Firing Range 

Smack in the middle of the map is the Firing Range which is pretty much among the top three most popular landing spots in Blackout so far. It’s messy, bloody and you will most probably not get out alive. It’s the location of choice for many due to its vicinity to almost every location in the map, with multiple exit and entry points all around.

Pros:

• Easiest place to rack up the kills
• Minimal cover of the area means that it’s the perfect hunting ground for snipers who choose to camp around the perimeters of this location

Cons:

• With tons of guns scattered about coupled with at least half a dozen players near you at any given time, consider it a death sentence for those who aren’t the best when it comes to snappy aims and high alertness
• It’s literally a killbox no thanks to the hills surrounding the area – whichever direction you are headed towards, you’re bound to run into someone else’s crosshairs

Our Tip: 

• Avoid the main Firing Range area, but instead head to the farm and barns on the east side. Tons of loot, vehicles and cover with on ground allowing you to scout the area nearby.
• Use the aqueduct to move about when in the open as it helps to conceal you.
• There’s a hole on the roof of the stables which grants you a 360-degree viewing angle.

Nuketown Island 

Imagine Firing Range but with better loot and hiding spots. The only caveat is that there are only two exit points by land, and if you somehow happen to miss out on any quadbikes or trucks, good luck in surviving that mad dash across the two bridges.

Pros:

• Everyone’s here at the party. Literal killing zone if you get your gear right at the drop
• One of if not THE place where you can get the best loot in each round

Cons:

• Funnelled exit points
• Very limited exit strategy if the RNG Gods don’t favour you

Our Tip:

• If you find yourself unlucky with loot early on, swimming towards Cargo Docks may be the best move
• A raft usually spawns on the beaches, west side of the island. Use it. Get outta there

Construction Site

The only location in the map where we prefer using shotguns over everything else. Construction site provides claustrophobic, intense close quarters gunfights which reward you with decent to good loot drops across the area. Once you clear the place, it’s sniper city for you as you get to pick unsuspecting schmucks silly enough to run out in the open.

Pros:

• Highest vantage point on the map
• Great spot for sniper’s nests
• Great spot to stock up medkits, attachments and perks

Cons:

• Limited getaway options

Our Tip: 

• Found yourself all the way up and need to get out quickly? Just run off the ledge and deploy your wingsuit for a safe landing.
• A quadbike usually spawns near the intersection heading uphill.

Bonus: Army Camp 

Situated in the forest is an army camp which is rarely visited by players. You can easily stock up your meds, ammo and fully kit out your weapons in no time and if you’re lucky, will have direct access to either or both the helicopter and the army truck.

We’ve marked the location of the army camp here, within the yellow circle:

It’s quite hidden from above but keep a lookout for blue tarps on the ground and make your way accordingly.

“WHAT ABOUT ESTATES?”
It is, in our opinion, that Estates is the worst place to drop in Blackout. This is simply due to the fact that the loot there is usually crap, and you’re very much in the open regardless of which direction you are headed to afterwards.

We are still reviewing Call of Duty: Black Ops 4/ Black Ops IIII so be sure to return for it. Meanwhile, check out our thoughts on Blackout mode.