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A challenge inModern Warfare 3requires players to get Tactical Stance kills. However, the task doesn’t come with instructions, which has baffled some players. They wonder what a Tac-Stance is and how it can be used to kill enemies. This quickMW3guide clarifies everything about the challenge and offers tips forlanding Tactical Stance killswith ease.
Updated on Jun 04, 2025, by Mohsen Baqery: With MW3 joining Xbox Game Pass, thousands of new players are expected to join Activision’s multiplayer shooter. These newcomers might be curious about the tactical stance feature, a relatively new addition to the Modern Warfare franchise. To help new players learn more, this article has been updated with a detailed explanation of the feature, along with clear instructions for activating the tac-stance mode and achieving kills with it.
Tactical Stance Mode Explained
Also known as tac-stance, the tactical stance is a shooting mode inModern Warfare 3. When toggled on, the player holds the gun tilted to one side, firing without aiming down the sight. Similar to hip fire mode, shots in the tactical stance are less accurate compared to aiming down sights (ADS). However, this mode is advantageous in close-quarter battles (CQB), where quick reactions are more important than precision.
Press V while you’re aiming down sight
PlayStation 4 and 5
Press down on the D-Pad while holding L2 (or the ADS button)
Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
Press down on the D-Pad while holding LT (or the ADS button)
How to Get Tac-Stance Kills
Tactical kills are achieved byshooting down enemies in the side-grip mode. First,toggle on the Tac-Stanceby pressing down on the D-pad while aiming. (It’s ADS + V on PC.) Next, assassinate enemies while the weapon is tipped on its side.
Introduced inModern Warfare 3,Tac-Stance is a canted firing technique. It allows the player to unshoulder the weapon, tilt it to the side, and shoot in a half-ADS half-hipfire state.
The Best Class Setup for Getting Tac-Stance Kills
Attachment-wise, any component that would increase accuracy and Tac Stance Spread is a must.Suppressors, short barrels, and visible lasersare excellent for maximum Tactical Stance kills.
For the equipment,Infantry is the ideal vest. Tracker gear like the Backlight Flashlight is handy. In addition to that, tactical items such as Stun Grenades are a must—as they facilitate hipfire kills by slowing down the enemy.
Since the Tac-Stance ditches ADS, leave the Optic’s slot empty. Give its spot to a stability-inducing attachment. An underbarrel, stock, or rear grip would be a better replacement.
The Best Modes for the Tactical Stance Challenge
Hardcore modes with dense mapsare optimal for getting Tac-Stance kills. Enemies in these modes have fewer HPs and are easier to locate, making it feasible to land hipfire and no-crosshair shots.Free For All, Kill Confirm, and Dominationare the best options.
As for the maps,Rust, Scrapyard, and Terminaloffer the highest Tactical Stance kill ratio. These small areas enable Close Quarters Battle (CQB), which is crucial forthe camo challenges.
Tips for Mastering Tac-Stance Assassinations
Below is a list of best practices for getting more Tactical Stance kills:
