Modern Warfare 2 introduces major movement changes: Sliding, diving, swimming, & ledge-hanging

Luca Di Marzo
Gaz Modern Warfare 2 in helicopter

Diving, swimming, and ledge-hanging will join the notorious sliding movement as new maneuvers are set to change the Call of Duty franchise with Modern Warfare 2.

Since 2019’s Modern Warfare, the sliding movement mechanic has been a hot topic of debate amongst Call of Duty fans. Regardless of which side of the fence you’re on, players will have more movement options to contend with than ever in Modern Warfare 2.

A diverse set of movement options will only add to your repertoire of skills outside of your gun skill. Those who master movement in Modern Warfare 2 can harness a major advantage in 1 vs 1 gunfights.

Let’s take a look at all of the movement changes coming to Modern Warfare 2 including sliding, diving, swimming, and ledge-hanging.

Modern Warfare 2 sliding movement

Warzone Operators running in Verdansk

If you’ve played 2019’s Modern Warfare, Vanguard, or even Warzone, you’ll be familiar with the sliding movement. Sliding as a movement option is making a return in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.

Sliding can be used as an evasive maneuver, but it’s also a great tool to disorient your opponent and win a gunfight. It remains to be seen if the slide canceling technique will be possible, but we’ll keep you posted as we receive new information.

Modern Warfare 2 diving movement

CoD WWII diving

Similar to sliding, diving is another movement technique that has evasive benefits. Diving was last seen as a movement option in Call of Duty: World War II, but long-time fans of the franchise will know that the original Black Ops popularized the Dolphin Dive maneuver.

Not only will diving act as another tool that’s geared for escape, but it will also act as an excellent traversal technique for those looking to maintain their stealth. Once you dive you’ll be in a low prone position, which will allow you to crawl across the ground and possibly escape enemy identification.

Modern Warfare 2 swimming movement

Modern Warfare 2 will place a major emphasis on the presence of water. The water’s design and more importantly the way in which players interact with the surrounding water was a major focus of the developers.

In Modern Warfare 2, players will benefit from the ability to swim in water. Water can be used as a vital tool for evasion or cover as players can swim freely.

The one thing players cannot do while underwater is ADS and fire their Primary weapons. Only Pistols and melee will work while swimming underwater. Once players come up to the surface, they’ll be able to ADS any weapon.

Modern Warfare 2 ledge-hanging movement

Modern Warfare 2 soldier transportation

The final new movement technique introduced in Modern Warfare 2 is called ledge-hanging. This is by far the most flexible movement mechanic we’ve seen in any Call of Duty game to date.

Ledge-hanging cannot be defined by one scenario, instead, the best way to describe it is by stating that it will allow players to interact with their environment in a variety of ways.

For example, ledge-hanging will allow you to pull yourself up from a ledge and peek over the top. The movements can be described as jumping, pulling yourself up and around surfaces, and peeking around obstacles or ledges.

This new dynamic maneuver known as ledge-hanging will give Modern Warfare 2 players more movement options to choose from alongside swimming, diving, and sliding.


For more Call of Duty, check out the CoD Modern Warfare 2 (2022) cast list so far as well as how Infinity Ward have improved the AI.

Image Credit: Activision