CoD4 GuidesCoD4 Weapons: Desert Eagle Guide
Guide By Mimble
Contents
- Introduction
- About the Desert Eagle
- Comparison of Pistols
- M9
- USP
- M1911
- Desert Eagle
- M9
- Perks
- Perk 1
- Bandolier
- Bomb Squad
- 3x Frag Grenade
- 3x Special Grenade
- Bandolier
- Perk 2
- Sleight of Hand
- Juggernaut
- Stopping Power
- Sleight of Hand
- Perk 3
- Steady Aim
- Extreme Conditioning
- Steady Aim
- Perk 1
- When to use the Desert Eagle
- Classes
- Shotgun
- Sniper
- Light Machine Gun
- Desert Eagle Only Class
- Shotgun
- Strategies and Techniques
- Desert Eagle Sniping
- With A Shotgun Class
- With A Sniper Class
- With A Light Machine Gun Class
- Desert Eagle Sniping
Introduction
The Desert Eagle, or Deagle, is the most popular and most powerful sidearm in the game. However this power is balanced out by the chunky iron sights, the small clip size, the inability to silence and the slightly longer reload time when compared to other pistols. In this guide I will show you how to use this gun to the best effect, how to get over the drawbacks, and some tactics for using the Deagle.
I play on Hard Core 95% of the time, so damages are based on Hard Core damages.
About the Desert Eagle
The Desert Eagle is a handgun developed by Magnum Research in the USA. It fire anything from .50 action express, which is the version in CoD4, to .357 Magnum rounds. It's famous for it's power and recoil, featuring in many popular action movies. Contrary to what many FPS games would lead you to believe, the Desert Eagle is not used by any law enforcement agencies, or armies, due to its enormous recoil and the 7-9 round magazine.
Comparison of Pistols
For the recoil section of each pistol there will be a picture divided into four parts, which from left to right will be:
Hip Spam, from closer than the other tests
Single Fire
Burst Fire
Sight Spam
I will then discuss the recoil of that particular weapon.
M9
This is the starting and standard pistol, with the largest clip size and the lowest damage. It shares ammo with the MP5 and the Mini Uzi so it is the recommended pistol for use with these weapons. Other than that I tend to avoid this sidearm, as it takes too long to kill someone with it.
Recoil
The recoil for the M9, like all pistols bar the M1911, is upwards with a slight lean to the right. For such a low powered gun it has very high recoil. Like all pistols there is a slight spread in the single fire section, which is why it is very difficult to hit more that once at medium range, because of the recoil, and almost impossible to hit at long range. Although it is hard to notice, only 12 of the 15 bullets fired while 'sight spamming' actually hit the wall, the other three went just over.
USP
This is my second favourite pistol, as it has reasonable damage and a large clip size of 12. This is the gun I use when ghosting, as it is silenceable. The biggest drawback of this pistol is that it takes almost twice as long to kill someone as the Desert Eagle, because, on hard core, the USP takes two shots to kill, while the Deagle takes only one.
Recoil
as with the M9, and equally hard to notice, the USP did not fire it's entire 12 round clip into the wall - the final two bullets went just above the wall. The USP was quite accurate when firing in bursts, but the bulk of the bullets still hit above the first shot, meaning that you have to aim uncomfortably low when going for medium range targets. The hip fire of the USP is also slightly less accurate than the other pistols, Deagle included.
M1911
This gun falls short is some areas, as it has the same damage as the USP, with only an 8 round clip. It doesn't share ammo with any of the primary weapons, but the USP does use the same ammunition. The iron sights are pretty much the same as the first two pistols. The advantage that this gun has in in the recoil
Recoil
The recoil of the M1911 is quite different to the other pistols because of the fact that it forms a cluster instead of an upward slant, although the cluster is longer vertically than horrizontally. The recoil is also much lower than the other pistols, making it very spam friendly. An anomaly in the test that I noticed was that the sight spam appeared to be smaller than the burst fire. This is probably due to an error in the test, or the freak event of a slightly larger than usual recoil, that happens every so often.
