When people think of the Call of Duty franchise, fast-paced first-person shooter gameplay usually comes to mind. However, Activision once experimented with a completely different formula: Call of Duty: Heroes, a free-to-play mobile real-time strategy (RTS) game that launched in 2014. Though its servers shut down in late 2018, many fans still remember it fondly for bringing iconic characters, killstreaks, and units from the franchise into a Clash of Clans–style battlefield.
With the hype surrounding COD BO7 (Call of Duty: Black Ops 7) in the future, some fans are revisiting older experiments in the series—and Heroes deserves a place in that conversation. Let’s dive deep into its gameplay, features, and legacy.
A Brief History of Call of Duty: Heroes
- Beta Release: August 14, 2014 (exclusive iOS launch in New Zealand & Australia, and Windows 8 worldwide).
- Full Release: November 26, 2014.
- Final Update (v4.9): August 15, 2018.
- Shutdown Announcement: October 22, 2018.
- Servers Closed: December 22, 2018.
Developed by Faceroll Games and published by Activision, Heroes was an attempt to blend the recognizable elements of Call of Duty—heroes, drones, killstreaks—with the massively popular base-building RTS mechanics dominating the mobile market.
Gameplay: Commanding the Battlefield
Unlike traditional COD titles, Heroes was not an FPS. Instead, players focused on:
- Base Building: Construct and upgrade defensive structures, mines, turrets, and resource collectors.
- Army Management: Train elite units like Juggernauts, CLAWs, and Dragonfire drones.
- Hero Deployment: Summon legendary COD characters to fight alongside armies.
- Killstreaks: Call in devastating Predator Missiles, Chopper Gunners, UAVs, and more.
The gameplay loop rewarded both strategic planning and aggressive raiding. PvP battles, cooperative alliances, and global conflicts added layers of depth rarely seen in mobile spin-offs.
Core Features
- Iconic Heroes: From Soap MacTavish to Ghost, players could recruit fan favorites with unique auras and abilities.
- Upgradeable Bases: Over 30 defensive structures to fortify your command center.
- Killstreak Power: Rain destruction from above with EMPs, Drone Strikes, and Gunships.
- Alliance System: Team up with friends, donate troops, and compete in Alliance Wars.
- Daily Rewards: Log in consistently to increase gold, oil, diamonds, and skill points.
Daily Rewards System
Heroes featured a progressive login system:
- Day 1: 30,000 gold, 30,000 oil, 20 diamonds, 18 skill points, 4 Celerium.
- Day 2–5: Rewards increased by 10%, 30%, 60%, and 70%.
- Extra Rewards: 10 Celerium for the first PvP win, and 100 skill points for the first Survival game.
This system encouraged daily engagement, much like modern battle pass mechanics seen in COD Mobile and possibly to appear in COD BO7.
Game Modes
- Survival Mode: Defend against waves of increasingly difficult enemies.
- Challenge Mode: Special missions with unique objectives and rewards.
- Alliance Wars: Large-scale battles where groups of players fought for dominance.
- Global Conflict: Worldwide events where prestige and teamwork determined outcomes.
Heroes Roster and Abilities
One of the most exciting aspects of Call of Duty: Heroes was the ability to unlock, upgrade, and customize legendary characters. Below is a detailed table of their battle auras, skills, and bonuses:
| Hero | Battle Aura | Skills | Garrison Bonus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | + Attack Damage | Chopper Gunner, Grenade Launcher, EMP Artillery | HP++ |
| Yuri | + HP | UAV, EMP Grenade, EMP Artillery | DPS++ |
| Wallcroft | – Enemy Accuracy | Smoke Grenade, Chaff Grenade, Drone Missile | HP+, DPS+ |
| Soap | + Accuracy | Care Package, Mine Sweep Round, Barrier Breaker | HP++ |
| Harper | – Enemy Damage | EMP Grenade, Care Package, K.E.M. Strike | DPS++ |
| Ghost | + Critical Chance | Gunship, Launcher, EMP Artillery | HP+, DPS+ |
| Ilona | + Attack Rate | Exo Cloak, Red Flare, XS1 Vulcan | HP++ |
| Gideon | + Movement Speed | Exo Cloak, UAV, Sentry Turret | DPS++ |
| Reaper | + Attack Damage | Scythe, Chaff Grenade, Lightning Strike | HP+, DPS+ |
| Outrider | – Enemy Attack Rate | Sparrow, G.I. Unit, Hellstorm Missile | HP++ |
| Menendez | + Attack Damage | Hack & Slash, Sentry Hack, Last Stand | DPS++ |
| ETH.3n | + Attack Damage | Light Shield, Vulture, Scorcher | HP+, DPS+ |
| Riley | + Movement Speed | Trained Killer, Threat Detection, Rescue Riley | HP+, DPS+ |
| Daniels | + HP | Molotov Cocktail, Artillery Barrage, Fighter Pilot | HP+, DPS+ |
| Rousseau | – Enemy Accuracy | Decoy, Paratroopers, Glide Bomb | DPS++ |
| Richtofen | – Enemy Damage | Monkey Bomb, Dead Drop, Wunderwaffe DG-2 | HP++ |
Legacy of Call of Duty: Heroes
Although Heroes shut down in 2018, it left behind a legacy as one of the most ambitious experiments in the Call of Duty franchise. It demonstrated that fans were open to new gameplay styles as long as the COD DNA—heroes, killstreaks, tactical combat—remained intact.
With rumors and excitement building around COD BO7, some fans speculate that lessons from Heroes might resurface, either in base-building modes, hero progression systems, or alliance-based warfare.
Call of Duty: Heroes may not have lasted as long as Clash of Clans, but it remains a beloved side chapter in the COD universe. For players anticipating COD BO7, revisiting Heroes reminds us that Call of Duty is more than just a shooter—it’s a franchise willing to experiment and push boundaries.
And while Call of Duty: Heroes is no longer playable, its spirit of innovation lives on in the upcoming titles. As fans look forward to new experiences in COD BO7, many are already preparing to dive into the action. Whether you’re exploring strategies, teaming up with friends, or looking to gain an edge in competitive play, options like the ability to buy COD BO7 lobby access ensure that every player can shape their own unique journey in the next chapter of the franchise.
