Modern Warfare 2 players convinced new Warzone Operator has spoiled major campaign twist

Liam Mackay
Al-Asad in Call of Duty Vanguard

Classic Modern Warfare villain Khaled Al-Asad has arrived in both Vanguard and Warzone Season 5, but his uniform could have spoiled a major twist in Modern Warfare 2’s campaign.

Khaled Al-Asad, a major villain from both the original Modern Warfare and the rebooted storyline, arrived in both Vanguard and Warzone as a playable Operator soon after the Season 5 update. Being a pre-order bonus for Modern Warfare 2, he’s set to be a major antagonist in 2022’s campaign.

However, players are convinced that his Vanguard and Warzone iteration has revealed a major connection between Al-Asad and a faction who are meant to be aiding Task Force 141.

There are potential spoilers for Modern Warfare 2’s campaign here, so read on at your own risk.

Al-Asad wearing Shadow Company patch in Vanguard and Warzone

Khaled Al-Asad is wearing a Shadow Company patch in his Vanguard and Warzone “Warlord” skin, and many believe that this teases his allegiance in Modern Warfare 2.

Shadow Company, a private military contractor, are confirmed to appear in 2022’s Modern Warfare 2, working alongside Task Force 141 and the Mexican Special Forces. Although they arrived in MW2019 in Season 5, most will remember Shadow Company from 2009’s Modern Warfare 2.

Shadow Company worked directly under General Shepherd in the original MW2 and helped him betray Task Force 141. Now, it appears that Shadow Company are connected to Al-Asad in the reboot, potentially bringing another major betrayal.

Players discussed the revelation in a now-deleted Reddit post and while many expected Shadow Company to be antagonists in Modern Warfare 2, the twist that they could be in league with Al-Asad was a major surprise.

Turtlemandb shared the skin to the Modern Warfare 2 subreddit, saying that the “new Vanguard Al-Asad skin just ruined the plot twist regarding a certain faction.”

One player said they wish they never saw the post, and another replied that they “really hope this wasn’t the big twist, although this seems like a pretty major f**k up if it is.”

However, not everyone was convinced. Some brought up MW2019 Operators such as Mace who wore a Shadow Company patch without any plot significance, and another suggested that the skin is Sledgehammer’s creation so it might not have anything to do with Modern Warfare 2’s canon.

While the post’s OP said that Shadow Company “just seems way too specific,” many believe it’s just to get players excited for Modern Warfare 2.

We’ll know for sure when Modern Warfare arrives on October 20 for those who have pre-ordered the game, so you can check out all of the other pre-order bonuses too.

Image Credit: Activision