Desert Eagle
The Deagle is the most powerful, sexiest and biggest pistol in the game. It comes in your choice of silver or gold plated. The Deagle is also the subject of this guide, so I'll go into it in more depth than the other pistols. The power of this side arm is its biggest advantage over the other pistols, as its one shot kill at a distance on hard core. It also has the best accuracy when firing from the hip, so it has a big advantage in CQC. The reason some people don't like it is that it has enormous recoil and a small clip, with only 7 rounds in one clip and 14 in reserve. The reload time is also slightly longer than the other sidearms, so if your in a pistol battle you will be reloading more frequently, and each reload will take longer. However, if you have good aim and don't just spam it, the recoil and reload time wont matter, as you should only need one shot.
Recoil
The recoil of the Desert Eagle is, with out doubt, the biggest of the side arms, and a close contender for the overall title. In the sight spam section only two shots actually hit the wall, the rest went over. It got very close to doing the same in the burst fire area, with the highest shot hitting the very top of the wall. The only advantages to the Desert Eagles recoil is that it's small-ish from the hip, and all bullets fall along a straight line, so the recoil, with some practice, cant be controlled better than most recoils. Here is a picture of the bullets that went over the wall. I have darkened the bullet impacts to make them more obvious.
Perks
The perks in this list are perks that are beneficial to the Desert Eagle, although is most cases you will not be choosing perks based on your sidearm.
Perk 1
Bandolier
Multiplies starting reserve ammo by 3.
Bandolier is a good perk for using the Deagle because of the frighteningly small quantities of reserve ammo. Without this perk you start with 14 reserve rounds, and with it you start with 42, which mean that you don't have to be so conservative with ammo. Having said that, you shouldn't just go round spamming bullets into every wall you see, because you still can very easily run out of ammo.
Bomb Squad
Shows enemy explosive devices by putting a skull symbol above them.
Bomb squad is very useful for Deageling because you will be moving around a lot, so you will be much more prone to running into clays. With bomb squad, this is no longer a problem, and you can in fact use the enemy clays to your advantage, by setting them off to scare a sniper, or going around quietly, so they think that they are still safe while you line up their head with a .50 caliber round from your Deagle.
3x Frag
Gives you three frag grenades.
Getting people in buildings, behind cover, or large groups of people can be tricky with a Desert Eagle. So instead of throwing away loads of ammo to get these people, throw away a frag. Just make sure that you cook it for 2-3 seconds before you throw, otherwise they may be able to run away, or in a slightly worse scenario, you may just see it flying back.
3x Special Grenade
Gives you three special grenades.
Another, slightly move entertaining way of getting people in those concealed spots is using special grenades to blind or slow your enemy. Instead of just blowing them up, you can walk right up to them and shoot them from point blanc. If your server has a kill cam then it can be a bit of a laugh, which is always good.
Perk 2
Sleight of Hand
Decreases reload time by 50%
The reason that sleight of hand is here for a gun with such a short reload time is that, due to the small clip, you will be reloading a lot. If your reloading every time you engage an enemy, you want the reload time to be as short as is possible, so you don't end up in another fight before you have finished reloading. You might say that this hardly ever happens, and you could be forgiven for saying that. However, and this is out of personal experience, this happens far too often. The most common time this happens is when you run into a building, shoot someone and instinctively hit reload, before noticing the the other guy in the room who is lining up his AK for an easy kill.
Juggernaut
Reduces all damage taken by 25%
Why n00bernaut? Because if it's legitimate on the server your on, its fair game. Juggernaut stops many weapons getting one shot kills, and cancels out the benefit of stopping power, which half of all players seem to use. It definitely isn't the n00biest of perks, and isn't the one that you see people complaining about. This may be the perk that keeps you alive for long enough to line up that long range shot for one last kill.
