killstreaks

Killstreaks are a multiplayer gaming mechanic in which a player earns rewards for achieving a sequence of kills without dying. Rewards are typically called in during a match and may grant offensive, defensive, or sensor capabilities, such as air support, reconnaissance UAVs, automated weapons, or vision advantages. In some games the mechanic is framed as scorestreaks, using points earned from actions other than kills to advance toward the reward.

How killstreaks function varies by title. Most implementations reset the streak when the player dies, and players unlock increasingly powerful rewards by reaching higher kill thresholds. Players often equip a single streak option at a time from a range of available rewards, and some games limit how many streaks can be active in a match. Rewards can be time-limited or provide effects for a fixed duration after use.

History and examples: The concept was popularized by the Call of Duty series, beginning with Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), which introduced customizable killstreak rewards. Common examples include reconnaissance aids (UAV), air strikes, and automated weapons such as sentry guns or drones. The terminology and exact mechanics have evolved, with many titles now using the broader term scorestreaks to emphasize point-based progression.

Reception and balance: Killstreaks shape match pacing by rewarding sustained performance, but they can encourage camping or overreliance on a single tactic. Developers address balance through adjustments to kill thresholds, reward power, or by resetting streaks on death, and some titles shift terminology to scorestreaks to emphasize scoring rather than purely kill-based progression.