Overview:
- Estimated achievement difficulty: 9.5/10
- Offline: 17 [575]
- Online: 9 [425]
- Approximate amount of time to 1000g: 80-100 hours boosting, 500-1000 'legit'
- Minimum number of playthroughs needed: 1 plus a few mission selects
- Number of missable achievements: Grizzled Veteran is 'missable' if you don't do the campaign on Veteran in one run-through [you can save the game, shut off your 360, or whatever, you just can't start a new campaign or chapter select midway through].
- Glitched achievements: None!
- Do cheat codes disable achievements: No Cheats

You will have to play through the game on the hardest difficulty, which is infinitely easier said than done. You can attempt to play through some missions in certain ways for 'side' achievements, but it's a lot less taxing to do it later on the lowest difficulty.

As far as multiplayer, the game requires you to get 40,000 online points, which is amazingly time consuming, even with boosting. There are a few 'side' achievements, but they're nothing compared to General.

Call of Duty 3's achievement list won "Hardest Shooter 1000" and "Most Time-Consuming Single Achievement" in x360a's 06/07 Achievement awards, so be warned.

Single-Player

Step 1:
First off, start up the game on Veteran. This is the hardest difficulty setting. It's not hard in the traditional sense, but it's brutal because of how buggy the game is. Enemies will shoot through walls, only at you, and with perfect aim. Movement is awkward when crouching/lying down, but rest assured, you will never get stuck in a wall or behind a door or anything that will force you to reset the mission. Nevertheless, the campaign is doable after 15-25 hours of frustration, depending on your skill. Make sure you start the game by selecting "New Game", and to always continue the game by selecting "Continue". You must beat the game on Veteran in one "run-through", otherwise "Grizzled Veteran" will not unlock. Be sure to read the tips in the guide. Beating the game on Veteran will get you a minimum of 7 achievements for 300.

Step 2:
Get the "side" achievements for singleplayer. You may have already unlocked a few during the Veteran run, but it's a lot easier to go for them on "Easy". Use Chapter Select to play the chapters named in the achievement guide. You will get the remaining 10 singleplayer achievements for 275.

Multiplayer

Step 1:
Welcome to General, one of the most brutal achievements ever. Every match in Ranked multiplayer is 20 minutes long, though it may end earlier if one team gets a certain amount of kills or captures the flag a certain amount of times, depending on the gametype. A player would be lucky to get 40 points in a match. Adding in lobby time, you can get 2 matches in per hour. That's 80 points an hour, meaning General will take you 500 hours. The good news is, that there are zero bugs on the achievement. All points (unless you leave or get kicked because of teamkilling) will count on the leaderboards, and General will unlock at 40,000 points exactly.

Once you hit 40,000 points, you will get at least 5 achievements worth 320 points.

However, there is a way to boost:

Step 1.1 (optional):
Use the forum's Achievement Trading Thread to get a group of people who want to boost. 8 or more (you need 8 people to play a ranked match) is best, but about half of all 'random' people on COD3 are willing to boost. Be sure to make a silver account named "COD3 boosting" or similar and use the FoF feature to have a convenient list of names.

You can always go into games by yourself and try to get everyone to boost, but it's a major pain to get all 7+ other people to comply.

Step 1.2 (optional):
If you have "boosting partners", start up a private player match. (Battle is best, because everyone will be able to talk to each other regardless of team) Then, assign one person (PlayerA) to scout and one person (PlayerB) to be on point. Have PlayerA and PlayerB private chat each other, and PlayerA leave the game and begin to search for ranked capture the flag matches. PlayerA needs to wait until he can get into a lobby by himself or close to it. When that happens (and it can take a long time, depending on traffic), PlayerA tells PlayerB to leave and search. All of the other boosters need to know to search once PlayerB leaves.

Step 1.3:
As the lobby begins to fill, ready up and make sure everyone knows that you're boosting. Ideally, you can get in a room composed of nothing but boosters, but more often than not, there will be a person or two who can't speak English (or whatever language you're using), doesn't have a mic, or will intentionally screw you up. Usually, the first two types of people will figure out what's going on after a while. Have patience.

Step 1.4:
Once the game starts, all boosters should automatically spawn as Medics and switch to pistols so it can be easily seen who's complying and who isn't. Err on the side of caution, because one accidental killing can mess everything up. Have one person on each team go to the other team's base (throwers), and everyone else needs to go to their base (catchers).

Step 1.5:
The throwers need to pick up the enemy flag and drop it (with the same button that fires your guns) onto the catchers. The flag needs to be about one body length away from the base or the flag cannot be caught. They need to do this repeatedly for the duration of the match. The idea here is that each thrower is picking up the flag for one point, and each catcher is returning the flag for one point. There will be multiple catchers, but as long as the catchers are touching each other, they should all score a point.