Stopping Power
Stopping power is only useful on core modes, as with or without it's one shot kill on hard core. The advantages it gives you are: reduces number of shots to a kill at max range from 4 to 3, assuming you hit them anywhere but the head, reduces the number of shots to kill at max range from 4 to 2, assuming that you hit them on the head at least one (it's still 2 shot kill if both hit the head). Use this perk if you are using the Deagle for medium-long range targets on core modes. Otherwise, it has no use.
Perk 3
Steady Aim
Increases hip fire accuracy by 35%
There's almost never a bad time to use this perk, and the only time you could call a bad time is when you have another perk that is better suited to the role of the class you are making. This perk will save your life whenever you run into someone unexpectedly, and have to hip spam instead of using the sights.
Extreme Conditioning
Doubles sprinting distance
Getting out of tight spaces, setting up tents and reaching certain places or objectives before anyone thinks its possible is what this perks about. When your using the Deagle you may find that you want to be places that you just can't get to, especially on search and destroy. The best weapon you can have is surprise, so if your somewhere people think you can't be than you'll catch them off guard and get some easy kills.
When to use the Desert Eagle
The Deagle has two main uses. They are close range spamming, as button mashers can get a very high rate of fire with a one shot kill weapon, and acting as a medium range substitute to a sniper rifle or shotgun.
The kind of classes that you should use the Deagle with are classes that lack in areas that the Deagle is good in, so running around with a MP5 and a Deagle isn't a good idea, as the MP5 can do everything the Deagle does.
Do not use the Deagle in a stealth setup, as the Deagle is not only unsilenceable, meaning that you will show up on the UAV when you fire, but the enormous amount of noise that this gun makes will turn you into a bullet magnet.
Classes
The classes here are NOT classes that maximize the Deagle's power, the classes here are classes where the Deagle fills a gap that the primary weapon has. The final class will be a pistoling class, because some people just feel that they have to avoid contact with primary weapons. I have not included all classes that could benefit from the Deagle, but if you substitute in similar weapons than you can get the idea of what kinds of classes gain from the Deagle.
Shotgun
Primary Weapon: W1200
Attachment: RDS
Secondary Weapon: Desert Eagle
Attachment: None
Special Grenade: Stun
Perk 1: 3x Frags
Perk 2: Double Tap
Perk 3: Extreme Conditioning
This is a standard shotgun class, with extra explosives, double tap to make up for the slow fire rate of the W1200 and extreme conditioning, because shotgunners want to be as close as is possible to their target.
The Deagle gives an advantage here because it offers an alternative to simply sprinting towards the person who is shooting you. Some people may say that this can be done with any pistol, but if you think about all the stuff you have to do than it gets a little iffy. In order you need to change weapon, look down the sights, aim, fire, correct for recoil and fire again. With the Deagle you only need one shot, so this process is considerably shorter.
Sniper
Primary Weapon: M40
Attachment: None
Secondary Weapon: Desert Eagle
Attachment: None
Special Grenade: Smoke
Perk 1: Claymores
Perk 2: UAV Jammer
Perk 3: Iron Lungs
This is my favourite sniper setup, and is a setup for hiding in a good sniping nest, with Claymores for blocking the entrances, UAV Jammer so I am less likely to be found, and Iron Lungs for getting accurate shots on people I see in the distance.
The Deagle is useful in this setup because, for those like me who still can't get their heads around no-scoping, it offers a close-mid range option that will be quick to dispatch anyone who I come across quickly. In this case the Deagle is a better option that the other pistols because it's being used for CQC. If you bump into someone with a P90 you know that you will probably get one shot before the fire rate of the P90 turns you into Swiss cheese. If you have the Deagle than you don't need to line up their head, anywhere will do nicely.
Light Machine Gun
Primary Weapon: M60
Attachment: RDS
Secondary Weapon: Desert Eagle
Attachment: None
Special Grenade: Flash
Perk 1: 2x RPG-7
Perk 2: Slight of Hand
Perk 3: Deep Impact
This is one of my favourite Heavy Gunner/LMG Semi-Sniper setups, with RPGs to take out Helis and large crowds, slight of hand to deal with the 9.7 second reload time, and deep impact, to get anyone who thinks that they're safe behind walls.
