Call of Duty Warbird Breakdown: Dominate the Skies

The Warbird is a heavily armed aircraft that plays a key role in several Call of Duty titles. Known for its firepower, durability, and tactical uses, this VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) unit is featured in Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, Call of Duty: Heroes, and Call of Duty: Mobile. This article breaks down what makes the Warbird important in gameplay and how it functions in each game.

Warbird in Advanced Warfare

Campaign Appearances

The Warbird shows up in the Advanced Warfare campaign mostly under Atlas control. It first appears during the mission titled Atlas. In the story, it typically comes armed with a chin-mounted machine gun. One unique trait is its ability to become invisible, likely using the same cloaking tech as the Exo Cloak. This is due to its titanium carbide armor with a cloaking finish.

Multiplayer Use

In multiplayer, the Warbird is an 850-point Scorestreak. Players can select it from the start of the game. Once deployed, the Warbird becomes a controllable aircraft with dual machine guns. When equipped with the Rockets module, it also gains rocket-launching capability.

The Warbird is useful for taking down enemies from above. However, its turrets can overheat with continuous fire. It usually takes about five hits to kill an enemy, so players need to manage turret usage. Perks like Danger Close help make the Warbird more efficient.

A second player can join using the Warbird Wingman module. This adds another turret, allowing for more support. Players can also choose between controlling it manually or using A.I. modules like Aggressor or Defender.

The aircraft uses flares to counter enemy rockets. Without upgrades, it has one set of flares. Adding the Extra Flare module increases protection. The Cloak module makes it invisible to lock-on weapons, adding more survivability.

Multiplayer Modules

• Aggressor: A.I.-controlled and hunts enemies

• Defender: A.I.-controlled and follows the player

• Extra Flare: Adds another flare to deflect missiles

• Cloak: Activates invisibility

• Extra Time: Extends the Warbird's duration

• Warbird Wingman: Allows a second player to operate an MG turret

• Rockets: Adds rocket turrets for indoor or cluster kills

Exo Survival Mode

In Exo Survival, the Warbird appears both as a support Scorestreak and an enemy. Players can earn it through Orbital Care Packages. It works best against heavily armored enemies like A.S.T.s but leaves players vulnerable while in use.

As an enemy, Warbirds begin appearing around round 11. They start with just machine guns and later include rockets after the map flips. They're hard to kill without launchers. While they show up on the minimap, it's not worth wasting a UAV just to find them. Launchers help, but avoid the MDL grenade launcher—it doesn't work well against them.

Exo Survival Modules

• Rockets (Round 7): Adds rocket weapon option

• Warbird Wingman (Round 12): Adds second turret for a second player

• Aggressor (Round 17): Enables A.I. control that hunts enemies

• Defender (Round 25): Enables A.I. control that defends the player

Exo Zombies

The Warbird also plays a part in the story mode for Exo Zombies. In Outbreak, the main characters try to reach a Warbird for extraction, but it gets destroyed mid-flight. After completing the easter egg “Game Over, Man!”, a Warbird returns to extract them but gets shot down again.

In Infection, a Warbird is seen taking out zombies and helping survivors. During matches, a Warbird named “Eagle One” regularly extracts rescued NPCs.

Warbird in Call of Duty: Heroes

In Call of Duty: Heroes, the Warbird is known as the “VTOL Warbird.” It’s unlocked at Heavy Machine Facility Level 2. This version has the most HP of any air unit and heavy machine unit, but it also moves very slowly.

The Warbird serves mostly as a tank to soak up damage. It can take multiple hits from Sentry and SAM Turrets. This allows other friendly units to survive longer during attacks. Large groups of Warbirds can overwhelm enemy defenses, making them hard to counter.

Good counters include RPG Troopers, Dragonfires, and AST Goliaths. These units can deal enough damage to bring the Warbirds down quickly.

Warbird in Call of Duty: Mobile

In Call of Duty: Mobile, the Warbird is not a functional aircraft but a skin for the in-game Helicopter. It was added on August 31, 2021, during Season 7 under the "Ignition Point" Lucky Draw event. This version is purely cosmetic and doesn’t affect gameplay.

Takeaway

The Warbird is more than just a flying machine. Across Advanced Warfare, Heroes, and Mobile, it plays different roles—from direct combat to support to aesthetics. In Advanced Warfare, it offers varied tactics with its Scorestreak modules and campaign presence. It dominates with high HP and tanking power in Heroes. In Mobile, it shows up as a visual upgrade.

Whether used to control the battlefield or survive tough waves, the Warbird remains one of the most durable and versatile airborne tools in the Call of Duty series.

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