The main factor in the amount of points you will score (besides people not complying) is the skill of the thrower. The best throwing technique is to stand with your back to the flag, pick it up, then drop it. Ideally, no movement is required, but most maps will 'push' you with every pickup/throw. A good thrower can get 500 pickups in a match, meaning everyone can end the match with 500 points. However, the game can get overloaded from all the flag activity and begin to lag. The more lag, the more you will score from each individual pickup/catch. Getting 1000 points in a match is not unheard of.

Step 1.6:
Once the match is over, one team will win based on points. (it has no bearing on the achievement though) Once the 30-second timer ends, everyone should immediately search for a Ranked Capture The Flag match and start again. The best way to boost is in several long stretches of 5-10 hours each, as it's simply more convenient to keep rejoining rooms than to set up player matches.

Step 2:
In addition to General, there are several "side" achievements. There are 4 achievements worth 105. "Victory Medal" will most likely be achieved during General boosting, and you can get "Supply Officer" during a boosting match if you spawn as a Support class and keep dropping ammo on catchers. "Doc" can be easily attained by playing as a Medic during a match and just running around reviving. "A War Hero" is the only tricky one, as it must be done in a War game, which you can't General boost in. Really, all you have to do is win a match of War and make sure you're there when the last flag gets capped.

In all, these side achievements are nothing compared to General and can be easily acquired in one day. Plus, you can play the game 'for real', and COD3's quite fun.

  [XBA would like to thank Marx0r for this Roadmap] 

Call of Duty 3 Achievement Guide

Printable Guide
Show completed achievements
Show secret achievements

There are 26 achievements with a total of 1000 points

  • Complete the basic training in the beginning of Saint Lo.

    Simply complete the basic training at the start of the first level of the game, on any difficulty. Just follow the instructions that you are given until you get into the truck.

  • Complete two missions as an American soldier.

    Go through the single player campaign and after completing two missions as an American soldier, you will pick up this achievement. This can be done on any difficulty.

  • Complete two missions as a British soldier.

    Go through the single player campaign and after completing two missions as a British soldier, you will pick up this achievement. This can be done on any difficulty.

  • Complete two missions as a Canadian soldier.

    Go through the single player campaign and after completing two missions as a Canadian soldier, you will pick up this achievement. This can be done on any difficulty.

  • Complete two missions as a Polish soldier.

    Go through the single player campaign and after completing two missions as a Polish soldier, you will pick up this achievement. This can be done on any difficulty.

  • Complete the single player campaign on any difficulty setting.

    Finish the game on any difficulty. See "Grizzled Veteran" for combat tips.

  • Pick up and return 5 live grenades.

    This must be done during one level, not over the course of the game. There is a balcony in the top floor of a house where you end up on the first level of the game, and you are charged with holding the position with your comrades. Stand at the balcony and enemy grenades will be thrown at you. Simply throw them away and you will recieve this achievement.

  • Complete a mission by firing only bolt action rifles. Melee attacks don't count.

    You can obtain this achievement as well as "Battlefield Scavenger" on Mission 3: Night Drop. Knock out the first guard and use his rifle for the rest of the level.

  • Complete a mission by firing only assault rifles. Melee attacks don't count.

    On the second mission of the game you can use the BAR for this achievement. Be precious with your ammunition as it is not plentiful. You can also use an enemies MP44. If you have problems with this, try it on Easy difficulty. Some have been saying that you cannot use grenades or melee attacks if you want to get this one.

  • Complete a mission by firing only German weapons. Melee attacks don't count.

    You can obtain this achievement as well as "Rifleman" on Mission 3: Night Drop. Knock out the first guard and use his rifle for the rest of the level.

  • Complete a mission without dying or using checkpoints.

    Simply complete a level without dying. This is done easiest on the first level at Saint Lo, just keep your head down and shoot occasionally to help your teammates (who will help out a lot) keep the enemy at bay. You can do this on any difficulty, but obviously its easier on Easy. You can also get the "Allergic to Bullets" and "Conservationist" achievements on this level.

  • Avoid getting hit more than 30 times during a mission.

    Simply complete a level and don't get hit more than 30 times. Make sure to count how many times you are hit and if you think you've failed before the end, restart te level. This is done easiest on the first level at Saint Lo, just keep your head down and shoot occasionally to help your teammates (who will help out a lot) keep the enemy at bay. You can do this on any difficulty, but obviously its easier on Easy. You can also get the "Still Ticking" and "Conservationist" achievements on this level.

  • Complete a mission using less than 300 rounds of ammunition.