This setup benefits from the Deagle for two reasons. The first is that the hip fire accuracy of the M60 is appalling, so the Deagle can act as a CQC weapon. The second is that if you are happily firing away with your M60 when you suddenly reload, you can switch weapons and quickly put a .50 pistol round in the face of anyone who is running you down before you reload.
Firstly, some people may say, “If you hit the face than it's one shot kill anyway, even if you don't use the Deagle.” the reply is, “What if you miss and hit them in the chest? They're still shooting you, and you wont have a chance to shoot them again if they're half decent.”.
The second point some people would have is that I am using slight of hand, and I surely wouldn't have to bother switching weapons. Even with slight of hand the reload time is still 4.85 seconds, which is a long time to wait if someone is shooting you.
And now for the Deagle only class.
Primary Weapon: P90
Attachment: Any or None, you wont be using it.
Secondary Weapon: Desert Eagle
Attachment: None
Special Grenade: Stun
Perk 1: Bandolier
Perk 2: Slight of Hand
Perk 3: Steady Aim
The reason for the P90 is that, I have heard but have no proof for this, you can sprint 1.75 times the distance. Either way the mobility of the P90 is very good, and it is a good all round backup weapon. Bandolier is used here because if you are only using the Deagle than you will run out of ammo fast. I have included slight of hand because getting into any larger fights may call for you to reload because of the small clip size. You want the reloading process to be as short as is possible if it's going to happen every seven shots or less. Steady aim is to help you in CQC, where you will need every advantage you can get against people armed with full auto weapons.
Strategies and Techniques
Desert Eagle Sniping:
Deagle sniping is when you take out medium-long range targets with a Desert Eagle. There are some techniques that make this considerably easier, and I will go over all that I know of.
Choose your Targets. Say that there are two people who you can see. One is sprinting, ducking, and doing all sort of crazy maneuvers. The other is standing still, taking aim at some poor unfortunate who is about to have his brains blown out. Which one do you aim for? It should be an easy choice. When choosing your targets make sure that you can see them clearly, they are either still or moving at a steady pace, and most importantly, make sure that you can see them for a long time. Your going to be taking more than one shot unless your absolutely brilliant, or very lucky, so make sure that you will have a chance to take the other shots.
Stay Still. Your trying to hit long range, moving targets with a gun designed for short-medium range shooting. The least you could do to make it easier on yourself is to give your shot a steady platform.
Stay Away from the Fighting. You want to have a relatively quiet, undisturbed chance to shoot your target, and your not going to get this if your in the middle of a fire fight.
Fire Slowly. Anyone who has ever used the Deagle knows that the the recoil is a monster at best. Wait for the gun to fully steady before taking your second and third shots, as you will just be waisting ammo if you don't.
Reload Before Trying. So you've got your target, and you take your first shot. It misses but thats not a major problem unless someone's shooting at you, which they aren't, because you stay away from the fight. You line up your second shot and pull the trigger. You hear the click, but no boom. Your reloading now, ant the target has left, unharmed. Don't let this be you. Reload.
With Shotgun Classes:
When using a shotgun the purpose of the Deagle is to get anyone who you cant get with the shotgun. This means medium range targets, that will be shooting at you. If they're not shooting at you than why use the Deagle, when you could just run up with the shotty. The Deagle sniping technique of firing slowly is useful here, because you would normally choose 2-3 good shots over 7 shots of random spam. Quality over quantity. When encountering someone who is too far for you to use your shotgun against, you need to avoid being shot. This is always good, but particularly important when you have a enemy with an assault rifle spraying at you. If there is nearby cover run to it, if not, don't look around for some, just go prone. If you can wait for the attacker to reload, and jump out, aim and fire at the helpless target with no ammo in their clip. If they are smart enough to stop firing when they can't see you than this will be trickier, as they will still be aiming at you and will still have some ammo. There are several ways to go about this, and I will cover as many as I can.
