How to get Penetration Kills in MW3

Don't let cover stop you.

A player aiming an SMG in MW3.
Image via Activision

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (MW3) contains various challenges that require players to pull off specific types of kills, like Penetration Kills.

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Penetration Kills are a type of elimination you might need to perform in your multiplayer lobbies, particularly for camos and weekly challenges. Read on for more information about Penetration Kills and how to get them in MW3.

What are Penetration Kills in MW3?

Penetration Kills are kills you get when you shoot through cover or material to kill an enemy player. All weapons deal penetration damage, but the best attachments to use with them are those that increase Bullet Penetration, like 9mm Hardened Rounds on an SMG.

Tip: Not all have Piercing Rounds

Naturally, not all guns have piercing rounds, so you should only use a specific selection of weapons to attempt this kill.

How to get Penetration Kills in MW3

The Pulemyot Light Machine Gun from Call of Duty: MW3.
LMGs are your best bet for getting Penetration Kills | Screenshot by Dot Esports

The easiest way to get Penetration Kills in MW3 is by using weapons with Armor Piercing Rounds. Any ammo type that gives higher bullet penetration will work, but I found the Armor Piercing Rounds to be the best.

For this challenge, I recommend using LMGs (Light Machine Guns) since these weapons typically already have excellent Bullet Penetration and Velocity. Also, if you are pursuing Penetration Kills, it’s likely for the LMG camo challenge anyway. If you need it for another type of gun, focus on improving bullet penetration through the type of ammo you use.

Next, use your map knowledge to identify the best places to shoot players through flimsy cover.

Best maps for Penetration Kills in MW3

Here are some great maps to effortlessly acquire Penetration Kills in MM3.

Skid Row

My personal favorite map to get Penetration Kills is on Skid Row. This map has a long, narrow hallway in the middle that has plenty of weak cover that players typically cling to. Just by spamming a full magazine down this hallway, you might be able to catch a couple of players by surprise.

Terminal

Another really great map for executing the finishing Penetration Kill is the Terminal. This map has the perfect mixture of objects and space to land the shot. Just hide behind the fence under the plain on the map and do your best to aim through an object once an enemy walks into your field of view.

Scrapyard

The next best map for landing a Penetration Kill is Scrapyard. This map is littered with, well, scrap, as well as wired fences that you can shoot through in order to complete this task.

Ultimately, all maps have areas with cover. Keep on the lookout for wood or thin metal cover spots (or even fences), as armor-piercing rounds can easily go through these materials. Though Skid Row is my favorite spot for this, you should pick the maps you are the most comfortable on.

Keep in mind every lobby is different, and players don’t always operate how you might want them to. It might take a while to compile all the Penetration Kills you need, so have patience and be on the lookout for opportunities.

Author
Image of Blaine Polhamus
Blaine Polhamus
Staff Writer for Dot Esports. Avid gamer for two decades and gaming writer for three years. I'm a lover of anything Souls-like since 2011. I cover everything from single-player RPGs to MMOs.
Author
Image of Scott Duwe
Scott Duwe
Senior Staff Writer & Call of Duty lead. Professional writer for over 10 years. Lover of all things Marvel, Destiny 2, Metal Gear, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil, and more. Previous bylines include PC Gamer, Red Bull Esports, Fanbyte, and Esports Nation. DogDad to corgis Yogi and Mickey, sports fan (NY Yankees, NY Jets, NY Rangers, NY Knicks), Paramore fanatic, cardio enthusiast.