What is Havoc mode in Modern Warfare 3?

Nathan Warby
MW3 player using Crossbow in Havoc mode

Havoc mode from MW2 returns in Modern Warfare 3 Season 4 Reloaded, giving players another new multiplayer playlist to try out.

In keeping with the mid-season update’s ‘mutation‘ theme, the mode shakes up the TDM formula in a number of interesting ways. So, if you’re what it’s all about, here’s everything you need to know about Havoc mode in MW3.

MW3 Havoc mode explained

Havoc is spin on the standard Team Deathmatch mode where crazy modifiers change up the gameplay of each match. These range from more subtle effects like forcing you to reload after each kill, to more bizarre rules like low gravity and eliminated Operators dropping sticky grenades.

One of the modifiers is active when the match starts, before four more go live when a team hits 12, 24, 36, and 48 kills respectively. Then, it’s a race to secure the most kills, as the first team to hit 75 is declared the winner.

MW3 player on Summit using Shotgun
Havoc is a unique take on regular TDM.

There are 14 different modifiers in total but only five will appear in each game, meaning there’s plenty of variety and combinations that could make for chaotic matches. The Season 4 Reloaded blog revealed all the different variations, check them out below:

All modifiers

  • Ammo Feeder: Auto reload after you kill an enemy.
  • Boots off the Ground: Low gravity.
  • Camera Shift: Third-person mode.
  • Chain Reaction: Sticky Grenades launched on kill.
  • Charged Up: Gain Cranked on kills.
  • Equipment Restock: Equipment is refilled on kills.
  • Eyes On: Advanced UAV is always active.
  • Gun Runner: Random gun on kill.
  • Hero Smash: Explosive landing from an elevated position.
  • Hot Shot: Crossbows only, Molotov bolts.
  • Lucky Three: Every three kills gives you a random Killstreak.
  • One Tap: Headshots kill with one bullet.
  • Snapshot Killer: Launch a snapshot grenade (and ping pulse) on kill.
  • System Reroll (Fifth Modifier only): Full reroll of all active modifiers.

Havoc first appeared back in MW2, but the devs have decided to bring it back in MW3 with a new set of enhancements to keep things fresh. With so many different modifiers in the pool that can activate at different times, it’s unlikely that you’ll experience the exact same combination twice.

That’s not all that MW3 Season 4 Reloaded has in store either, as the new Reclaimer 18 Shotgun and Sledgehammer melee weapon are up for grabs, on top of the returning Get High mode.