The first requires a smoke grenade, so no smoke, no hope. What you do is you throw it at the ground to either side of you and wait for it to completely fog up. Instead of running away, which is what they would expect you to do, run up towards them through the smoke. They will usually be sprinting toward the place they think you have fleed to, so you will have the element of supprise. Just pop one into their chest and your away.
The second needs your cover to be quite large, so don't try if your crouched behind barrels, but do this if you have a large wall between you and them. Leave the area you are hiding behind without showing the target that you have left, and go round the other side of the cover you are behind. Lean out and take aim, they will probably be advancing slowly to your former position. Line them up, and squeeze the trigger.
The third option is the most dangerous, but you can do this behind any cover, or if your just prone on the ground. Lean out to the left and right of your cover alternately, as well as standing up occasionally. If your prone than try to move so something is at least slightly in th way. If you can't than you can only crouch to take the shots, so you will be much more likely to get killed. Every time you show yourself you need to take one quick shot and get back in cover. Repeat until they're dead.
With Sniper Classes:
With a sniper rifle the reason you want the Deagle is to go for short and medium range targets. Basically anyone who is too close for the standard sniper scope. This means that you will have to deal with some close encounters, and getting your fire rate high is far more important than aiming carefully. Having said that you still need to try to get them into the center of the screen, as this is where the bullets will go. Always remember that in CQC you have the advantage of relatively good hip accuracy, and a one shot kill weapon.
The best way to get your fire rate up is to practice button mashing, so if you play on a PC than you can start your practice right now. If you play on Xbox 360 or PS3 than take the controller and hit the button bound to fire as many times as you can in 10 seconds. It wont take long before you can get a full clip out in under 2 seconds.
If your playing on PC than the is another way to get your fire rate high. This is the scroll shooting technique. What you do is you bind fire to scroll up and scroll down. This may take some time to get used to, and you need some practice figuring out how to get the best fire rate, but you can easily spam out your whole clip with an almost SMG fire rate.
The other event you will encounter is medium range targets, who may or may not be shooting at you. If the target is shooting at you than you can use the same strategy as with shotguns. Simply get in cover and follow the same techniques. If they're not shooting at you, than you can Deagle Snipe them, or alternatively you can run up close for the satisfaction of a humiliating kill, and a guarantee that you will not miss. Just make sure that when you choose to get close that they are not likely to look at you, and there are no snipers covering the path from you to them.
With Light Machine Gun Classes:
The purpose of a Desert Eagle with a Light Machine Gun Class is to take out close range targets, and give you a reliable option to switch to if you ever have to reload in a fire fight. Because of this you want to have your Deagle out when entering small buildings or rooms, and when it's not out you need it fully loaded, because as your back up weapon you will only switch to it when your out of ammo for your primary weapon. When you switch to it in the middle of a fire fight, you want to do something unexpected. Go prone or jump somewhere. It will usually take a second for your target to adjust their aim, during which time you can aim back, and get a clear shot into the stomach or chest, at which point you can get into some cover and reload.
For CQC you want to go around slowly, preferably crouched, as you make no noise, are a smaller target, and if someone bumps into you and squeezes the trigger in reaction, you will be under the line of fire. It is usually best to fire fro the hip, as if you aim down the sights in very close range combat you might find that your shots are too accurate, and where you would be hitting them with the spread of hip fire, you miss, because your aim is not quite perfect.
Another strategy that also works well for CQC is to 'feign'. What this involves is finding someone who either doesn't know that your there, but is facing you, or someone who is facing you but is unable to shoot due to sprinting or reloading. What you do is you sprint up to them is if you will knife them. They will be franticly pulling the trigger, so timing is important. Before you reach them you move to one side and jump, so you will end up one either their left or right, and behind them. This move is quit startling and disorientating, so they will almost definitely take some time to turn, and sometimes will completely loose track of where you are, and spend some time spinning helplessly. Well they are figuring out where you are, you can line up an easy kill.
If there are any errors, or if I have missed anything out, please tell me.
CoD: WaW
