Summary

  • Crash in Call of Duty 4 offers a fast-paced experience with multiple playstyles and vantage points.
  • Combine in Black Ops 3 promotes constant movement with varied cover options for adrenaline-filled matches.
  • Subsonic in Black Ops 6 is fun and dynamic but requires team coordination for strategic gameplay and replayability.

The Call of Duty franchise boasts an extensive catalog of maps across all its titles. For players seeking fast-paced action packed with killstreaks and intense combat, small maps are often the top choice. These maps emphasize close-quarters encounters and quick engagements, making them popular among fans who enjoy an adrenaline-fueled experience.

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Every Main Call Of Duty Campaign, Ranked

From the original Call of Duty to the most recent title, the franchise has enjoyed a history of incredible campaigns... For the most part.

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Choosing the best small maps from the series isn’t easy, as there are countless options to consider. A great small map balances several factors, such as its layout, the pace it promotes, ease of movement, and replayability. While aesthetic themes and settings add to the overall appeal, the map’s ability to consistently deliver fun and competitive gameplay is crucial.

12 Crash (Call of Duty 4)

Move Constantly and Be Careful of Snipers

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Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Crash map loading screen and minimap
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007)
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Released
November 5, 2007
Developer(s)
Infinity Ward
Platform(s)
PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo DS
Genre(s)
FPS
  • Appears in: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Modern Warfare Remastered (2017), Call of Duty: Mobile, Modern Warfare (2019), and Warzone Mobile.

Call of Duty 4 delivers a distinct multiplayer experience, characterized by fixed character movement. Despite these limitations, Crash emerges as a standout map, offering relentless action and excitement. The map caters to various playstyles with its diverse zones, all interconnected by a central area that punishes players who linger or lose focus. Multi-leveled buildings provide numerous vantage points for snipers and tacticians, while the well-designed layout allows for quick access to respawn areas.

11 Combine (Black Ops 3)

Compact Map With Tons Of Movement And Action

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 Combine map loading screen and minimap
Call of Duty: Black Ops III
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Released
November 6, 2015
Developer(s)
Treyarch
Platform(s)
PS4, Xbox One, PC
Genre(s)
FPS
  • Appears in: Black Ops 3 and Call of Duty: Mobile.

One of the standout small maps in Black Ops 3, Combine offers an action-packed experience, marked by its vibrant colors and easy access points, especially given the jetpacks which encourage continuous movement. This map is built with three defined lanes, allowing for quick cover transitions across its short distance keeping the gameplay engaging. No matter the playstyle, the map supports a high-energy rhythm perfect for adrenaline-filled matches.

10 Subsonic (Black Ops 6)

Fun But Highly Dependent On Team Coordination

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Subsonic map loading screen and minimap
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
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Released
October 25, 2024
Developer(s)
Treyarch, Raven Software
Genre(s)
FPS
  • Appears in: Black Ops 6.

BO6's Subsonic can be a challenging map to master, but once players familiarize themselves with its layout and understand potential enemy spawn points, they take full advantage of it. Its straightforward design provides ample opportunities for both long-range engagements on the exterior and relentless close-quarters combat in the compact center of the map, catering to a wide range of playstyles.

9 Killhouse (Call of Duty 4)

Small Shooting Range Turned Into Constant Action

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Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Killhouse map loading screen and minimap
  • Appears in: Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Mobile, Modern Warfare Remastered (2017), and Modern Warfare (2019).

Killhouse delivers a fast-paced experience as its tight design features scattered structures that provide just enough cover for those quick and strategic enough to take advantage of them. Success on this map often hinges on securing control of respawn points, making team coordination key. While Call of Duty 4’s movement mechanics may not be as refined as more recent titles, by combining swift movement with tactical positioning, players can fully immerse themselves in the chaos.

8 Pit (Black Ops 6)

Deadly Mine Where Distractions Can Be Fatal

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Pit map loading screen and minimap
  • Appears in: Black Ops 6.

When it comes to sheer chaos, Pit stands as the ultimate example. This map is extremely compact, particularly given it’s part of BO6’s Strike mode, which leaves little room for avoiding enemies. The best approach is to stay alert and maintain constant movement on the lower level or strategically control enemy movements from the map's two elevated positions.

