A balanced approach ensures you are always contributing to the match.
When selecting your loadout, consider your playstyle. Aggressive "slayers" might prefer high-tier offensive streaks, while objective-focused players should look toward support and area denial.
| Loadout Style | Streak 1 | Streak 2 | Streak 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Supporter | UAV (350) | Counter-UAV (600) | Orbital VSAT (1200) |
| The Defender | Guardian (650) | Sentry Gun (800) | AGR (1000) |
| The Aggressor | Hellstorm (700) | Lightning Strike (750) | Stealth Chopper (1100) |
| The High Roller | Orbital VSAT (1200) | K9 Unit (1700) | Swarm (1900) |
Scorestreak Selection Checklist:
- Assess your average points per life to set realistic goals
- Include at least one information-gathering streak (UAV/VSAT)
- Match your streaks to the game mode (e.g., Guardian for Hardpoint)
- Ensure your streaks don't overlap in a way that wastes points
- Consider the map size before picking manual-controlled drones
Remember that if you earn all three streaks and don't use them, earning the first one again will overwrite the unused reward. Always deploy your UAV or RC-XD before you get close to earning them a second time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do killstreaks reset when I die in Black Ops II?
Yes, your progress toward the next Scorestreak reward resets to zero upon death. However, certain weapon-based streaks like the Death Machine and War Machine retain their ammo count across lives.
Q: Can I earn the same Scorestreak multiple times in one life?
Yes, you can 'loop' your streaks. Once you earn your third equipped reward, the cycle starts over. However, you must use the rewards from the first cycle before earning them again, or they will be wasted.
Q: What is the fastest way to earn points for streaks?
Playing objectives is significantly faster than just getting kills. In modes like Kill Confirmed or Domination, picking up tags and capturing points provides massive point boosts compared to standard Team Deathmatch.
Q: Can the Orbital VSAT be shot down?
No. Unlike the UAV and Counter-UAV, the Orbital VSAT is positioned in high orbit and cannot be targeted or destroyed by any player-controlled weapons or launchers.