Modern Warfare 2 Hardcore mode: Where to find and how to play

Modern Warfare 2 players running near destroyed cars
Credit: Activision


Modern Warfare 2 players running near destroyed cars
Credit: Activision
March 31, 2023: Is MW2 Hardcore worth playing ahead of Season Three? Scroll down for everything there is to know about the mode.

For Call of Duty players looking for a more realistic experience, Modern Warfare 2 Hardcore is the place to go. The mode features a limited HUD, reduced health, and an incredibly fast time to kill (TTK). In Infinity Ward's latest release, many players are wondering if the mode features in multiplayer.

Known for its unforgiving style of combat, Hardcore provides a different experience from the usual batch of core modes that come with a minimap and a slower TTK.

With an all-new user interface to work through, many are looking to jump into some Hardcore game modes. Before we reveal more on Modern Warfare 2 Tier 1, check out our guides showcasing the best Modern Warfare 2 guns and the Modern Warfare 2 maps available to play.

Does Modern Warfare 2 have Hardcore?

Modern Warfare 2 does have a Hardcore mode. Instead of using the familiar name, Infinity Ward has renamed the Hardcore playlist to Tier 1.

Tier 1 matches contain all the familiar elements of Hardcore matches including lower health, friendly fire, and the limited HUD to add a further level of immersion and realism to multiplayer. The only thing that's changed is the name.

How to play Modern Warfare 2 Hardcore

Hardcore playlists arrived as part of the first seasonal content update for Modern Warfare 2. Players can experience Hardcore modes once again.

Hardcore joins an extensive range of Modern Warfare 2 game modes available to play.

Where is Modern Warfare 2 Hardcore?

The process of selecting Tier 1 playlists in Modern Warfare 2 is incredibly straightforward. Head down to the multiplayer tab and select the Tier 1 option to load into the action. Here's a full list of Modern Warfare 2 Tier 1 game modes:

  • Team Deathmatch
  • Domination
  • Search and Destroy
  • Hardpoint
  • Headquarters
  • Kill Confirmed
  • Free for All
  • Control

As more modes arrive in future seasonal updates, we'll continue updating the list.

From the outset, there's a wide variety of modes for everyone to enjoy. Whether you love playing the objective or prefer dropping into the action as a lone wolf, there are modes for everyone.

How many game modes are in Modern Warfare 2?

With Modern Warfare 2 now live across all platforms, we know there are a total of ten multiplayer game modes to play. Ranging from Team Deathmatch to the all-new Prisoner Rescue mode, multiplayer has something for everyone.

That's everything we know about the Modern Warfare 2 Hardcore mode now known as Tier 1. For more on multiplayer, check out our guides highlighting the best Modern Warfare 2 assault rifle and the latest information on Modern Warfare 2 double XP events.

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