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Call of Duty Zombies Map Tier List

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For those who thrive on getting a lot of kills without much resistance, the layout of Pit offers endless opportunities to ambush enemies. The dimly lit mine setting adds a unique strategic challenge, as sharp vision is essential to spot opponents caught off-guard by the mode’s relentless pace and quick transitions.

7 Shoot House (Modern Warfare 2019)

Be Aware Of All Your Surroundings

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2019 Shoot House map loading screen and minimap
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
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First-Person Shooter
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Released
October 25, 2019
Developer(s)
Infinity Ward
Platform(s)
Xbox One, PC, PS4
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter
  • Appears in: Modern Warfare (2019), Call of Duty: Mobile, Modern Warfare 2 (2022), Modern Warfare 3 (2023), and Warzone Mobile.

Shoot House keeps the intensity high, ensuring non-stop action if players are in the respawn zones or battling it out in the central hub. Its open layout with minimal cover provides clear sightlines, making it easier to spot enemies almost anywhere on the map. Despite this openness, scattered objects throughout the area offer strategic cover, giving players a chance to maintain killstreaks. Staying vigilant is crucial, as opponents can exploit hidden rapid corners or less obvious elevated routes.

6 Babylon (Black Ops 6)

The Desert Of Death

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Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Babylon map loading screen and minimap
  • Appears in: Black Ops 6.

Black Ops 6's Babylon is a map with a layout reminiscent of Shipment from CoD 4 due to its square-based design. The central area of the map is critical; if players fail to control it, they may quickly fall into frustration. Mastering control of the spawn points located in its corners creates ample opportunities to accumulate high kill counts by maintaining an advantageous position. Additionally, given the lack of cover and the open nature of the map, scorestreaks, especially attack streaks, can be highly effective for clearing all areas.

5 Das Haus (Vanguard)

Simple But Effective Map For Having Fun

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Call of Duty: Vanguard Das Haus map loading screen and minimap
Call of Duty: Vanguard
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Released
November 5, 2021
Developer(s)
Sledgehammer Games
Platform(s)
PS4, PS5, Xbox One X, Xbox One S, Xbox One, PC
Genre(s)
Shooter
  • Appears in: Vanguard and Modern Warfare 3 (2023).

Das Haus offers dynamic gameplay, featuring three main access routes with clear sightlines to each spawn point. The map caters to those who enjoy aggressive playstyles, such as controlling them and keeping the pressure on. However, it’s also suited for front-line players who prefer to keep a low profile and avoid danger when needed. Wherever players spawn in Das Haus, they’ll find enemies to outmaneuver – they can either attack to dominate the kill count or defend themselves from unexpected threats.

4 Nuketown (Black Ops)

Iconic Layout Filled With Action

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Call of Duty: Black Ops Nuketown map loading screen and minimap
Call of Duty: Black Ops
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Released
November 9, 2010
Developer(s)
Treyarch
Platform(s)
PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC
Genre(s)
FPS
  • Appears in: Black Ops, Black Ops 2, Black Ops 3, Black Ops 4, Black Ops Cold War, Call of Duty: Mobile, Black Ops 6, and Black Ops: Declassified.

Nuketown earns its place in the small map category due to its intense gameplay and remarkable replay value. This iconic map, a mainstay in the Black Ops series, has seen various versions across multiple titles, yet its fundamental layout remains consistent, offering players the perfect arena for high-intensity matches. The three-lane design is a standout feature, providing players with clear routes for attack and defense, allowing rushing through the center or utilizing the elevated positions atop the houses to control the flow of the game.

3 Rust (Modern Warfare 2)

Scarce Covers Mean Constant Engagements

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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 2009 Rust map loading screen and minimap
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)
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Released
November 10, 2009
Developer(s)
Infinity Ward
Platform(s)
PC, PS3, Xbox 360, macOS
Genre(s)
Shooter
  • Appears in: Modern Warfare 2 (2009), Modern Warfare (2019), Warzone Mobile, Call of Duty: Mobile, and Modern Warfare 3 (2023).

Rust holds a compact design that ensures that no matter where players are, there’s no escaping their opponents. Legendary due to the “1v1” meme as the go-to battleground for settling any dispute, the map’s central oil rig provides a key advantage for those who reach the top, offering a clear line of sight, including enemy respawns.

From this vantage point, players can control everything, especially given the lack of cover. However, they must stay alert for incoming enemies looking for revenge.