    Simply complete a level without firing more than 300 rounds. This is done easiest on the first level at Saint Lo, where you can rely on your comrades a lot, and then use a rifle as opposed to an automatic weapon as it will use up less ammunition. You can do this on any difficulty, but obviously its easier on Easy. You can also get the "Still Ticking" and "Allergic to Bullets" achievements on this level.

  • Complete a mission without firing a round. Player can make use of melee attacks and hand grenades.

    Try getting this on the second level, 'The Island'. Use the butt of a rifle as it takes out the enemy with one hit, and make use of hand grenades when there is more than one enemy to take down.You can do this on any difficulty, but obviously its easier on Easy.

  • Complete the Single Player Campaign on Veteran difficulty.

    Some Tips that may help :

    * Good use of smoke grenades is a vital part of the game, use them well and in the right places and it will make this a hell of a lot easier. Remember not to waste them though, as smoke grenades are not in plentiful supply.

    * Always stay behind cover - try not to get stranded in the open or the enemy will often take you down. When reloading always do it behind cover as getting caught mid-reload will often end up with you dying.

    * Always make good use of your fellow commerades. They will often be a great help and take out a number of enemies for you. They will not do all the fighting for you and you will be kept very busy, but staying behind while your fellow country men storm a house will often save you dying instead.

    * When you get shot, as soon as the screen flashes and judders, get to cover as quickly as possible. This flashing screen means if you're shot again you will die. Stay in cover until the screen returns to normal.

    * Always keep a careful eye on the grenade indicator, as soon as it pops up, be somewhere else. Alternatively, you can try throwing the grenade back at the enemy.

    * Choose your weapons carefully, when fighting in close proximity to the enemy an automatic weapon is always the best choice. A rifle is the best choice for the enemies at long range. Be sure to carry one machine gun and one mid to long range rifle at all times.

    * When clearing houses of the enemy, grenades are the weapon of choice. Remember they will bounce off walls if you want to clear the enemies around corners without the risk of being shot.

    * If your stuck on a certain mission for a long time, try a different strategy, head a different way, or try something different to what you have been doing previously. Different strategies will work for different people and there a various ways around many of the obstacles.

    (Thanks to snafegeeza & Carl Showalter who composed this Veteran tips list for Call of Duty 2)

  • Supply ammunition to at least 20 friendly soldiers in a single ranked match. (Multiplayer)

    Choose to be the Support or Anti-Tank class during a ranked multiplayer match, and follow different teammates, dropping ammo crates in front of them with .

  • Doc

     

    30

    Revive 10 of your teammates in a ranked match without getting a teamkill. (Multiplayer)

    Choose to be the Medic class during a ranked multiplayer match, and follow different teammates, healing them with  as soon as the drop. Make sure not to kill any teammates during this game.

  • Capture the final objective in the game mode War. Must be a ranked match. (Multiplayer)

    In a ranked multiplayer match in the game mode 'War', be on your toes and make sure to be at the final flag and win the game. Keep trying if you don't get it first time, if it's a large game you could try staying at the final flag so that when the time comes to take it you're the first there.

  • Be the player with the highest score and on the winning team in a ranked match. (Multiplayer)

    In a ranked multiplayer match, make sure to be the best player on the winning team. You can check the scores ingame by pressing . Stick to your favourite classes and take down as many of the enemy as possible. In objective games, make sure to be the one that scores the flag or secures the HQ, for example. Don't teamkill, as a punishment takes points away from you.

  • Receive 200 total points in ranked matches. (Multiplayer)

    See "General".

  • Receive 2000 total points in ranked matches. (Multiplayer)

    See "General".

  • Major

     

    60

    Receive 8000 total points in ranked matches. (Multiplayer)

    See "General".

  • Receive 20000 total points in ranked matches. (Multiplayer)

    See "General".

  • General

     

    120

    Receive 40000 total points in ranked matches. (Multiplayer)

    To get these achievements you'll have to play a lot of ranked multiplayer matches. Score as many points as you can each game to get these faster. You can check the scores ingame by pressing . Take down as many of the enemy as possible. In objective games, make sure to be the one that scores the flag or secures the HQ, for example. Don't teamkill, as a punishment takes points away from you. You can view your current points by going to 'Leaderboards' and then 'Global Leaderboard'. If you have played ranked matches then the first page that comes up will show your rank. The star indicates your points, and you can press  to view more detailed statistics.

 

Secret achievements

  • For perserverence despite grevious injuries.

    To get this achievement, you have to have died 20 or more times and then completed the level. Throw a grenade at your feet just after a checkpoint and do this 20 times, then finish the level.

  • EXTREME! Found a big jump and caught some air!

    You can get this in the first British mission, where you first drive a jeep. At one point you will have to avoid a tank, and there is a field with a ramp positioned on a fence. Line yourself up and get plenty of speed up then jump it. You should get the achievement when you land.

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